Social Media Platforms You May Not Have Heard Of
Emily Farr | @EmilyLFarr
We’ve all heard of or use the social media giants like Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest. Sometimes it seems like they dictate our daily lives so much that they’re the only social media platforms we notice. Are there any other social media sites hidden amongst the likes of Facebook and Twitter? Of course, some of which are quite exclusive and could help keep your personal life and work life separate from other aspects of your daily life. They may even help you reach a larger audience for your business.
According to its website, A Small World was founded in 2004 but was relaunched in 2013, and unlike Facebook this site is very exclusive and not free. As a members-only social club for international travelers, this site of 250,000 members is good for businesspeople who travel internationally for their jobs. A Small World offers at least 50 international events per month and offers luxury member benefits. However, an annual subscription to this unknown site is a fee of $105.
Sgrouples is another social media site that isn't on the mainstream radar. Since it was founded in 2011, the difference between the major social media sites and Sgrouples is its emphasis is on real life and privacy. In fact, it claims to be "The World's Safest Social Network." The idea with this site is that you can control what you share with your family and friends as opposed to others in your life (acquaintances, co-workers etc.). It's mainly made to find the close connections in ones life and not just for stalking your ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend (no stalking, bullying, or tracking allowed). At Sgrouples, its main mission is to start an " Online Privacy Revolution."
Nextdoor is a private and free social network all in the name of community. Founded in 2010, this is a site where one can easily talk to and connect with neighbors. According to Nextdoor’s homepage, the mission of the site is to “use the power of technology to build stronger and safer neighborhoods.” Its users are not, however, limited to just spreading the word of any break-ins or suspicious behavior. It is also good for tracking down reliable babysitters nearby, planning neighborhood get-togethers and even keeping an eye out for any lost pets. This app can potentially bring small-town businesses closer to the community.
Tvtag, formerly known as GetGlue until i.TV acquired it in 2014, is an app that synchronizes T.V. content from the audience’s favorite shows with audience reactions. The app currently has 9 million registered users and requires iOS 6.0 or later. It is compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. With this app you can connect to other people who enjoy the same shows as you, furthering your reach to potential clients with similar interests.
Founded in 2001, StumbleUpon is a social site that makes finding new and interesting content on the web easily accessible based on your likes and dislikes. In order to continue gaining new content to ‘stumble upon’ you must show whether you like or dislike a page. With over 6 million monthly visitors, this site can help you find interesting, new information to share with customers or people interested in your specific industry or company. It is also available as an app.
We Heart It is a potential way to connect with younger audiences. This social media site, launched in 2007, has an estimated 20 million monthly users around the globe. It’s based on photos and images (like Pinterest) where people can find and ‘heart’ images to create collections. They can then share them with friends who have similar interests. The one difference is that it is aimed at younger audiences like teens and young adults. This site may help companies with products targeting younger audiences or businesses looking to gain a younger clientele. We Heart It is also available as an app for iPhones and iPads.