By Valerie Creque
By now, everyone – including my technologically challenged mother – is at least familiar with the Holy Trinity of social media: Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. These networking powerhouses are constantly in the news, and now, with smartphones, these sites are literally in our pockets. If you’re like me and you tend to forgo what “everyone else” is doing and find something that better suits your needs, here are five other social networking sites that you probably haven’t heard of:
- Vox – If you’d like to express yourself in more than 140 characters, try Vox. It’s a blogging site that claims to be “simple, sexy and smart.” Vox users can create a profile, host a blog, join
groups, share photos and explore topics including technology, entertainment, culture, life, music and news. Vox is also compatible with YouTube and Flickr. With hundreds of design options available, users can personalize the look of their site. Check out other people’s profiles by scrolling down to “Who’s on Vox” on the homepage.
- bigsight– bigsight allows users to post a bio, share links, and share education and work history. bigsight users can search by name, company, interests or school to make connections. A note on the homepage says it’s “a great addition to your core Facebook account,” but a bigsight profile can also stand alone.
- Naymz – This one is more professional than social. The site is a networking platform that uses a scoring system or RepScore to rate users based on profile completion and account activity.
According to Naymz, users with higher RepScores are eligible for various perks, including a higher Google ranking. A basic profile is free, but Naymz also offers a premium service with additional perks.
- Professional on the Web –As its name implies, this site is centered on making business connections and operates as a directory. The site, likely a godsend for freelancers, allows members to post a profile and show off their talent (or lack thereof) with an online portfolio.
- BrightFuse –The BrightFuse homepage boasts the site’s identity as a “talent community.” Like Professional on the Web, BrightFuse allows members to present their portfolios. This site is focused on building a community and encourages users to ask questions, connect to peers and build a reputation.
The only difference between these sites and the “Holy” sites is that these sites are simply less popular -- but are by no means inferior. Among the networking and socializing, users should be mindful of what they post. Social profiles can bring business opportunities and friends, among other things, so don’t be afraid to engage the community. Privacy settings for each of these sites vary across the board – but that’s a whole other issue. Proceed with enthusiasm – and caution.
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