Discover 12 Professional Networking Platforms Beyond LinkedIn

There are several professional networking platforms that serve as alternatives to LinkedIn, each offering unique features and catering to different niches or locations. Some of these include:

1. Meetup: A platform for creating or joining local meetups based on personal and professional interests.
2. XING: Often considered Europe's answer to LinkedIn, it's a professional network with over 21 million members.
3. Bark: Connects local professionals with potential clients and requires purchasing credits to contact clients.
4. Opportunity: Offers professional matchmaking based on specific needs and criteria.
5. Jobcase: An online community and job database with over 120 million users.
6. Community Forums: Platforms like Google Ads forum, Bing Ads forum, and Google Webmaster Central Forum for niche-specific discussions.
7. X (formerly Twitter): Communities and Spaces for industry-specific networking.
8. Reddit: Hosts subreddits for various professional interests like r/PPC and r/SEO.
9. Slack: Messaging app with communities for networking and information exchange.
10. Facebook Groups: Groups dedicated to sharing professional knowledge and experiences.
11. Sumry: A web app for building interactive resumes and portfolios.
12. Gust.com: A community for startups and early-stage investors.

To use Meetup for professional networking, follow these steps:

• Register on Meetup and select your personal and professional interests.
• Meetup will notify you about local events that match your interests.
• Attend meetups that span a variety of topics, from workshops to networking mixers.
• If you don't find suitable events, create your own meetup and invite others.
• Make your group or event stand out with a catchy title and engaging description.

Meetup is ideal for blending online connections with real-world interactions, deepening knowledge, expanding your professional network, or exploring your passions.

XING is a professional networking platform with over 21 million members, primarily beneficial for those looking to work within or with European markets. Here's how it works:

• Join XING and tap into a massive professional network.
• Participate in group chats, identify relevant events, post or search for jobs, and research companies.
• Utilize the unique 'Culture Compass' feature to gain insights into the work culture of potential employers.

XING is free to use, with a premium membership offering additional features like searching for people with specific qualifications or messaging unknown contacts.

Community forums offer a range of benefits for professional networking, including:

• Access to a diverse audience of professionals in your niche.
• The opportunity to ask questions and share experiences with others seeking input.
• Active participation by knowledgeable individuals.

To make the most of these forums, contribute with questions or share your expertise, and engage genuinely with fellow members. This can help deepen your knowledge and expand your network.

To effectively network on Reddit, you should:

• Join subreddits that cater to your professional interests, such as r/PPC for paid search or r/SEO for SEO.
• Engage with existing posts or start your own discussions by signing up for a free Reddit account.
• Provide value in your interactions and follow the rules of each subreddit to avoid any negative feedback.

Reddit's subreddits are free to join and offer a platform for staying updated with industry trends and connecting with peers.