12 Awesome Professional Networking Alternatives To LinkedIn via @sejournal, @hoffman8

I don’t know about you, but when I hear the word “networking,” I think of LinkedIn.

LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking platform, with more than 1 billion users in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.

Like many of you, I’ve turned LinkedIn into my go-to digital Rolodex, connecting with colleagues past and present and keeping my contacts up-to-date.

However, like any social network, LinkedIn has its downsides.

With so many people on LinkedIn, it can sometimes feel a bit impersonal, and content in the feed isn’t always hyper-relevant.

On top of this, I’ve noticed an uptick in spam on the platform, with an influx of unsolicited direct messages from people trying to sell me things.

Now, I’m not about to ditch LinkedIn – and I’m not suggesting you should, either.

But there’s a whole other world out there beyond LinkedIn that’s worth exploring for professional networking.

Let’s dive in.

Who Can Benefit From A Networking Platform?

Just about anyone looking to give their professional life a little boost can benefit from a networking platform – whether you’re a new graduate just starting out, a professional seeking growth, a freelancer or entrepreneur hoping to network, or just anyone looking for a professional community.

For digital marketers specifically, networking sites are a treasure trove of insights, trends, and potential partnerships.

While SEO experts might find them useful for finding new tools, swapping strategies, or staying abreast of algorithm changes, social media pros might use them to connect with like-minded individuals or uncover new content approaches.

Basically, anyone who works online can make use of networking platforms to gain industry knowledge, create meaningful connections, and fuel professional growth.

So, whether you aim to boost your personal brand, seek out collaborations, or look for your next big opportunity, these platforms are your go-to.

Without further ado, here are 12 awesome alternatives to LinkedIn to check out in 2024.

1. Meetup

Meetup is a cool platform that allows you to seek out (or create) local meetups with like-minded folks – and it’s a great platform for anyone looking to blend online connections with real-world interactions.

When you register for Meetup, you’ll select your interests (whether personal and/or professional).

From there, Meetup will notify you of any local meetups you might be interested in, as they are created.

The meetups span a wide variety of topics, from in-depth SEO workshops to social media strategy sessions, not to mention casual networking mixers.

If you don’t see anything that interests you or works with your schedule, you can create your own event. Meetup will notify anyone who has identified your topic as of interest to them.

To be successful, make your Meetup group or event stand out by choosing a catchy title and providing a clear, engaging description that lets people know what to expect and why they might want to join.

Remember, this platform is all about bringing people together, so the more you can offer in terms of learning, networking, or just plain fun, the better.

It’s a great way to bring like-minded people together locally, and a great option if you’re looking to deepen your knowledge, expand your professional network, or just further explore your passions.

2. XING

Think of XING as a kind of Europe’s answer to LinkedIn. The professional network, which boasts over 21 million members, offers a unique space for industry professionals to converge and expand their communities.

Currently, XING is particularly beneficial for those looking to work within European markets or with European countries, as it’s much more prominent in Europe than in the U.S. However, it’s used by people in over 200 countries, so don’t discount its power and potential, no matter where you are.

Upon joining XING, you have the ability to tap into a massive professional network. Join group chats with like-minded professionals to network and share ideas; identify relevant seminars, conferences, and tradeshows you may want to attend; or post jobs, search jobs, and research companies.

With over 20,000 recruiters on the platform, it’s particularly powerful for job seekers.

One unique feature XING offers is its culture compass, which offers insights into the work culture of potential employers. This can be super helpful during the job search phase.

To make the most of the platform, make sure your profile is complete and up-to-date with your skills and experience, actively participate in groups and discussions, utilize job alerts, and leverage the Culture Compass.

It is free to use, but similarly to LinkedIn, a paid premium membership unlocks additional features, such as searching for people with specific qualifications or messaging unknown contacts.

3. Bark

Bark, which bills itself as “the Amazon of services,” is designed to connect local professionals with potential clients seeking their services.

It offers a network of over 180,000 active suppliers across eight sectors and connects over 4.5 million buyers and sellers annually.

Are you looking for professional assistance?

Bark will reach out to professionals in your area and circle back with estimates. Even more valuable, if you’re looking to find customers for your business, you can set up your own profile and be paired with prospects who are seeking out similar services.

It caters to a broad range of business needs, from accounting to personal training, web design, SEO, house cleaning, and more.

It’s free to create a profile and browse leads, but Bark requires you to purchase credits in order to actually contact clients – and the fees vary based on job scale and value.

After you purchase a lead, you can immediately access their contact details.

It’s worth noting that Bark doesn’t vet the professionals on its platform, so be sure to exercise caution and do your due diligence when making connections.

To get the most out of Bark:

4. Opportunity

Opportunity is a networking site that prides itself on “professional matchmaking” – or connecting people based on their specific professional needs and criteria. It has millions of members in 190+ countries.

It’s particularly effective for those looking to build networks and business relationships, find job opportunities, generate sales leads, or hire talent.

Users can be notified each time someone in their target market indicates that they need what said user offers. Likewise, they can be notified of relevant employment opportunities, or discover other professionals based on their preferences (e.g., age, gender, interests, etc.)

By creating a profile, you can be directly matched with relevant leads. You can choose from one of five profile types in order to streamline your experience:

The Basic membership is free and offers many core capabilities. Alternatively, you can upgrade to a PRO membership for $29/month, offering features like unlimited messaging, unlimited search radius, and a stronger AI matching algorithm.

5. Jobcase

Jobcase describes itself as “an online community dedicated to empowering the world’s workers.”

It’s a pretty unique platform that has been powering over 100 popular job sites since 2009. Because of that, Jobcase has access to a wealth of data about open roles and the companies currently hiring for roles you might be interested in.

So, how does it work?

With Jobcase, you can set up a profile and get access to a huge database of jobs. Plus, you can join groups or peruse the community to participate in discussions. Jobcase boasts over 120 million users, so there are plenty of discussions to join in on!

The site offers community engagement opportunities, as well as tons of resources for job seekers.

To make the most of Jobcase, be sure to actively participate in discussions relevant to your field. Also, seek advice from seasoned experts and regularly update your profile.

6. Community Forums

Some of the most valuable, and yet most often overlooked, networking opportunities are in community forums.

They cater to a diverse audience of professionals depending on your niche and the forum itself – and there’s a forum for almost anything!

Interested in Google Ads? Check out the Google Ads forum.

Are you curious about Bing Ads? Check out the Bing Ads forum.

Not so much interested in ads? The Google Webmaster Central Forum might be more your speed.

And these are just a few examples of the countless community forums out there.

These forums are a great way to ask questions and share your experience with others who are seeking input. The forums stay active and are frequented by many knowledgeable people.

To maximize the potential of community forums, go out of your way to contribute with questions or share your own expertise. Engaging in these spaces can deepen your knowledge and expand your network.

Remember, the key is to provide value and interact genuinely with fellow members.

7. X (Twitter)

Believe it or not, some of the best industry networking that I’ve been privileged to stumble upon has come from some really great X (formerly Twitter) communities!

Engaging in industry-specific hashtags, threads, Communities, and Spaces can be a powerful way to network and learn on the platform.

The especially great thing about these is that they are public, free, active, and can be really supportive.

New members are welcomed, and people are encouraged to share their questions and struggles. Plus, it’s just fun to talk shop with others who get it.

I’ve made a lot of lasting connections on X, which have led to a variety of career opportunities, from speaking at industry events to client referrals and more

Historically, digital marketers could find relevant content on #SEOchat, #SEOtalk, #SEMrushChat, #HootChat, #SproutChat, #socialROI, and #contentwritingchat – just to name a few. It’s also worth looking for Communities and Spaces that center around your areas of interest and expertise.

Stay active, contribute positively, and harness the collaborative spirit of these communities for potential career growth and knowledge exchange.

8. Reddit

Although Reddit has a strong reputation for being the source of many-a-meme, it’s also so much more than that.

Reddit hosts over 10,000 active subreddits – a huge span of micro-communities – including r/PPC for paid search and r/SEO for, you guessed it, SEO.

Whether you’re interested in content marketing, digital advertising, or web development, there’s at least one subreddit catering to your needs.

The subreddits are completely free to join and public to peruse – and by signing up for a free Reddit account, you can engage with existing posts or start your own discussions.

In this way, it’s a powerful tool for staying updated with industry trends and connecting with peers.

Success on Reddit is all about engaging with others. Just make sure you’re providing value and following the rules of each subreddit, as Reddit users can be sticklers about that.

9. Slack

Screenshot from Slack, March 2024

Slack has evolved past its role as a simple workplace communication tool; there are now many Slack communities for networking purposes and beyond.

On the other hand, it can be quite distracting. With the exception of Lunchmeet, almost every other networking community in this list is browser-based.

In case you haven’t heard of it, Slack is a messaging app that brings people together in unique private communities to exchange information.

Each community has a mix of public threads, smaller private channels, and the option to DM anyone else in the community.

So, if you find yourself distracted by instant messages and mobile/desktop notifications, Slack might not be the best place for you.

That said, I’m a fan; I’ve joined some great communities, met great people, and even created working relationships – all through Slack.

Communities on Slack can range widely in focus, allowing for targeted networking and discussions in your field of interest.

If you’re interested in finding a Slack community, a quick Google search for [Insert Topic Here’ + Slack Community] usually turns up several options.

It’s also easy and free to create your own Slack community and invite your friends.

10. Facebook Groups