It is nearly impossible to escape the social media giants, considering their impact on our lives, especially in business fields. You do not have to escape, though; it is normal to be a part of this social media mass now. However, if you are one of those people like me who desire a deeper connection where you should only come across your correspondences, mainstream platforms may not be sufficient for you. And there is nothing wrong with that, too! All you have to do is explore different niche social networks.
As the name suggests, these niche social networks, also called vertical social media platforms, allow you to interact with like-minded people. You encounter specific people who are interested in something particular, just as you are.
It could be tailored to indie game developers, passionate travelers, sharing recipe platforms, etc. We can think of these social networks as more specific forums on a larger scale. You can find yourself far from generic social networks since niche-specific social networks offer a space to focus on your work with meaningful interactions. Let’s explore the best 10 of them and help you find a suitable place for yourself!
BlogHer
I can’t help but place BlogHer as a passionate content writer at the top of my list. Confessed! It is a community for bloggers, founded in 2005, aiming to empower every woman globally economically. It hosts conferences that could benefit women bloggers, digital marketers, celebrities, and entrepreneurs every year.
It is the perfect platform if you’re a woman creator or a small business owner.
SoundCloud
Even though SoundCloud may not be the perfect fit for a traditional social network, it has a special focus on artists, creators, and listeners based on music and audio content.
Features like commenting, liking, and reposting make it much more similar to social media platforms in that you need followers, likes, etc. to stand out. Views4You is here to help you grow your social media accounts.
Letterboxd
If you are a cinephile, I cannot imagine a better niche social media network for you than Letterboxd. You can keep track of the movies you’ve watched, rate them, make reviews, share your opinions, contribute to the community, and create movie lists.
Also, it is a useful platform for upcoming films that can need the hype they need. It could be used for promotional purposes.
Behance
Behance is one of the prominent niche social media networks that could be right for you if you are a visual artist, graphic designer, or web designer. It is inevitable not to be a part of this social network for visual artists where you can promote your work and have your own portfolio. Behance is even a part of recruitment since some professionals may want to see your portfolio on the platform. Consider Behance as an opportunity to grow!
Goodreads
It is not possible to skip Goodreads, which has enabled passionate bookworms to rate books and participate in discussions since 2006. You can discover new books and share your opinions with others, too, if you still can’t get over the impact of the latest novel you’ve read.
You do not need to be a bookworm to be part of the community. Sometimes, you want to discuss the latest book you’ve read with your close circle, and share your excitement, and all the possible discussion topics. However, it is not always the case that you can find the person to talk to. Here, please let me introduce you to Goodreads!
Flixster
Similar to Letterboxd, there is a community for movie enthusiasts, also similar to IMDb since it shows actor profiles. It has interactive features like forums that allow you to interact with other enthusiasts. Plus, it is integrated with Facebook!
Stack Overflow
It is nearly impossible to not hear of Stack Overflow before if you are in IT world! It is the most ideal platform for anyone in the field.
Every tech query has been addressed and discussed on the platform. It is similar to Reddit in terms of the system of voting questions and answers.
The Student Room
I cannot think of a better alternative to The Student Room, which has existed in the digital world since 1999. It is a community designed for students located in the United Kingdom—lucky you! It offers a space for academic assistance. Businesses can observe student debates, making the platform even more suitable for market research.
Instructables
I know people who are specifically into DIY, going beyond just looking for DIYs out of necessity. If you consider yourself one of these people, explore this niche social media network. Here, people can support each other’s work and help each other get through challenges, share DIY tutorials, etc. If you’re into DIY projects and maybe looking for help to get over a task, this is the best platform for you!
It is a massive visual platform with countless designs, fashion ideas, trends, and more. If you are looking for a muse, it is a good place to start. It is also great for businesses to promote their products, as things can easily become popular and start trends on this platform. Moreover, it has a very easy-to-use interface.
Conclusion
There are other social media platforms other than mainstream ones that everyone knows. Instead of catering to a broader audience, they specialize in certain topics and cater to specific communities. People here find like-minded people, share content, participate in discussions, and connect with each other. Therefore, it is possible to find a more relevant experience of social media. In mainstream platforms, you’ll get distracted with thousands of content types. Niche social media networks meet people like you and provide the content you’ll interested in.