Networking Apps for Remote Workers and Coworking Members

Remote workers and coworking members build a network best with a small set of tools: one professional profile, one chat community and one way to meet people in person. Start with LinkedIn, a Slack community and Meetup, then add more only if you use them.

What should a coworking member look for in a networking app?

Ask four questions before you sign up for anything new:

• Will you open it weekly? An app you forget is no help.
• Does it connect you to people near you? Local contacts are the ones who can meet you at your space.
• Who can see your details? Check the privacy settings before you add your work history or phone number.
• Does it cost anything? Check the current plans on the app's own site.

Which apps are worth using?

LinkedIn for your public profile

LinkedIn is the usual home for a professional profile. Freelancers can use it to show what they do and who they have worked with. Remote employees can use it to stay visible beyond their own company. Write a plain headline that says what you do, and add the coworking space you work from if you want local contacts to find you.

Slack for communities and team channels

Many coworking spaces and professional groups run a Slack workspace for members. Slack channels are organized spaces for a topic, project or team, so a good community will have separate channels for introductions, job leads and local events. Join a few, introduce yourself in one sentence, and mute the rest.

Meetup for in-person events

Meetup is built around groups that meet in person or online. Space operators can use it to promote workshops, and members can use it to find groups in their field. See our post on hosting workshops in a coworking space if you run a space.

Bumble Bizz and Teleparty: optional extras

Bumble Bizz is a professional networking mode of the Bumble app. Teleparty lets a group watch video together with a shared chat, which some teams use for casual social hours. Neither replaces the three above. Try them only if your group already uses them.

How do you network without wasting time?

1. Set a weekly slot. Fifteen minutes on a fixed day beats scattered scrolling.
2. Update your profile after each project. Add what you did and what you learned, not just a title.
3. Reply to people. Answer a question in a channel or comment on a post, and conversations follow.
4. Move good chats to a call. A short video call or a coffee in the space turns a contact into a relationship.
5. Follow up. Send a note within a few days of meeting someone.

What if your work is mostly online?

A good connection has to work even when you are not in the same room. Reliable internet matters for calls, and our guide to fixing Wi-Fi problems as a remote worker covers the basics. If your contacts are in other countries, plan around the clock with this advice on meetings across time zones.

How do you keep your data safe?

Share only what you would put on a business card. Keep your home address and personal phone number out of public profiles, use a unique password for each app, and switch on two-step verification where it is offered. Review who can see your profile every few months, as settings change.