Sonar Blog

People You May Know

Well, they did it again. Facebook updated their user interface and everyone is dizzy trying to figure out where to find things.  (I, personally, like this update) With all the hullaballu, it’s easy to forget what we love about the service and why we spend so much time on it. Namely: faces, people, connections and communication.  

And even with the multitude of features popping up every month, my eye always veers to the right side of the screen, landing squarely on “People You May Know.” 

“Who are these people?” I ask myself.  Do we go to school together?  Are they in my volleyball league?  Have they been slowly befriending all my friends in the hopes of appearing in the “People you may know” section of my profile?  

And then…I click on their name and I’m instantly combing through dozens of photos, wondering why I haven’t been on a cruise in ten years and reflecting on how much cuter adults look when they’re carrying babies.

It’s the same deal on LinkedIn. Though there, I know right away how we’re connected.  We go to school together. I’m in the Social Media Marketing group with this one.  That one lectured on “Gen Y Affluents.”

So…the problem is…TIME SUCK!  I sit at my computer, looking at these people’s photos instead of running around outside in the world.

That’s one of the things I love about Sonar: it allows me to access this stuff, but in real time, when I’m bored at a conference, when I want to look occupied at a bar.  I can still check out, learn about and connect with people, but I can actively engage in the world around me while I’m doing it. Plus, it lets me see multiple facets of their life: personal through Facebook, professional through LinkedIn and whateva they want on Twitter all in one place. And, if I’m lucky and brave enough, I can actually walk up and talk to the person I’ve been reading about!

Speaking of Twitter, they have a similar feature “Who to follow,” but I never really look at it.  Twitter’s good for other stuff though.

Let us know about your tales of connecting and scoping out buddies’ buddies. We want to hear from you!

Hugs,

Javier, Sonar Community Manager

Check out Sonar on Facebook and Twitter!

Power Networkers, REJOICE! LINKEDIN is here.

Since our launch, Sonar users from industries ranging from tech to event planning to real estate have asked to see their LinkedIn connections on Sonar. Many thanks for all the words of encouragement and awesome feedback.  We’re happy to put your some of your suggestions into action!

Today, we pushed Sonar version 1.1, including LinkedIn, to the Apple store. Go get it and take your networking game to the next level.

Make New Contacts

Sonar reveals your shared LinkedIn connections with people nearby, making you just a tweet away from introducing yourself.  Just select a venue to see the people there and pick someone there to see how you’re connected. You can quickly flip from profile to profile by using the new swipe feature.

See someone that’s connected to all your most important LinkedIn connections? You should probably talk to him! See someone that’s working at Wieden + Kennedy, your dream company? Mosey on over and buy her a drink.  Sonar will tell you that she’s working with your former intern so you have something to talk about right off that bat!

Reconnect

Many of our LinkedIn peeps are people we once met once at a conference three years ago.  Maybe you shared a coffee with one of them and talked about your idea for revolutionizing social networking.  There’s the person that helped you get a meeting at Apple.  Or the recruiter who interviewed you for that Heineken position last year that said she’d keep you in mind for future positions (Catherine R., I’m talking to you!).

With LinkedIn on Sonar, you’ll be better able to reconnect with these folks in person, find out when you’re at the same place together, and tell each other about all the awesome stuff you’ve been up to since you’re last encounter. (Catherine, I have more social media experience and I’m almost done with school!!)

Get Better Acquainted

With Sonar, you can get to know your LinkedIn network personally.  Just use the new carousel feature at the bottom of the screen to toggle between her profiles.  Sure, you’re both programing studs, but what else do you have in common?  What has Catherine been tweeting about lately?  Do we have any Facebook friends in common?  Does she like Lady Gaga as much as I do?  Now, when I follow up, I have more to talk about and it’s easier to build a relationship.

We have some more ideas for LinkedIn, but, as is, we think this feature will help Sonar users become Power Networkers and Power Networkers become Demi-Gods!

Can’t wait to hear your amazing tales of business hook ups!!

Get the new build in the app store!

Much love,

Javier Cobo, Sonar Community Manager

Impromptu Rendezvous at Pain Quotidien

Here at Sonar, we’re really excited about the way Sonar helps make connections happen.  You might even call it “magical.”  We are so excited about how people are using Sonar to connect, we’d like to share some of those connections with you!!  Here’s but one of the many real life connections facilitated by Sonar this month:

@Trace_Cohen is a publicist, social media fanatic and aspiring entrepreneur.

@ngavronsky is an entrepreneur, creator, starter, hustler and tech lover.

They both live in NYC, hang out with a lot of the same people, and have similar interests, but they had never actually met or talked to each other. Earlier this month, they both attended the same small gathering at Le Pain Quotidien during Internet Week New York.  They’ll definitely talk to each other, right?  The only problem is, they’re on opposite ends of that huge “communal” Pain Quotidien table (below).

Luckily…they both checked in.  @Trace_Cohen on Foursquare and @ngavronsky on Sonar.  Nick noticed he and Trace shared 132 Twitter friends and decided to Tweet at him. (see Tweet stream below) Trace responded and they ended up networking at the event.  Sonar, and all their shared interests, gave them something to talk about.  Serendipity facilitated!

Would they have eventually met on their own?  Maybe, but probably not.  Most people end up talking to the people plopped down next to them, but, with Sonar, Nick and Trace were able to connect with the most relevant people in the room, each other. Is this meeting life changing?  Who knows, but it’s way better than leaving things to chance!

We’re really jazzed about helping make real connections like this one a reality.

We’d love to hear your Sonar stories on our Facebook page or via Twitter.  Like/Follow us for daily updates!  

- Javier, Sonar Community Manager