Local networking
Local networking, without the awkward events
A lot of useful connections come from people who happen to be nearby: the freelancer working in the same café, the founder two streets away, the person who just moved to your area in the same industry. Networking events try to recreate that, usually with name badges and warm wine.
PingMee lets you do it the easy way. Say you're open to networking, post a status about what you're working on or looking for, and see people near you who are open to the same.
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Why local connections matter
People you can actually meet for a quick coffee are worth more than a long list of online contacts. A short chat with someone nearby can lead to a collaboration, a recommendation, a new client or simply someone to compare notes with.
Working remotely or freelancing makes those chats rarer. A little intention brings them back.
How to use PingMee for networking
Choose networking as one of the things you're open to, then post a clear status. The more specific, the better the replies.
- 'Designer working from King's Cross today: coffee at lunch?'
- 'New to the area, work in marketing, keen to meet others in the industry'
- 'Looking for a co-founder with a tech background, happy to chat over coffee'
- 'Freelance photographer, up for swapping notes with other freelancers nearby'
Making the first meeting count
Keep it short and public: a coffee, a walk or a working session somewhere with seats and Wi-Fi. Arrive with one or two things you'd like to learn or offer, and be just as curious about them as you hope they'll be about you.
Libraries such as the British Library and busy public spaces make good neutral ground. Our safety checklist applies to professional meetings too.
Where it's busiest
Plenty of people working for themselves are based around Hackney and Shoreditch, Islington, King's Cross and Camden and Stratford. In the Midlands, see Birmingham.
How it works
1
Post a status
Say what you're up for: "Coffee this afternoon?"
2
See who's nearby
People around you, within the distance you choose.
3
Send a ping
If they ping back, a private chat opens for the two of you.
Your privacy, by design
- Nobody sees your exact location: only an approximate distance.
- Nothing private opens up until you both accept each other.
- You choose whether you appear to people nearby, and you can block or report anyone.
More in our privacy policy.
Questions
Can I use PingMee just for networking?
Yes. Choose networking as what you're open to and you'll see others who chose the same. You can add friendship or relationships later if you want.
Do other people see my employer or job?
Only what you choose to put on your profile and in your statuses. Nothing private opens up until you both accept each other.
Is PingMee free?
Yes. PingMee is free for everyone on iPhone and Android.
Meet people in your area
Guides
- How to make friends in LondonLondon can feel lonely, even with nine million people in it. Practical, tested ways to make friends in London: from clubs and classes to the right apps.
- Meeting someone from an app for the first time: a safety checklistMeeting someone from an app for the first time? A simple safety checklist for before, during and after: choosing the place, telling a friend and trusting your gut.
Get PingMee for free
Free on iPhone and Android.