A hyperlocal approach to making friends: Starting in Brooklyn, New York

Klatchmaker has been live for one year, and one thing is clear: People all around the United States are eager to find a tight-knit group of real friends, the easy way. Since launching, tons of people have signed up and joined the matching pool.

But building a social network is challenging. There have been a couple of bumps making it harder for Klatchmaker to reach its full potential as a friend-making tool. The first is a classic hurdle for new social networking platforms: getting the word out and spreading the news. As social media algorithms, search engine optimization and discovery habits evolve, making sure enough people know about this opportunity is very tricky. Relying on costly ads, exhaustive research and elusive media attention makes it very difficult to consistently reach the right people.

An even bigger challenge is making sure that early adopters are getting a worthwhile experience as the platform develops. That’s why, in its second year, I’m taking a different approach to introducing Klatchmaker to new people. And it starts with one of the most vibrant and socially friendly communities in America: Brooklyn.

In order to make sure Klatchmaker is not only an interesting concept but a useful tool for creating successful groups of compatible friends, making sure early users are geographically close is crucial. Klatchmaker is, has been and will continue to be open and available to anyone in the U.S., but a focus on getting smaller communities up and running on the site is a clear priority. So Klatchmaker will be taking a hyperlocal, community-first approach.

We’re starting in Brooklyn, specifically Bushwick, Williamsburg and Greenpoint. These New York City neighborhoods are simply great places to meet people and build a social life. Not only have neighbors in these areas already shown that they are interested in Klatchmaker, but the popularity of these spaces, their walkability, density, vibrant third-place culture and population of single adults make them ideal communities for finding and building hangout crews and inner circles. Making the Klatchmaker experience work in Brooklyn will ultimately make the experience better for everyone using the site.

What this means going forward: Klatchmaker isn’t closed to everyone outside Brooklyn. In fact, more communities will be routinely added. Brooklyn is only the start. Klatchmaker will remain open to everyone.

Tell everyone you know about Klatchmaker!

For friend-seekers in Bushwick, Williamsburg or Greenpoint, Brooklyn, looking to make new, real, close friends, sign up on the Bushwick signup page or the Williamsburg/Greenpoint signup page.

There are also special signup pages for Lower East Manhattan and Jersey City.

This helps Klatchmaker keep track of the communities there. People who sign up on one of the local pages will be able to track when enough people in their area have joined a matching pool.

Also, local leaders, organizations and media interested in growing the Klatchmaker community in your specific area, reach out and help share Klatchmaker with your community.



Vince Dixon is the creator of Klatchmaker, a web tool for finding a tight-knit circle of friends. To learn more about Klatchmaker visit the About page. Or to find your inner circle, visit the Signup page and join in.