Our good friend Martin Brossman, an expert in social media and online marketing sent us this great blog on the Nextdoor App and website available to the public. Have you ever wanted to get to know your neighbors better? Or wish there was a way to notify them of suspicious activity in the neighborhood? Then Nextdoor is for you! Martin will explain how to maximize it to it’s full potential in an effort to stay connected to your Raleigh neighbors and community.
Nextdoor App for Your Raleigh Neighborhood
I learned about the Nextdoor App from someone that was talking about their neighbors like they just all met together the other day at someone’s house. I asked how they stayed so connected
I realized it was not an in-person meeting but a smartphone app called Nextdoor. I had heard of it before but that thought “one more app and thing to do” stopped me from trying it out at first. I have since met many people that use the app to stay connected as a homeowners’ association and love the app –you do not have to be in a homeowners’ association to use this app. I have now joined it and am working to get more of my neighbors to download it and join.
The Nextdoor App is explained well by cnet, “It’s designed to help neighbors connect and communicate online about important information, services, and goings-on in their specific communities. Being neighborly has somehow gotten lost in the digital era. Nextdoor is working to reverse that.
Nirav Tolia, Nextdoor’s co-founder and CEO, told CNET, “People are using the technology to bring back a sense of community.” And that’s a good thing considering the majority of Americans only know some of their neighbors names and 28 percent don’t know any of their neighbor’s names, according to a Pew Research report.”
I remember when I visited Japan many years ago I found that they had very low crime. It was not because the police were more effective but all the neighbors were paying attention and communicating. Nothing could happen in my friend’s town Maebashi, Japan without someone knowing about it and reporting it as suspicious. Our neighborhood watch is a very good idea but often is just a bunch of signs that people ignore over time. Email lists can be of value but most of us are overwhelmed with email and it can get a bit spammy if you always say reply to all. The Nextdoor App seems to be filling a clear void. You can participate as little or as much as you want.
How does it work and how do I sign-up?
Go to your app store on an iPhone or Android phone and search for Nextdoor or you can sign-up on-line at https://nextdoor.com/ then download the app and sign in. The app will ask for enough information to do its best in verifying that you live where you say you live. Here is a link to see a demo of it in action:http://demo.trynextdoor.com/news_feed/ . Take a little time to learn about using it and maybe talk in person to another neighbor that has it. It has categories like: lost & found, free items, crime & safety and much more. Including who has Christmas lights to see for the Holidays.
I know some of you are asking: “Is it perfectly secure, can you guarantee that?” No I cannot, but neither is your front door, the internet, your car or especially an email list (that can be easily hacked or shared with anyone) 100% secure. As someone that has been consulting and teaching Social Media for businesses for now 7 years I can say that they have made every effort to keep it safer and more secure than email, Craigslist or anything else we use on the web or your own home/car.
Once you have fully set up your Nextdoor App you can set the level of updates and emails you get by going into the “Settings” and then checking or un-checking Notifications. On the Android “Settings” is found selecting the menu area in the lower left hand corner of your phone. On the iPhone it is found off the main menu by selecting the 3 lines in the upper left corner under “Invite Neighbors”.
Check out the website at https://nextdoor.com/ and watch the video: http://bit.ly/nextdoorvideo . I hope to see you on the Nextdoor app if you are in my neighborhood!
Thank you Martin! What a great app to help you stay connected with your neighbors. This would also be a great way to let everyone in your neighborhood know you have listed your home with Linda Craft and Team. You never know if someone down the road has been eyeing your home or if they have a friend that is interested in buying a house.
For a free consultation on buying or selling a home, please call our office at 919.235.0007. We have a team of experts at Linda Craft and Team who are ready to help today!
Martin Brossman is a leading authority on social media and online marketing based in Raleigh, NC and Washington, DC. He is a business coach, trainer and author devoted to creating fulfilling lives for his clients through measurable business results. Martin offers a comprehensive coaching platform, integrating sales and business coaching with social media marketing consultation. He teaches classes on business-building topics at community college Small Business Centers and Chambers of Commerce and gives customized trainings for businesses and associations. Martin is available for keynote addresses, workshops and trainings. Phone: (919) 847-4757 Email: Martin@CoachingSupport.com