# Location-Based Online Bulletins WizeNation Lets Neighbors Connect Minus the Awkward Introductions By Shiori Mine | Published 2012-05-17 | Updated 2012-05-21 | Business Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wizenation References: [wizenation](http://www.wizenation.com/) & [facebook](http://www.facebook.com/WizeNation) WizeNation is a newly designed social network focused on helping users connect and communicate with their neighborhood. The [location-based social bulletin board](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/neigbordrop) allows members to post anything from missing cat notices to spring cleaning garage sales. The open network (i.e. no friend requests required) is a hybrid between sales sites like craigslist and conversational networks like [Twitter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/noplace-app). The concept was inspired by founder Asim Siddiqui, when he relocated to a new city for work-related purposes. With no one to be introduced by and having little connections in his local area, he felt stuck on how to discover his new surroundings. WizeNation allows neighbors to connect with one another without the awkward smiles down by the mailbox. If you are looking to borrow a ladder or find a play date for your kids, consider taking a look at the [community-focused social network](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/local-social-chats) WizeNation. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.1/10 - Popularity: 23% | Activity: 62% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business) > [New Ventures](https://www.trendhunter.com/newventures) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Location-based Social Networks:** There is potential for other location-based social networks that focus on connecting people with their local community, which can integrate elements of bulletin boards and conversational networks like Twitter. - **Hybrid Community Platforms:** Existing social networks could look to create hybrid community platforms that merge the features of sales sites like Craigslist and conversational networks like Twitter to create a unique offering for users. - **Neighborhood-specific Marketplaces:** There is potential for neighborhood-specific marketplaces that help local residents find and trade goods and services within their community, using a bulletin board or social network format. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Social Networking:** Social networking platforms could integrate location-based bulletin board and conversational features to create a better sense of community and local interaction on their platforms. - **E-commerce:** E-commerce companies could look to create more localized marketplaces that leverage the neighborhood-specific community, as seen on social networks like WizeNation. - **Real Estate:** Real estate businesses could look to incorporate or partner with community-focused social networks, like WizeNation, to provide potential residents with a better sense of what the local neighborhood has to offer. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Social Wishlist Networks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wishspace.md) - [Hyperlocal Social Networks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hyperlocal-social-networks.md) - [Localized Networking Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/presence.md) - [Simplified Connection Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/connection-apps.md) - [Social Networking Hubs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/internet-social-caf.md) - [Customizable Friendship-Forging Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iradius-networking-app.md) - [Customizable Profile Social Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/noplace-app.md) - [Meetup-Encouraging Social Networks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mozi-private-social-network.md) - [Social Content Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wisecontent.md)