Ambient social networks are well on their way to widespread adoption. These networks are social discovery platforms and proximity-based apps for mobile devices that help find other users of the app in the same geographical area.

Using an ambient social network app, you can find other app users who are nearby, connect with Facebook friends and Twitter followers, and share interests and hobbies.

So how do these ambient social networks help the business owner? Here’s how:

1. When you go to a networking event, look up critical details about other attendees.
2. Physical store merchants and trade-show exhibitors can send timely promotions and offers to contacts nearby.

These apps take the social in social networking a step further. Being able to locate friends and contacts on the fly and at critical points in time and offering discounts or just looking up critical info about them promises to be an important advantage for every merchant who wishes to make promotions and social interaction more personalized and genuine.

Social Media Apps

People who use Facebook and Foursquare or other similar platforms to check-in at locations from their smartphones, early adopters, offer and discount hunters, those who aren’t overly concerned about privacy, and those with plenty of time to discover acquaintances and friends will comprise the audience for businesspersons who want to make the most of ambient social networking.

Ambient social networking apps might come across as intrusive to some, but these are completely opt-in apps. You’ll be discovered by friends and acquaintances only if you want to be. Plus, there are enough privacy controls to help you keep safe distance if you need to.

Overall, ambient social networking is set to usher in a new way of doing business. Whether you have an offline store or an online presence, you should find these new apps very handy for engaging your audience at a more real level.