“Busy Bee” may be a common commercial moniker for everything from stores to auto repair shops, but the BusyBee iPhone app is definitely unique. Similar to LinkedIn in so far as the concept of business social networking, BusyBee has some real possibilities and the potential to grow into something very productive.
The premise is simple – and could be quite useful in these difficult times. Users can create profiles pertaining to their professional skills and connect with users looking to hire or contract with people with said skills.
For instance, carpenters, freelance writers, and graphic designers can create profiles to include in the BusyBee database. Any user who might be looking for someone to build a shed, write a resume, or design a logo can browse BusyBee and connect with the appropriate professional. The database aptly referred to as “the hive,” can be browsed by current location to help make local connections no matter where you happen to be.
Some of the most useful features of BusyBee include the ability to create multiple profiles for different skill sets, add as much or as little professional detail as desired, and connect with other workers’ “bees” instantly by sending a quick message, using the live chat function, or simply calling if a number was provided. Users can quickly filter through people offering services and people looking for services. There is also the ability to recommend “bees” you know, have worked for, or with.
BusyBee is not a job search database, but a way for a variety of professionals, artists, and skilled workers to connect.
The current BusyBee hive is quite sparse, but the app is newly created and the developers tell us that marketing and promotion efforts haven’t yet begun. It’s really up to the end users, but if the “hive” grows, it may be possible in the future to quickly find a freelance electrician in your area to wire a ceiling fan or an arborist to cut down a tree. Similarly, users may be able to market their skills and abilities to others and make money on the side. A combination of good marketing efforts and some forward-thinking end users will be necessary to build the community, but it’s free to use and may eventually create quite a “buzz” amongst the world’s freelance and even retired communities.
