Just received an email from someone letting me know about a new website/service called Lyro. From what I’ve read it’s been developed as the new Web 2.0 interface for exchanging business cards.
It appears the gist of the idea is a new professional network that basically gives you a place to host your online business card(s) for other people to find easily and network.
Aside from being a much more open format, it seems pretty similar to something like LinkedIn or other niche professional networks.
Lyroâ„¢, a website product of workface LLC, provides an open, fully searchable, and user-driven tool for professional branding on the web. Some time back we had a thought – more of a question really. Why isn’t basic business contact information internet searchable and controllable at the individual level? As we looked at the marketplace, nowhere could we find a truly “open” product that made this information accessible online and also put control of the information in the hands of the individual. As we played around with new ways of displaying people’s basic contact information, the simple concept of an online business card emerged. After a little research, we realized that no one else was providing open, easily accessible online business cards. Although a web-based business card concept was novel, we questioned whether an online business by itself would be compelling enough to grow in popularity with millions of users. That more we talked with our customer base, the more we realized that they desired a product whose features were entirely driven by fellow users.
Aside from the more open platform as I said before, I’m not too sure about the big difference between this site and any others yet. I signed-up and created my card so we’ll see what comes of it. Need to work on creating cards for my other business ventures I guess.
I’m curious if it will really open up the networking opportunities for people searching for people like me with skills like mine?
Of course there’s always the little voice on my shoulder saying things are a scam and to watch out for the spam avalanche that’s about to hit me for signing up. Oddly enough, I’m blogging this while talking to someone via IM, from Nigeria. I’m wondering if they know the son of the rich guy that’s going to give me $1M to help get the money out of their country.
See for yourself at Lyro.com