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How to Make New Friends as an Adult

The struggle to make new friends as an adult is real. Without school, university or clubs and with many people busy with work and family commitments, meeting new people can be tricky. But the benefits of making new friends at any age cannot be overlooked. Maybe you’re looking for a positive addition to your life, some new company or putting yourself back out there. The problem is that making friends as an adult is a lot more difficult than when you were younger. 

The Difficulties of Making New Friends

When we’re younger we make friends really quickly. You spend all your time at school and afterwards together. As an adult, it’s hard to make new friends that you don’t have that shared history with. The strong foundation to build a friendship on is not there. 

It’s also tough making new friends because of all your responsibilities. How are you supposed to make friends when you’re busy with work, with your partner or have family commitments? Where are you going to find the time? 

Making friends should be easy, but now it’s become a challenge and you don’t know why or what you can do about it. 

Tips on How Make Friends as an Adult

  1. Get Involved

It sounds obvious, but the only way you’ll make new friends is to dive right in. Put yourself in the mindset of wanting to talk to people. It might take a little mental preparation, but you’ll get there. Need a helping hand? Go to an event that you’re interested in and you’ll have a shared interest with the people there. This makes starting a conversation much easier! Make sure to find out what’s going on near you on ASKWHO.

  1. Find New Groups 

One way to make new friends is to find new groups. Facebook Groups is an option but it’s messy, confusing and you’re unlikely to make a true friendship. Social media is a great place to start, but you need something better than Facebook. ASKWHO groups are brilliant for meeting local people who share your interests and starting friendships. 

There are plenty of offline groups to join too. Why not volunteer or a sports team? Join an adult education class and make new friends while learning new skills. Take part in something new and see what you learn – and who you meet. ASKWHO is the place where you can take online friendships into reality. Head on over and get some inspiration.

  1. Set Reasonable Expectations 

You’re probably not going to make friends with everyone you meet. You’re also not going to be best friends with someone after one conversation. It actually takes an average of 90 hours to make a real friend – double that for a best friend. Take your time. Have fun. Enjoy the journey. 

  1. Don’t be Afraid to Take the Initiative 

It might be on you to start the interaction and that’s okay. Some people may not have the confidence to begin a conversation so they’ll be grateful that you did. You may even be both thinking the same thing, hoping the other person will speak first. So just dive right in. Break the ice by asking their thoughts and opinions or asking some basic questions to get to know them. 

Still nervous? Head on over to ASKWHO and meet people who are already into the same things as you. We take the awkwardness out of first conversations.

Meet People on ASKWHO

ASKWHO is the hot new social network for people in Dubai looking to connect. Take your online friendships offline and create lasting memories with lifetime friends. Download ASKWHO, join a group, and meet your people.

Download Now

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Zidoun Bossuyt X belong

We are partnering up with Zidoun Bossuyt to host an exclusive event for influencers. It will be an evening hosted by amazing artists, in the heart of Dubai near the Burj Al Arab on the 11th of May. We would love for you to be there, all you need to do is join the ASKWHO app, and post across your social media about the event.

Food and refreshments will be provided FREE of cost. We only have limited space for 150 people – Please fill out the below form with your details and submit it. This is first come first serve, so make sure you fill out your form as soon as possible. 

EVENT DETAILS:

– Date: 11th of May

– Dress code: Smart / Casual

– Time: 6pm – 9pm

– Location: click here!

– Parking is limited so getting to the venue by taxi is better.

This is a great opportunity to meet new people and get to know others like you!

There will be amazing artists who will discuss the designs and visions for their unique pieces of art, in a state of the art brand new facility.

Don’t miss out on this! 35% of the spots are already taken. 

Sign Up

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The Blog The Business Blog

Pivoting Into Success; Top 8 Tips to Starting An App-Based Business

There’s no doubt about it, starting a business will be one of the most difficult challenges that you will ever undertake. The investment emotionally, financially and the amount of time it requires means that creating an app is out of the question for most people. If you are in a position where your idea is becoming a reality, we have put together some thoughts from the ASKWHO journey that may help you and your project. 

Friends and family lie

We love our family and friends, and they love us too, that’s why you should never use them as a sounding board to validate your idea. They tell you what you want to hear and that your idea is revolutionary, this information despite its good intentions sends you down the wrong path and you will burn through valuable resources.

Build It And They’ll Come
You don’t need to write a single line of code to develop screens for an app idea and discuss your product and its prospects (with people you don’t know). Who cares if it’s non-functional, you are validating your idea and the solution.

Sure, until your solution is in the hands of customers, you’ll never truly know how they will interact with your product. But if your idea isn’t a problem worth solving prototyping is cheap, fast and will help you through the process of envisaging your solution. You can find thousands of designers on Fiverr.com or if you know someone to help you out even better.  

Make sure you validate the whole business, including how you will make money. I recommend checking out “the lean canvas” to help you with your checklist of what you need to validate but here are some headlines: –

·       What is the problem?

·       Who has this problem?

·       Is the problem worth solving?   

·       How will you make money?

Choosing the right developers

We didn’t, and learnt the hard way, again burning through savings with a development team that wasn’t capable. The world is a big place full of great development teams that work remotely. Do your due diligence and select wisely – Clutch.com is a great place for reviews.

Keep It Lean
Don’t sweat the small stuff, until you have a problem worth solving and the shape of a product customers will use, the finer details don’t matter. If it solves a problem people will accept bugs and a lack of nice features. There is no point in polishing something that no one wants to use. Find something that people like then start refining it.

Get specific

Write detailed and very boring specifications of every possible action and reaction for each feature. Couple this with wireframes and fully-fledged designs. This will ensure your expectations are fully aligned with your development team, and that nothing is missed.

80/20

Now you’ve written your specifications, cut the development time by half, you will have way too many features for your first release. This will force you to focus on the features that are critical (must have) from those nice to have features. What are the big features that will drive the most value and bring your product to life? This will save time and money, you need to learn fast, and you can always add them later if/when your product has traction.

Downloads are easy

Data doesn’t lie and measuring success is a key part of learning whether your product is well received. You need to gain insight into how people are using your product. Do they come back a day, week, or month from now? If they do, well done! Using analytics is fundamental to understanding user behaviour. You should integrate the basics ready for your launch. We love Mixpanel here at ASKWHO. Vanity metrics like downloads are useless, it’s the actions users are taking (or not taking) that are the difference between success and failure.

Crash course 

The books below are worth their weight in gold and will save you time and resources.

  1. The Four Step to the Epiphany 
  2. Crossing the Chasm
  3. The Art of War
  4. The Art of the Pitch
  5. The Lean Start up
  6. How to Build a Billion-Dollar App
  7. Getting Things Done
  8. The 5am Club
  9. Start with Why
  10. Venture Deals 
  11. Startup CEO

You can thank me later!

ASKWHO today

With 46% MoM Growth and 40% of that being organic, our retention rates and key metrics are on par with some of the largest social apps in the world. 

We are so grateful to provide a supportive, inclusive platform to an amazing community, classed by many as a “home from home” and “Dubai’s social hub”. 

The highs and lows of this journey have been well worth it. But there’s much more to be done, therefore we remain focused and motivated.

Nothing good comes out of comfort zones. Getting out in the world and understanding your strengths/weaknesses and addressing them, with the will to say “It can and will be done” is key to your development both in business and life in general.

Download now

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The Blog

The best way to meet online friends in real life.

ASKWHO is a great place to meet like-minded people and begin friendships. We’re not like other social media platforms, we want you to be social. Find friends – not followers! Meeting in real life takes your connections and new relationships to the next level. Luckily, in Dubai, there are plenty of cool cafes and restaurants to meet your new friends. Here are some meet-up tips…

  1. Shared Interests

You and your online friend find that you have hobbies and activities in common. ASKWHO makes finding like-minded people easy. You’re both fitness-fanatics? Maybe plan a gym session. Or your booth foodies, why not check out the new brunch place? Find your people. Make it your place. 

  1. Meet in a group 

Whether you’re unsure or shy, meeting in a group can help ease your nerves. It also adds that extra dynamic in case you don’t initially click “in person”. With ASKWHO, create groups for all your interests in one place. Once you’ve found like-minded people organise a group activity. This can happen organically if one of your hobbies requires several people. 

  1. The initial meeting

For an initial meeting, it’s always smart to stay safe. A public setting provides that. Whether a cafe, gym or public park it not only creates a better atmosphere, it surrounds you with numerous talking points. There’s lots of diverting and exciting places to meet in Dubai, and you can find inspiration on ASKWHO.

  1. Take it slow

Planning a long, fun-filled day with a new person can be overwhelming. If you don’t get the same vibe as them when you first meet, (it happens) you have the pressure of spending the following five hours with them. Short and sweet for the initial meet-up is best. Ask them questions, find out their beliefs, background and career. Take it slow. Casual meet-ups can build into meaningful friendships. Take your time. Have fun and enjoy the journey.

ASKWHO makes meeting like-minded people easy!

At ASKWHO we’re making social media social. Once the connection is there, the next step is meeting in real life. Focus on your common interests, decide on whether you want to meet in a group or want a one-to-one. All that’s left is to find a place to meet – let’s go. 

Our aim is for safe, fun, and meaningful friendships. Do more together, join people who love the same thing as you, and meet like-minded people and make real connections.

Meet new people today

We’re hiring!

So, we’re currently looking for an experienced Partnership & Event Manager to join our growing team in Dubai. The main role is to build and manage relationships with partners.

We’re looking for someone with the below skills:-

  • You will need to be seriously driven and committed, with a good sense of humour.
  • Source, meet, negotiate and onboard exciting partners in the region.
  • Manage relationships with current and new partners.
  • Be open to flexible working hours (evenings & weekends).
  • Plan, coordinate and host events. 
  • Strong problem-solving skills.
  • Strong knowledge with excel.
  • Solid communication skills.

Do you or someone you know have what it takes? Apply now or ‘refer a friend’.

Applicants should share a cover letter and CV to info@belong.me

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The Blog The Business Blog

The Most Popular Groups On belong

No matter what your hobbies or interests are, we have the group for you. If you’re in Dubai and you’re ready to make friends and learn more about this amazing city, you need to be on ASKWHO. Chat, recommend, and meet up with people who love the same things you do. 

With our amazing, active community, you can talk about your interests, inspirations, recommend the next best restaurant, and get involved with the conversation. We have groups for lifestyle, travel, pre-loved, technology – and that’s just the beginning. 

We want to make social media social again. Are you with us?

Here are some of our most popular groups and recent highlights from the people who love them…

Outdoors

Find secret spots and meet up with like-minded people for a walk. A member recently climbed the Wadi Ghalilah, a popular rock climbing spot, posting a picture to show off his view. Maria wanted to know where the best access to the desert was, and a hiker also raved about the 1484 Puro restaurant, the highest restaurant in the UAE with stunning views and great food. 

Wellness

Whether you’re a nama-stay in class or a yoga on the go, we have lots of members in this group offering advice and inspirational quotes. 

One member let the group know she was at the Emirates golf club lounge plunge pool to recover from a boozy brunch whilst another member recommended some stretching and aero-stretching classes at the Dubai Marina.

Lots of people loved this motivating quote that was posted to the group: ”Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life. Tiptoe if you must but take a step.”

Fitness 

In the UAE there are 800 fitness clubs – that’s plenty of opportunities to work out. The latest figures show around 523,000 people are gym members, making up 6% of the population. 

That means lots of gyms and classes to get involved with, but why not head to the ASKWHO Fitness group and see which ones people are recommending? You could find a gym buddy or a fitness friend to keep you motivated and accountable. 

We had one member wanting to find an early morning running partner. Could that be you? Someone was also recommending a local weight lifting class. There’s plenty of fitness motivation to be found here.

Meet Up

Looking for something new to do? A recent but popular addition, our Meet Up group is the place to post about events or things you fancy doing with others. So if you’re ready to meet new people near you, this group makes it easier than ever. It’s time to get involved with the conversation. 

Ready to Get Started? 

If you’re in Dubai and you want to find like-minded people to chat or hang out with, you need to be on ASKWHO. We have many more groups on offer, such as… 

  • Arts
  • Fitness
  • Knowledge
  • Life
  • Outdoors
  • Pre Loved
  • Property 
  • Sport
  • Technology 
  • Travel 
  • Wellness
  • Women Only 

There really is a group for everyone. 

If you’re in the hiking group why not organise a group outing? Or you’re a part of the Wellness chat why not head to a guided meditation together? Get those gains together in the fitness group. 

Use these ASKWHO groups to organise outings and turn your online friends into real ones. Are you ready for your social life to get a lot busier?

Download Now

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The Winner of the belong Giveaway

Last month we ran an amazing giveaway for the ASKWHO perfect post. The user who shared the best content won a breakfast with the ASKWHO founders; Mike, Matt, Simon and Sabrina. 

The winner is: Yaqoob Al Attar

Why? Because of these brilliant post…

What we were looking for

So what makes the “perfect post” on ASKWHO? Here are a few hints to get you started… 

  • Meaningful, engaging content that will start conversations 
  • Post into the relevant group
  • Use the correct interest tags
  • Include an engaging image/video 

Your posts matter 

At ASKWHO we’re all about creating a valuable community. This is through supporting people, exchanging advice, giving recommendations and sharing experiences. But, all of this relies on the posts from our amazing ASKWHO users. 

By posting in relevant groups we connect you with like-minded people that share your interests. Your engaging content is the first step in beginning genuine conversations that lead to meaningful connections. 

Not only that, your recommendations give like-minded people the opportunity to experience Dubai like never before. Whether that’s a new restaurant, event or even meeting up with new people ASKWHO is all about living your life in Dubai to the fullest. 

Over to you

Our next perfect post giveaway is in May. Get involved by posting 3 pieces of meaningful content over the month of May. You could win a brunch with the founders – we can’t wait to see your posts.

Download now

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Why Groups are the New Social Media Norm

Social media. Love it or hate it you can’t deny that it has changed the world. A huge part of social media is online groups. These virtual hangouts allow people with similar interests to share their thoughts, opinions and meet new people.

So while we may not love all parts of social media, groups definitely have the potential for a positive impact. With new and existing platforms alike being built around groups, their use for good is being recognised. Social media groups are becoming the new norm and here’s why….

1. The Community 

Everyone wants to be part of a community. It’s an instinctual social need. We need to be part of something bigger than ourselves. Joining a social media group is a great way to be part of a community. You’ll find it easier to talk to people who share your interests anywhere in the world. ASKWHO made it even easier to find people in Dubai that share your interests – a community where you feel like you belong.

2. Shared Interests 

How do you spend your time? Whether you live in the gym, are a bit of a foodie, or enjoy exploring and experiencing new things, the best recommendations always come from like-minded people. A group is the best way to explore and learn more about a shared interest. ASKWHO has organized groups specific to your interests so you can discover what you love like never before.

3. Make Genuine Connections 

Groups let you make genuine connections. Think about it. How many of those followers that “like” your posts are real people, never mind real friends? Only a small portion. Joining a group filters this out. You’ll make genuine friends and not have to worry about fake followers.

4. Get Your Questions Answered 

Some things are easier to ask than others. A group can be a safe space to get your questions answered. That’s why ASKWHO has women-only groups so you can ask questions without fear or judgement. Of course, you may have a question on the lighter side. Perhaps you want to know about the best dining spots in Dubai for vegetarians. Why not ask them in a group dedicated to it and spark a real conversation? Ask questions and get answers from real people, not Google.

5. Create Lasting Friendships

Shared interest and living in the same place? That’s a great way to start a friendship. Who said that an online group has to stay online? Bring the digital world to reality by making friends and meeting in real life. Join ASKWHO and find people in Dubai and find gym buddy, a fellow foodie, a gaming mate and more…

Ready to Make Friends, Not Followers? 

With all that to gain, it’s no surprise that social media groups are becoming the new social norm. That’s what ASKWHO is all about. Share your interests, join a community, and get support from friends when you need it. 

You need a platform that makes it easy to join and use groups. Facebook Groups are one of the earlier examples of social media groups, but they’re also one of the worst. They are unorganized and unregulated and just not fun to be in.

What you need is an organized, respectful platform for groups where you can meet people online and offline. You need a platform like ASKWHO. Download ASKWHO and discover the benefits of social media groups for yourself.

Download now

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The Blog The Business Blog

Meet belong; Hear From The Founder

We’re ASKWHO. An inclusive and supportive platform bringing like-minded people together in Dubai. Founded by Matt Gaziano and Mike Askew and backed by a brilliant dynamic team, they have brought to life the new social hub of Dubai. Hear from Mike about why and how ASKWHO came to be. 

Why did you begin ASKWHO?

I moved from London to Riyadh in my early twenties to work as a Project Manager. I travelled there alone and quickly realized that meeting new like-minded people was very challenging, to say the least.

After living in Riyadh away from my family and friends, I began to notice a negative impact on my emotional and mental wellbeing. I then moved to Dubai and believed that it would be easier to meet new people. In reality, it wasn’t and it became apparent that others were facing similar challenges. As a result of this, Matt and I came together to bring this concept to life that is needed in today’s world. 

We went to market in late 2021 and after 2 years of highs and lows, iterations and one major pivot, we have delivered a product to market that people adore.

How is it different to other social media platforms?

ASKWHO has been described as a “home from home” as we are focused on connecting people in the city where we live. This is different from other social media platforms. I believe they should be classed as entertainment platforms that, when you take a step back, actually drive very little value into our lives. These platforms can bring out unrealistic versions of ourselves that don’t reflect who we are or what we actually care about. 

With ASKWHO, you can meet like-minded people who live in your city. It’s a unique opportunity to share, gain knowledge and meet up in real life. The value we promote is making new friends and there isn’t another social media app that does it quite like us.

How does ASKWHO help? 

Having lived in the middle east for over 8 years, I saw the need to begin a community. Facebook groups weren’t up to standard. The disorganization and difficulty of using them made it challenging to meet like-minded people. We aim for people in the region to seek the benefits of real human interaction and generally improve their lives and mental wellbeing. Providing local people with a community that they can belong to and depend on is at the root of what we do. 

How is it designed to nurture mental health and improve people’s wellness? 

ASKWHO makes it easy for people to immerse themselves with positive people who are in their city. Social apps are only as good as the people using them. Our community is extremely supportive and connected. It’s fantastic to see how people have come together within the app, and meetups are arranged on a range of topics most weekends through ASKWHO. The goal of this app is to help people to experience more in life.

What are your expansion plans for the future?

I often hear founders give statements such as “we want to conquer the world”. However, we focus on the community and the people within it. We are very grateful for our journey so far and if we can support people in other countries later, we would be honoured.

Join us on our platform that is designed to improve people’s mental health and combat loneliness. The organized group format enables users to make friends with like-minded individuals, share tips and information about their city, and feel a better sense of belonging.

Download now

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The Dubai Social App You NEED; Getting Started with belong

We’re ASKWHO. It doesn’t mean much to you now but it soon will. We’re on our way to shake up the Dubai social scene. We will help you make real connections, discover your interests and make this place your home. Here’s everything you need to know.

The Facts.

Today, we’re more “connected” than ever. So why do 71% of active social media users feel lonely? This is significantly higher than the people who don’t use social media at all. It gets worse because this number is rapidly rising. So this isn’t just a problem, it’s an epidemic. 

Having hundreds or even thousands of followers on social media is just a facade of popularity. The realisation that you may not have a real connection with these people can negatively affect our mental wellbeing. So it’s time for change – and we’re starting with Dubai.

The total expat population in UAE in 2021 is 8.84 million, which is approx. 89% of the population. But, people only stay on average for 2-3 years. That does NOT make it easy to make friends.

You might live in an apartment block where no one speaks your language. You might work remotely and have no access to an in-person office. Whatever your situation – we want to make it easier for you to find your tribe.

Our Mission.

Forget followers, find friends. We are done with toxic, lonely social media that actually disconnects us. We want more, and you deserve more. We want to give you an empowering, supportive and inclusive platform – and you can help us make it happen.

With ASKWHO, make true connections that last a day, a night, or a lifetime. Find new friends who are passionate about the same interests as you. Ask people who care about your burning questions and get to know Dubai like you’ve lived here your whole life.

Let’s transform your social life – together.

For You. 

At the heart of our mission is you. We keep talking about making real connections – but how? Getting started couldn’t be easier. Just create your profile and off you go. 

ASKWHO has specific groups tailored to your interests. Join as many as you like and talk to like-minded people who may also be living in a new place and discover the city together. Follow different niche topics and get ready to take virtual connections into the real world. 

Share, ask, recommend – whatever you’re into, get involved, discover and explore. Are you buzzing? You should be. Ask questions about Dubai, life, relationships, and everything in between. Get answers from experienced locals, complete newbies, and from people you never thought you’d speak to.

If you’re on a solo walk or coffee break, use the app to find others and get to know someone new. Share your amazing Dubai experiences and get inspired by what people like you are up to. 

No more loneliness, no more fake friends. Are you ready for your social life to get a lot more hectic?

Download Now