YotMe social app opens doors to private social events

YOTME CONNECTS people wishing to access inaccessible and exclusive parties with the people throwing them, according to the founder of the social app, Barry Hinckley.
YOTME CONNECTS people wishing to access inaccessible and exclusive parties with the people throwing them, according to the founder of the social app, Barry Hinckley.

NEWPORT – Last year, entrepreneur and former U.S. Senate candidate B. Barry Hinckley began thinking about Rhode Island’s reputation as a boating destination, and about a way to connect boaters with each other.
Then, he thought about building an app that would allow people to publish their private fun, but that would open doors to previously closed events at the same time.
From there, the YotMe app was born.
YotMe – which means to unite closely – connects people wishing to access inaccessible and exclusive parties with the people throwing them.
Hinckley said the app works well for people moving to new cities, allowing them to expand their social circles.
“For the first time in the world we’re opening doors to private parties that have previously been closed. It’s a great way to spice up any event,” Hinckley explained.
He said he started developing the app last October and released it in June. It is available for download on the Apple app store and Google play.

“Anyone can use it now. We have 1,000 users in the system,” Hinckley said. “It’s going pretty good. We’ve been doing trial events to make sure everything works well.”
Hinckley published an event of his own through the app that featured the band The Ravers, and had 220 people apply to attend. He had approximately 120 at the party, approximately 60 percent of whom he knew, and the rest he didn’t. But he said it was a success.

He said guests and hosts are rated through the app. Hosts can determine whether the guest is highly rated and should be allowed to attend an event. Likewise, guests can determine if a host is highly rated. Information also is cross-referenced with LinkedIn and Facebook, he said.
According to information on the Yotme website, goyotme.com, a potential guest can make his case for a party invite by posting photos and video.
“Make it good ’cause your admission is at the host’s discretion. Find and RSVP to as many parties as you can handle. Recruit your friends. Get there. Find your fun,” the website states.
It also states that hosts can “breathe new life” into their parties through the app.

“Tired of the same guests? Use YotMe and users get favorite people plus some who just might be new hilarious friends,” the website states.
Hinckley said the app is different from Evite or Paperless Post because the host never relinquishes control of the guest list.
“I’m a very social person. I love meeting new people. I realize the older you get, social circles shrink a little bit. This is designed as a way for people to build their social circles in a nonpublic form,” he said.
YotMe was involved with Providence’s Style Week from Aug. 28 to Sept. 3 as a runway room sponsor and also was a headlining sponsor for Toddlers and Tiaras reality stars Susanna Barrett Paliotta and Isabella Barrett at New York Fashion Week recently. The website plugs upcoming YotMe events, including one in Hollywood, Calif., and a film festival in Nevada.
There also is a section on the site to become a YotMe ambassador; once accepted, ambassadors earn points for every YotMe user they refer. Points are redeemable for trips and YotMe “swag,” the site states.
“This is not your average backyard barbecue. This is something exclusive,” Hinckley said about YotMe. “It’s the first social app for the sharing economy.”

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