Is LinkedIn losing effectiveness? Overused?
I am listening to a conversation about networking and the value of social networking featuring my friend, Jim Matorin, at 678partners.com. Something caught my attention as I have been finding this myself: Is LinkedIn losing it's effectiveness as a networking tool? I would say yes and no. For Business Development professionals it is probably still useful for finding decision makers. To gather information about a person's business skills, it is still relevant. But is it still relevant when it comes to recommendations or job search? Here is why I ask:
As a medium grows en-mass, it loses relevance as a targeted vehicle. What I see happening is people trying to build a network of masses to add connections to those they don't know. Like a popularity contest. I get connection requests from people who see my name from a group, and ask to connect. People I've never heard of or engaged in any conversation. I think most people accept these connections sight unseen. Suppose I accept this connection? Next week I receive a request to connect this person to someone in my network for a business request. If I do, how relevant is my passing the connection? I don't know this person.
Personally, I only link to people I have engaged with and know in some respect to be able to recommend (or not). I wonder if this is the exception to the rule which is why LinkedIn is becoming watered-down? I have made connections with people through LinkedIn which are relevant and useful so it isn't bad. Just wondering at what point does this mass networking tool get chipped away by other more targeted social networking options? As another side-bar, what's up with Plaxo? Was that ever relevant?
No profound thought here. Just wondering.
What do you think?
UPDATE: Just saw an article today after publishing this entry about new features LinkedIn is adding to be more like Facebook. Perhaps LinkedIn is finding the above to be true? See article here: http://techcrunch.com/2010/06/22/linkedin-takes-groups-to-the-next-level-with-likes-follows-and-more/
As a medium grows en-mass, it loses relevance as a targeted vehicle. What I see happening is people trying to build a network of masses to add connections to those they don't know. Like a popularity contest. I get connection requests from people who see my name from a group, and ask to connect. People I've never heard of or engaged in any conversation. I think most people accept these connections sight unseen. Suppose I accept this connection? Next week I receive a request to connect this person to someone in my network for a business request. If I do, how relevant is my passing the connection? I don't know this person.
Personally, I only link to people I have engaged with and know in some respect to be able to recommend (or not). I wonder if this is the exception to the rule which is why LinkedIn is becoming watered-down? I have made connections with people through LinkedIn which are relevant and useful so it isn't bad. Just wondering at what point does this mass networking tool get chipped away by other more targeted social networking options? As another side-bar, what's up with Plaxo? Was that ever relevant?
No profound thought here. Just wondering.
What do you think?
UPDATE: Just saw an article today after publishing this entry about new features LinkedIn is adding to be more like Facebook. Perhaps LinkedIn is finding the above to be true? See article here: http://techcrunch.com/2010/06/22/linkedin-takes-groups-to-the-next-level-with-likes-follows-and-more/
Posted by Jackie Kuehl at 6/23/2010 9:35 AM 
Categories: LinkedIn, marketing strategies, social networking tips
Tags: LinkedIn relevant marketing social networking
Categories: LinkedIn, marketing strategies, social networking tips
Tags: LinkedIn relevant marketing social networking
Jackie:
Thank you for the mention. We are in the same camp here. Great tool, depends how you use it. I addressed this in a blog earlier in the month - two types of networkers: situational like the ones that want to connect since they are in the same group or sustainable, mavens that like to exchange information, ideas and get to really know you: http://bit.ly/bVdK52
Not sure what the ratio is, but I am learning thanks how to weed out the dross.
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Everything needs to be scalable. Especially when a business hits a level of output that causes them to jump to the next level of output. Many times a business model is written for one level of performance. Anytime you exceed that, you move away from efficiency.
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Thanks for the comment, Jim. Interesting perspective. I think scalability is important if economies can be achieved without losing your uniqueness or differentiation. The thing about LinkedIn is the experience is hugely driven by users (beyond the technology that LinkedIn enables). Relevance depends on users.
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Glad you raised the question and wondered out loud. There are 2 schools of thought on creating a network on LinkedIn. One is your approach to know at least somewhat everyone you connect to and can recommend. The other is to have a huge pool of people so you are more likely to be 1 degree away from nearly anyone you could want to meet in the People and Company search feature.
I find I can barely keep up with meeting the people I already know. I'm somewhere in the middle on these positions wanting to at least have an email exchange so I know more about someone before connecting.
In today's social media world, connections are made as introductions and are less about making a recommendation and actually VOUCHING for someone. In that sense, I'm happy to make connections.
As someone who coaches and facilitates networking meetings for senior executive job seekers, LinkedIn is a vastly under utilized tool. Recruiters are relying more and more heavily on LinkedIn to find candidates.
Let's focus on the good and bring your natural integrity, values and authenticity to your use of this tool and it will serve you well.
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Hi Gail and thanks for your perpsective. I'm interested in how LinkedIn is underused. I hear that often, but haven't found anyone to clue me in who actually takes advantage of everything (beyond recruiters where it's a natural). I wonder if LinkedIn is like a 'yellow-pages' of professionals?
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For job seekers and entrepreneurs, one tool that is available in LinkedIn is the ability to do a search on a target company and then see who in your network is 1 or 2 degrees away from contacts you might want to meet. LinkedIn facilitates your getting an introduction to that person, through your contact.
In real life, meeting that person might take your attending 10-20 networking events to happen upon them. Here you can meet people in other cities with the equivalent of an email introduction.
Isn't that cool and worth it? : )
Gail
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Jackie, your comments make perfect sense - I get it. I couldn't agree more with the fact that "connections" do not equate to "relationships." I get connection requests for no apparent reason (sometimes even under the guise of false pretenses, which astonishes me to this day), which I typically ignore. In fact, I would go so far as to say that I believe that many engage in the game of building connections in the redundant pursuit of building connections. I don't know for sure, but I'm guessing that for some, it's an ego thing. To me a connection is worthless without engagement. Inflating my "numbers" is equally worthless.
If I can play devil's advocate for a moment, though, how would you respond to the argument that, in order to engage, build and nurture mutually beneficial relationships, one has to, in some way, shape or form, first establish that initial connection? I've been able to build several (not a majority, but several) quality relationships with people that originally started out as pure "connections." As I've learned over the years, neither of us can predict with any degree of certainty where the next opportunity may come from. In my view, social connections are a long-term, full contact sport.
As an example, suppose you and I connected and over the years, I became familiar with your expertise and with you as a person to the point that I could confidently recommend you to someone who is in the market for someone in your niche? I give you this example, because it's happened. Just recently, I confidently recommended someone as an expert in a particular area. That doesn't come easy for me, because I know that my credibility is on the line. However, I wouldn't have known this person had we not initially connected via social media, and yes, I've known her for a few years.
I don't think either concept is right or wrong, but perhaps there is a balance that meets one's unique personal style?
Your thoughts?
Jeff
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Interesting ideas Jeff. I can relate to everything you mention having the same experiences. Those in-it for the personality contest versus those who know the value of a good relationship. Social media enables introductions and perhaps it's the 80/20 rule. 20% of those you 'meet' can turn out to be valuable. The other 80% just fluff. However, not understanding the need to nurture relationships if you want it to go anywhere is a mistake. Getting a connection, then never engaging with that person until you need something (an introduction) is a mistake. People shouldn't be taken for granted.
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Jeff makes a great point. We all started out as strangers at some point.
One habit I don't see many people do and it's one I recommend to warm up the virtual world and make it real. That is when you receive a LinkedIn (or Facebook or Twitter) invitation, learn more about the person inviting you and reply back and start a conversation!
You don't have to accept the invitation and wouldn't if you were in person, without first talking. IDEA: Go to their profile, see what you might have in common, and then send them a message. I often ask people who invite me that I don't know... "what is it about me or my profile that motivated you to connect?" This is a great way to learn more and will smoke out any false pretenses. I'm often surprised that a lot of thought stands behind the invitationl. Be ready to be pleasantly surprised.
The funny thing is we would never walk away from someone in person who is holding out their hand to us to introduce themselves.
Does anyone have experience doing the same thing? I hope you'll try it and assume the best of intentions from others.
Great discussion!
Gail
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I so appreciate your comment! I am inclined to see things from different perspectives as part of my obstacle-busting mission. If you'd like to experience more of my perspectives, once a month, please sign up for my newsletter at www.inspiredchoice.com/newsletters.
where can you come up with different ideas in YOUR situations? ; )
gail
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Jackie, after 17+ years in sales and marketing, I've learned a lot of lessons (often learned the hard way!), but there's one that sticks out to me most of all: the value of my network. While obviously most of our network consists of those we know (or, to your point I believe, have met face to face), often it also is made up of those who are contacts-of-our-contacts. Six degrees of separation type of thing. I've often had the experience, especially within the foodservice universe (so big, yet so small) of getting to know someone new, and finding out that we hold a number of contacts in common. The power of ones network grows exponentially if we include not just those we've personally met, but those who share common experiences (foodshows? NRA? packing a freezer bag?), interests, and contacts. Therefore, on linkedin, I try to connect with those that I know, obviously, but also those whom it seems that I should know. Put another way, those with whom I seem to share enough commonalities of interest, experience, scope, etc that we might be of value to each other at some point in the future.
Alternatively, I recently had the experience of reconnecting with a manufacturers' rep with whom I had worked when I first entered the industry- nearly 19 years ago. We had not spoken since. Hardly a deep connection, yet we were able to connect on linkedin, and add some value to each other in a limited way on some projects. Contacts come in all varieties, I find, from those you've spent years working with intimately, to those with whom I had an intense 7 minute conversation at an airport bar.
Just my 2 cents! Which reminds me...are we connected on linkedin? We should be!
PS: Now the issue of connections whom you don't know asking to be recommended to someone else...now that seems inappropriate if not downright strange...I agree wholeheartedly. Thanks!
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LinkedIn has recently implemented changes that provides customized automated email messages based on the criteria you specify you are interested in seeing. Its power as a job search tool has only decreased if you use it wrong. The ability to connect with individuals and build strong connections after meeting them, say at a networking event or workshop, allows you to target them for job requests as well. That connection point can be a great bridge when attempting to find deeper connections into the business you are targeting.
-J
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