Comments on: LinkedIn (and Facebook and Twitter): What’s the Dif?

By: Kathryn A

Kathryn A — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 23:28:09 +0000

Yes, LinkedIn is all business, without the water cooler talk that you need to go through at work and at those mixers, so it’s a respite in many ways — straight to business or growing your professional knowledge and contacts. Those who post personal items on it can at best, irritate those who are on it for “all business” and at worst, present themselves as “old school” folks who just don’t get the difference between LinkedIn, FB, and Twitter. And for the record, I’ve found jobs and consulting gigs on LI, friends and dates on FB. It’s all in understanding how to use the sites, which has to do with remaining relevant and in spirit with the culture of each service.

By: Hildy

Hildy — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 23:01:34 +0000

Mari:
It will be very cool if she gets the job, but cool enough that this provided a lead she might not have had. Thanks for a great example!
HG

By: Mari Lane Gewecke

Mari Lane Gewecke — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 22:59:12 +0000

Hildy,

Your summary is excellent. I am still learning the myriad of ways LinkedIn can be used for networking.

Just recently, I was contacted by a nonprofit executive with whom I am connected on LinkedIn. She is interested in an international marketing position with a business and found, on LinkedIn, that I am the only person in her network connected to someone in management at that business. She asked if I would be willing to put in a word for her so that her resume would at least get a review. Whether or not she gets the job is up to others to work out, but I was able to make a contact to assure her qualifications would be reviewed by someone at the top.

Mari

By: Hildy

Hildy — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 16:25:15 +0000

Thanks, Adam – I am heading to the link and getting the book now!
HG

By: Adam Gainer

Adam Gainer — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 14:58:37 +0000

While linkedIn can be used for virtual introductions and leveraging to join resources otherwise unavailable I think facebook speaks volume about who you really are. If your curious about linkedin you should read Jason Alba’s book “I’m on LinkedIn , now what”. http://bit.ly/10Ol6

By: Valerie Ohle

Valerie Ohle — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 13:02:52 +0000

I think it’s perspective on LinkedIn. I didn’t see it as a place to build a “cause” presence. I saw it as a place to begin to engage and cultivate potential boomer volunteers, community partnerships and advisors who are professionals in industries relevant to projects. Many are people I probably wouldn’t have gotten an opportunity to mix/mingle/rub elbows with offline, so LinkedIn becomes a Chamber mixer of sorts and my approaches to new connections or groups are made from a business to business perspective: how my “business” can benefit their business.

By: Glenda Bixler

Glenda Bixler — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 13:30:17 +0000

I, too, am a member of all three sites and am learning more about each via articles such as this. I agree with your assessment of LinkedIn…but add that, as a professional in any field, I think each individual must recognize the need to “identify” yourself in your field. Once done, though, I haven’t found that LinedIn is excessively self-serving…at least in those areas in which I’ve been working; i.e., publishing, books, etc.

I look forward to your followup entries!

By: Ron Miller

Ron Miller — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:17:40 +0000

Hildy – Thanks for the 3 excellent summaries on social media. One challenge I would like to see explored is how employers are dealing with these new mediums and the employee. Because they are seen as just “social” and not of any business value, many employers block these sites from employee use. That is an issue where I work. But, more and more, there can be real business value (networking, etc.) using these site. But many employers are fearful there will be staff abuse and wasteing company time. Will be interesting to see as these sites grow in value, just how business is going to navigate their use at work.

By: Hildy

Hildy — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 14:58:55 +0000

Maria:
Thanks for your thoughts. I of course think they are brilliant, as I agree with you!

I know there are folks who love LinkedIn – I will try to encourage one of them to speak up, as I know she has gotten work there. She can perhaps share how she’s done it.

As for me, I’ve found it very useful for getting the word out about stuff, but as John noted above, one has to spend a lot of time figuring out how to craft the message to make it effective. FB and Twitter I find to be more friendly in that regard.

Hildy

By: Maria

Maria — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 14:26:48 +0000

I’m members of all three. I use Twitter the most, LinkedIn second most, and Facebook least.

LinkedIn does include folks from many different industries, but it extremely tech heavy. Tech is only part of my work; my other “job” is in aviation and LinkedIn is weak there. Of course, it’ll get stronger as we spread the word and try to pull our work associates into it. But I agree with you about the interface being difficult to use and navigate. And I don’t see the folks at LinkedIn actively trying to build the service to make it better or more useful.

One thing I have found problematic at linked in is what I call “group spam.” People join groups, then use the “discussion” areas to place obvious advertisements for products or services they’re involved with. If you’re as intolerant of spam as I am, this makes groups a waste of time and reduces LinkedIn’s true social networking value.

I should also mention here that I have never found any work through LinkedIn and don’t know anyone else who has.

If I may offer another link for thoughts on LinkedIn, I wrote a two-part blog post about networking. The second part deals with LinkedIn: http://www.marialanger.com/2007/08/24/networking-part-ii-how-linkedin-fits-in/