What is LinkedIn’s real purpose? It is a social networking platform for making connections, right? Wrong.
Wrong? I was sure surprised to learn I had been using LinkedIn improperly.
Hmmm, that must be the reason they “blocked” me from contacting people in my groups, without their email address. LinkedIn was nice about it, stating they would remove it, if I basically acknowledged I now understood the concept.
Interesting enough, even if I had watched this video, and completely understood the concept of LinkedIn, I probably would have contacted “group” members. I consider a “group” as a collection of people sharing common interests and goals. Several of those said “groups”; I currently hold active paying membership status, leading me to further questions the LinkedIn “group” function.
Needless to say, I remain blocked, if for no other reason than I continue to debate why contacting members, should lead me into “blocking” status. At some point, I would like to understand the “group” process and why contacting members is such a sacred taboo.
I may have started this LinkedIn journey, going down the wrong path, but I made some great connections and friends, with those willing to share within the groups I subscribed.
Going forward, I will embrace the LinkedIn concept in part, although I will continue to be an open networker, in all of my networks. My interests are in meeting new people and developing relationships.
How is the “group” process supposed to work? Shouldn’t group members, be able to contact other group members, for a connection? If not, what is the real purpose of joining a “group”?
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Tags: Linkedin, Networking
I was under the same impression as you were about LinkedIn. Very interesting post. Thanks for sharing!
As an open, active networker I’ve had questions about LinkedIn off and on. Is it only to keep track of my close contacts and friends? It is to be used to rapaidly expand my network? I believe it’s both… but LinkedIn appears to only believe the former.
Recently I think I’ve come to the conclusion that LinkedIn believes its platform is predicated on trust… and on the value of the LinkedIn platform to empower action based on trust.
I think LinkedIn frowns on open networking on its platform because open networking is predicated on networking without trust. As an open networker my LinkedIn connections MAY have 0 value to others in the network because I don’t know the people in the network – let alone trust them.
I agree that LinkedIn groups, as designed and limited by LinkedIn, are silly constructs. I actually wanted to punch my computer the first time I saw how valueless they were. After I formed a group I saw some limited value – to me. I actively try to bring people in the groups I own together – but for the most part they don’t want to be drawn together. They want to passively show their affinity for the group by flashing the logo… and maybe read a blog from the group leader now and then.
As long as LinkedIn believes that its currency is trusted connections open networkers like you and me will ALWAYS run the risk of being spanked by LinkedIn. Because they believe we have counterfeit currency.
Ro, I am glad you see some value in this post and it can help you avoid the errors of my ways.
Mike Sachleben, very good point. I have not seen very much value in the groups on Linkedin. I am hoping that will change, but that is in the hand of the creators of each group. On Facebook, I only joined a few groups, and almost all have been engaging, sharing and create consistant content, which keeps me coming back.
By the way, I bit the bullet and contacted Linkedin. Very nice email and I am no longer blocked. I will now try using their concept.
Thank you for the feedback.