Comments on: Looking for community on LinkedIn

By: awaldstein

awaldstein — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 12:26:54 +0000

You hit it right that LinkedIn's DNA is its database. And it's useful for that reason.

But imagine if you had leaders for those LinkedIn groups, some which are very targeted, and a Disqus-based comment system to encourage conversations. You might even develop a 'community'. And it is in LinkedIn's business model to have people hang out there and connect and comment.

What happens is that we go there and literally funnel off group members to our own URLs.

Thanks as always for your comments Donna!

By: Donna Brewington White

Donna Brewington White — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 04:54:53 +0000

I tend to use LinkedIn a lot and spend a lot of time there. But, I go there for work and not for play — to see and be seen, but not to really build relationship or community. I still find it immensely valuable, but that is because I am in a profession dependent upon databases. I do think there is marketing potential, but haven't quite figured this out. All in all, Arnold, excellent points. Incredibly insightful as always!

By: awaldstein

awaldstein — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 02:11:40 +0000

Hi David...always a good day when you drop by.

You are so correct...there are filtering communities popping up everywhere..on wine, on socialTV, on tech and others which are inviting their members to republish their blogs on their URL building content and community simultaneously and driving traffic back to their members sites as well.

Irony is that I find most of these through LinkedIn...then move off and join a community.

Maybe there is LinkedIn logic behind this but it eludes me.

By: awaldstein

awaldstein — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 20:11:40 +0000

By: David Semeria

David Semeria — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 13:39:28 +0000

These are excellent observations Arnold.

I particularly like the idea that LinkedIn doesn't provide a 'space' for people with common interests. It's almost like they are inviting you to go off site…

By: awaldstein

awaldstein — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 23:15:10 +0000

And to you as well Dave

By: Dave Pinsen

Dave Pinsen — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 23:07:26 +0000

Hi Arnold,

Yeah, I've noticed the slowness of Disqus this week. Interesting exceptions.

Have a great holiday weekend.

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By: awaldstein

awaldstein — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 10:16:46 +0000

Ron
LinkedIn has built a successful and useful business.
So I don't knock them nor agree that they deserve that.
They could just do more for my needs.

By: Ron Wolf

Ron Wolf — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 19:18:44 +0000

right, the impulse to give LinkedIn advice, to move them off the mark, to see them provide more value. you do a great job of suggesting coherently here some things that they should seemingly act on. on the other hand, its all too easy to see some of this and many do. the obviousness of their shortcomings has made LinkedIn is a bit of a Silicon Valley joke. that LinkedIn doesn't seem to see this is a bit maddening. but knowing a bit about their culture, there is an easy explanation. they simply aren't listening – at LinkedIn, they are very wrapped up in their own world.

By: awaldstein

awaldstein — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 23:51:20 +0000

Hi Ron

In no way am I belittling the accomplishment of LinkedIn. But they are late to the concept and upsides of community and could be much more valuable to their users...myself included.

Not undermining their value, just articulating the incredible assets they have and how limited I feel they use them.

They work for some...it appears for you. Great. I think they could work for many more if they put some strategic thinking and additional infrastructures in place.