Recently, Linked In announced that they will make all shareable content from their top business influencers on the professional social networking site available to all members. Realizing that page views continue to slip this social networking site for professionals is looking to be more like Facebook. Personally, I would aim higher.
Since LinkedIn’s “influencers” program has shown increasing popularity with guest blogs from the likes of Billionaire Richard Branson and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, it’s hard to argue their logic. Each post generates on average 80 comments and 250 likes. Its goal to increase advertising revenue by identifying articles with the higher number of reader views to distribute to a broader audience.
So here is my quick list on how Linked In can remain a professional social networking site before it becomes another Facebook:
- Keep sponsored ads to a minimum. Recently this has increased on Linked In and yes, I’ve noticed it. If I get 1 more advertisement for online graduate programs, I too will think about pulling the plug. On the plus side, I like the idea of receiving relevant news articles in my industry and regarding business in general.
- Unlike Facebook, Linked In seems to have consistency when it comes to their privacy settings. I’m hoping it keeps the sharing of my personal information to a minimum. Of course, that being said, the influence of the fickle market could change this strategy.
- Remain a professional social networking site for professionals. Time and again, the media is full of stories about people whose personal and professional lives were ruined because of individual using a social networking site for malicious purposes. I’ve yet to read about a suicide or a court case that directly references Linked In as a major contributor.
If you’re on Linked In maybe you noticed these changes, what do you think about their strategy towards similarities with Twitter and Facebook? How can they remain relevant and still give stock holders their due?
