No fun at Linkedin by Jonas

During the last couple of months I’ve used LinkedIn more than ever before. Not really sure why, but probably due to changing workplace and thereby getting more invitations and connections.

However, I see one big problem concerning the community of LinkedIn. People connect to without really knowing each other, with the sole intention of growing your own network. But even more importantly:

Where’s the fun on LinkedIn? Or even what’s the use of it?

As readers of this blog are familiar, we have a tendency to love Skinny Corp. The main reason for that? They make fun of things. It’s always a ride to visit one of their sites, since it’s such a relaxed attitude. But mostly, it’s personal.

When you login to LinkedIn, it’s so very far from personal. Even if LinkedIn is a professional network, it doesn’t have to be sooo boring. They have tried to twist things up with a “bubbly” design. But really, it doesn’t do it for me.

LinkedIn needs a spokesperson.

Many successful communities have this. Someone that welcomes people and becomes the voice of the company. Craig Newmark is probably the most obvious example, but also Caterina Fake of Flickr did this extremely well.

I’m not saying LinkedIn as a company is not successful. But as a community I don’t see their success. It’s just too hollow for me.

[tags]LinkedIN, fun, flickr, craigslist, craig newmark, community [/tags]

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April 16, 2007 / 3 Comments.

3 Comments

  1. Anton replied:

    Read: http://www.torstensson.com/weblog/2007/04/precis.html

    April 17th, 2007 at 7:41 pm. Permalink.

  2. Jonas replied:

    Couldn’t agree more, this topic was also up for discussion at yesterdays Future of web design.

    April 19th, 2007 at 9:38 am. Permalink.

  3. Linkedin motto replied:

    […] Regarding my earlier posting about the “no fun”-situation going on at LinkedIn, thought it was interesting to read the new CEO, Dan Nye’s approach to it: “LinkedIn is a productivity tool. We expect people to come to LinkedIn and accomplish tasks, then move on. We have no intention of becoming a social site. We want to remain focused on productivity that is important for professionals.” […]

    June 27th, 2007 at 9:42 am. Permalink.

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