Why I am not on LinkedIn

I receive a handful of email invitations each week from people saying: "I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn."

And to each person I send a polite note saying more or less: "Sorry, but I don't do LinkedIn. You can find me at my primary hangouts including my site and my blog and Facebook and Twitter, and you'll see me pop up at several dozen other social networking sites from time to time."

Some people email me back and are either surprised: "Wait! You don't do LinkedIn?" or seem a bit offended: "Why the heck don't you do LinkedIn? Do tell."

Why I am not on LinkedIn

The LinkedIn site says: "Over 30 million professionals use LinkedIn to exchange information, ideas and opportunities. When you join, you create a profile that summarizes your professional accomplishments. Your profile helps you find and be found by former colleagues, clients, and partners. You can add more connections by inviting trusted contacts to join LinkedIn and connect to you." On the LinkedIn about page, there is a laundry list of things you can do with LinkedIn, such as find potential clients, search for jobs, land deals, and get introductions.

Well, all of the things that LinkedIn says it can help me with, I am already doing with the other social networking services that I use, so I don't need that specific help. And if people want to find me, they can Google David Meerman Scott.

I hope I'm not offending anyone when I say that I’ve found that the majority of people who email me to ask me to be a part of their LinkedIn network fall into one or more of these three categories: 1) I do not know them 2) They are salespeople or 3) They are looking for a new job.

I meet people every single day on my blog, on others' blogs and on Twitter, and at this stage I am not looking for another way to connect. Regular readers of this blog know that I try really hard to help those who are looking for work by providing ideas for them that are more helpful than linking in to people who I know.

If you want to connect to me, just do it. If you want to know who I know, look at the people who follow me on Twitter or who comment on my blog. Or who write about my ideas on their blogs.

You can't go to every party, so why even try?

Of course, it's not just LinkedIn that I don't do. I'm not on Second Life either. I tried it a few times two years ago and just didn't like it. I don't have a MySpace page because I've found that it is best for artists and musicians, not for me. There are thousands of other social media and social networking sites that I am not on such as Nexopia, Bebo, Hi5, Tagged, Xing, Skyrock, Orkut, Friendster, Orkut, Xiaonei and Cyworld.

We can't possibly be a part of every conversation. It sort of reminds me of a terrific cocktail party with a few hundred people. You know there are tons of great conversations going on and you know that you can't be a part of them all. What do you do at a party? Some people do the look over the shoulder of the person you’re talking to thing to always be on the lookout for a better conversation. Some flit from one person to another every few minutes all night. Some may think you're rude when you spread yourself thin, but hey, you don't miss as much. What I like to do at parties is have a few great conversations and be happy that I'm at a wonderful event. I know I can't be with everyone, so I have fun with the people I'm with. What more could I want?

Chris Brogan said it well in a post called Do You Have To Touch Every Conversation. Chris says: "There are gazillions of other conversations that I'm not touching, that Seth isn't touching, that Scoble or Kawasaki or whoever the heck you want to put in the *.person.who.should.join.the.conversation should be touching. But is that really the goal? Or is the goal to fish where your fish are, to do what you plan to do, and to do it well?"

Comments

[Dave]

I really think that LinkedIn has 'jumped the shark' anyway. It's original purpose was to document one's network of close trusted connections. These days everyone seems to use it to document their business card collection.

[Jon F. Merz]

Interesting post, David. I've been on Linked In for a while now although I spend much MUCH less time on it than I once did, preferring to do most of my connecting via Facebook and Twitter. I still keep the page out there, though, and a presence at a variety of other venues more as a way of letting interested readers know where else I am (in other words, I have links to my primary swimming holes at the other sites.)

Thanks for the post!

[Neil Sequeira]

Very true David. It's not possible being everywhere being connected on every social site and keep up with everything. Its a crowded space and it can be quite a distraction.

[Shaun Dakin]

Great post. You are right on the money - you need to pick and choose about which conversations you are part of.

One tool you did not mention is FriendFeed which can consolidate a lot of conversations for you (if you care).

Shaun Dakin
@EndTheRobocalls

[jason moriber]

I signed up for linked in on 2004 and built true contacts there gradually until 2007 when I began to receive flurries of join my network emails, which spiked this past Spring. Once these contacts joined Facebook the activity shifted to that venue, which was more appropriate for personal contacts. It's hard to be "active" in so many places, the ones with the greatest "reward" are magnetic (twitter, facebook). If Linkedin offered levels of contacts (personal, business, leads) and ways to communicate...if, if ,if. But interestingly aren't many of the LinkedIn funders also behind Facebook?

[John Bordeaux]

Excellent points, but I disagree regarding LinkedIn specifically.

Because people view it as their "professional" persona, I find conversations there are focused on business linkages. It could lose its luster over time, but the perception is there.

I used it to answer questions, keep up on acquaintances, maintain loose connections across networks. Now, yes - I need to find a new job. Without being pushy, I just updated my profile, posted a little slideshare presentation as an introduction, and the conversation comes to me.

I don't even "inform" my network, but people who are interested become informed nonetheless because of the loose ties.

Also linked to the slideshare on twitter. This generated more views, but most of them more curious than seriously considering changing the relationship.

My quiver, therefore: Twitter, LinkedIn, SlideShare (Also MySpace just because my (grown) kids are chatting over there. May kill it soon.)

[Barry Graubart]

David - of course, everyone should pick the soc nets they want to use, but I have found LinkedIn provides me with functionality I can't get in Facebook, Twitter, etc.
I use it for recruitment, reference checking and biz dev. It's much easier in LinkedIn to ask the question "who do I know who knows someone in biz dev at Company X" (or "who do I know who may have worked with this job candidate when they were at Company Y" then it is to ask that question in other platforms. I keep my LinkedIn network small - only those who are "real" connections whom I would comfortably call with that type of question. And I may go months between visits to LinkedIn - it's not for socializing - but when I need it, I've found it works well. I've twice hired people through referrals from LinkedIn - and I can't say the same for my Facebook network.

[Brandon Chesnutt]

David - Great insight. This post reminds me of the closing chapter of The New Rules of Marketing and PR.

"I just do what I can and what works for me. And so should you."

While I have a presence on LinkedIn, I don't use it anywhere near as much as Twitter or Facebook. I do see some value in having my name attached to the site, but I just don't receive nearly as much interaction as I do on other platforms.

[David Meerman Scott]

Thanks, all for the great comments.

Barry and John - I'm certainly keeping an open mind about LinkedIn. I'm glad that it's been helpful to you - thanks for sharing your experiences.

Brandon - Wow. You're observant. I had forgotten that I wrote that in the book!

David

[Gail Nelson]

That graphic of social media sites is frightening! With the near-mania that goes with the explosion of social media, it's refreshing to hear your reasoned voice saying that it's okay to pick and choose. For me, that includes LinkedIn (mainly because I've been there for many years) along with Facebook and Twitter.

[Primal Media]

Right on!

I like your analogy of social media and parties. It's hard to have a good conversation if you're always scanning the room for the next one.

Heard about this post through Twitter - 'nuff said.

[Tammy Homan]

David--

This is an interesting insight. I see your reasons for not joining LinkedIn.

It was recommended to me when I graduated in May to join Linkedin so that I could keep up-to-date on all of my professional contacts through my years of work. I (like many people that have commented) don't accept invitations from people I don't know, because that is not how I'm choosing to use the site.

I think as well as choosing the conversation, you also have to choose what your going to take from it.

[Dan Schawbel]

I typically agree with you, but I don't think this is good advice for everyone. Many people are looking for jobs and aren't bestselling authors and renowned speakers and bloggers such as yourself.

I think it's extremely beneficial for professionals to go on LinkedIn because it's searchable, profiles rank high in Google (protection/promotion of personal brands) and because you can navigate your career through your LinkedIn compass (collection of your contacts).

This goes back to the big question: what is your strategy? Your strategy is going to be different than other people because you see more valuable in what you've created and LinkedIn won't further your goals/success.

I think one of the main takeaway's of this post is to not spread yourself too thin with social media services.

[Derec Shuler]

It's interesting to see where people draw the line. I frequently have people who use social networking ask where to be and how much time to spend taking part in these conversations. Like you said, it's better to be effective in fewer places than have a minimum presence. I'm adding this to my Delicious bookmarks.

[David Meerman Scott]

You're absolutely right, Dan. While LinkedIn may not be for me, it is great for others. And you should know, you're the personal branding guru!

[Lisa McGrath]

David-
Thanks for the great post. I agree that we can't all be in all conversations, I use FB, Twitter & LinkedIn. I do spend more time on Twitter & FB than LI, but to bridge some tech gaps with some folks in my networks, it has proven to be a good way to keep current on where some past contacts are now working.

[Maranda Gibson]

David -

Great post! Since I'm in my mid-twenties, one would think I would know all the ins and outs of social media sites, but I have only recently been invited to LinkedIn. Because my network of professional contacts is still small, I find that it has not worked for me. There is so much out there and you're absolutely right, you can't go to every party. Certain sites are going to be better for everyone and I think that's one of the great things about this communication platform -- everyone has a different taste.

No one is going to fit everywhere or be able to do everything. So yes, take what you are most comfortable with and go from there. Absolutely wonderful stuff.

[Erin Weed]

Summary of David's post...

"Sorry LinkedIn, but I'm just not that into you."

:)

[Christopher Ming Ryan]

David:

I see what you're saying. But you have a pretty recognized brand out there! I started with LinkedIn and found it a good way to re-connect with colleagues from my past. It also has some tremendous search capabilities. I've networked new relationships by seeing who was related to my network.

The other thing I really like about LinkedIn is that they've added that nice new blog app so that people can find my blog in a convenient manner.

But I do get what you're putting out there... You never want to spread yourself so thin that you dilute the secret sauce!

Regards,

Chris
@chrismingryan

[Maggie]

The only benefit of you being on Linkedin would be for the people who were able to claim you as a contact!

I can attest to the fact that you are very accessible via Twitter, Facebook and your blog--you've responded to me personally on all 3, as well as commented on my blog. To me that's much more valuable than just having you as a contact on Linkedin.

Not to hate on Linkedin or anything, but to me it's nothing more than a collection of business cards; if you want to make a connection and/or network, do it on an actual social network.

[Josh Klein]

Thanks David, this is a smart post. I agree that you need to avoid trying to attend every party (and therefore spreading yourself too thin), but I think LinkedIn is one of those can't-miss ones.

I don't deny your premise -- I avoid Myspace, for one -- but LinkedIn has a very different audience than the one I have on Facebook, or on my blog. There is a level of penetration LinkedIn has with professionals that are less savvy on the web that is missing from the other social networks. Though I'd like to think I could get by with just the network of my peers, I think it's invaluable to branch out to these other groups.

I'd recommend that at people have a web presence (blog or homepage), a "fun" social networking space (Facebook, Myspace, etc.), a "professional" social networking space (LinkedIn, Xing, Naymz, etc.), and a status update platform (Twitter, Facebook status, etc.).

Great post David!

[zahari]

I'm absolutely agreed with you David. You need to focus on what you are good at. You had done a fantastic job for me. You had shifted my paradigm toward blogging and online business. You make me blogging after 3 weeks reading of your book. More surprisingly, you visited my blog in less than 24hrs after I emailed you the URL.

[MarketingTwins-Randy]

Great thoughts David! I'm presenting a workshop tomorrow about all of this social marketing stuff - and I can't wait to see the RELIEF on the faces of the participants at the end when I tell them The Great DMS doesn't do it all! I personally am relieved. Some of those sites I have never even heard of!

[Tom Daly]

This is a really great post. However, I have to agree with some of the other LinkedIn supporters.

For me, it is all about the audience. I use LinkedIn for my strictly professional (b2b style) networking. With the new wave of applications that have recently come to LinkedIn, the site is becoming a little more fluid (like Facebook and Twitter). Giving opportunities to build relationships rather than just find information. For me, it was a powerful tool before. And, is getting more powerful by the day.

Facebook, for me, is much more personal (pictures of kids, funny videos, etc.) - though I see more and more business applications developing there, most are targeted to individual buyers. Twitter has become a blend of business and personal contacts with a concentration more technically proficient and web-savvy users.

Different strokes for different folks, I guess.

On LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/tomdaly2
On Twitter: @tomdaly

[Russell Tripp]

These are questions I keep struggling with - which social networks should I be on? Which ones can I safely ignore? Which ones am I on now that I can afford to ditch? I have to say that your analogy to a cocktail party did remind me more than a bit of the book "How To Work A Room" by Susan Roane. I might have to go back and re-read some of that one again to see how it applies.