LinkedUn (Saturated Market)

« How to Make a Difference | Main | Kicking back in the den »

LinkedUn

Social Media I was recently part of an interesting discussion on LinkedIn. Someone asked if Facebook introduced business functionality, could it kill LinkedIn?

The answer was pretty much what I'm sure you expected.

Not in a million years. First of all, I don't ever see Facebook effectively positioning itself as a business network. I can't fathom the idea of anybody wanting to mix business and pleasure like that. The information found on most Facebook profiles, the sort of interaction going on between friends on that site and the growing sea of crap on that site is sure to drive off any serious business networker. At a time when young professionals and veterans alike are doing everything in their power to PREVENT their bosses, staff and business contacts from finding their Facebook profile, including leaving the site entirely, I can't see anybody wanting to use Facebook as a business network.

But beside this fundamental issue, it's very hard for a social networking site to 'kill' another one. As I've said time and time again, social networks are able to easily coexist. If Facebook can't kill MySpace, why would it be able to do the same to LinkedIn? Particularly since many LinkedIn users wouldn't touch Facebook with a digital pole, keeping an active LinkedIn profile would be considered wise if you don't want to lose out on those contacts.

You wouldn't invite your bar buddies to the office party, so why would you want to use Facebook to replace LinkedIn?

Until next time,