There is no doubt about the value of LinkedIn. Launched in 2003, it has grown to more than 1.2 billion registered members across more than 200 countries and territories.
According to them:
LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking platform. It connects professionals, job seekers, and businesses to build networks, share industry news, and discover career opportunities. Users create profiles acting as digital resumes to showcase their skills, experience, and achievements. The platform also functions as a powerful tool for B2B marketing, recruitment, and professional education, enabling recruiters to source talent and allowing members to engage with thought leaders and industry groups.
But it’s a limited platform for networking
LinkedIn continues to be THE go-to resource to find a business contact. But LinkedIn poorly serves professinoals, small business owners, and marketers who want to use it to do business on or off the site.
Limited contacts. LinkedIn limits your number of contacts. That’s fine for most users. But it’s limiting to marketers and open networkers who build large networks.
Limited LinkedIn network access. LinkedIn limits your interaction with the full network unless you have an expensive paid subscription.
Limited personal network contact. You can send an update to your personal network …. that’s received only on LinkedIn. But that’s your only option to reach a group of your connections.
No email. Only 3-4% of executive LinkedIn connections allow you to see their email address. So you can’t contact them outside the limited ways LinkedIn provides.
You don’t know who sees you. You and your business may spend thousands of dollars in Linkedin outreach. But it doesn’t capture views. You don’t know who’s see your ad unless someone actually connects.