Have you noticed the LinkedIn new brand? LI decided to combine the “let’s make friends” approach of Facebook, the “do you know” style of Twitter and “have fun in circles” of Google+. No more button-down starched shirts at LinkedIn.
Stir together these three approaches on the LinkedIn site and here’s an example of what you get:
LinkedIn’s New Approach: Praise Your Friends and Colleages
LinkedIn New Brand Helps Members Shine
As I read today’s LinkedIn email, it tickled my heart to hear about all the new skills people in my network have acquired.
Connie Dorigan, my good friend up in Oregon, after 20+ odd years, finally learned how to become a recruiter.
I knew Connie would eventually get around to it. Someday even receive accolades all over the net. Well, Connie, this is your day.
Of course, Jeanne Hopkins, who practices her writing skills, finally learned the art of communication. After all, if you’re going to be a successful mobile executive, you better know how to speak, listen, write and read.
Kirsten McMullen, who appeared on IM-Mobile, finally included her headline on the big LI. Everyone knows in mobile marketing that headlines are very important, especially for her firm, 4INFO, that sends out millions of text messages every day.
In the same vein, Ragnar Kruse who heads up Smaato, the worldwide mobile advertising network, has finally learned mobile applications, mobile tech and Ad Exchanges. Considering he’s been in the industry a long time, I send out kudos to Ragnar for meeting LinkedIn members’ stringent standards for outstanding mobile ad experts. This could only happen with a LinkedIn new brand..
Pankaj Malviya, whom I’ve known since working at the San Jose Mercury, received numerous votes by LI members for his competence in the SaaS field. (SaaS stands for software as a service, generally referring to cloud computing applications connecting your computer to the Internet.) Pankaj has worked with CRM’s and database systems for years. But, I applaud LinkedIn members who praised him for his expertise.
Good ‘ole John Fondnazio who worked with me a while in the call center business, just upgraded his Salesforce.com, SaaS and demand generation skills and knowledge. Since one of the biggest social networks has praised him on the Web, I’m sure every recruiter in the U.S. will seek his services.
Max Shapiro worked hard recently. He managed to learn entrepreneurship, business strategy, training and, according to the email, “12 more.” I’m not exactly sure what the twelve are. Just upgrade your LinkedIn membership to find out.
When I clicked on LinkedIn upgrade , it brought me to tears. Circles, just like the ones on Google Plus, showed me how I can gain access to 150,000,000 profiles, 5 times the search results of free members and a whopping 10 “inmails” per month by raising my membership level.
LinkedIn now far exceeds what Google, Facebook and Twitter offer for free. I know I’ll have to stretch out those inmails to network with 150M people but, heck, I owe it to LinkedIn new brand.
If you want practical tips on how to endorse others on LinkedIn, see Philip Calvert’s excellent article about the LinkedIn new brand and how to use its tools.
Sorry, gotta go. I need to contact a lot of people.