LinkedIn Local: It's Complicated

I love meeting people and getting in the game. So why am I put off by LinkedIn Local? It's a good idea. Let's go back to February of last year. Invited to a conference where writers and other creative types converged led to an exchange of ideas unlike any other. Did it lead to a new position? Did it bring me the groupies that I expect and never truly deserve?

No one stalked my hotel room. I certainly would have let them in and told them about cultivating deeper relationships. That was what I learned at this conference. In another part of the world there were more impromptu gatherings under the LinkedIn Local banner. Before breaking into a rousing rendition of As Tears Go By there were many doing what my group did surprisingly well earlier in the year.

I visited one LinkedIn Local. Allen Gannett was there before I knew the grandeur and the glory. There were hosts who spoke of the importance of video. To them? Writing did not exist.

I have been told that I write too many articles. Some post videos every day and are praised, adored and worshiped. They know who they are. If they are promoted as who you can meet? I have cultivated deeper relationships with people in my everyday life. It was always there and I learned many want to engage and describe the ins and outs of their lives.

What did I see at LinkedIn Local? Cliques, women staring at their feet, a couple decent people and well edited videos that create the illusion everyone had a good time. No one had a bad time. There are a lot of professionals in many fields and some treated this like happy hour.

At least I was not given the hard sell. You can go to LinkedIn Local in your area. It feels like I am on a different wavelength. Not necessarily better: just different. If I made videos would people recognize me and want to meet me? I am the same person so meet me without a mystique.

I should attend the next iteration of that conference. Too soon to commit. I can meet people in line at the bank or the many new faces on my job. It is one networking opportunity. Just because no one films it and edits out the tedium does not mean you cannot live a fulfilling life with creative types exchanging ideas.