(Yet Another Post Discussing) What is LinkedIn For??

There are some topics of conversation that frequently crop up on LinkedIn and always cause great debate and one of them is about the purpose of LinkedIn and what it should (and shouldn't) be used for and what members should be "allowed" to discuss in their posts and updates.

I am not sure if The Refined Ruffian has a LinkedIn profile or is just guessing at what goes on here, but I haven't seen too many profiles of people publicising their GSOH and desire to spend evenings on the sofa with a DVD and a good bottle of wine. Rather, I have found a lot of interesting articles on a whole raft of topics connected both directly and indirectly to the world of work.

Most people use their Social Media channels in a way they feel is appropriate to them and their contacts in order to reach their goal; be it finding new opportunities, making contacts, developing their business and so. The conversations are similar to those in real life, at a Conference, people will mainly talk about their business with some informal small talk alongside, and at social gatherings, it is usually the other way around. As a rule, no-one feels the urge to try to make everyone talk about just one topic or if someone is boring you - you either change the topic of the conversation or walk away rather than interjecting into the conversation how boring it is or making rude comments!

I love Social Media and would hate to see the content on the platforms overly restricted by rules on legitimate topics of discussion. People want their posts to be read, so they post things that will be of interest to their network in that Social Media Environment. If a particular post doesn't interest you, then don't read it and move on to one that does!

...and thanks to not moving on and reading to the end of this post!!