Listening to a community of users
One of the questions, I get asked when I introduce myself as community evangelist is: “What does that mean?” The short answer is that I help LinkedIn understand our users better and vice-versa. Part of my job encompasses finding users and listening to them; primarily on the blogosphere, smaller discussion forums, and most importantly at events where I get to meet them in person. The recent lunch 2.0 event that we organized was one such opportunity to meet with a diverse group of our users.
Another event I’m looking forward to is a discussion I’ll be leading on “Professional networking using LinkedIn – Best Practices”. It’s being organized by the Marketing Special Interest Group (SIG) of the Software Developers Forum (SD Forum). I urge you to check out the event if you’re in the Bay Area this coming Monday, June 11th. Given below are further details:
Where:
DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary LLP
2000 University Ave.(University Circle)
East Palo Alto, CA 94303
When:
June 11, 2007
Agenda:
6:30 – 7:00 p.m. Registration / Networking / Refreshments
7:00 – 7:15 p.m. Announcements and Introductions
7:15 – 8:30 p.m. Presentation and Discussion
8:30 – 8:45 p.m. Wrap-up / Networking
Registration:
At the event (Free for SD Forum members; $15 for non-members)
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For those of you with suggestions/feedback/questions on LinkedIn, please leave a comment.
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Damon Billian June 6th, 2007
A pretty solid description of a Community Evangelist. Personally, I’ve found that forums and blogs are good places to fine negative feedback about a service – which is great because it helps you identify potential needs/product ideas to improve the service (positive feedback, while great, doesn’t always provide the same value as constructive feedback).
Tina Cipolla June 6th, 2007
This sounds like a great presentation. I’m only a short flight away in Phoenix, maybe I’ll fly up for it if I can. I am working with two other LinkedIn users developing a similar presentation which we are planning to try to present at conferences.
Tina
Stevan June 22nd, 2007
A feature request – I sometimes find myself wondering “How did I ever get connected with this person?” about people in my network.
How about adding the ability for me to make a note on each of my connections (optionally, of course) reminding myself how I know them. That would make my networking with them a lot easier and enable their approaches to me to work better because I can be reminder of our connection’s roots.
Thanks for listening.
Mario Sundar July 5th, 2007
Hi Larry,
Thanks for your comment on “Who’s viewed my profile” (WVMP). Your original comment on the “We’re in the black” post, was responded to by the product manager for that particular feature – Steven Stegman. Please check it out here: http://tinyurl.com/ypsg7t
As you probably know, WVMP is still in beta and user feedback is appreciated.
If you’ve further questions feel free to email me at msundar@linkedin.com
Dan July 9th, 2007
Hi,
I was just wondering about you only having two options to show or hide your connections from other people in your network. This binary choice seems to benefit people who don’t want to show connections more than those who are willing to share. I would think a third option allowing mutual sharing of connections only (i.e. only to people who share their connections with you) would be a good option to encourage sharing in a more reciprocal manner.
Thanks,
Dan
Mary Rose Guiné July 18th, 2007
I have worked in several industries telecommunication, Aviation & Pharmaceutical. The last 10 years has been spend in Pharmaceutical companies. At present, I am looking for a job in a pharmaceutical company, all type of contacts accepted.