I’m on a LinkedIn kick right now – no doubt about it. From my post last week that highlighted a fundamental problem with the site (or groups to be more specific),
“In theory, LinkedIn groups are a great place to discuss various topics with like minded people. That happens on occasion, but it’s always as if the party is interrupted by someone pitching something or people that are trying to out “expert” each other.”
I’ve just about convinced myself that the problem I seem to have with the site is completely related to the age range of most of the users.
When I started thinking about this a bit more seriously I did the only logical thing – and that’s take the topic to Twitter. I simply asked if anyone knew the average age of a LinkedIn user and @MariJean quickly responded with what you can read below.
The link she shared sent me to a post on Brian Solis’s website titled “The Age of Social Networks.” The post highlights a study that Pingdom did and there’s a graphic worth sharing.
If I’m interpreting this correctly the graph highlights that nearly 75% of LinkedIn users are over the age of 35-years old, and just shy of 50% are 45-years old or older. And hey, if you’re in either of those demos please note that I’m about to make a general statement. I know you rock so this probably doesn’t apply to you.
Is it possible that a vast majority of the older demographic simply don’t understand the art of sharing and taking part in conversations (as opposed to constantly pushing products)? Again, I know you rock – just give it some thought for a minute.
I know a massive number of folks that got there social media start with LinkedIn (some have adapted, others haven’t) and I’m just not sure the site instilled the sharing value that is so important. It’s as if the “Sharing” lesson was skipped and they went straight to the “Push” lesson… and skipped the “Constantly pushing info is bad” chapter along the way.
If you think I’m blowing this issue out of proportion that’s ok, but do know I’ve discussed this topic with a ton of people of all different ages and the vast majority see the same issue that was highlighted at the beginning of this post.
I do think there’s an exception to this theory. For those in the demos previously mentioned that got their social start on Facebook or Twitter… they very likely learned a different culture and are more adept to sharing and taking part in conversations.
What’s your take? Is this ludicrous? Did LinkedIn prove to be a faulty starting ground?
Bonus: I saw this discussion starter in the daily digest for one of the LinkedIn groups I’m part of.
“If you believe in your business, why aren’t you spending more in AdWords? Is it too complex or do you not believe in your business?”
What makes this even more humorous is the fact that the person that started the thread works for a company that pushes AdWords. Imagine that… on LinkedIn.
