The Gathering Storm: How LinkedIn Policy Might Be Alienating Its Power Connectors

LinkedIn's policies seems to be a topic that is gaining considerable traction in social media circles for a variety of reasons including what the network's Power Connectors are referring to as the unreasonable imposition of arbitrary contact limits While I do not dispute LinkedIn's rights to set guidelines and rules for their network, the absence of providing a reason for their decisions is problematic. Especially since a clear response would remove the discussion from the realms of speculation. It would also help new and developing members to decide if LinkedIn is in fact the platform upon which they would want to build their social media presence. My concern of course is that a lack of communication has the potential odor of a bait and switch. Specifically make access initially easy and once you are in you are stuck. A factor that is even more troubling if you have built a considerable network. For example, what if you have built a conversational relationship that leads to steady flow of business and LinkedIn decides that the $24.95 per month no longer supports their business model? Are we then left with a silver or lead proposition? A question we need to ask of all social networks, because we are ultimately going to get to the point of dependence. Joining me to discuss the implications of this and other social network questions is author and social media maven Neal Schaffer, whose first book "Windmill Networking: Understanding, Leveraging & Maximizing LinkedIn" is scheduled for release in August, 2009. If you have an opinion, we invite you to call in at 347-326-9234.