LinkedIn adds useful applications to the community…finally
For all of you who wonder, and ask me, if LinkedIn is really worth it…they’ve just done something that is tipping the balance heavily to yes.
LinkedIn has added 9 applications to its repertoire (where previously there were none) and Rotor Blog has done a smashing job of describing them. Here’s their rundown:
- Amazon’s Reading list – lets you share a list of books that you are reading, follow updates from your connections and possibly get an idea on what you should probably read next
- Blog Link – allows you to connect your blog to your LinkedIn profile, hence expanding the reach of your blog and promoting your LinkedIn profile through your blog as well
- Huddle – provides you with a private and secure online workspaces which are packed with collaboration and sharing tools that would allow you to work with your connections
- My Travel – lets you see where your LinkedIn contacts are travelling next or find out who among your LinkedIn contacts will be in the same place where you will be travelling to
- Google Presentation – Honestly, I find this most useful and a great addition to the LinkedIn application facility as it lets you upload .PPT or use Google’s online application to embed presentation on your profile.
- WordPress – why wouldn’t be this useful? It’s everybody’s favorite blogging platform right on your LinkedIn profile and lets you sync your WordPress-powered blog with your LinkedIn profile
- Company Buzz – gives you the Twitter activity of your company and lets you view tweets, trends and top key words on the Twitter platform.
- Box.net – lets you manage your important files online and then share them with your friends and business contacts.
- SlidesShare – one of the most used online presentation tool comes right into your LinkedIn profile to allow you to create simple presentations which you can run online
Unlike Facebook, where widgets and apps reproduce like fruit flies, LinkedIn is taking a moderate and selective approach. I think the live blog feeds, the shared workspace and the Company Buzz/Twitter apps are inspired. But, the Amazon Reading List? I’m not feeling it…maybe for authors it’s helpful, but I’m not seeing its value for networking. (Open my eyes if this application speaks to you.)
Go check it out…I’m headed over to my LinkedIn account to hook up my blog…hope to see you there and can’t wait to connect in the LinkedIn venue.
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6 Responses to “LinkedIn adds useful applications to the community…finally”
Leave a Reply
Excellent post, thank you!
josh
Founder, MomFaves
http://www.momfaves.com
[Reply]
Hi Julie,
I had trouble installing the apps yesterday and have not tried since. I agree with you on the Amazon reading list – other sites like shelfari have been doing this – I hardly use them for two reasons – I already have so many books that I have not read yet and 2) it takes me a while to finish reading a book and hence I am not looking to get bombarded with information on what books I may want to read. If I need this, I would easily go to Amazon and figure it out.
Gopal
[Reply]
Josh…so great to see you here! Thanks for stopping by…
[Reply]
Hi Gopal…right? Perhaps this is for the social (not business) side of social media…hmmm? I’ve yet to receive an inspirational response.
[Reply]
This post showed me I need to be doing a lot more with LinkedIn. Personally, I like viewing what others are reading. It at least puts new books on my radar.
[Reply]
Thanks, Sheena…for stopping by and having a reason to use the Amazon app!!!
[Reply]