Ah, synchronicity - I seem to have passed a Tipping Point here in the wide worlds of social media and social networking (sometimes the same, sometimes different topics).
This post marks the 100th entry in my blog, BizTechTalk, which I first began in October 2005. My posting has become much more regular during this time, and I've clearly gone for the podcasting route for nearly half of my content, which has been a great way extend my reach into areas of interest both "spot on" and "on the fringe" for what might be called my sphere of influence.
Interestingly, it seems to be largely due to the podcasting that my network (on LinkedIn) has taken off quite significantly during this time. As I've continued to reach out and also sought to be found via LinkedIn, I have most definitely experienced a "network effect" as I have ended up one way or another in attaching to "super nodes" on the LinkedIn network.
Hence, my reason for calling out this post especially - now that I've built up a fairly sizable number of posts (and I'm working on frequency in addition to overall volume), and have seen an exponential rise in my number of network connections, I am seeing the benefits of being an attractor in a "rich get richer" scenario, where those with the most connections tend to continue to get even more connections (ah, power laws!).
As a result, even further reach in mindshare as my name and profile is now seen across thousands of profiles on LinkedIn (in 1st and 2nd degree relationships) and is seen daily now hundreds of times (via search stats that LinkedIn provides), I'm getting sucked up into the tornado (to use a Geoffey Moore term), or again, as mentioned above tapping into the growth curve of power laws that social networking theory (and reality as it turns out) discusses.
In the midst of writing this post, I've accidentally accepted the 1001st connection on LinkedIn, so the screenshot I'd planned on inserting here is already out of date! The upward spiral continues! (see image below)
In any case, the numbers are interesting, and for anyone sitting on the sidelines with regards to professional networking online, it's time to start experimenting - on LinkedIn vs. Facebook, there is essentially no damage you can do to your current and future reputation, and in my direct experience of the last 4 years, it will likely only serve to strengthen your position and stature in professional spheres.
Give it a whirl, and join me on your network of choice - LinkedIn, Facebook, Plaxo Pulse, or ??? (what's your network of choice? let me know).
Also, keep an eye on the forthcoming AIIM network/platform - we are already on LinkedIn and Facebook, but have some things brewing here that I'm personally very excited about.
Is there any plan of creating an AIIM group on LinkedIn? I guess like you and me there are a lot of ECM professionals that are now on LinkedIn. What better way could there be for us to network than to exploit LinkedIn.
Posted by: sanjaykalra | September 10, 2007 at 01:35 AM
Sanjay - There is an AIIM group on LinkedIn, but LinkedIn is currently upgrading the management software for group functionality. Stay tuned VERY SOON for our announcements on multiple social networking fronts. In the meantime, always happy to connect directly, to just about anyone reading this message - and of course everyone who isn't!. ;)
Posted by: Dan Keldsen | September 10, 2007 at 05:06 PM