Discussion & group activity ratio figures on Linkedin ?
I try and contribute to discussions, but often I read it and find I've nothing to add.
My guess is I read 10 discussions for every one I actually contribute to.
My ratio therefore 10 : 1
What is your ratio ?
How often do you initiate something in a group, daily, weekly, monthly or rarely. By initiate I mean be the first one to start a discussion, start a news post or start a job?
Answers (17)
Charlene N.
Senior Finance & Operations Leader -- Passionate about Profitability
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Simon, it depends on my mood (oh what a facile response!) and on the group. Some days, I am very active, reading, starting and posting. Other days, I remain a lurker ..... reading, enjoying or not and yes, like you having nothing new to add.
Some of my groups are very active, others not so much. Your ratio of 10:1 seems about right to me.
Jeff B.
Providing insights, ideas and solutions to help businesses gain and retain clients.
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Simon, I only initiate discussions when I offer something free of value (such as a new blog entry, a white paper, etc.) that I know may be of interest to the group, rather than post a teaser to something someone else has done.
I also find that too many discussions groups just become spam-advertising boards. I only add to discussions when I feel that I have something original to offer. Answering with a simple confirmation of what others say doesn't do a lot to enhance your identity. I also tend to avoid discussions that are many months old or where there hasn't been a posting in a long time.
Liz S.
Computer Applications Consultant and Teacher; Adjunct Professor, Glass industry resource
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Simon,
Like you, when I have nothing to add, I usually just read the discussion
(this may be an exception to that general rule :) ).
Manish S.
AGM-HR at Spanco BPO Services
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100:1
Mukesh R.
PM Mentor
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10:1 is fine as long as the 1 is valuable to the person asking the question. That is what linkedin is for...
Mike C.
Delivering Business Solutions through Smart Technology Application
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Simon,
My ratio is probably more like 20:1. If I see what would have been my answer/response to the question/statement already posted, I won't reply. However, I will often clarify or expand a point.
I do need to start more discussions though.
Thanks!
Carl B.
Buiness Law and Tax Attorney at Trenam Kemker
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Mine is an irrational number and cannot be expressed as a ratio or fraction.
Scott B.
Factotum
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Since most of my discussions are on the Q&A board and not in groups, and since the Q&A board generates a new question every 5 seconds, and since I only answer about 20 per week:
My ratio is 30,240 : 1
Ross D.
Founder-Top Recommended People Group | IT Leader | Advisory Board Member at Sit at the Table (SATT)
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Great question Simon!
I used to post discussion items in many groups, however the amount of e-mail's became unbearable. So basically I only post now in my group, Top Recommended People, however I will from time to time answer other people's discussion items and questions. Since I am a prolific reader, I'd say my ratio is 100:1!
Thanks,
Ross
Tom N.
Sr. Account Manager @ PSI Engineering
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Simon, its difficult to give any numbers. It depends on time, topics, interests and probably many other things I can't think of right now. I try to make an effort to view the Q&A daily. Sometimes I comment. Sometimes, like you I have nothing new to add or anything intelligent (although I haven't always been accused of intelligent thought on all occasions) to say, so I just read away.
Which reminds me of an old cartoon that hopefully everyone here has seen but may (or may not) have forgotten. Picture an image of an elderly person (that's my PC for the day) sitting in an outdoor kybo or lavy (toilet to those that don't know those words) with a bubble overhead, with the word... "sometimes I sits and thinks and other times I jus' sits..."
Cheers and I hope everyone has a great weekend!
Support your Olympian Athletes!
Iftikhar M.
Owner, ZED CONCEPT - Sourcing Agency / Buyers Representatives - India.
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Like most of the members, I too prefer to read interesting Q&A and group discussions.
Whether professional members call me a lurker or not, I spend only some time here, so I would prefer to read the interesting stuff here.
I can match 1:1 if needed. But the burn out would be faster, and I am not here to get frustrated or irritated and show that too.
I would say I am in the 100:1 category.
Zia
Natalie K.
Senior IT Specialist at Nordea Bank, Capital Markets & Treasury Securities, Business Development
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I also prefer Q&A, though the discussions in groups can be very interesting, too. My ratio depends not so much on my mood (I'd love to be more active), but on the time available. The amount of emails is another (big) issue, so here I also sometimes have to prioritize by removing the notifications for new comments in discussions.
But I'm 100% committed, when I post a question myself. I see it as my responsibility to reply to everyone as soon as I can, and not just "thanks". This normally leads to even more insightful discussions, establishing of contacts and even making friends.
Ed H.
Wordsmith with proven ability to translate business objectives into communications strategies and tactics
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As a rule, I think my ratio is someting like 10:1 or perhaps even 20:1. Those discussions responding to a question are often answered faster and more thoroughly by others than by myself and I'm big on trying to add value to the discussion: if I cannot, I'll keep quiet.
In groups however, for me it's a little bit different because those discussions are generally lower volume, so I can often find ways to add value to the discussion.
Interesting question, Simon!
Taro A.
Social Webmaster at Taro Systems, Inc
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I would say 6 : 1 MAYBE.. It just depends on what is going on that day, and how much I think I have to say if anything. If I can relate to the answer, or give a positive 2cents, I will, if not I will move on. I refuse to pass along any negativity.
As for groups. I may have started one or 2 discussions, but have not received much response, so I will stick to the Answers deck.
Christine H.
Do you have your copy of my FREE Report yet? Get "Top 10 Linked Profile Success Secrets" now at: goo.gl/beKnU
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It depends on what else I have happening in my day.
