Marketing Coach & CEO at Bluewire Media. Social Media Keynote Speaker & Author. Build a marketing asset that serves your business for years. ⫸ BGSOBA
I hesitated about posting this video, because I know many people are involved in "engagement pods" on LinkedIn. But I don't like them, in fact I think they are dangerous. Here's why. AN ENGAGEMENT POD: Is a group of people who collude to manipulate the LinkedIn algorithm by commenting on each other's posts to artificially boost engagement and inflate reach. WHY IT'S DANGEROUS (in my opinion): 1. People (inc your potential clients) aren't stupid. When they see the same 20 people leaving comments on all of your posts, they will soon realise you are trying to manipulate the algorithm. This erodes trust! 2. The LinkedIn algorithm is always improving and will soon detect that you are being manipulative, and likely punish you. WHAT TO DO INSTEAD: Post content that is genuinely helpful, and provide opportunity for people to engage with you naturally. Certainly feel free to support friends and colleagues whose content you enjoy... that is what a supportive community is all about. But please don't enter into a "pod syndicate" where you systematically comment to game the system. Thanks for getting this conversation started -> Michael Langdon, Sue Parker, Nathanial Bibby. #marketing #marketing #business #linkedinmarketing #linkedin #digitalmarketing #socialmedia #consultant
It is a shame that the idea of a pod has been given a bad name, I honestly think collaboration with other content creators is a really smart idea but I have not had much luck in any formal community purely because of people's bias towards the pods they are accustomed to. The only way I have found collaboration possible is through interviews and events. Hopefully LinkedIn innovates their group functionality soon as the concept is great, they just need to put a bit more thought into what a group can provide like Facebook has done.
Great advice! It’s obvious to most people and it erodes trust. Thanks Adam Franklin!
Thank you Adam. I agree. I think it's important to maintain personal and business independence to maintain credibility and the eventual trust other people have in you and your product. Independence is important. Enjoy today. Louise.
Simon Fawkes
4y
I agree fully. There is a world of difference between being part of an engagement pod that is trying to trick LinkedIn and supporting colleagues and people in your network. In the latter case, you are genuine and sharing comments that you think will be of interest and value. You may have some people that you follow closely, but it is wise to comment only when you have something worthwhile to add. Do add comments of substance, not just a few words. What may be fine on your Facebook profile is unlikely to be suitable on LinkedIn.
I agree completely, it can also damage the reputation of the person who is commenting and sharing a post just for the sake of doing so.
Have you been a member of any?
Adam - when I comment or share a post that is within my network, I do so after reading the post and determining whether it is something I can support. I don't simply try to boost a colleagues' post to my contacts without vetting it first. Mindless shares or likes have no purpose. I agree that manipulating the system is not a good strategy and serves no one, but supporting a colleague who is doing good work or sharing relevant content is what social media platforms are designed to do. Where do you draw the line?
I was having 200 views per post, and I joined a small engagement pod and got 1700 views, most of them from my own connections (8K connections), and to whom the algorithm wasn't showing the content, and I got a lead. Not saying it is the holy grail, but hell, it isn't fair either my content is not shown to my own connections.
People want authenticity. They want live, they want real, they want the thorns along with the rose’s beauty and lovely scent. And how will you measure what is really working for you if the numbers are artificially inflated?
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3yAdam Franklin That's a valid point. Engagement, should be on certain value created, not on having a like, comment or an obligation whether it's engagement pods or other offerings. Creativity, in any offerings, must be encouraged, empowered and fuelled only then, even if you are doing something in similar category, the outcome, could be different. Best wishes.