3 ms·

Ask HN: Why have you deleted your LinkedIn account?

2 points by gtirloni 3y ago

Are you happy with your decision?

pinewurst 3y ago
Yes - combination of not liking the feeling of being stalked and not needing to see the blather of others.
thesuperbigfrog 3y ago
Spam. Yes.
gregjor 3y ago
Was on LinkedIn from release until a couple of years ago. Working as both an employee and freelancer during that time, I maintained by LinkedIn profile regularly, and sometimes posted articles. I can't recall ever getting a useful job lead or contracting lead from LinkedIn. I only got spam and notifications telling me so-and-so had a work anniversary or useless junk like that. I quite LinkedIn (and all social media), did not affect my freelancing practice at all.
- Shinmon 3y ago
  If your freelance practice isn't effected at all, you didn't make a wrong decision. I think LinkedIn has changed quite a bit the last couple of years, especially since covid hit. I actually got (potential) clients with linkedin but I post regularly and always try to create some value in my posts. At the moment, it's my main marketing channel. This isn't ideal in the long run because it makes me highly dependent on the platform. Regarding the feed, it just takes work to keep your feed clean. I only follow people who are actually related to my work or engage regularly with my content. People who post work anniversaries, selfies, and other junk will be removed after one or two occasions. How do you get clients for your freelancing if I may ask?
  - gregjor 3y ago
    I used to get work through word of mouth, occasionally from my own web site. Now I have an agency that represents me, they bring customers to me. LinkedIn was always a bust for me, waste of time. If I'm going to spend significant time promoting myself I'd rather do that on my own web site rather than feed a database for web scrapers. Sometimes leads or customers ask for my LinkedIn or Facebook (or Twitter) ID so they can connect. When I tell them I don't use those or any social media the most common response I get is "I wish I didn't use those." Anecdotally I know a couple of people who tell me they got leads and customers from LinkedIn, but more people tell me it's a time suck.
    - Shinmon 3y ago
      Sounds good. Happy for you that this works. I think a website and LinkedIn are complementary (or can be) but in the end it doesn't matter how you get client as long as you get them. LinkedIn feels (somewhat) natural to me and I only post content in a specific niche and no selfies or other junk content. Got a couple of leads over time but it's also time consuming, especially when you just start out.

2 points by gtirloni 3y ago

Are you happy with your decision?

pinewurst 3y ago

Yes - combination of not liking the feeling of being stalked and not needing to see the blather of others.

thesuperbigfrog 3y ago

Spam. Yes.

gregjor 3y ago

Was on LinkedIn from release until a couple of years ago. Working as both an employee and freelancer during that time, I maintained by LinkedIn profile regularly, and sometimes posted articles. I can't recall ever getting a useful job lead or contracting lead from LinkedIn. I only got spam and notifications telling me so-and-so had a work anniversary or useless junk like that. I quite LinkedIn (and all social media), did not affect my freelancing practice at all.

Shinmon 3y ago
If your freelance practice isn't effected at all, you didn't make a wrong decision. I think LinkedIn has changed quite a bit the last couple of years, especially since covid hit. I actually got (potential) clients with linkedin but I post regularly and always try to create some value in my posts. At the moment, it's my main marketing channel. This isn't ideal in the long run because it makes me highly dependent on the platform. Regarding the feed, it just takes work to keep your feed clean. I only follow people who are actually related to my work or engage regularly with my content. People who post work anniversaries, selfies, and other junk will be removed after one or two occasions. How do you get clients for your freelancing if I may ask?
- gregjor 3y ago
  I used to get work through word of mouth, occasionally from my own web site. Now I have an agency that represents me, they bring customers to me. LinkedIn was always a bust for me, waste of time. If I'm going to spend significant time promoting myself I'd rather do that on my own web site rather than feed a database for web scrapers. Sometimes leads or customers ask for my LinkedIn or Facebook (or Twitter) ID so they can connect. When I tell them I don't use those or any social media the most common response I get is "I wish I didn't use those." Anecdotally I know a couple of people who tell me they got leads and customers from LinkedIn, but more people tell me it's a time suck.
  - Shinmon 3y ago
    Sounds good. Happy for you that this works. I think a website and LinkedIn are complementary (or can be) but in the end it doesn't matter how you get client as long as you get them. LinkedIn feels (somewhat) natural to me and I only post content in a specific niche and no selfies or other junk content. Got a couple of leads over time but it's also time consuming, especially when you just start out.