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I apologize folks for the lack of postings this week. I have had a couple of campaigns launch this week and just have been underwater with work. Though I did have a story that I really wanted to talk about.
In a previous post, I discussed my unhappiness with LinkedIn and their lack of customer support. Very soon after I wrote that post, I was contacted by Mario Sundar, LinkedIn’s Community Evangelist, as well as a blogger I have always respected and he and a LinkedIn customer support representative, helped me with the issues I was having.
Several weeks ago, I was meeting with one of my clients and we were discussing a new program they were rolling out and they wanted my thoughts on how we could market this program online. Based on the target market they were going after, we discussed a number of possibilities including doing some advertising on LinkedIn. I believed that advertising on LinkedIn was one of several ways that we could get my client the attention they were looking from their target market.
So several weeks ago, I logged onto LinkedIn and clicked on the link on the bottom of their site that clearly reads, “Advertise with Us“. That took me to a couple of pages describing the kind of advertising they offered and based on the amount of money my client was looking to spend, I was taken to a contact form where I filled out my contact information. The form said I would be contacted in 1-4 days. Groovy.
And then I waited.
A week went by, no contact from LinkedIn. So I went back to the contact form and filled it out again.
And then I waited.
Another week went by and you guessed it, no contact from LinkedIn. I then thought maybe I need to think “outside the box” to get someone from LinkedIn to talk to me. So what did I do? I logged into LinkedIn and did a search for sales people who WORK for LinkedIn. I found many and sent them all emails using crazy enough - LinkedIn!
And then I waited. Once again, no contact.
From the first time I filled out the contact form, it has now been over five weeks and I still have not heard from anyone. I finally thought as a last ditch effort, I would post a personal letter here to anyone at LinkedIn who might have an interest in taking some of my clients marketing dollars.
Here it goes:
Dear LinkedIn,
I work with a Fortune 100 company that would be very interested in advertising on LinkedIn.com if someone, anyone would actually be willing to pick up the phone and call me. As I stated each time I filled out your contact form, our ad budget for the rest of this quarter is right around $100K and call me crazy, but I kinda thought you guys might want some of that money? If I am not totally off base, could you possibly when you have a chance give me a ring? If it is a big deal call me collect, I will accept the charges or at the moment, I might even settle for an email. What do you think? I long to hear your voice.
Best,
Cord Silverstein
csilverstein AT capstrat.com
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Technorati Tags: Mario Sundar, LinkedIn
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That letter is pure genius. Love it
Air ‘em out Cord! Air ‘em out!
Thanks Pete and Krista!!
It’s funny how hard we have to work sometimes to give other people our money. I have sent 3 or 4 lined in to different departments and individuals at Yahoo, including our PPC account rep there about getting a list of prospective advertising opportunities with them.
I didn’t stop at email though. I even called in to a couple of different departments and was told that someone would contact me. It has been a month. Nothing.
We have a good 20 - 50K per month to spend on an ongoing basis and I figured, as you did, that Yahoo, in this case, would want our money.
MSN, Google and a number of CPA networks are already doing everything they can to get at some of this cash but Yahoo has yet to respond at all. I haven’t even received so much as an auto responder.
Sucks for them.
That’s a genius letter.
Like Adam said, it is sometimes astounding how hard it is to get people to take our money. At the same time, however, It makes me a bit happy. It just means there is always an opportunity for the littler guy. And at a few 50k - 100k, the little guy might become the bigger guy quickly.
Cord:
It’s not that they don’t want your money — you just have to understand that Power Point, staff meetings, “executive staff” preparation, monthly review meetings, and hubris optimization task forces all focusing on *how LinkedIn can make more ad revenue* take precedence over your email. The one that’s offering them money. Through ad revenue.
Looks like LinkedIn became (sob) a “company”… they grow up so fast…
(I know you know this, too, but it’s worth mentioning: I know how irritating it is when people don’t respond like this, particularly under these circumstances — like when large clients holding big chunks of money are getting impatient — but all things being equal, snarky often puts you at the end of the line. I know, I know. But still. Stay cool, my friend in aggravation).
Hey Cord,
Sorry to hear that. I’ve forwarded your request to our ad team and they’ll be in touch with you shortly.
Else, feel free to email me at msundar@linkedin.com. Anytime…
Mario from LinkedIn
Hi Cord,
I was able to get to the bottom of this. You may recall your conversation with one of our account managers on the east coast, earlier this year (Feb). Unfortunately, she’s been on vacation when she received your current request (July 31) and she’ll respond to it as soon as she’s back. Apparently, you’d have received an auto-response if you’d emailed her directly.
It looks like my earlier comment didn’t make it. I’m not sure if it’s because of the moderation queue or a browser issue. Either way, hope this helps.
Let me know if you’ve any questions.
Mario
mario.sundar@linkedin.com
Funny things
With all the new ways to link to my friends, there’re just too many options. A new flavor comes out every week. How do I know for sure which one I should take time for?
I’m not wasting more time filling out the forms for awhile. I have work to do as you do, Cord.
Mario,
Thank you as always for your contact. I apologize your responses got stuck in the comment queue. I was contacted by someone from LinkedIn on Friday. Your help is greatly appreciated. Thanks again.