LinkedIn Polls: A Useful Tool? (blog)

So I tried out the new LinkedIn polling feature (see Chicken vs. Egg poll) and have some likes and dislikes...


I like...

• the fact that group members, when they receive an email update, can vote on the poll right from thier email. This is great because the user doesn't have to click several times to vote.
• as an administrator it's really easy to set up and monitor. if your event or company has a LinkedIn group, its a great way to get a poll out fast and garner quick returns.

I dislike...

• I set up my Chicken vs. Egg poll to run for 1 week. This was for no particular reason, just seemed like a good idea. As the person running the poll, I can't seem to close it or end it...nor are there any additional analytic tools beyond the results. This is OK if you are asking a simple question, but not so useful for more in depth questions.
• The poll can not contain any live links, photos, pop-ups or other "aids" to explain an optional answer. For example, your voter may need to read a definition of a technical term to answer the poll correctly.

Overall, its an easy tool to use for easy questions. However, don't think this tool - in its current form - will replace audience/attendee surveys or in depth opinion gathering research. But it may just be the too you need to get a quick read on a keynote speaker...or current opinion on a very old question!


Until next time,
Steve
thestevereport@gmail.com