Have you noticed something different about your LinkedIn messages? Go take a look, a lot has changed. The change that everyone is talking about is the addition of emoji and animated GIFs. That’s the topic of episode 2 of the 1 Minute Social Media Minute.
When I first saw the conversation around this change I nodded, yes, LinkedIn is a serious network, it’s a very serious place to be. Adding smilie faces, ice cream cones, stars just doesn’t seem right.
But then I started to think. There was a time when I’d have thought it inappropriate to add an emoji to an email but now I do, when it’s appropriate and when I know that the person I’m sending it to will appreciate it. I’ve even started adding emoji to my email newsletter headlines.
But how would I use emojis on LinkedIn?
I think LinkedIn would like to become more than just a professional social network. Like many other social networks it needs to expand, it needs to find new ways to get it’s users interacting. We’ve seen them launch new products and apps and I have a feeling that it won’t be long before we see a LinkedIn chat app. We’ll use it to talk to our work colleagues and people that we have a less formal relationship with. This is when emoji will come into action. This is also where I see myself using them. If I’m messaging someone I know well, a friend as well as a connection I can see the odd smiley face creeping into my communications, I can see me trying to entertain them with the animated GIFs.
What do you think? Will you ever use them? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
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