...to think that LinkedIn isn't so mum-friendly?

[semi]

I am a working mum with quite a few professional contacts on Linkedin and have found that most self-employed women/mumpreneurs I've spotted in the press haven't got a Linkedin profile. What's that all about? Don't virtual networks well lend themselves to busy mums? Or is it that we just don't like to share what we are up to? Talk about our successes/achievements?

[flowery]

I don't understand.

What is it about LinkedIn that you think is not friendly to people who happen to have given birth OP?

I have a business.

I also have two sons.

I also have a LinkedIn profile and am in several groups on there.

I am unsure what my reproductive organs have to do with anything or why I need things to be 'friendly' towards me because of them.

[sarahseashell]

tee I was being tongue-in-cheek

perhaps we should start to coin the phrase "dad-prime-minister" for the PM

[wonkylegs]

I'm a mum and on linked in.
It's a professional network and my parental status is not anything to do with my professional persona just as my husbands is nothing to do with his. I use it for professional networking so my parental status, sexual orientation, pudding preferences and favourite colour are not part of my profile, my professional qualifications and experience are however.

[givemeaclue]

Op what is your line of business

[flowery]

Actually, now I think of it, LinkedIn is a very parent friendly networking option. You don't need childcare to do it, as you do for breakfast networking events or evening events or similar.

[Tee2072]

Huh. I can open the link in my Android Tablet. Perhaps it's your fingers, then?

Sorry, sarah I thought you really didn't get it. Tone and text don't mix.

Yes! DaDemberOfParliament, anyone?

[WallyBantersJunkBox]

You would never be part of my network because I work in a different industry to you, most likely. Nothing to do with how many times I'd made my womb accommodating.

I work in a retail head office environment and link with other retail professionals from my work history or via other meetings/courses/connections. I only have a few non retail contacts and these are friends from Uni and school.

I actually have had 4 requests to interview for 4 different roles through linked in this year. Agencies are constantly viewing my profile on there, so I'm very surprised folks are saying it's not great for jobhunting. I don't even hunt!!

It must vary by industry type.

[quesadilla]

My objection to mumpreneur (or is it mumtrepreneur?) is purely based around style concerns, not feminist ones. It is absolutely toe-curlingly awful.

[semi]

conclusion: mumsnetters hate the term mumpreneur. mumsnetters agree that linkedin is for business and that's got.nothing to do with gender. mumsnetters have very opposing views and think that self employed working mums are condescending. ok got it now - thanks

[flowery]

And yes, many people who are in the public eye/press may not have one as they will get hundreds of connection requests from randoms.

Also people who make cupcakes or similar as their business are far more likely to benefit from Facebook.

IMO, if your business targets the consumer, spend time on Facebook. If your business targets other businesses, spend time on LinkedIn.

Exceptions of course, but that's my experience. People spend time on Facebook as part of their personal life, so are more likely to make private purchasing decisions as a result of things they see on there, and are more likely to 'tune in' to that kind of marketing message.

People spend time on LinkedIn in their professional capacity, either for their own business or for their employer, so will be more tuned in to making purchasing decisions for the business.

[Sallyingforth]

YABFU to expect a website to bend to your own particular preferences. You are not paying for it.
I find LinkedIn useful and so I use it. I find FB a pile of crap and so I don't use it. You can make your own choices.
Or you could start your own website. If there is a demand for your particular interests you will make a fortune.

[WallyBantersJunkBox]

fgs semi stop putting words into other peoples mouths.

That last statement was ridiculous.

I'm thinking of setting up a Mumpreneur baking business - why don't you taste my first

[flowery]

"mumsnetters ...think that self employed working mums are condescending."

Who said that?

I am self employed.

I work.

I have children.

Therefore I am condescending? Right...

[sarahseashell]

There was a recent-ish news report which showed that while men get paid more than women for the same work, in the case of entrepreneurs female entrepreneurs outperform men financially.

Interesting the emergence of this stupid term then

[WallyBantersJunkBox]

No flowery I would be condescending to you, I think!

Can you feel me staring you down..?



Ah well, I've got to leave this fascinating discussion as I have cakes to bake for my WI bake sale product to sign off.

[sheisaba]

Ok op I am going to give you the benefit of the doubt.

Surely Linkedin is actually very friendly to parents (mums and dads are responsible for 'juggling children and businesses'). In that it enables us to raise our profiles from the comfort of our own homes without attending networking breakfasts and evening events unlike the good old days. Yes?



p.s Montmartre

Thanks to all the mumedicans on MN for giving me a larf this morning.

[25catsnameSam]

It is just wrong! If you set up your own business you are an entrepreneur, or self employef. It doesn't matter if you have ovaries or not, and iunare no more specila because you ar a parent! It is condescending twaddle.
Really annoys me. YABU and as for that so called professional website with the third link down to "gift guide" so the mummies can still do their shopping cos that's what the ladeez like..... Well I'm off to poke my eyes out.

[FloatyBeatie]

No need for personal attacks on semi, surely? She hasn't been at all nasty. Its only the mumpreneur tag we should bridle at, surely? not semi!

[FloatyBeatie]

Sorry, "irritability/" would have been more accurate than "personal attacks". I was busy burning an omelette as I wrote.

[DIYapprentice]

Non mumsnetters also loathe the term 'mumpreneurs'. It's very derogatory in an 'oh look at that mum playing at being a business woman' kind of way. I would have to physically restrain myself from slapping anyone who called me that..... actually, depending on the person I might not bother stopping myself....

[WallyBantersJunkBox]

But where did anyone say:

mumsnetters have very opposing views and think that self employed working mums are condescending. ok got it now - thanks

Bit of a sweeping statement, and belittles those on here with a proper business, doesn't it?

[Suzietwo]

i prefer to think that those here with 'proper' businesses dont give a crap what someone on mumsnet says

but perhaps i am overly hopeful

[Tee2072]

Floaty I am being irritable, as you say, with semi because she used the term Mumpeneurs. Which is twee and condescending, and then accused all working mums of being condescending.

Perhaps she doesn't know what condescending means? ::benefit of doubt when really I think her opinion is idiotic and her conclusions are a full straw man::

[dawntigga]

Also, that ghastly word sounds like it should be some kind of Victorian illness that women of a certain age get and come out in lumps.

Can'tEvenBringMyselfToTypeItTiggaxx