How did LinkedIn overcome the Cold Start Problem?

LinkedIn overcame the Cold Start Problem by utilizing an invite-only strategy. They targeted a small group first and allowed them to invite whomever they choose, which led to network proliferation. This strategy was particularly effective because mid-level professionals, who were most likely to use and benefit from LinkedIn, invited other similar people. As a result, LinkedIn reached its tipping point after roughly a week, engaging its users and proving valuable beyond the early-adopter tech community.

Question was asked on:

LinkedIn, like many others, utilized an invite-only strategy, which was successful for one key, often overlooked reason: by targeting a small group first and allowing them to invite whomever they choose, network proliferation takes place by itself. It is a solution that solves the hardest problem of all, because mid-level professionals—those most likely to use and benefit from LinkedIn—will invite other, similar people. Thus, LinkedIn reached its tipping point after roughly a week. It engaged its users, and was valuable beyond the early-adopter tech community.

Asked on the following book summary:

resource preview

The Cold Start Problem

When a networked product launches, it faces a chicken-and-egg problem: people need to use it for it to be worth anything. So how do you start the very...

Download and customize hundreds of business templates for free

Preview

View all chevron_right