LinkedIn’s “new” Services Marketplace is accessed from a grid button within the site that opens “more LinkedIn services” on the navigation bar. The platform can currently host hundreds of thousands of service providers under every category because it isn’t being built from scratch; it’s an extension and re-branding of a pre-existing platform, LinkedIn ProFinder.
We noticed specifically under ‘Operations’ within the service that there are more than 34,000 HR service providers listed for gig work as well as plenty of “coach” and “mentor” opportunities. What seemed to be noticeably missing were staffing services which our team felt would easily fall under the category of gig work.
LinkedIn was reportedly modeling its freelance listings on Fiverr and Upwork. Those specialty freelance sites offer many features that the Services Marketplace currently lacks, including onsite payments and conveniently bundled service packages for one-click ordering and pricing. A significant advantage LinkedIn does have, however, is its expansive network and the ability for users to connect directly with providers they may already know.
The service doesn’t carry fees at this point, but LinkedIn does reportedly intend to implement fees along with payments tools and other features to bring it in line with the gig heavyweights.
Read more from the source: AIM Group, Published by: Greg Spencer
