Connectture, a LinkedIn Wanna Be?

Having received an invitation to join Connectture from one of my Plaxo business contacts and ever being on the prowl for options to expand my network in the most affirmative and proficient manner possible I decided to test it out.

As always, I start my evaluations of anything new with what my first impressions are. I will admit Connectture has a great icebreaker when it comes to first impression presentation. All those cheery faces and the enticing fact that Connectture seduced me by stating it is a networking service that can connect me with influential people that will help not only my career and business but my personal life. It tantalized my senses and stroked my ego to the point I needed to know more, to say the least. Saying “NO” was futile.

I admit the latter is spreading it rather thick and after you yourself view their home page, you will have to admit that they maintain a good hook. What can Connectture really do, that is a question that only a systematic look under the cover would permit us to find the answer to.

Inside Connectture

Like a shameless hussy, Connectture immediately approached me with the opportunity to start sending invitations. Talk about bold, as at this point, we had immediately bypassed all formal introductions and getting to know one another on a first name basis. Rather it was I want to know who your contacts are and who you will invite and you can tell us about yourself later, if we have time.

I felt like a one-night stand where it was a case of show me the money or move on and then the proposition. I would have thought that with Connectture filling out my profile would have been first priority and then sweet-talk me afterwards.

Through my initial singular contact, I now had the option to connect with 39 others in his/her list and the further option to connect with 92 plus possible business alliances from their contact lists. I also had the option of allowing Connectture access my email contacts to send out invitations thereby allowing my personal network to grow almost immediately, provided my contacts desired to join.

After further investigation, I discovered that Connectture allowed me to control, as do most social networking services, the content I wanted to add to my profile and also what I desired the public to see and what I desired to remain private. Much like Facebook, which allows you the option of deciding which connection can see your full profile or a limited edition.

Hosting an event or found one that you feel others in your network or the general membership for that matter may be interested in attending? Connectture has the option to post events both local and International, at no charge, which is a great asset for individuals and business alike who want to keep their networks informed.

Conclusion

Considering that Connectture is but a mere babe in the woods, or more to the point a beta startup program I am trying to present as an unbiased insight as possible. Knowing that for any start-up company, it takes time to grow, as in this case, I/we cannot expect it to be a LinkedIn, or even a Plaxo overnight. Do I see potential? I can honestly say at this point “YES”, especially given the number of positive links I found when I Googled Connectture.

The downside at this point unless you speak, read and write English or Danish Connectture is not for you as the language options are limited to just those two languages. Although Connectture being beta I am sure that those options will expand as time and money allow so keep the faith.

I should note that during my research, other then the latter, I was unable to find one negative comment about Connectture, which is a positive sign for this young upstart.

Connectture may even in the future give LinkedIn, Plaxoand others like them a run for their money but only time will tell. For me anything remotely resembling LinkedIn will have a hard time enticing me away because after all LinkedIn was my first love when it came to social networking and business alliance options.

However, check Connectture out for yourself and form you own opinions and be sure to share them with us in the comments below, good or bad.