While Facebook continues to grow, and some companies are getting more comfortable with using it for things like Pages, LinkedIn still fills the gap for users who want a more professional setting for social networking. A new service launching in public beta today at TechCrunch50, Radiusly, wants to take the idea of Twitter and put it in more of a professional setting, as well.
But unlike Facebook and LinkedIn which exist as two totally separate networks, Radiusly wants to integrate its service with Twitter. Users will be able to publish an update they leave on Radiusly to Twitter (and Facebook, as well). But the key selling-point is that in the Radiusly environment you can also do much more, such as have a professional profile, resume, sample works, and photos.
Ideally, a Radiusly users would be someone who loves the concept of Twitter, but wants to be able to maintain their work-related tweets in a separate environment, where they could also share other professional information. As more and more companies wake up to the idea of using Twitter as a means of communication, a service like this could be compelling to them.
Of course, there is a lot of competition out there for the business Twitter market. Aside from startups like CoTweet, (TechCrunch50-alum) Yammer, and Blellow, Radiusly could be looking at both LinkedIn and Twitter itself making more moves into this arena shortly. We already know that Twitter is gearing up some professional tools for businesses to use, but whether those will be things similar to what Radiusly offers, no one is sure yet. Meanwhile, if LinkedIn wanted to, it could easily make itself Twitter-centric. It doesn’t appear that they are going to do that, but you never know.
Radiusly plans to using a subscription/freemium model, offering some services for free, while charging a subscription fee for others. There will also be sponsored search listings, job listings, and banner ads to bring in revenue.
CEO Chris Sel and VP of Business Development Adarsh Pallian presented it today at the conference.
Expert Panel Q&A (paraphrased)
The experts: Robert Scoble, Sean Parker, Dick Costolo, Reid Hoffman, Mike Schroepfer, Chamillionaire
RS: I think you’re aiming at the right target, but you hit the wall. Brands tell me they won’t want to advertise on Twitter. You’re just not there yet, I’m not sure why.
Q: Reid your thoughts?
RH: In a rare position, I agree with much of what Robert was saying. The real key is how do you exchange information on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, not that they need a new way to search for some of this.
DC: I agree with Robert and Reid, I don’t really get why I would go there. I kept trying to figure it out, to be fair when Twitter first launched I didn’t get it either, now I work there.
C: I gotta be Simon Cowell too. I can’t see why someone would need this.
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TC50: Radiusly says companies should forget Twitter, microblog with us instead VentureBeat.
I think contrary to Scoble. I think Radiusly has great potentials. I mean, did anyone think Twitter had potential when it came out? Same thing with LinkedIn.
Think a site for business micro blogging with the idea of Twitter. Seems to be very professional setting. Lets wait and see whether this new social media integrating with Twitter makes revolution.
umm, have you guys heard of verified profiles on twitter? why would i use you guys.. when twitter does that for me.. what do you guys do that twitter does not?
John, how many verified twitter account can twitter dish out? How about to every support staff, can they verify it? I think that is the point. I am Techcrunch50 event and sitting next to a customer service / sales agent and their review is different. Much positive.
horrible idea that is about to crash & burn! what was the selection criteria for TC50 – is there a site? I have a few business tech ideas which generate cash flow… how can I be on next year?
Hey TZ, it is interesting that you are trashing another startup when you yourself don’t know how the TC50 process works.
These conferences are great. But at the sametime, they are not a measure in any way how successful a startup will become.
3 years ago people were trashing Twitter and now there’re still lot of trashing about twitter.
I can guarantee you that if Twitter had launched today. A lot of people might laugh and discredit their ideas.
Scoble is not making sense at all. Yes, probably about 15 top brands may not like to advertise their brand on twitter. But there millions of others who are on twitter and are looking to better market their services or products. Like it or not for every 15 top brands who gripe about twitter, there are 85 others who are enjoying the publicity they get from there. I personally think radiusly might be on to something. Let’s wait and see when they launch their beta.