XING (xing.com) is a social media platform known as a "business network" in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland). It is the German equivalent of LinkedIn.
If LinkedIn is the international globetrotter making connections around the world, XING is the locally oriented professional focusing on building a network in German-speaking countries.
People on LinkedIn don't expect international connections there; they expect to communicate in German.
XING now has a network of around 15 million people in the DACH countries.
It is still the most popular business platform in Germany, but LinkedIn is slowly taking the lead in Austria and Switzerland.
Why is this relevant to you?
If you are a B2B company looking for decision-makers in German companies, XING could be a way to reach these people.
Professional networking offers a clear competitive advantage in the job market. The business networks XING and LinkedIn both include similar functions, which we will examine below.
Both networks also offer the opportunity to present a company presence, but the focus of networking is clearly on the individual.
XING is a platform in SocialWeb and is primarily used for maintaining professional contacts.
The profile can include information about professional career, such as the course of study, university and employer.
In addition, a profile picture can be added and further information can be entered in the "about me" section.
Providing this information is voluntary, and it can be configured who can view which information.
For example, contact information can be hidden for individual search requests.
Due to the need to deposit and store data on the platform, a registration process is required.
Membership is free for basic members, whereas premium membership (premium members) requires payment.
Additional features are available here that basic members do not have access to.
Several features are available to members of the platform.
In addition to the previously mentioned function of making contact, you can also maintain calendars and display events in the region.
There are regional groups that plan events and where you can make personal contacts.
In this case, networking extends beyond the online platform.
Discussion forums also offer the opportunity to exchange ideas with other people.
These can be public and therefore accessible to everyone, or they can be available only to certain members.
However, the platform is best known for its job exchange, which is why it is increasingly used for professional networking.
Accordingly, profiles and communication on XING are more formal compared to Facebook.
The job postings can be created, viewed, and responded to within the platform.
The person or company that publishes a job advertisement on XING pays for every click a user makes on the ad.
XING introduced this pay-per-click system very early on, making it one of the first companies in the German-speaking world to do so.
To get the most out of your network, you should build and maintain your profile before you actually need it.
It's often said that contacts only hurt those who don't have them! The marketing opportunities in these networks are characterized primarily by the following elements:
PS: If you are a fan of "Work Life Balance", you can definitely reach a lot of people on XING and LinkedIn, as it is a hot topic in 2022.
The reasons for contact requests can be very diverse. Here is a list of the most common motivations.
XING is a platform on the social web, which is primarily used for professional purposes.
Features are offered that allow members to post and view job advertisements and then contact each other.
Furthermore, the network allows you to maintain personal contact with friends, business partners and customers.
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