Of course...I'll gie you a REAL answer.

Some agents choose not to have a LinkedIn profile BECAUSE they know lenders and other peddlers of things (seo, websites, lead gen, RE brokers, health insurance, video makers, coaches, get wealthy in real estate)  will use that profile to hit agents specifically up for business. We get enough of that on FB.

Reason #2. No stats have supported the idea that active home buyers or sellers look for real estate or agents on LinkedIn.

REASON #3. With the 100's of other locations where the agent can be found on relevant sites, by those important to their business (buyers and sellers) LinkedIn is not so important.

Now, if indeed B2B was seen as a viable way to grow business with 'haven't mets' then agent should have a profile on LinkedIn. If the agents busienss price point is middle managers who use LI, then its a good idea.

AGENTS/LO when you have a referral for someone buying/selling Bozark AK, do you ever use LI to identify an agent?

I believe LI is most relevant to those 100's of industries targeting the job hopping population. That typically does not apply to real estate agents UNLESS the agent details their 'graphics' skills and a media company see an opportunity to get an agent to hop.

I have dormant and active alieas on LI and have a good feel for how and when LI becomes beneficial.

I think everyone that owns a business or makes a living in sales should be on LinkedIN and use it to help connect others. I see LinkedIn as a great way to refer people to other people, thus building good will.

No system is perfect, there are those that use AR, LI, FB, etc. for good as intended and evil as their lack of character would suggest. 

I'm a LI and FB user and then YouTube. I'm not big on Twitter or Instagram, as Barbara Todaro suggests, there's only so many ours in a day for this digital arena and ROI / priorities dictate how I spend my time.

"Bonafide" for who?  The reasons why anyone finds or doesn't find various tools useful or beneficial are countless.  I assume this may be a rhetorical question.  LI works for some.  Not so much for others.  

Yes, because some people take the stance of "social media is pointless."  I have a LI profile, from back in the days when it first started as a business job networking site.  Back in my tech days, it was quite useful in getting interviews.  Now it's more of a "social network" than a jobs board and has strayed from the vision that made it unique.

I still use it, but have not seen any results worth speaking of from it.

Obviously you have prejudged it's influence & range. 

I was the #1 Realtor on LinkedIn in the country for almost a year. It gained me nothing except that I just got to repeat that, and I got to blush at conferences when the speakers pointed me out in the crowd . I have a profile. I've never had anything but solicitations from the platform, so my profile is there, but I don't do anything to promote it. I'm not sure it's a Realtor's best friend as it might be for some other industries. 

Not really, but I understand agents overwhelmed by the never ending onslaught of solicitations not wanting to use it as much.

Many people don't know how to use LinkedIn to it's full cabability and aren't really interested in learning is my guess.

Can you define what you mean by "bona fide" reason?

I can't think of any situation where someone gave a fictitious reason why they aren't on LinkedIn are pretty honest about why they aren't.  So what do you mean by bona fide reason?

possibly, because there are only so many hours in a day....and some sites are more beneficial than others.... 

Sure, personal preference!

Some people just don't roll with the changes or make excuses why it's not for them. I have always had one, as long back as I can remember. If you work at anything it's a good idea because it costs nothing, can't hurt you & might help you. 

Does it really do something to enhance one's business? No reason not to have one, but I don't think there's any real downside to not having one. I just get tons of solicitations from mortgage lenders, inspectors, coaches, etc. through my LinkedIn Profile... and frankly, that irritates me.

I never felt the need for one Jason E. Gordon and no one has ever asked me if I have one (I do and have no clue as to why). I always looked at LinkedIn as a job resume site and some of us will never be comfortable working for someone else so why bother?

They don't like technology? They don't like social media? They are already very busy? They don't like getting sales emails? They never heard of it? There could be a lot of reasons. If you know an agent or loan officer who isn't on it, perhaps asking them the question would result in a great response.

Jason,

It is a matter of preference and what works and the marketplace one is in.  Linked In is not the only way...A  

I think it's a matter of personal preference. Some might not want to deal with profile updating, and getting lots of requests to link up

The choice is up to the individuals.

Annette has your answer.  I get nothing from LinkedIn.

Professional choice. I have one on LI but seldom use it now. AR is my favorite platform!

Depends on their audience, only my corporate clients find me on LI, most of our clients find us on FB or AR.

Like other social platforms, no one abides by the rules and it is none of your business what some do.

I know a number of highly successful people with no social profiles and they intend to keep it that way for privacy.

Depends on your definition of bonafide.

If they don't have a LinkedIn Profile, I'm sure they think their reason is bonafide.

Strong question, but social media is not for eve .

Probably

I have a LinkedIn profile, but to my knowledge it hasn't produced a single bit of business in real estate.

So I can't see any bonafide reason why I should have a Linkedin profile.

It's a personal choice and not my place to judge others for their choice one way or another. 

Frankly I can't think of a good reason to have one.  It's not a social place, it's not a marketing place.  I do have one, but it doesn't bring me business and it doesn't bring me new connections I don't already have.  

But to each their own I guess.  

I have many, many LinkedIn connections.

Too many of them want to linkup just so they can solicit business.

I can't personally IMAGINE why, Jason...but, to each their own!

I recently Closed a deal that a past client connected me with someone relocating to the area via LI. Corporate America definitely uses it - a lot!

No idea.

No, I don't think there is any reason. 

I cannot think of one, they SHOULD have one.

Choice. 

A business model that differs from those who feel they need a LinkedIn profile. 

There are some people in the world (in the AR community as well) that believe their way of being, thinking, feeling and doing is the only way! It's such a strong belief it is like a religion. It is a major turn off for me. Yet, I believe to each their own. 

Lazy perhaps ignorant or having results without it. Subjective here

I find that it's lenders, vendors and affiliates I don't know who contact me on LI.