Want to build “community?” Need to formulate a strategy to get there? Perhaps there is some wisdom at looking at the condition of the world in which we sit and identifying the needs as they exist today?

Take for example the following graph of LinkedIn’s traffic growth last month in January 2009:

LinkedIn is a successful social network for the business-minded and for strategic networking in the market place. I, personally, have gotten tons of leads on jobs and even got a job off of it once!

The point? It works. But here’s the kicker:

According to the latest January data from comScore, the LinkedIn’s U.S. unique visitors shot up 22 percent to 7.7 million, up from 6.3 million in December. Total minutes spent on the site doubled in January to 96.8 million, from 47.6 million in December.

Why this sudden increase? Because the economy sucks. People are losing jobs. More and more people are suffering from financial issues. People need help. People need more jobs. People need to network more to get jobs.  LinkedIn is there to provide for those needs.

Score.

LinkedIn’s success is based on need. No one’s there just to socialize. They are there for a purpose and reason.

I would love to see more people take a needs-based approach to the way they engage in social media. This is very much a long the lines of being “on mission” with the online landscape.

For example, during this time of financial issues, I’d love to see a few “on mission” bloggers with financial backgrounds and expertise, start a blog specifically for helping others with their finances, balancing their checkbooks, etc.

I’d subscribe to you in a heart beat. And not just because I know you’re an evangelical Christian who loves Jesus but because I’m not a financial guy. I need help. And not just me, but others too… and even those that don’t know Christ.

By providing valuable content, you can attract those that have need. This example could provide the much-needed groundswell for a consistent and growing user-base and readership. For example, after things in the economy do “clear up,” I’ll still be subscribed to your blog.

Why? Because you’re now a trusted source based on an understood need. I like you. I’m hanging out with you now on the interwebs.

The point is to be always cognizant of what’s going on in the world and how we can use technology to meet needs. The moment that anyone doesn’t need web technology blogs from a Christian perspective (i.e. ChurchCrunch.com), I’ll shut it down.

And then I’d go find something else to blog about.