When I saw this post title in my RSS feed, If You Wouldn’t Do It In Person, Don’t Do It on LinkedIn, my first thought was –
Why do we have to be told this?
That’s not a criticism of the blogger. It’s the members in need of such advice.
Bad Idea
Marketed as the World’s Largest Professional Network, LinkedIn has its fair share of members with really strange ideas of networking. Here are my Top 3 really bad networking ideas.
#1 – Using status updates as a Twitter dump
Do you really think it adds something to your profile when you share absolutely EVERY tweet you send? How are your products or services enhanced by details about your fight with a significant other or a profanity-laced rant?
If you connect your Twitter account to LinkedIn, a good idea is limiting your feeds to your profile.
- Go to Settings in the drop-down menu (under your name in the upper right corner)
- Click on Manage your Twitter settings
- Check the box that reads: Share only tweets that contain #in (#li also works) in your LinkedIn status
If your updates cause others to click on Hide, perhaps you should re-think what you’re sharing.
#2 – Name calling when you have a different opinion
Some discussions can get pretty heated – just step into one on healthcare reform. Debate is healthy, but calling others names or their ideas stupid is not the way to win friends and influence others.
Personally, I have never understood this tactic. I often quote a comment I read on a post that sums it up quite nicely –
Disagree, but be nice about it.
#3 – Confusing constant self-promotion with networking
As if being barraged with self-promotional links is not enough, a growing trend is creating your own Group for that same purpose.
It’s like being invited to someone’s home for dinner and the host subjects you to an endless series of vacation photos.
Groups are designed for discussions – not billboard advertising.
Defining Networking
Three key elements of networking are –
1. Communicating
Networking starts with the first introduction, whether in person or through a Group in LinkedIn. Show interest in the other person.
- Ask questions – what they do, what they like, what they think
- Then listen
2. Sharing
Think about when you were little and your mother taught you to share with your brother or sister.
- You took something you liked and gave it to your sibling
- You felt really good when your sibling shared something in return
In your mother’s dream, you shared without being told to and offered it without looking for something in return.
That’s sharing.
3. Connecting
You have to build trust with someone before you can connect. When someone shares his or her contact information, it’s a gesture of trust – a trust that you respect that information.
Don’t abuse that trust with over-promotion.
What are your networking pet peeves? What good networking ideas do you have? Please share your thoughts in comments.
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Oh I agree too, Cathy on the “why do we have to be told”! It amazes me what people share in the social networking media – oversharing and negativity being a couple of my peeves. I’ve been lucky in my business-related social media though, since it’s so business/network-focused. Socially, however, I’ve been dropping “friends” on Facebook gradually, hehe! Their oversharing and bad manners leave me not wanting them around too much!
Hi Nicky: You’ve been lucky with the business-relate. Mostly it’s been professional with me, but there are some who are not.
You nailed it in two simple words – oversharing and negativity. Exactly. Thanks, Nicky.
I agree with most of what you shared. It happens, everything can be shared these days as bloggers are in constant need of new contents. But that shouldn’t be an excuse.
For blogging calling names, that’s rather self demeaning. We can always disagree with respect for other people’s opinion..
Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Ikenna, for sharing your thoughts. You are right, respect is what it should be all about.
Hi Cathy,
Manners. Bring them online.
Before you do something online, think if you’d do it offline. Watch you acts. Sometimes people do things out of fear, or because they were taught silly habits by inept sponsors.
I tolerate some of this behavior, other times I don’t. As for my FB Group I have a zero tolerance policy. Only blog posts and videos are allowed. No free training, no squeeze pages. If you didn’t take the time to create usable, helpful content yourself, don’t post anything on my wall.
My group is an exclusive club. Most members worked hard for months or years to build up their followings, to build trust, to build their brand. I wouldn’t dare let someone who hasn’t put in the work try to get a free ride on our back.
I instantly ban anyone who pulls that garbage, and I unfriend instantly on my profile. As for my Fan Page, I don’t let anyone else post. They are my fans, right? 😉
Thanks for bringing up excellent points Cathy.
Ryan
Hi Ryan: I’m always afraid the answer for some is that they would do it offline, too. 🙂
By controlling what’s posted at your FB Group shows your members your respect and that you take care of that trust they placed in you.
Thanks for bringing up another great point – your responsibility as the owner of a Group.
I appreciate you dropping by, Ryan.
Thanks for sharing- especially the idea to use #li (which I associate with Long Island, of course). I will share same with my clients!
Oh- I just checked. My first guess was pretty good. #in is the desired choice. (I knew I was getting confused by folks who never were from Long Island!!!!)
Roy-LOL! What would we do without acronyms? Thanks for stopping by. Glad you found the screening option for Twitter helpful.
Some good points here, Cathy. I think the listening is the most important part at the start and it continues to be important.
Couldn’t agree more, Sharon. Listening is a skill I work on every day. Thanks for sharing your point of view.
Hi Cathy!
Thanks for inviting me back to your Blog…from The Blogging
Mastermind Comment Tribe’s page. 🙂
I’ve seen some pretty nasty discussions over the course of
time since I’ve been social networking & it certainly wasn’t an
attractive sight at all.
OH NO, not more of those vacation pictures…zzzzzzz
Have a highly inspired day…your tribal friend Steven Suchar
You are welcomed anytime, Steven. 🙂 I know what you mean by those discussions. I get embarrassed for them.
Come back and I promise I won’t subject you to endless vacation pictures. 🙂
Thanks, Steven.
I hate to say it but people can’t be reminded enough about the do’s and don’ts of networking. It’s the same online as offline. So many don’t understand that. Would you walk in a room and say “buy my stuff” over and over and over? Of course not! Then, stop it on the social platforms! As for the people who feel the need to let us see their every tweet? Get over yourself! It’s not working! LOL
Hi Martha-well said. If we just place ourselves in other’s shoes and think how we would feel about the approach, we just might find the right balance.
Thanks for stopping by, Martha, and sharing your view.