I’ve been writing on LinkedIn for quite a while, and I’ve found that other users provide the best material on how not to use social sites like LinkedIn.
A friend sent an example of a reasonably offensive experience …
Just the facts
Here – let me first show the evidence of what happened, a completely-out-of-the-blue invitation:
And to fill in the background – the target user had no idea who the clueless user was, what company they were from, or what the product was.
Offensive Guard
The target user was offended by several aspects:
- The direct invitation from a stranger
- The indication that the stranger was “a friend”
- That the invitation was a pure pitch
Could the clueless user have done it worse?
I’ve been here before…
In my very first year blogging about LinkedIn I wrote Don’t Send An Invitation When You Want An Introduction! And the advice applies just as strongly today.
The clueless user missed a golden opportunity to approach a successful business leader through a trusted associate.
Wasting time
Instead, the clueless user takes a high-trust environment and makes a cold call.
And that’s something you’ll avoid – right?-)
To your continued success,
steve
Steve Tylock is a Problem Solver, Strategist, Creative Thinker, Author, Artist, Existential Outfitter, Husband, Father, and Child of God. He says so right on his LinkedIn profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/stevetylock. You can find more of Steve's LinkedIn advice on The LinkedIn Personal Trainer
