Why Would You Waste Your Time Sending A LinkedIn Invitation?
Imagine, if you will, someone sending an invitation to connect on LinkedIn. The other party accepts the invitation, and now, wait for it, they are "connected"!
They then proceed to rinse and repeat this process several hundred times but all the while . . .
They never do a damn thing with all those names on their computer screen!
They don't send along helpful (non salesy) resources
They don't comment on any of the updates from those in their network
They never use the "icebreakers" LinkedIn provides like "Wish Lisa Happy Birthday" or "Todd has a new job" or heaven forbid they acknowledge the 5 year work anniversary Helen is celebrating this month. Oh and when it's their birthday, or work anniversary and they receive well wishes from those in their network, they promptly ignore them.
They make zero attempt to move that name off their computer screen and into real time via a phone call or a cup of coffee (pronounced Kaw Fee where I come from).
And worst of all, they are non responsive when those in their network attempt to be SOCIAL! That's a tad ironic considering this is a SOCIAL network.
It makes you wonder why they would bother sending the invite in the first place!
It also makes you wonder (I hope) how much more valuable a network, of any kind is, when there is actual interaction.
And before you write this off as just another rant from a wanna be LinkedIn "expert".
I'm not an expert, I'm simply someone who made almost every one of those mistakes back in 2008 when I started on LinkedIn.
How about you?
Are you actually CONNECTING with people on LinkedIn or are you COLLECTING a bunch of useless names?
Paul Castain helps sales reps, sales leaders and business owners sell more! Visit his blog for over 1400 free blog posts and download his mobile app and receive over 100 free audio sales lessons.
Area Sales Manager at CCP Industries
8yGreat post, Paul. I'm glad I'm not the only one that has been through this, and had the same feelings. Well said and now you have a new follower.
Builder of unstoppable sales teams, one sales rep at a time!
9yI agree Steven. I really wish I could ask them "Then why are you here?"
Office Manager / H.R. Assistant at IQPC Exchange
9yI agree that people may have different motives for connecting but to not respond at all on LinkedIn seems like a contradiction. Why bother creating an account?
Chairman and Managing Director, Rarirem Info Media Pvt Ltd
9yDear Mr. Paul Castain, Atleast, an opportunity to know somebody, somewhere with same or similar mindset.
Catering your business, family, or company events with James Beard Award winning menus & service since 1976.
9yWhat baffles me are the people who send a "let's connect over coffee" note and never reply when I say, "Sure! Where and when? "