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Relevant Socializing in Your Social Media



 I spent a long time yesterday writing a comment in a LinkedIn discussion on a social media marketing group that I thought I would share here.  The group facilitator had invited members to post all their links but included a long list of guidelines on what to do and what not to do...  to make it a more useful discussion rather than a dumping ground.  I thought I would share it here because I think, in their desperation to 'connect' and be 'liked' so many people are totally missing the point...

Here's the comment I wrote:

 I'm sad to say that even though you (the facilitator) painstakingly outlined the guidelines for this discussion I have already been bombarded in my LinkedIn inbox.

I will simply delete those messages and continue merrily on my way.

I would like to thank everyone who has begun following all my social media but would like to plead with those who are blindly following, liking and connecting with everyone on this string, to please use a little strategic thinking before you do so. I'm disappointed to see irrelevant posts on my timeline that have absolutely nothing to do with my areas of interest or expertise and certainly will not be welcomed by my friends/followers/connections.

I will not respond to each piece of SPAM individually but will quietly delete it and will not be visiting or following anyone back simply because they have 'liked' my page (but are not likely to grace it with their presence anytime in the near or distant future... but have only clicked the button in the hopes of highjacking a few followers)!

I will go through this discussion and will visit, read with interest, comment, like, share and follow those who pique my interest, have information I want or need or who I would like to engage in a conversation. If I don't follow back, it's not because I'm not 'playing fair'. It's because there aren't enough hours in the day to follow and read all the relevant content that is available let alone the reams and reams of 'stuff' that isn't.

I hope I haven't offended anyone but I felt the need to share my feelings so those of you I'm not 'following back' understand why that might be. Also, it may take some time for me to get to everyone so just because I'm not following today doesn't mean I won't jump on tomorrow. If what I write about is of interest to you, don't unfollow me just because I haven't followed you back right away. Feel free to leave relevant comments on Facebook, DM or @message me on Twitter and I'll see the honest engagement and happily engage back!

Happy (relevant) Socializing,
Anne :) 


Would anyone else like to join my rant?  Please feel free to let it all out on the comment section below.  I know I feel much better :)
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Comments

Anonymous said…
On wordpress, the equivalent is when people like your post who, wow, seem to "like" every single post written by everyone, all the time! When I see the little pictures of the offenders I just wish I could erase them off my blog. :)
19 November 2012 at 22:53
Anne Louise O'Connell said…
It's worse than the cold caller who won't remove your name from the database!
20 November 2012 at 14:57
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