If you are like me (God help you if you are) you have encountered many types of Linkedin folk in your quest to learn Social Networking.
Today we take a tongue in cheek tour of the dudes and dudettes who comprise “The Linkedin Follies”
“David Copperfield” They may not be master magicians but they have certainly mastered the art of starting a discussion and disappearing! Question: Would you enter a networking event, get everyone’s attention, pose a question to the group and then leave? Please say you wouldn’t? Then please riddle me this . . . why would you do it online? Repeat after me . . Facilitate as in Facilitate your discussions and they stay lively. Facilitate your discussions and they ascend to newer, cooler levels. Facilitate and people seek out your discussions! Facilitate and you don’t look like a flake!
“Two Steppin Tanya” Two steppin Tanya has mastered a horrific move called the “Linkedin Two Step” The Linkedin Two Step is when someone sends you an invitation to connect, you accept and then they assume its Kosher to launch into a sales pitch. Two Steppin Tanya is the eviler twin to Twofer Toby who assumes that because you “shared a moment” in a discussion he can email you a sales pitch sans foreplay.
“Malicious Mario” This is the dude that takes every disagreement as a “Your Momma” moment. He goes from zero to bastard in 3 seconds and does it in full view of the group. Malicious Mario feels a need to embrace these cyber pissing contests by posturing himself, attacking the credentials of the other party and has never heard of something called “Taking it offline” Malicious Mario is married to “Critical Christy” who likes to publicly criticize.
“Pimpin Peter” Pimpin Peter takes every opportunity to launch into informercials on Linkedin. They answer legitimate questions with a direct sales pitch and love to link (within discussions) to their websites and affiliate marketing wares. They engage in spam fests by posting non discussions trying to sell their wares and firmly believe that the purpose of a discussion group is that of a cyber “Flea Market” Hint: the first word is “discussion” . . . there’s your sign!
“Invisible Ian”: “Invisible Ian” is the group manager who starts a group and then disappears into the shadows. He doesn’t moderate, nor does he manage his group, he just lets the members “have at it”. Not sure why he started the group . . . unless of course he was a “David Copperfield” in another Linkedin life and wanted to ascend to a higher level of “Now ya see me. Now you don’t”
I saved the best for last 🙂
Pious Pablo: This is the dude who made most of these mistakes, learned from them and then went on a self righteous blogging crusade to save your Social Networking soul!
Ladies and gentlemen, please give it up for the Linkedin Follies!
Here’s to laughing at ourselves, taking the lesson and learning the crazy nuances of online etiquette!
Today’s News: My friend Mary Beth Smith has started an awesome group on Linkedin called “Market Your Printing Company” I have a tremendous amount of respect for Mary Beth and quite frankly, they don’t come any nicer! You can check out Market Your Printing Company by clicking here
To check out my ridiculously cool Linkedin group click on the rock star
To get free, lethal sales tips click on the Jedi
