Social Network Abuse

I know social networking is supposed to be the cat's meow, but I have always been a bit concerned about spending to much time there. I am very selective about whom I friend.

Hi Phil-  Just invited you to join my network on Linked-In.  I have nothing to sell to you, no answers to give you, but would be happy to trade referrals, if the opportunity arises.  Look forward to seeing you in NYC, in Jan.

I've accepted a few "mutual friends" on Facebook that I wish I never have. Their constant solicitations are nothing more than spam to me.

I guess it's just a numbers game for this type of marketing. But it seems more "slash-and-burn" than relationship and network building.

JP - Having canceled my FB acct, I no longer have to put up with this type of crap.  There is a whole other FB faux pas that you forgot to mention and I'm hoping its because you've never had it happen to you.  

You get an invite to friend a former client or a current prospect.  Seems innocent enough - right?  We all want to stay in touch with former clients and current prospects.  Shortly thereafter, they start making comments that make you feel "uncomfortable".  You blow it off at first because you don't want to assume anything inappropriate or jump to any conclusions; perhaps you just took it the wrong way. 

Then they park themselves on your home page and hound you every time you login.  At this point, these bozos have crossed the line from "friendly" to "cyber-stalker".  If that's what social media is about, I want none of it.  I'll just stick to my professional blog sites and leave the "friendly" social media to the rest of you.

She's twirling her hair at a few guys to get a toehold at harvesting contact information>>

Now that's just good stuff right there.

Yep - when so called "friends" only seem to want to bombard me with solicitations I really, really want a big "DISLIKE" button for them.

Now, Phil, you have to cut Ms. High Beams some slack.  She's just using her God given (or husband financed) *assets* to help her succeed in business!

Been doing a lot of unlinking myself these past few days.  I erroringly joined one of those 'business linkedin groups' and got way too many of those Mr. Thank You's now

Philip, I have gotten that treatment here on ActiveRain as well. Someone that subscribed, then added me as an associate then started to send me emails through the system to sign up for their webinairs. Once I let them know I wasn't interested they went away

Oh, Phil, LOL, why didn't I think of that?  Ooh, maybe I could get some more biz from the GC's (after all, they are mainly men)...and why limit it to social networking...why not do this live?  Sheesh.  Reminds me of Designer I met at a home show and just watching her strut the lanes was infuriating. 

Anyway, I hear you on the solicitation.  I've been starting to get some of the phone calls on AR (I mean the ones trying to sell me insurance or liability audits or marketing...not the realtors/related bloggers where we are swapping info).  I do find that really annoying, esp if they call as they are usually interupting me from work vs. email is less intrusive and easier to ignore.

When someone comes up to you at a party and wants to talk I guess you have to be polite.  You may edge away after awhile.  However, in this online world, I think it is quite O.K. to ignore requests to friend.  I have started to look closer at who is sending the request and don't automatically subscribe any more.

I agree with you - its getting a little tiresome.  At least at the cocktail party you can leave - all my electronica stays forever.

Phil - the best advice:

If this is done to you, just un-friend or de-link.

Everything else is just a waste of energy ... thanks for sharing!

Can we assume that if they keep doing it, it works for them?  I would hate to think so, but I always look at this type of behavior and think, "why would someone do that?".  Then I think of the late-night attorney commercials where the woman who looks like she is dressed for Halloween (in March), and I recall they have been running for 20 years, so they must be working (somehow).  This behavior you cited is definitely not my cup of tea, but I am genuinely curious if it works for people.  I will never know from experience, I can say that much.

Who is this Ms. High beams? She did not come be-friend me. hahaha. And I am always amazed how much time you have to reply politely back to a linked in connection.

Philip: I've hit suggest on this one and am featuring it in the group, Bartender, Make it a Double.  This kind of social networking behavoir is ultra annoying.

Philip ~  I couldn't agree more -- I'm also not real fond of those who have used their comments as a way of garnering business for themselves by adding pictures of their listings or links to their businesses.  Tacky.

Agreed, it's uber-annoying.  While I continually amazed that folks work this way, I think Alex has a valid point above - it must be working !  And THAT is the saddest part of all.

That is exactly why I usually don't accept invites from people I don't know without a note up front.  And sometimes not even then. 

Yep, it is too annoying and I really need to take some time and unfriend some facebook users who nabbed me from AR. I could name names, but I won't. But these people would know better, you would think.