Do You Personalize Your Social Media?

It happened to me again this week!

Another LinkedIn connection request using the default form from somebody I’ve never met before in my life.

If this bothers you too then please read on. (If this doesn’t bother you then you should especially read on!)

First off, I don’t know why LinkedIn still allows folks to even do this.

Every consultant I’ve met, besides myself, every book Ive ever read on the subject says not to do this.

Even LinkedIn itself doesn’t recommend doing this!

I guess I’m just going to add to this my list of unanswered mysteries about LinkedIn.

But I digress!

Now, don’t get me wrong, if you’ve known me for over twenty years and we went through Hell together somewhere back in the day then you don’t need to justify yourself to me, you’ve already earned the right, just send the blasted request.

But, if you’re someone who’s never met me just sending off a connection request without any reason or even a greeting then please stop and ask yourself, Why does this guy even care whether I’m alive or not?

People, there’s a reason its called social media.

Want to know the really ironic part?

I think these most of these poorly crafted requests are from real people!

The phony profiles and connection requests are generally done more professionally (More on this in a future article)

Now, what should be done?

Connecting with someone whom you may have never met before on LinkedIn can be done.

I know, LinkedIn frowns on the practice but it happens every day.

(That’s something else they could fix if they wanted to.)

Just make sure you follow a few commonsense rules:

1. Do you have connections in common?
2. Have you worked for the same employer? (Or school or professional organization?)
3. Do you both have the same unique skill?
4. Does either of you have an unmet need that the other can provide? (Something more specific than I need more clients.)

Whatever you may have in common with a potential LinkedIn connection that becomes the basis for your request. Which, BTW, you should personalize like maybe using the person’s name? (Also, make sure to spell it correctly too! Yeah, I’ve seen those as well!)

Oh, and by the way make sure they have a complete profile which makes sense! (Don’t waste your time on slackers.)

Now, what about other social media?

The rules of engagement vary for each social media channel, so you need to learn them too.

LinkedIn being a professional platform tends to be more rigid and makes a good example for what to do properly.

Think about how you’d want to be approached by someone on social media whom youve never met before.

Whatever social media channel you happen to be on, just remember, you only get one chance to make a good first impression!

That’s it for now!

Please check-out my 8 step approach for developing a social media program to get some more ideas on how to use social media.

Also, never forget to reach out to either ask questions or to ask for help from someone like myself!

In the meantime, thank you for following and reading my blog!

I look forward to any and all comments that you may have. I will reply to any comments made to this blog post as promptly as I can.

And, remember!

I do this for a living and if I can be of any assistance to either you or your organization, please feel free to call on me. Our initial discussion will be of no charge to you.