LinkedIn is a business network.
It is not Facebook, nor is it kindergarten. But there are a growing number of people on LinkedIn who seem to want to ban people from doing business on LinkedIn, and just have nice, non-business discussions.
Well, here are a few etiquette tips people should know when dealing with LinkedIn:
1. LinkedIn is a business site, NOT a personal one. This is why we don’t have pictures of people drunk, in bathing suits, or hanging with friends, but pictures of people in suits and ties and the like. We do business on this site. If you don’t want to do business, go to Facebook or some other site. Those of us who are serious are here to do business.
2. You do not have the right to not be offended by what you don’t want to see in your Inbox. If you don’t want to get notifications from your groups, turn off that option. Go to your group. Go to the second tier bounce bar. Select “More.” Select “Settings.” Turn off group notifications. It is that simple. Then when you want to look at the group, go there. See? No more pesky e-mail clogging up your Inboxes.
3. Just because you don’t want it doesn’t mean it’s SPAM. Many people enjoy seeing posts about employment or events. Those looking for jobs especially enjoy seeing posts about employment and networking events. Just because you don’t want to see it doesn’t make it SPAM. If you’re interested in a discussion or article, read it. If not, click past it. You don’t have the right to deny someone who might be unemployed help through an article about employment, or event unless you’re the group owner.
4. Unless you’re the group owner, don’t move a discussion. It is both unethical and immoral to do so. Don’t. Let people decide for themselves if something is useful or not.
5. People are going to utilize you if you’re connected to them. Sending out an update to your 1st degree network is not SPAM, nor is it a “mass e-mail list.” If you don’t want to know about the people you’re connected with, don’t connect with them. If you’re going to be connected to someone, you’ve gotta help them.
6. Your opinion is not the only one. All of us can be wrong. Believing differently doesn’t make one wrong nor a demon.
7. If you’re nasty, expect nasty responses. Although I usually reply to nastiness pretty mildly, many people don’t and you aren’t in your rights to expect them to.
8. Don’t deliberately anger someone well-known and well-connected unless you’re willing to take the consequences. If you are stupid enough to torque off someone who has loads of connections in your city and is very well-respected, you probably deserve the closing of doors that will happen to you. Just a few words from someone well-connected can ruin your career before it gets started. A word to the wise.
LinkedIn is the real world.
It isn’t Facebook. It isn’t Twitter. It is a live ammo game, and the game is business. If you aren't ready to follow proper LinkedIn etiquette, run home to mommy before you get hurt. If you want to play, put on your big boy or girl pants and play by the rules.
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