Connect with people you know.
Sounds obvious, right? "But accepting invitations from unknowns makes no sense, nor is it appropriate to invite the same," he says. In other words, don't be a LinkedIn creeper. You are developing your personal brand with every move you make. The business world is much smaller than you think, so keep that in mind when you're inviting other professionals to connect with you; after all, it is a professional site. We have to act like it!
Sounds obvious, right? "But accepting invitations from unknowns makes no sense, nor is it appropriate to invite the same," he says. In other words, don't be a LinkedIn creeper. You are developing your personal brand with every move you make. The business world is much smaller than you think, so keep that in mind when you're inviting other professionals to connect with you; after all, it is a professional site. We have to act like it!
Respond politely.
"Whether or not you accept an invitation to connect, a direct, professional response is usually the best next step," emphasizes Linnemanstons. Again, it is a professional site, so we must all act accordingly. If Mr. Linnemanstons turns down an invitation because he doesn't know someone, he encourages the person to find a way for them to meet personally to eliminate that objection. How classy!
Say please and thank you. Frequently.
"What we all should have learned in kindergarten applies to LinkedIn as well. When you ask for something say please. When someone does something considerate, even if it’s not invited, say thanks." These are just good manners for life in general. We could all hear please and thank you a little more often, don't you think?
Keep updates interesting and professional.
If you’ve accomplished something noteworthy, read something that’s valuable, or discovered something you think should be shared, definitely post it! However, consider it might detract from your personal brand if you have frequent updates like "what you had for lunch or what you’re doing this weekend with your family. Save it for Facebook."
"Whether or not you accept an invitation to connect, a direct, professional response is usually the best next step," emphasizes Linnemanstons. Again, it is a professional site, so we must all act accordingly. If Mr. Linnemanstons turns down an invitation because he doesn't know someone, he encourages the person to find a way for them to meet personally to eliminate that objection. How classy!
Say please and thank you. Frequently.
"What we all should have learned in kindergarten applies to LinkedIn as well. When you ask for something say please. When someone does something considerate, even if it’s not invited, say thanks." These are just good manners for life in general. We could all hear please and thank you a little more often, don't you think?
Keep updates interesting and professional.
If you’ve accomplished something noteworthy, read something that’s valuable, or discovered something you think should be shared, definitely post it! However, consider it might detract from your personal brand if you have frequent updates like "what you had for lunch or what you’re doing this weekend with your family. Save it for Facebook."
Give recommendations to get recommendations.
"There’s nothing wrong with asking for a recommendation. But the best way to ask is to first give one. The best recommendations should come from the people you already know and respect the most, and they are naturally the people you can most genuinely recommend." Win-win!
Be a responsible group manager.
"That means respond to requests quickly, and enforce group rules evenly. Enforcement isn’t for everyone, because everyone can interpret rules differently and that can lead to conflict, or to re-visiting rules. Being responsible as a manager means your rules will probably evolve as the group grows. Nothing wrong with that."
Be aware and follow group rules.
"If you want to avoid uncomfortable notes from group owners, read them before you start breaking them. Been there! And if you get called out as a transgressor, be an adult about it." (Read: Be Professional.)
Be Honest.
"We’ve all experienced this. You find a former peer on LI, and as you review their experience, you see they’ve mis-represented a past role or the responsibilities they had. As a result, you look at everything they claim to have done since then with a little more skepticism. Don’t do anything that puts you at risk of harming your credibility." You've worked hard to create your personal brand; protect it!
Don’t be a pest.
"You won’t do yourself any good professionally if you annoy people. We all know someone who does. Don’t be that person."
Participate.
"Kind of like when you go to a party. Don’t go if you’re not going to talk to people and add to the energy of the group. Same thing with LI. Be active, share information, contribute to discussions, grow your footprint, and be additive to the collective good." Love this one! It's so easy; be your sparkling self, seize the opportunity to show off how fantastic you are, and continue to build your brand!
"There’s nothing wrong with asking for a recommendation. But the best way to ask is to first give one. The best recommendations should come from the people you already know and respect the most, and they are naturally the people you can most genuinely recommend." Win-win!
Be a responsible group manager.
"That means respond to requests quickly, and enforce group rules evenly. Enforcement isn’t for everyone, because everyone can interpret rules differently and that can lead to conflict, or to re-visiting rules. Being responsible as a manager means your rules will probably evolve as the group grows. Nothing wrong with that."
Be aware and follow group rules.
"If you want to avoid uncomfortable notes from group owners, read them before you start breaking them. Been there! And if you get called out as a transgressor, be an adult about it." (Read: Be Professional.)
Be Honest.
"We’ve all experienced this. You find a former peer on LI, and as you review their experience, you see they’ve mis-represented a past role or the responsibilities they had. As a result, you look at everything they claim to have done since then with a little more skepticism. Don’t do anything that puts you at risk of harming your credibility." You've worked hard to create your personal brand; protect it!
Don’t be a pest.
"You won’t do yourself any good professionally if you annoy people. We all know someone who does. Don’t be that person."
Participate.
"Kind of like when you go to a party. Don’t go if you’re not going to talk to people and add to the energy of the group. Same thing with LI. Be active, share information, contribute to discussions, grow your footprint, and be additive to the collective good." Love this one! It's so easy; be your sparkling self, seize the opportunity to show off how fantastic you are, and continue to build your brand!
What are your thoughts? What's your etiquette edge?
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