Last week, Beth Harte started a discussion on LinkedIn called "Drive-by blog pimping and other shameless self-promotion".  Drive-by blog pimping and other shameless self-promotion".  I have been thinking about this topic quite a bit since this discussion started. It really has me stopping and questioning any post or comment I make before I click the submit button, and for that I thank you Beth.

What I find interesting is the comparison that is often made between in-person social/networking events and online social networking. Eric said "Blog pimping is no different than walking in to your neighbor's party and telling everyone to come over to your place because the drinks are better". And I have heard people say, "You wouldn't just walk up to a group of people at a netwroking event and just start handing out your business cards and pushing your products, would you"?

Well, I wouldn't do either of those things, but I have been to enough social events to know that there are plenty of people out there that do. So, I don't imagine that people who behave that way in person would behave any differently online.

It would be an interesting socio/psychological study to analyze the way people express themselves online both personally and professionally and how that relates to their "true personality".

I know you all have those "friends" on Facebook and have come across this type of behavior many times both online and off.

Let's share some stories...