Social Media Rejection Syndrome
Elaine Fogel, a MarketingProfs Daily Fix blogger, has a great post today on social media rejection that features LinkedIn and social networking habits.
You can read Elaine's post here.
There was a lot of discussion that ensued. Someone even suggested starting a social media therapy group. The two prominent school's of thought took sides on how liberal one should be with allowing other's into their professional network. One side suggested that associating with someone in a social media community implies an endorsement of that person's character and professionalism.
The whole idea, IMHO, of social networking is to form authentic relationships. As such, I give people the benefit of the doubt. The relationship has to start somewhere.
Just by joining someone's network, or friending them, or following them doesn't imply a full fledged endorsement of their character or professional ability. If someone asks for a recommendation or reference or introduction, I can assess the degree to which I will accomodate this by how well I know the person and can always add that disclaimer (in not so many words) in the recommendation etc. Some companies, when asked for a background reference, will only acknowledge the dates which a former employee worked. The same mentality can be applied to personal references.
As I love the comparison between online and offline behavior, I wonder if this would be the same at a party or other in-person social event wherein I was only willing to talk to, or associate with, people that I already knew? I can't imagine how many relationships that I have today (including my marriage) that would have never occured if I had employed this line of thinking.
What are your thoughts?
You can read Elaine's post here.
There was a lot of discussion that ensued. Someone even suggested starting a social media therapy group. The two prominent school's of thought took sides on how liberal one should be with allowing other's into their professional network. One side suggested that associating with someone in a social media community implies an endorsement of that person's character and professionalism.
The whole idea, IMHO, of social networking is to form authentic relationships. As such, I give people the benefit of the doubt. The relationship has to start somewhere.
Just by joining someone's network, or friending them, or following them doesn't imply a full fledged endorsement of their character or professional ability. If someone asks for a recommendation or reference or introduction, I can assess the degree to which I will accomodate this by how well I know the person and can always add that disclaimer (in not so many words) in the recommendation etc. Some companies, when asked for a background reference, will only acknowledge the dates which a former employee worked. The same mentality can be applied to personal references.
As I love the comparison between online and offline behavior, I wonder if this would be the same at a party or other in-person social event wherein I was only willing to talk to, or associate with, people that I already knew? I can't imagine how many relationships that I have today (including my marriage) that would have never occured if I had employed this line of thinking.
What are your thoughts?
Posted by Morgan J. Moran at 8/26/2009 3:29 PM 
Categories: social media, social netwroking
Tags: social networking relationship building social capital personal branding social proof online presence customer relationship social media
Categories: social media, social netwroking
Tags: social networking relationship building social capital personal branding social proof online presence customer relationship social media
After reading this entry, and going over Elaine's posts, I now find myself to be a social media snob. I do limit myself. I find myself to be quite lazy in the social media world. I have accepted request to join groups, I have NOT asked others to join me. however all my accounts are unfinished providing very little detail about myself talents background etc. In the past I have accepted friends on facebook that I had no idea who they were, at the time I was quite disappointed in myself for having done so, but over time I find myself enjoying comments or reading about these people and am quite entertained by them, I have learned from them even at times. This is an eye-opener for me. On my behalf I must also admit it's quite new to me (social Media) and I will now take it a little more seriously in the future.
"Online and offline behavior comparisons" at a party I would never stick only to the people I know, quite the opposite, I'm a very social person and enjoy the company of new personalities, and often push the limits. when it comes to a comparison I'm much better face to face. When it comes to social media I don't hide behind a computer, I just don't participate unless I know you. Again this has been an eye-opener for me, I will make the changes necessary to keep up with the vast movement of social media. I believe now that I might be missing out on something. I can't have that. Perhaps I should purchase a webcam and join in that way, I would then evolve.
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