I would just like to say that I find Linkedin a great place to not only network internally but also to provide a place of testimonials to the outside world. Having not been on it long I need all the help I can get and am so please to have your resources at hand.

Best regards

Andy

Thank you for your very interesting comments and perspective. Let me see if I can respond.

First of all let me say that seeing my profile header headline by itself in the context of this discussion leads me to believe that I should make an adjustment to the second sentence. It was originally intended to lead people to some free information on how to be more effective with one’s marketing efforts on the web.

Second, a profile is a “resume” and there is no way around that. As a resume it should put forth information that would hopefully get people to engage you as a job candidate or vendor of some sort. So is there “selling” in one’s profile, yes if for no other reason than its nature.

Third, I would agree with the statement “If some one contacts me with information about what they do and offers me a service it is called marketing.” but not on LinkedIn. LinkedIn is a “networking site” and many people, no mater what definition we agree to will see such a message as SPAM. A message that forthrightly presents one products and services may be appropriate elsewhere but it will not be well received on LinkedIn and if you send enough of them you will get both complaints and probably tagged for SPAM. If you read the User Agreement they make it clear this is not desired.

Fourth and possibly the most important point. As a networking site you want to increase both your exposure and accessibility in order to increase your opportunities. When you send such a message you can almost be assured that you lose access to the recipient’s network — he or she will not promote or pass you to others they know — as no one wants to send a salesperson (except in very specific circumstances) to their contacts.

Because you have not started the relationship with an offer of value you will be perceived in a totally different way. Let’s say for example the person you sent this to was not yet connected (1st level). How likely do you think the would be to respond with an invitation? I don’t believe they would be very likely at all. However, if I send someone a note with some suggestions to improve their profile or website they will frequently ask me to connect. And they are very likely if asked to refer me to others.

It is in fact a very subtle line, but crossing makes you a prospector and closes off opportunities. Though you are correct, the workability of your method will be far less than the other way around.

I would welcome your comments.

• Example…. This article was submitted on November 17, 2009 at 09:47 AM PST
• By Flyn Penoyer, LinkedIn Guru and Networking expert – Allow me help. Learn how to reduce your marketing costs while increasing revenues.

If some one contacts me with information about what they do and offers me a service it is called marketing. It is just a different approach than you choose to take. No more or less offensive than your approach.

If they continue to send message after message then it is spam.

Communication is nothing more than selling. And all of us selling should try to always use a value added approach to dealing with our customers and contacts.

Wonderful post and very illuminating. Boy have I been guilty of this one! It is so easy to fall into this trap in networking. I am truly grateful for your tact and insight.

Malcolm