Alright, I must admit that I'm only just getting to understand LinkedIn. For the longest time I just thought it would open my whole address book to the chance a being spammed, but now I understand that is not true. LinkedIn seems that it could be a very nice tool for helping to develop new relationships.But here's the question. Or I guess I'm asking if my understanding is correct.
The way I understand is that if someone removed from my immediate network wants to communicate with me, they have to ask the person who knows both of us to make an introduction first. Is that right?
The reason I ask, is today I received a second Linkedin email from someone I don't know asking me to request a link with them so they can pick my brain to help them recruit workers. The first email was similar in that he wanted to connect to do business and then in the very long email proceeded to sell me on his services.
Is that the way it's supposed to happen?
If so, I don't think I like LinkedIn.
Who can help me to understand this whole concept?
4 comments:
The way I understand it, you are right. LinkedIn recommends that members ask a shared connection for an introduction to someone they want to meet.
On the other hand, there's nothing stopping someone from making the faux pas of directly contacting someone they don't know.
Some ways that this direct contact may be viewed as ok are when you and the potential new contact belong to another group outside LinkedIn. For example, you worked for the same employer but perhaps at different times, or you graduated from the same university or college, or you are both a Certified Networker grad.
If this is not the case, you could suggest to the unknown person trying to connect with you that you prefer an introduction from a shared connection before you accept his/her invitation.
I believe that is correct Debby. There has to be a common connector for them to be able contact you. It is up to that common connector whether to allow the introduction or not. Here is some info from LinkedIn:
"Introductions let you contact users in your network, through the people you know. If you want to contact a LinkedIn user who is two or three degrees away from you, you can request an introduction through one of your connections. Your connection will, in turn, decide whether to forward it on to the desired recipient (if in your 2nd degree) or to a shared connection (if in your 3rd degree)."
"InMails are private messages that let you send business and career opportunities directly to any LinkedIn user.
Reach any LinkedIn user
InMail allows you to contact or be directly contacted by 2nd or 3rd degree contacts as well as LinkedIn users who are not in your network.
InMail protects every user’s privacy
If a recipient is not in the sender’s network, the sender will not see the recipient’s name or contact information until the InMail has been accepted.
InMail is a paid feature."
On your profile you can select whether or not you will accept inmails. Turning this off could reduce the number of unwanted emails you get. Also, it is important to indicate in your profile what your interests are. You can choose items such as "career opportunities", "business deals", "consulting opportunities" and more. Appropriate etiquette would then be to only forward a request to another person if that is what they are interested in.
Thanks to both of you (Leasa and Tami) for trying to get the old dog to learn new tricks!
What would make an inmail Declined as 'Not Appropriate'. This lowered my linkedin rating. Should others have the right to lower your rating when you have done nothing that is inappropriate when they are really exercising inappropriate power?
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