Comments on: The Damage Sales Messages Do to Linkedin Groups – here’s what to do

By: Andrew Eagles

Andrew Eagles — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 16:50:40 +0000

Great post. Thank you.

Have to agree with you Paul, Sue and Johanna. I suspect many people do not know the ettiquette. It is so easy to join groups, that many people do so without realising the purpose is discussion and learning. Is the moderators role but could also be our role to call people on it. Wonder if there are any stats showing dicussing/engaging is more productive than adverts? Have a good week.

Andrew

By: Su

Su — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 20:40:07 +0000

Hi Paul, Johanna,
I think group management is important Paul, you’re right, but also I understand Johanna’s concern. Linkedin groups are getting a bad reputation – I’ve heard many people say they are a waste of time, so they give up finding good ones. This has the potential to do damage to Linkedin.
So will Linkedin introduce a spam management system to its groups? It is possible, but unlikely. In the meantime people will vote with their feet like they do with all social tools.
The strength of these platforms, something I really like about them, is that they are opt-in, opt-out. If we don’t like what someone’s doing we can choose not to participate, or collectively stop the behaviour.
However it happens, I’m guessing in the long run Linkedin groups will lose their spammers, either via Linkedin management taking action, or by us doing it ourselves.
Next time you see a spammer, pipe up! A dozen people will be right behind you as soon as you do.

By: Paul Castain

Paul Castain — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 17:10:48 +0000

It really needs to begin with the Group Manager. Many either don’t want to bother policing or they are nervous they will lose members because of anti spam rules.

We grew by 10,000 members our first year (now 13000) and are continually told by our members that its a nice change from the tone of many of the other groups. So I’m thinking our anti spam policy fast forwarded our progress.

Last note and then I’ll get off the soapbox. File this under corny if you like but everyone has a story, has a thought, has an opinion and wants to be heard.
As a community we need to help facilitate that! I have this crazy feeling that its very rewarding for all when we embrace that mentality

Respectfully,
Paul Castain
.-= Paul Castain´s last blog ..Leave It At The Office Dude- =-.

By: Johanna Hoffmann

Johanna Hoffmann — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:44:36 +0000

Absolutely, the sales pitches are a huge nuisance. Unfortunately, I don’t see them going away any time soon. If anything, they’ll get worse, because LinkedIn is in the same boat Facebook is: they need to better monetize a cumbersome platform. They have to go beyond their core constituency and also keep up with Twitter and the other social media networks that are changing how people interact on the web. Most everything they do will alter the culture and the tenor of the discourse.

Better group management is definitely a must, but ultimately LinkedIn will have to put in place better systems to manage the deluge of spam, like Twitter has, and we participants will have to get used to more sales pitches, like on Twitter…

By: Roberta Ward

Roberta Ward — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 08:10:16 +0000

Reading this post it struck me that there is a real similarity on groups within Linked In and regular forums. The etiquette and behavior should be the same. Go there to read, enjoy and participate if you like what you read and can add to the group discussion with your knowledge or experience.
The principle is exactly the same. Ive met loads of people in the real world that started off reading my posts on various forums, I’m sure the same rule will apply to Linked In too.

By: Paul Castain

Paul Castain — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 00:37:44 +0000

Well done Stu and I couldn’t agree with you more!

One of the worst things about spam in a group (aside from just the fact that its there) is having to wade through it to get to a legit discussion. Before you spam a group, think about the person who in good faith is trying to get everyone to (get this) have a discussion who now gets their thread bumped out of sight because of each person who spams the group. I’ve had it done to me several times and it discourages you from contributing in those groups.

I would also add that people have to start complaining more to the group managers because some are absentee at best.

If you find yourself in a situation where your complaints are being dismissed, go to another group or start your own like I did back in 2009.

Thanks again for such a timely post. Passing this on to my network!

Respectfully,
Paul Castain
.-= Paul Castain´s last blog ..Leave It At The Office Dude- =-.

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