Trumblog

Personally I see no benefit in the lists of 500 friends that you see on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter, but to each his own and if you happen to be the kind of person who is that social then more power to ya! Personally I’m not, and I think that my friend lists prove that out. It also shows that I’ve been somewhat picky when it comes to invitations.

Invitations from folks that you have never met before to become friends or connect is to be expected on social networks and it’s sort of the point. I don’t know you, but all of our friends know each other and so maybe we should know each other. You don’t know me, but you are looking for someone with my skill set so you drop me a line. Those are welcome connections, but that doesn’t mean that we are friends.

Friends and connections have, well a connection. We have conversed about a topic, shared ideas, worked together, had a drink. The fact that we have seen each other’s profiles is a few steps below that. In order to maintain a certain level of quality to my friends list I have a policy of only inviting and accepting invitations from people who I have that connection with. When I get an invitation from someone who I don’t know I ask them to get together for coffee or whatever in order to make that connection first and I have yet to be taken up on with that offer.

Some people are promiscuous with their friend list and I don’t judge that. Do what you want, but I don’t want profiles without value devaluing my personal network. I don’t see the value of reader regular Twitter posts from people who I’ve never met and I won’t stop you from following my Twitter stream, but don’t expect me to follow you. This is my policy that I’ve put in place. What’s yours?

Inspiration for this post was from conversations with my friend T, Reihan Salam’s post The Facebook Commandments and Adam Salamon’s post on connecting on LinkedIn.

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading ...