Don’t do this on LinkedIn

This week I received a message on LinkedIn from someone who will remain nameless, who said “I would be interested in making a connection with you and getting to know you. Is there a time that we could set up to connect?”

Short, sweet and to the point and included an email address. After checking his website, I saw that it made sense for us to talk and emailed him back some days and times I was available to talk. I too was interested in learning more about his company and the association he runs; it would be a good connection.

So far, really good, right?

However, instead of an email with a time and date to talk, I received a phone call from his assistant who was interested in me becoming a member of his association. That’s how I’d get to know him better. The person I spoke to didn’t even know what I did.

Some Don’ts
— Don’t contact someone and misrepresent what you’re trying to do.
— Don’t try to close the sale on the first call.
— Don’t do a switch and try to bait someone.
— Don’t send someone else on your staff to talk to your connection. You made the connection, you talk to them.
— Know who the person is that you’re calling. Take the time to go to their website.

On The + side

It’s good to know up front how people are going to treat you in the long run. If they start a relationship with you and your dealings with them appear disrespectful, that’s great to know up front.

Then you can let go and move on. Because how someone treats you in the first place, is how you’ll expect them to treat you in the long run.

(c) 2010 Maria Marsala