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Don’t send ecards via LinkedIn direct messages

The last thing I want to see in my LinkedIn messages are ecards wishing me Happy New Year or even Happy Birthday, some that include  music and blinking lights. I found three of them in a row just now when I checked my DMs.

Here’s the kicker.

In each case, I was one of a gang of people who received the card, making me wonder why the sender didn’t even bother trying to personalize it. The first card was sent to 11 of us. The second was sent to nine of us. The third card was sent to 10 of us.     

LinkedIn’s DMs should be reserved for business-related messages. Increasingly, more and more messages in my LinkedIn Inbox are for free commercials or promotions. It’s a time-consuming chore to pick through this mess for the really important items. 

Ecards add to the clutter. Save them for Facebook. 

Am I wrong?   

by Joan Stewart on January 15, 2013

Filed Under: LinkedIn Tagged With: Marketing, Media Relations

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Genevieve says

    January 16, 2013 at 11:09 am

    No, you’re not wrong Joan. It is frustrating enough to see the “numbers game” of useless online connections spread to LinkedIn. Now useless messages are cropping up too. There is a strong case to offset the quantity of our relationships with the quality of our relationships.

    Reply
    • Joan says

      January 16, 2013 at 11:10 am

      Thanks for commenting, Genevieve. I’m glad it’s not just me being a grump.

      Reply
  2. Anneliz Hannan says

    January 16, 2013 at 8:41 am

    I haven’t received that kind of spam on my LinkedIn DM but I do get my share of promotions and commercials. It is a real problem and keeping me from fully utilizing its benefits. Even on my notifications for groups, so many are just junk. As far as I am concerned they can skip them on Facebook but if they need a release, that is the place to go. I agree, LinkedIn is a business platform, not a trash bucket.

    Reply
  3. Donna McBroom-Theriot says

    January 16, 2013 at 12:55 pm

    I have gotten way more than my share of those e-cards as well. I’m just agreeing with everyone. Mass mailing does not impress me and LinkedIn is for business. Thanks for speaking our minds.

    Donna

    Reply
    • Joan says

      January 16, 2013 at 1:19 pm

      Donna, I don’t read my Twitter DMs anymore for this very reason. I’m hoping the LinkedIn DMs don’t die the same death.

      Reply
  4. Widdershins says

    January 16, 2013 at 4:28 pm

    I received one of those too, and was equally unimpressed!

    Reply

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Publicity expert Joan Stewart, a PR mentor aka The Publicity Hound, works with small business owners who need free publicity, and with PR pros who tell their clients' stories to the world. She shows you how to establish your credibility, enhance your reputation, position yourself as an expert, and sell more products and services. To receive her free DIY publicity tips twice a week, subscribe here. See all the ways you can work with Joan. Or contact her and ask a burning question about PR, self-promotion or social media.

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