Social media faux pas

Okay, so social media is here to stay. But it seems it is degenerating into quick hits. A few recent experiences got me thinking about how little thought we put into what we say on social media.

1. Why connect.

I’m a big LinkedIn user, since it is more for professional use. I am always happy to connect with new and interesting people. I have noticed lately that people are just sending invites with the generic, “I’d like to be connected on LinkedIn.” I immediately delete these; if a person can’t even come up with a single reason why we should be connected, I don’t want to know them.

I also like Facebook for friends, family and exercise stuff. I am tired of people that I’m connected to asking me to “like” their pages, especially since they have not once commented on anything I’ve posted or ever interacted with me on Facebook. Why on earth would I want to “like” a page from a virtual stranger?

2. What you do with the connection.

The few times I have connected with strangers, whether on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter, it seems I am subsequently inundated with sales pitches. No, I did not connect with you to hear about a product I could care less about. Instant unfriend or unfollow.

3. Watch what you say.

I’m all for freedom of speech. That is one of the things that makes America great. What I am not all for is politcal rants. This is also an automatic unfriend for me, especially since these have degenerated into rude hate speeches.

What about you? What are your pet peeves with social media?

Oops picture from Chicago Agent Magazine.