LinkedIn poll reveals how tweets can damage your reputation
A survey to discover how people feel about Twitter language appearing on LinkedIn has revealed that at least half of your connections on the the most business-like of social networks think you are being lazy when you tweet on LinkedIn. Do you want your connections to think of you in this way?
Tools like HootSuite, Tweetdeck, Ping and a host of others allow you to save time by posting and often scheduling messages across multiple platforms. Seemingly a real boost to businesses who want to use social media but want to minimise the time they spend doing so. Yet, as we have blogged before, plenty of users on LinkedIn are unfamiliar with Twitter and you risk alienating them when posting across platforms.
We ran a poll on LinkedIn and invited people to say what they think about the issue. I ran the survey because I was worried I might be being a little harsh, but a resounding 50% of those who responded to the poll felt using Twitter language on Twitter was 'Lazy, plain and simple'. With two percent saying that they had severed links with those who had tweeted on LinkedIn. A further 34% said it did not bother them and only 13% said that they did it and think it is okay.
It is not surprising their are some who find the use of Twitter language so annoying they have actually removed people who do this from their list of contacts. Strong feelings indeed, however, there is an alternative way of dealing with persistent offenders without deleting them. Linked offers a 'Hide' button that appears on the top right hand corner of an update from your connections. I have used this for the most blantant Tweeters who see LinkedIn as an extension to their roost. Those who have been 'hidden' remain in your contacts and see your updates, but you will not see theirs, unless you subscribe to updates via RSS.
We had some great comments left on the poll, including one from David McQueen, who founded Magnificent Minds commented: "I dislike it as it is a different platform. Preceding a post with and @ sign on LinkedIn for me shows a lack of communication skills on a different platform."
An advisor at Opus Accounting in Newbury, Grahame Johnson says: "I find it quite frustrating when someone posts the same comment on a number of sites, i.e. Twitter Facebook and Linkedin with an abbreviated link. You click the link from Twitter and it takes you to Facebook which requires you to login! I am careful to use neutral language and links if posting to a number of sites using say Tweetdeck and appropriate language when posting to a particular forum."
Copywriter Nikki Cooke from The Word Well explained: "I use Twitter in a different way to LinkedIn. Consequently, my conversations are different. I always think it's better to consider your target audience, before you use automated software. For me, it's impersonal and prevents engagement." Although she adds: "That said, I can see its benefit if used to publicise something quickly."
Kursha Woodgate from Mexia Communications said: "I link some of my updates, but selectively, ones that do not use lots of Twitter language. I think it could be a real turn off for people who are not familiar with Twitter and have heard comments from many colleagues who get 'fed up' with people in their network who are constantly updating with messages they don't understand."
"Not a big fan at all," says Ian O'Donnell from Real Point Business Technology. He says "Nine times out of 10 I compose different message for each platform (FB, LinkedIN, Twitter) all managed through Tweetdeck, but frequency and style is completely different for each platform."
While Nick Parkin, who owns Pimlico Flats, summed it up nicely: "It's important to me that my professional connections are ... professional."
Can you afford to dismiss how your connections feel? Can you risk alienating them and being seen as unprofessional? Or even losing them as a contact within your network? Try to take the time to ensure whatever social media platform you use that the message is right for that audience.