As a marketer/public relations type, the relationships I build are vital to my success. Thankfully, the development of social media sites like MySpace, Facebook, and LinkedIn have made keeping connected with these contacts much easier. Instead of a rolodex full of business cards, I now get updated instantaneously on developments in each of my connections' lives.
A few months ago I got invited to join a Konnects network. "Just another LinkedIn rip-off," I thought to myself - but I decided to give it a try anyway. During the sign-up, I was asked if I was a member of LinkedIn and if I would like to try to find my LinkedIn contacts within Konnects. Sure, why not, right? Turns out, all of my contacts were emailed to join Konnects on my behalf. Cool? No. Should I have understood the implications of linking my LinkedIn account before agreeing? Absolutely. That was my bad.
So, there I was apologizing to folks that they were randomly invited to "yet another social media site." That was bad enough.
Then, the unthinkable happened. Konnects, without telling me beforehand, sent out ANOTHER EMAIL to my contacts. A "reminder email," they called it.
Here's the deal, Konnects: 1) Don't send an email on my behalf unless I've approved it. 2) If folks didn't sign up after the first email, they aren't going to sign up.
I'm certain this is a desperate attempt by Konnects to grow market share, but they must realize that this type of tactic does nothing but tick people off: the forced "inviter" and the annoyed "invitees." Today, thanks to your indiscretion, I am disconnecting from Konnects.
14 comments:
Thanks for your expose of Konnects. They're now on my "Do not subscribe" list. Watch out Konnects - this post might show you "The Power of One".
Hi Matt. You wrote exactly what I've been thinking. I'm on Konnects, but don't believe I ever actually signed up.
Thanks for the heads up on Konnects. Unsolicited email is a sure fire way to drive people away from your site. I thought that was a given these days. Shame on you Konnects.
Matt -
Thanks for posting this. It was great to get the initial invite, because it was a way to get a look at a networking site I had not seen before. In my case, I didn't join, because it seemed that not many people had connected to Konnects (and I know how to find the Warrior using multiple channels).
The second email was just annoying, and struck me as over the top (which automatically told me that you had nothing to do with it).
Thanks for the information. I must say I do like your blog so I had to comment. I have been on Konnects now for some time and have found it useful and made many good business connections using the service. I think it's much different than other services but I do use multiple.
@Scott - I have no doubt that this is a useful site. Without examining too closely, it seems like it has much more depth than even LinkedIn. That said, they will NEVER develop a loyal following if they continue to send out unapproved emails on a subscriber's behalf. That, I can assure you.
@Jeff Glad you realized I didn't authorize the second email. How annoying! Sorry to put you through that - even if inadvertently.
@Andy & William Thanks for stopping by. I'm glad I am not alone in my distaste for these practices. I was hoping this hadn't become a commonplace business practice.
Just found your blog off GOOG while trying to investigate a Konnects "invitation" I received from someone who I knew wouldn't randomly invite me to connect to yet another network. Their SPAM strategy is the same as that pursued by Doostang a few years back. SPAM for growth.
It's sad that some companies see value in this tactic. I guess until a greater percentage of consumers refuse to do business with these folks, we will continue to see our mailboxes filled with SPAM.
Thats just bad form.
Konnects should know that spam baiting creates resentment. I also dislike the social media platforms that beg/force you to upload your gmail/outlook/aol/hotmail contact info. I always saw this as plain old list building.
I am sure that they are reselling these lists of verified emails to someone.
Makes my skin crawl.
I am a member of many social networks. I was following this particularly because I like this blog alot. I have found value in most of the sites that I am on but recently I found a business partner to help me get an idea off the ground within Konnects. I love the site and don't think that they are reselling lists after reading through the terms. Anyway hope you all have a good weekend. I love the blog Mr. Credit Union Warrior!
Pretty lame of Konnects.
Pls inform konnect that i need my yahoo password and ID they have stolen back.. i signed up with them yesterday 8th July 2008 and now i cant access my yahoo mail again.. pls tell them i am not interested in them they should pls unto what they have done.. i cannot see any good reports here about them
Got a Konnects invite today. Had never heard of it so I did a search first and found this article. Thanks to what you posted, I'm steering clear of Konnects. Thanks for the heads up.
Thanks for writing about this. I googled konnects after receiving an invitation, now I know to STAY FAR AWAY FROM KONNECTS.COM!
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