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.
