1) Not the right time to ask
I've already complained about sites that ask users to sign up before they can do anything, and mentioned how gradual engagement is a much better approach to attract readers and customers. Now I'm noticing more and more blogs displaying the following invitation at the top of their pages:
Hello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on this topic.
If I'm a new visitor, don't you think I will want first to take a look around to see if I like what you have to offer, before subscribing? If the invitation was placed on a sidebar or at the bottom of the page, instead of interrupting the flow of the article, I would be would be much more tempted to subscribe, after confirming that your content is relevant to me. Apparently the strategy works, as more and more bloggers are using it to bring in new subscribers. Well, spam messages also work (there is always a percentage of people who will fall for it), but it doesn't mean you would need to follow their lead. There are nicer ways to increase your subscriber base.
2) Not the right way to ask
Adriana,
I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.
If you are a complete stranger interested in growing YOUR network, please take the time to write a customized message to introduce yourself. I can assure you that will substantially increase the probability of your invitation being accepted.
What are your pet peeves in Web 2.0?
(Photo by ankel wart)
It is amazing how many people actually send generic invitations and not only the novice.
Though do you think you should write a customized note be the same way when you disconnect from someone. Disconnection you may think, who disconnects? The reasons? I have written in my pet peeve blog, Profiles & Identities.
My belief is that customizing a disconnection note would do you as much justice as a customized invitation as then both parties will know where they stand. We need to protect our reputations, we may all live in different parts of the world but the world is very small.
My peeve about web 2.0
Colleen.
Thank you for your comment. You make an interesting point - what about the end of the lifecycle of a connection in social media? If we are supposed to send a customized invitation to connect (especially for strangers), shouldn't there be also a customized message if for some reason the connection is later removed?
I'm thinking here that usually people will have exchanged messages during the period they were connected that will have explained the reason for ending the link between them; if not, I agree that contacts disappearing from one's list might be confusing, and it would be more polite to send a note to the person you are disconnecting from.