5 Reasons to remove a connection from LinkedIn
We’ve looked at how you can get found on LinkedIn and how you can send out invitations to connect that will get accepted, but in this post, we’re going to look at some of the reasons why you may want to remove someone as a connection, or why someone may remove you. Here are some of the reasons why I have removed people as connections:
1. The other person thought accepting a connect was permission to add me to a mailing list.
LinkedIn is a social media, not a list building exercise. Accepting a connection is not permission to add someone to your mailing list. If you want to create a community around your brand, then use LinkedIn groups.
2. I got bombarded with marketing emails from within LinkedIn.
If you want me to be a customer in the future, then build up a rapport and a relationship with me, and then, when I’m looking for something that you sell, I’ll think of you. Come on too strong, and I’ll back off.
3. My new connection just wanted me for my network!
I’m happy to bring two people together, when I can see how there may be a mutual benefit, or if it;s a friend who I know offline who would like to be introduced to a connection, however, I do object to being treated as a stepping stone to someone else.
4. The person said or did something that I wasn’t comfortable with.
In one case, one new connection had the nerve to ask me to export the contact details of ALL my connections into an excel spreadsheet and email it to them. When a person connects with me it is for mutual benefit. It is not permission to hand over their personal details to a third party.
In another, the new connection emailed me asking to recommend them to my network for them to get a new job. Offline, would you walk up to a stranger and ask them to tell someone else that you should give them a job? Of course not.
5. The new connection just wanted freebies.
If you read my summary, I have a number of free resources, and vouchers for discounts to my courses, but I have had to develop some rules about giving my time for free. The reason for this is that I don’t get much free time these days, and the time I do get free is to spend with my family. The only time I’ll give free profile reviews or resume advice is when:
- the person is a family member. My family put up with me, so it’s only fair that I give something back!
- the person is a friend of a family member. I’m more than happy to help close friends of family for the same reason as above.
- the person is a veteran transitioning into civilian life. I owe freedoms that I take for granted to these people, so if I can offer advice on a LinkedIn group, then I’m happy to help.
- someone offers me coffee or lunch in exchange for advice. I love talking about LinkedIn and how you can make it work for you, so promise me good coffee and I’m yours!
If you’d like to know how to remove someone, then simply go to their profile, click on the drop down arrow. The Last option is to “remove connection”.
If you’re looking to improve your profile, why not download my free ebook Mastering LinkedIn ebook from BookBoon.