The Jeff Pulver Blog: Social Networking Principle #1: An Introduction is an Endorsement

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September 07, 2008

Social Networking Principle #1: An Introduction is an Endorsement

When a friend of mine asks to be introduced to another one of my friends, I usually never think twice about it and I just make the introduction. I have no issues connecting two people who are friends of mine to each other. And many times I have been the one who made the first move in introducing two friends of mine to each other.

One thing I would almost never do is introduce a total stranger to a friend since I generally wouldn’t want this happening to myself.

As Social Networking continue to grow, one concept that many people fail to recognize is that in real life “an introduction is an endorsement.” And this is something I continue to take to heart whenever I’m online. I believe we have a social obligation to respect our friends on social networks and resist the temptation of introducing our friends to people whom we don’t know just because a social networking platform makes it easy for us to do so.

But while I would not be the person to introduce a stranger to a friend, as far as I’m concerned, people shouldn’t be shy in trying to make a direct introduction on behalf of themselves. What is the worst thing someone can do? Ignore your request? As long as the person sending email to me isn’t yet another college student asking me to help them write their term paper on disruptive communications, I’m generally pretty good at replying to email requests from people whom I have never met.

How about you? Do you also look at an Introduction as an Endorsement? What is your criteria for playing the role of connector?

Tags: social Networks, linkedin, Jeff Pulver

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Posted by jeff on September 7, 2008 03:35 PM | Permalink

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Posted by: warhammer gold at December 8, 2008 06:22 AM

Perfect. I heard the precise sentiment, about endorsing, expressed when I introduced someone recently.

Framing it as a principle makes it last in my head too! Thanks for this.

Posted by: Mahesh CR at September 21, 2008 04:01 PM

Couldn't agree more. Thanks Jeff!

Posted by: David Young at September 9, 2008 11:08 AM

Absolutely in agreement with you. You have to protect your friends and yourself on many levels.

Posted by: Mimi at September 8, 2008 02:52 PM

"One thing I would almost never do is introduce a total stranger to a friend..."

Isn't that the point of LinkedIn? I have over 400 contacts on there; if a stranger contacts me, and asks to be introduced to one of my contacts, then that is what the system is for. I make it clear using the "personal note to friend" option that I don't know the person making the request, then the friend can choose whether to hear the stranger out or deny it.

John.

Posted by: John Carson at September 8, 2008 02:08 PM

Jeff,

Couldn't agree more. Introductions are very powerful. Always use with caution. A great one makes you look good, a bad one undoes 100 good ones

Richie
www.bootstrapper.com

Posted by: Richie Hecker at September 7, 2008 10:48 PM

couldn't agree w/you more. Blogged the same thing a few years ago and the ceo of LinkedIn chimed in w/an affirming comment. Got to protect the personal brand

http://jer979.blogspot.com/2006/05/protecting-your-assets.html

Posted by: Jeremy at September 7, 2008 08:19 PM

September 07, 2008

Social Networking Principle #1: An Introduction is an Endorsement

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