It was
nearly 2 years ago that I was sat with some colleagues and the notion of the
“LinkedIn Lurker” was raised. I’m not sure if the term was ever in common
parlance but the notion of social media lurking has stuck in my mind ever
since.
Then this
morning the wonderful and very engaging @AlisonChisnell tweeted confessing to a bit of
LinkedIn lurking. Later on @James_Mayes, @lesanto and myself got into a chat about
career & business coaches lurking on Twitter or roaming networks without
engaging with people.
I’m not aware of a conventional definition but for me you are
lurking if you choose to observe discussions rather than participate, engage
& contribute. Nothing wrong with that perhaps - we all choose to
participate in a manner that suits us.
However, if LinkedIn is akin to a business conference, and Twitter
is like a cocktail party, why would you bother to go to either and say nothing?
To engage with no-one, only to watch. To take what you can but contribute
nothing at all. You wouldn’t deliberately... in fact, if you did lurk at a
conference or party people might actively avoid you!
My experience is that when you engage you build relationships and
mutual respect. When you contribute you get so much more back. When you do both
you grow and develop. When you do neither you are irrelevant.
What are your thoughts on social media lurking? When is it ever a
valid position to hold? Would love to hear your thoughts!
