And while I wouldn’t necessarily delete or ignore a contact just because they asked to move that exchange to another medium, I’ll agree with Mitchell in that “incomplete” efforts are missed opportunities; they are worse than no effort, because of wasted resources and opportunity costs.

It’s like sending sales literature and not making the follow-up call. Or, if you want a sports analogy, not following-through in your swing. Where does it get you? Not very far.

I once read a great comment from a successful entrepreneur who was asked what he thought was his “success secret.” He answered, “I’m a finisher in a world of starters.”

Amen.

The issue you raise, I believe, ties into a broader one about the best approach to marketing (assuming that online social networks are a form of marketing) — one I struggled with on and off over the years as an independent consultant. Where are the best places for me to put my time, energy, and money? Which ones will deliver the most benefits in terms of helping me to meet business and social needs? I’ve seen many self-employed business professionals struggle with the same topic, which has translated into what I’ll charitably call incomplete or partial attempts to take advantage of numerous online networking/marketing opportunities.

I’ll stop there and await your feedback.

Good to connect with you here.

The purpose of networking -and therefore a network - is to “connect” with others, whether to share interests or ideas or business contacts or exchange any other type of information. If information is to be shared, why care about the medium of choice?

Ironically, you asked LinkedIn members to comment to THIS site. Just a thought.