Why I'm Protecting My Social Circle in 2019

Remember when you first signed up for Facebook? Chances are you added whoever tried to add you, brands››› that sent you page likes requests were added on auto-pilot and that annoying person from high school who's now that annoying person in the adult world somehow made it onto your friends list. Then you probably carried that habit over onto LinkedIn. I did it and according to a Mashable poll from 2016 so did over 70% of users.

In 2019, the name of the game is tightening up social circles. This is true for many, especially in my case. Here's how I use my social networks:

• Facebook: I only add people I know or with whom I have 100+ connections in common. When it comes to brands, I only add them and have turned off notifs to get invites.

• LinkedIn: This is a professional playground, so to speak. So, that in mind I only add those whom I can see having a mutually beneficial relationship. Two good examples would be someone who could potentially be a client. I benefit by getting a client and they benefit from my agency giving them ROI backed campaigns. Another would be someone in an industry that I could see myself needing in the future.

• Instagram: I'll add anyone in my industry, that I know, or who interacts with my written word.

• Twitter: I don't even bother with the tweets anymore. It's become too negative of a space.

There are clear no-brainer blocks in my social world:

• Lead gen companies not willing to give up real proof of concept or not willing to work on commission.

• Someone who sends me a spammy message with a connection request.

• Any business on LinkedIn that has their business name as their profile name.

• Any person or business with following counts that dwarf their followers count.

I protect my social circles because just like the real world, I wouldn't give anyone the time of day if they weren't following basic social decorum. Social media is no different. It's SOCIAL media, which means you should be trying to build relationships, not throw digital billboards at people and hope someone wants what you have to offer (personally and professionally).