What is wrong with Linkedin "entrepreneurs/CEOs/Founders/Experts/Value Providers"?
I've been using linkedin for a couple months now and it's ridiculous how many people give themselves big titles like "CEO" when they haven't even graduated college. It seems like my generation is obsessed with entrepreneurship - so much so they start to "fake until you make it". You see phrases like "ambitious aspiring world-changer" , "enthusiastic business and networking expert" on their profiles.
And have you seen all the annoying posts people make on linkedin with inspirational quotes - they say they're "providing value" but I don't know what kind of fucking value am I getting from wasting 10 seconds of my life on another "work hard play hard" quote. The only people that seem to appreciate these posts are posters themselves. It's a fucking circle jerk of Mark Zuckerberg-wannabes. Why don't you STFU and focus on making your product/service better or coming up with one in the first place before you start acting like you're Steve Jobs making a commencement speech.
The guys in Sales and Marketing are the fucking worst of them all. It's like god gave the sleezy door-to-door salesman who failed in college access to the internet. Then sometimes you have people who can't stop talking about how they (want to) work "20 hours a week" And please don't try to sell me your bullshit books and advice like you're a Jack Welch descendant.
In all seriousness, what are these people trying to do? Are they trying to build a brand for themselves like Gary V or Tony Robbins? Are they trying to network to find a real entrepreneur to leach off of?
Don't get me wrong - I respect real entrepreneurs. Thiel Fellows, people actually disrupting the market with new innovative technology, etc. I think it just takes away from the real hard work and success of true entrepreneurs when there are so many fakers/wannabes blowing up your linkedin feeds.
Mod Note (Andy): top 50 posts of 2017, this one ranks #50 (based on # of silver bananas)
I might chuckle but I don't worry about people flaunting fake titles. A title doesn't do anything.
People like that are cancer.
Like serious cancer, because they're the exact people that get to 28 and have no clue what the hell happened. Now, the thing to also realize is that some of those people, even without HUGE value adds can build a brand like a Gary V or Grant Cardone (I call him Cardone Jones). It's small steps. It's 5 likes, then its 10 likes, then its 20 likes and so on and so forth.
Most exposure on Facebook/Linkedin/Instagram are all about volume at first. Similar to almost any sales/marketing avenue. It's pushing out as much as possible, finding out what works and doesn't, then switching to that, and then rinse and repeat.
One buddy of mine did this. Started at 20 years old calling himself an influencer. But he did it right. He would go out and network, and he would read and consume pretty much everything he could. Now he has over 10,000 followers on Linkedin, 20,000 on Instagram and not even sure on Facebook. I know for certain he's going to push 100K this year with a relatively lifestyle type business.
The best thing to do? Ignore the people who aren't producing quality content. If it's good content, give it a like or a share or comment. Otherwise, ignore it, downvote, throw monkey shit at it. Doesn't matter, but the worst thing you can do is give praise when they've done absolutely nothing.
Hm. That's interesting. What's the point of building a Linkedin following though? What does one gain from that (monetarily)? If you're just an "influencer" but nothing to show, who's going to pay you to do speak or consult? I don't really get it. Like, is your buddy making a consistent living off of this?
Buddy does young executive coaching. So the Linkedin content builds his credibility, and gives exposure to draw people to his website. Obviously from there, he has built up a list of subscribers for his content. If you consult about how to build a brand/influencer status, it's not as hard if you have the results (being said brand).
Believe it or not, most people who do speeches or consulting (especially in the realm most of these influencers are) aren't exactly the BEST at consulting. They're great speakers, and they're sharp. Combine those two and you can make money hand over fist.
hold up can i call myself an influencer?
Top 100 on Wall Street Oasis | Social Media Influencer | 2,500+ Banana Points
hahaha
lmao
This is perhaps the greatest problem of the 21st century
Yeah, I mean I have around 10k Instagram followers posting motivational quotes, but it's partly just to get a large audience for when I start my own business. I get around 2800 likes per post, which is really high engagement compared to others in my niche or with similar followers, and I figure that it'll be a decent, free marketing platform. If it gets big enough, I can even start selling shout-outs and advertising. So maybe it's something similar to this, where they're trying to build a platform for themselves.
Fair enough. Having a network and a following can be helpful when starting certain types of businesses. I still believe that true startup gems should focus on the product/service itself. Some of these guys are spending way too much time faking it than actually making it
People aren't obsessed with entrepeneurship(sp), they just want things to come their way easy. How can they not believe this will happen they have been coddled their whole lives from elementary school to college where anyone can graduate. I had a wakeup call when I was 24 and turned away from this and only focus on hard work and self improvement.
Just food for thought: Today I was forwarded a third party introduction email that was sent to a buddy of mine. The person doing the introduction suggested that the person he was introducing my bud to is a venture capitalist/incubator of some sort. Sounded suspicious so I checked out his linkedin. 2 years in some sort of back office function, to 'Founder' of some start-up (couldnt find anything on the web suggesting they did anything valuable over their almost 5 year life), to becoming Managing Director of the so called venture/incubator. I try not to hate, and give ppl the benefit of the doubt but there needs to be some kind of asterisk if your company doesnt actually do shit. Show some modesty and call yourself a project lead or something if you are just trying to get it off the ground. Also, if you are creating something just to give yourself a reason to add CEO/Founder to your linkedin page, I'd bet my money that whatever you are working on is useless and provides no value. Linkedin should do something about these false prophets.
Preach!
The strategy consultant CEO with a degree in management and 0 experience is my favorite. Also, incoming "anything" is a major peeve. Sorry, but incoming is something you yell when artillery and mortars are getting launched at you.
And then this shit: Driven | Leader | Status Quo Disrupter | D-bag
My personal favorite is when they include | Mother/Father/Proud Parent |
I have an acquaintance who put there title as "Stay at Home Dog Mom" on linkedin and she is single.
haha! Silver Banana incoming
It can admit it gets a touch annoying at times, but dude everyone is faking it until they make it.
I absolutely don't want you to think I'm attacking you personally, but what's the difference between what those people are doing on LinkedIn and you having the "PE" symbol next to your username when you are still a student?
This exactly - life is a game of selling yourself.
Don't throw rocks in a glass house.
Life is about selling yourself-selling your skills.
These people people are "look at me" first, "buy my products" second..."my skills" a distant third.
Fair. Everyone is faking it to some extent. You're right, I'm just a student but anyways, WSO forces me to choose a target industry so that's why there's a PE symbol
Again i wasn't throwing shade (note your lack of MS-at least at the time of this posting) and don't feel like you have to explain your selected title on this anonymous forum lol, everyone including myself has had to shine their shit in some way in order to get where they are today.
At the end of the day, it's just not worth getting yourself worked up to the point of ranting on a website (it is a great way to Banana farm tho so props if that was your purpose). On a serious note, don't ever think that you'll lose a head to head job interview to one of these people if you really do have concrete backing compared to the obvious fluff pieces you see on the inter-webs.
Every time I see something like: "Visionary. Maker. World-class wanker.", I want to find the person and staple them to death.
Me too!
A guy that use to go to my school (he dropped out) has this as his title "CEO - (Company Name), Lifestyle Coach, (blank) Industry Leader, Forbes 30 under 30 Nominee"
I nearly died reading this. If I'm being honest, I wouldn't be surprised if he is on this website giving advice out like he is the CEO of company.
I sure hope no person falls for that shit
I'd hope not. Sucks though because he is actually a really nice guy. I just think he replicated what he has seen on LinkedIn.
I'd shy away from the life is about selling yourself argument. Hard to decscribe, but if I get the feeling somebody is more focused on looking 'big league' as opposed to actually creating something of value, you are a bullshitter in my book and I'll take a mental note of that. I get what plpl are saying, you gotta sell yourself, but not to the point where you seem like you are full of shit and yourself.
Exactly! Selling yourself is always important but you have to back it up cuz if you don't, people will poke right through that balloon. Also, if u are spending more energy/time selling yourself rather than proving yourself, you won't get far.
There is a difference between lying about being a Forbes 30 under 30 nominee and presenting your experience in the best way.
Even the most mundane jobs can be spun into better opportunities by portraying them in the right light through the aforementioned selling techniques.
I do think pretending to be "big league" is something different however and is not the same as the selling yourself philosophy - its just lying about your accomplishments
I like it.
Wouldn't it be great if all the idiots in life wore nice, shiny, buttons?
A kid I go to school with's title is "Investor and Entrepreneur" he has had one internship in 3 years of college.
You guys are getting too worked up about titles. There are only two differentiations. Those who make 7+ figures and those who are in the triple comma club.
Seeing as though I'm one of those sales/marketing guys(i was given this title).I'm just looking for some insight. Anyone know the most effective way to gain assets under management.I'm just a guy that will work 70 hours a week to be successful.No entitlement issues here.
70 hours of effort by no means produces solid returns.
You're going to have to join a firm or produce your own track record to gain the trust of outside investors.
Thanks, Isaiah I currently am working for an emerging manager. I have a lot of experience with B2B sales. but this is an adventure for me and am willing to put all my efforts to be that
LinkedIn has turned into a total shit show. People are treating it like FB posting stupid memes and all sorts of unprofessional nonsense. Basically, I don't care if people have silly titles on a silly website. Seems par for the course.
I don't see any point in trying to make sense out of this. Let me give you a simple answer: there are countless idiots in this world.
Absolutely, can't stand these people on LinkedIn. Everytime I see someone whose profile says "CEO of ____ Media" I pretty much assume they are an instagram hoe or run a meme page.
Last few months the worst thing I have seen is the rise of tons of people calling themselves "Blockchain Experts" and writing articles about buy bitcoins now, when they have zero tech experience or insights. Just garbage
similar to those fags on insta who post gary v quotes layered on top of pictures of their armani watch wrapped little wrists resting on the steering wheels of their leased maseratis with the baby on board sticker. or the bitches who do butt exercises and wont shut up how blessed they are
I was just thinking this. Every time I go on Linkedin I have connection requests from more "Visionaries".
Like literally freshmen in college with the headline "Visionary Marketing Expert" or some BS like that. I used to think it was laugh out loud funny but it's gotten out of hand these days.
I love how these "fake it 'til you make it" types love to flaunt cheap/gaudy shit on social media, accompanied by some equally cheesy #entrepreneur #bosslife #startuplifestyle hashtags.
Yeah, that's a nice Porche you're posing in front, but the $199 men's wearhouse suit and fake Rolex isn't fooling anyone.
Before you know it, they're promoting the latest MLM scam.
Couldn't agree more
I feel you bro. Some people on my feed also have a blind obsession with entrepreneurship they think working for someone else is a sin.
All these people jumping on the #Influencer entrepreneurship route need to realize that successful entrepreneurs see opportunity and value in industries and markets that are failing, undeserved, or don't even exist yet. To do that, you need a mentality that is completely opposite to being a bandwagon LinkedIn tool.
What's worse are the losers who consistently like these psuedoinspirational posts.
I purged my LinkedIn of about 75 people last week (mainly looking to remove a lot of the deadbeats I added in high school), and among those I axed were the aforementioned.
I think I read on "Ego is the enemy" by Ryan Holiday "talking and hype has been replacing work". In this day and age, especially with social media, people care more about talking about their plans than working itself. The worst part that there are all this guys who like their posts and shit and they get validation. Now they really believe they're hustling and progressing in live. It's fucking pathetic.
Also nowadays the easiest business to open is through the internet. You can do with almost no money and you only need to master sales/marketing. That's it: now you can call yourself an entrepreneur, the highest class on society.
Personal favorites are the dudes with CEO of (Last Name) Enterprises then in the description have this bullshit namedropping big companies when it is really just Amway-- LOL
"Utilizing the cutting-edge industries of E-Commerce and Social Networking to transform the realm of marketing. I develop business communities across the globe and empower entrepreneurs to strengthen their leadership and reach their potential.
Over the years our team has partnered with numerous prestigious Fortune 500 companies which include, but are not limited to, Apple, Starbucks, Under Armour, Visa, Dell, Barnes & Noble, Disney, AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint, Home Depot, Office Depot, and Best Buy. We have partnership with numerous exclusive companies, which vary in industry from health & wellness to beauty to employee gift incentives."
My personal favorite is the dude who writes a post like "why i didn't went to college and why you shouldn't go either".
Says the dude who is doing online marketing and calls himself a CEO at 23 years old.
Maybe we can add to our list plagiarists who nick copy from other people's profiles to stick on their own and make themselves look more important?
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