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This may be the last time you hear from me.

As you may know, the Smashing Pumpkins are looking for a new guitarist, and maybe it’s finally time to throw my hat in the ring. As of today, my Slack status has been officially changed to ‘Busy Practicing for my SP audition.’ What do you think…don’t quit my day job?

In the meantime, give this song by the Pumpkins a listen as I polish my guitar riffs for my audition! Oh – and let’s also see what the experts are saying this week…

Oversharing on LinkedIn

We all use LinkedIn in our daily business lives. When I first started using LinkedIn, it was a good way to stay in contact with your professional network. Over the years it has expanded and turned into an integral part of many professional lives. However, some would say that it’s become very noisy and losing its focus. Others say that it’s simply a forum for “self-actualizing virtue signaling.”

No matter your opinion on the platform, most would agree that oversharing on LinkedIn is getting worse. According to Forbes, this phenomenon isn’t new, and it could be that the lines have blurred – and many people consider those in their networks close personal friends and confidants!

Today, many professionals overshare almost like the public act of confession itself will remedy their situation. “Misery loves company” could be the simple answer for many, and they hope to use LinkedIn as a therapy session, or to receive emotional or concrete support that they may feel they don’t get in their personal lives. And some may overshare simply because they imagine they’re so important or interesting that others will be fascinated or concerned.

What do you think? Is this a case of (as this week’s song mentions) those who are desperate and displeased with whoever they are? Either way, I think it’s about balance. As in all things marketing, understanding your voice and your brand is important. How much you share – and how you share it – has an impact.

(Over) Sharing Pumpkins

What do you think about the Smashing Pumpkins’ public announcement of their guitarist search? The lucky person will replace Jeff Schroeder, who has been a touring guitarist with the band for 16 years. He left the gig back in October. Here’s the interesting (and inspiring) thing about Jeff – he got the gig while he was a student at UCLA. A friend messaged him with details of the job and said “You should apply, dude.” He did and he got it.

So what’s the deal with the announcement? Do you think they’re REALLY going to audition for the job? Are they searching for that hidden diamond you cannot find?

Or is this like that B2B tradeshow, where the winners of the raffle usually also happen to be the vendor’s biggest clients and prospects?

Maybe it’s a big PR stunt. Maybe I’ll never get my big break. Who knows? But they definitely got my attention!

As always, don’t hesitate to call me to brainstorm or just say hello!

Looking forward,
Rick

Rick Endrulat, President | ricke@v-causeway.com | www.linkedin.com/in/rickendrulat