Good manners apply online as well as off. This is especially true when requesting website link exchanges.
Imagine you are at a social gathering where you have the opportunity to meet a lot of interesting executives connected to your line of business or work.
You are talking with a small group of like minded individuals and you are discussing a topic of common interest. Suddenly another guest joins the group and within seconds diverts the conversation to talking about himself, his company and why those in this group should work or do business with his company. The group soon breaks up disinterested at the aggressive individual.
The guy who selfishly butted in now looks for another little group to do the same again, with the same results – no one is interested, as he tries to dominate the conversation!
The better way for this executive would be to respect the others; by not being pushy; contribute to the conversation yet wrap his sales message within what he says. In other words, he is showing he is a good guy to get to know. This way he is building up credibility. The conversation continues and at the appropriate moment, name cards are willingly...