My Top LinkedIn Peeves.

I am an open networker on LinkedIn.  This means that I am open to all network invitations and I agree to not DNK (Do not know) or Spam an invitation.  This also brings many interesting invitations and profiles into my inbox to review.  Tonight was one of those nights.  I had 600 invitations to review (and to be honest I still have 236).  I am a choosy person and I want a network that is not only beneficial to me but to others in my contact list.  I have compiled my least favorite profile attributes and just wanted to share:

A picture in worth a thousand words.
If you have no icon or picture how do I know who you are and why I should connect with you?  Even worse, if your picture shows you posing in your favorite evening gown or in that bikini or (yes I have seen this) speedo you just loved I will more than likely not accept your invitation.  Your picture should be somewhat professional.  This is not a yearbook – this is a professional networking site.

Your opening line is my first impression.
What is your title?  Is it something you thought about?  Does it ask something of your network or share something about your creativity or specific skills?  If I see a liquor store employee with a title of “wine and spirit expert” good chance I will accept that invitation.  My favorite this week was a Mom who put her position as CFO of the Thompson Group.  She is the Chief Family Officer of her family, the Thompsons.  She also blogs and works for children’s rights.  This is a person worth knowing.  If on the other hand you have no title or it is one I cannot understand (ABC/LMNOP adviser at XYZ Company) then I have no idea of who you are or what I can do for you.  Most likely I will pass.

Did you company just agree to cover a TopLinked membership?
In one day I received 27 invitations from one marketing company in Atlanta.  Either they all just decided at the exact same time the investment was worth it or one person in the company joined and shared the list and they all reached out.  Why do I need to know more than one of you?  If you do not tell me in your invitation – then the most interesting one gets my accept and the rest go to archive.

You are out to grow a number, not a network.
Many people have come to understand how social networking works.  If you have 1000 contacts on Facebook but you only talk to three – you really do not need 1000 contacts.  If you have 800 Twitter followers but you never retweet or carry on conversations, you do not need to be on Twitter – you just want to hear yourself tweet.  If you are in TopLinked to get 50K contacts , I know you are not talking to them or facilitating communications.  If in your name you have LION5000+, I will pass on your invitation.  You are more interested in a number than a network.

Your profile shares no information or has “private” on the company name.
I will not accept your invitation if you do not tell me what you do, where you have done this or what you are looking for.  If you cannot or will not share your company name why are you on LinkedIn?  Can you just say “secret government job that does not allow me to tell you” this may peak my interest.  How about letting me know what you want in a network connection.  If you cannot fill in your profile I have to wonder what you will have to contribute to my network. 

These are just my top 5 pet peeves.  IF you have more to share, pass them on.