Question: Should I respond to a LinkedIn request if I don’t recognize the name and the profile doesn’t even have a photo?
Answer: Thanks for your question! You have hit on one of my pet peeves. I actually have a rule: No photo, no linking in. Well, actually my approach is not that blunt. If the person has taken the time to select a moniker or avatar (in lieu of posting a photo) and if the profile is thoughtful and sophisticated, I accept the invitation. And, if it is a longtime friend who is a novice to social media, of course I accept. For all others, I send a note back: Thank you for reaching out. Please remind me where we met or how we know each other. And by the way, there is a glitch, your photograph is missing from your profile.
You can imagine the response I typically receive: no response. Your social network has value and in the same manner that you wouldn’t invite just anyone into your home, you should manage your network with the same care.
Why? Consider the following
- Do you know the person?
- What is your relationship: professional? casual? never met?
- Does the person have a complete profile?
- How do you benefit from being associated with this person? Will the connection strengthen your brand or weaken it?
Note: I enjoy being on LinkedIn because I am a visual person and it helps me “see” my network. From time to time, I refresh my connections by “pruning out” contacts who are unhelpful or who behave badly. What practice do you have in place?