What’s Your Strategy for Accepting Invitations on LinkedIn? What About on Facebook?

So many networks to join, and so little understanding as to whether I should…

In Joyce Lain Kennedy’s article in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel “Online Networking Done Right,” a reader questions the purpose of accepting invitations to join the LinkedIn networks of people she doesn’t know. 

I’ve often wondered the same thing. Is there a reason to do it? 

Since LinkedIn is used so much more for business, I’ve been protective of my network, accepting invitations only from people I know so that I could feel comfortable recommending them or connecting them to others when the opportunity came up.  I see it almost as an implied endorsement.

However, when I first set up my Facebook profile a few months ago, I thought initially that I could let my hair down and be more open with who I accept as a “friend.”  I haven’t had any reservations accepting requests from people who are friends of friends.  After all, it’s like going to a friend’s party and meeting folks from all the other aspects of her life. 

But a few invitations are sitting in my inbox from people I have no links to at all, one from a nice young man who was born the year I graduated from high school (he’s only 5, no not really).

Should I accept?  Is there a downside?  Is there an upside?  Do you treat invitations on LinkedIn and Facebook differently?

Comments

[Veronica]

Well both Linkedin & Facebook are into networking but as far as facebook is concerned, its more towards fun & socially involving with the crowd. whereas linkedin is more into business networking. facebook is more of fun but linkedin is more professional. In linkedin you can find more of people who are working or into business or seeking for job, so its more like professional tool. whereas with facebook its only fun & keeping in touch with your friends. Linkedin looks more serious so there's no harm in accepting the request. Linkedin has become more user friendly as i can access it over the phone through sms without internet.
www.modazzle.com?channel=linkedin17

[Scott Bradley]

I talk about this on my blog...very much in depth!

[Patricia]

I prefer to segregate my professional networking [using Linked In] from catching up with friends [using Facebook, which is much more informal]. If a friend is valuable in terms of professional networking, I would send him/her a separate invitation to join Linked In.