1. Define your connection strategy
LinkedIn is a networking platform and so the fine print on the LinkedIn connection invitation that says ‘Only connect with people you know’ does not make sense. However, you need to define your own connection strategy and connect with people who are valuable to your network. Read about my personal connection strategy. And of course, if you’re the one to send the invitation you need to always …

2. Personalize the invitation
Yes, I really recommend you personalize each and every invitation, even if you’ve just met the person the night before. It’s the first step of a new relationship on LinkedIn. Make a good first impression!

3. Stop adding your LinkedIn contacts to your mailing list
Yes, you technically can export all your connections into an Excel spreadsheet, but NO, you cannot add them to your mailing list without their consent. Just because you are connected on LinkedIn doesn’t mean that this person necessarily is interested in your newsletter !

4. Stop posting unprofessional content
LinkedIn is a professional platform, as I’m sure you know. So why are you posting silly games, math problems and other time wasters? To make sure you let everyone know that you have time to waste? Because that’s clearly the message that they are receiving. LinkedIn is for professional content, in any kind of format.

5. Stop ‘liking’ your connections’ unprofessional content
Maybe you’re not the one posting the silly games, but even if you participate in them (like them, comment, share them) your network will still associate your name with them. So be careful about what you like !