I agree with your comments and would add that people I do not connect with are the ones who contact me for the first time with a “Hi look at my website or check out my special offer”
What about getting to know me first before you sell at me.
I am always happy to connect with people I do not know as I like to help other businesses wherever I can, so I find Linked in a great opportunity to do that virtual as I get to in the real world.

Best Wishes and now worrying whether I am worthy of a connection!
Mandie
.-= Mandie Holgate´s last blog ..Introductory Blog =-.

Thank u very much for the mention and the reply in the form of a post. As ever very helpful and interesting.

I see LinkedIn predominantly as a referral-generation network, allowing me to ask my trusted contacts for introductions to people they know. If I am connected to people I don’t know, like or trust it would be difficult to ask them to make connections for me, and uncomfortable if they asked me to refer them.

The exception may be people overseas whom I couldn’t stay in touch with otherwise and with whom I share something strong in common. For example, I have accepted LinkedIn connections from people who attended my recent talk in Bucharest because it offers me the best chance of developing a relationship with them. Similarly I connect with fellow writers for The National Networker, most of whom are based in the US, as there is an implied trust through our joint roles at TNNW.

It’s not all black and white, there are always shades of grey and you have to look at each connection on their own merits.
.-= Andy Lopata´s last blog ..Are there cultures where networking just can’t work? =-.