A slew of "join my network" requests hit my e-mail box this week. It prompted a personal OMIGAWD moment, when I realized that people had actually viewed my many online profiles. I had to ask myself: What do my AIMPage, Facebook, MySpace, and LinkedIn pages say about me?"

Since my work involves online communities and social networks, I joined all of the major social networking sites to learn about them. Because playing in my social networks is a bit like taking a bus driver's holiday, my profiles and networks suffer from deferred maintenance.

Social networks require that their members create, maintain, and facilitate connections. For those too busy or introverted like me, social networking can be... well... work. Hard work.

Still, whether we like it or not, our public profiles reflect on our professional lives. I decided to take an "objective" look at my own and evaluate my online self. It wasn't pretty. I found consistent themes that ran through my social networking attempts -- a virtual list of mortal sins for people who run communities:

* Lack of quality content
* Absence of engaging widgets
* A failure to respond to comments or requests in a timely manner
* A general lack of attention to my online presence

The worst part, for me, is that others (even those who know me well) might get the wrong impressions about my professionalism or dedication to my 'craft.' The state of my LinkedIn profile makes it look as though I don't care about my resume, professional connections or future employment potential.

* Note to everyone who has asked for a job recommendation: I'm so sorry, but I just saw your requests. Yes, even the one from last January. Recommendations coming soon. If you're in a hurry, please Instant Message or e-mail me.

* Note to anyone who would like to give me a job recommendation: Please feel free. I'll never ask because I'm afraid I'll make you uncomfortable and/or that you will say no.

* Note to anyone who has not been asked to join my network: I really want you to join, but I won't ask because I'm just afraid you won't; but, feel free to ask me to join yours. I join everything.

This exercise led me to think: if I didn't work here, would I have joined any of these networks? How should we balance work-related social networking with personal social networks? Can one be a social networking professional without participating fully in virtual networks? How do the most effective among us handle all this? Am I the only one who worries about this? Am I so busy answering all these questions I can't find time to participate. Should my efforts to downsize my off-line life extend to my online life was well?

What condition are your online profiles in? Take a look and let me know. Are you happy with them?