Deciding between my LinkedIn Personal Profile and Company Page is a common query in most of training sessions. To begin, let’s ensure we grasp the contrast between a LinkedIn Company Page and a LinkedIn Personal Profile.
LinkedIn Personal Profile:
Your LinkedIn Personal Profile is your own space on the platform. It’s where you share insights into your identity, professional journey, and your company’s role if you’re the owner. In my view, a Personal Profile should convey a personal tone to come across as approachable.
LinkedIn Company Page:
On the other hand, your LinkedIn Company Page represents your business. It’s a page that can be managed by multiple team members within your company. Primarily, it functions as a broadcasting tool to enhance your company’s visibility.
Now, let’s delve into why I advocate a stronger focus on your Personal Profile:
People Connect with People, Not Companies:
In my experience, accumulating followers for your Company Page can be quite challenging unless you’re a corporate giant like Apple or Dell. People on LinkedIn prefer connecting with you as the business owner, not your company. They care about the person behind the business. So, rather than pushing something they’re not interested in, it’s more effective to establish human connections first. Business connections naturally follow, and on LinkedIn, this is achieved by connecting with individuals through your Personal Profile.
Company Pages Lack Flexibility:
As for Company Pages, they are relatively static and primarily suited for broadcasting messages. In my open letter to Jeff Weiner, LinkedIn’s CEO, I’ve emphasized that Company Pages have become less interesting. Without features like Product & Services pages, they have become essentially one-way broadcasting tools. While they are excellent for building brand recognition, they fall short in an era where human-to-human connections are paramount.
Personal Profiles Offer More Versatility:
Compared to Company Pages, Personal Profiles offer greater customization. You can enhance your Personal Profile with videos, presentations, published articles through LinkedIn Pulse, details about causes you support, ongoing projects, and more.
So, Should You Still Create a LinkedIn Company Page?
Yes! Despite my earlier comments, I recommend creating a LinkedIn Company Page for several reasons:
1. Enhanced Search Visibility:
LinkedIn Company Pages are well indexed by search engines, enhancing your online presence.
2. Boosts Company Branding:
If your target audience is on LinkedIn, having a Company Page and sharing content can significantly contribute to your company’s branding and visibility.
3. Connects Your Team:
A LinkedIn Company Page serves as an excellent way to connect all your employees if they’ve set up their Personal Profiles correctly. Additionally, your company logo will appear on all your employees’ profiles.
4. Enables Sponsored Updates:
If you wish to run sponsored updates and target specific prospects, a Company Page is necessary.
In conclusion, the Personal Profile and Company Page on LinkedIn both have their roles and advantages. While your Personal Profile is the key to forming personal connections and showcasing your versatility, a Company Page bolsters your brand’s presence and offers specific benefits. A balanced approach, incorporating both, often proves most effective in utilizing the full potential of LinkedIn.
Should you require assistance, feel free to explore my ‘LinkedIn for Your Profile’ service or take a look at my Conscious Business Contact page.
