Do you need a personal LinkedIn account to create a company page?

As LinkedIn has become an invaluable tool for networking and building a professional online presence, many businesses are eager to establish a company profile. However, some find themselves wondering – do you need a personal LinkedIn account first before creating a company page? Let’s explore the requirements and steps involved in setting up a LinkedIn company page.

The Short Answer

Yes, you do need a personal LinkedIn account in order to create a LinkedIn company page. The personal account is used to manage and administer the company page once it’s created. Without a personal profile, you won’t have access to create a company page in the first place.

Linking Personal and Company Profiles on LinkedIn

LinkedIn requires a connection between personal and company profiles for a few important reasons:

• Authentication – Having a personal profile associated with the company page verifies that the page was created by an authorized representative of that business.
• Administration – The personal account holder becomes the administrator who can manage the company page settings, analytics, posting, and moderation.
• Engagement – Employees with personal LinkedIn profiles can engage with the company page to share updates, like and comment on posts, and help build the company’s network.

In short, you need a personal LinkedIn account as the basis for creating and running a company profile. The two go hand-in-hand on the platform.

Creating a LinkedIn Company Page: Step-by-Step

Ready to create a LinkedIn company page for your business? Here are the steps involved:

1. Sign in to your personal LinkedIn account.
2. Go to your profile settings and verify your email address if it isn’t already.
3. Click on the Work icon along the top toolbar and select “Create a Company Page” from the dropdown menu.
4. Search for the company name – LinkedIn will check existing pages to avoid duplicates.
5. Select to create a new page if needed and choose the appropriate category for your business (retailer, software company, non-profit, etc).
6. Fill in the company details like description, location, company size, website, and logo.
7. Agree to the terms of use and click “Create Page.”
8. The page will be unpublished initially – review and edit before publishing live.

As the administrator, you can now manage the company page, add additional employees as managers, monitor analytics, post content, and connect with followers. Your personal profile will remain separate from the company page while still being linked behind-the-scenes.

Tips for Managing Your LinkedIn Company Page

Here are some best practices for making the most of your shiny new LinkedIn company page:

• Complete the page – Fill out all details, descriptions, images, contact info, and more. A fully fleshed out page looks more professional.
• Engage frequently – Post updates, news, images, videos, and content on a regular basis.
• Follow relevant voices – Connect with industry leaders, partners, vendors, and influencers.
• Promote the page – Share the URL on your website, emails, other social channels, marketing materials, and anywhere else you can think of.
• Monitor analytics – Keep tabs on your follower count, engagement, clicks, and other metrics.
• Be responsive – Promptly respond to comments, messages, and other feedback from your audience.

Driving engagement on your company page leads to expanding your reach. This supports your overall business goals using the LinkedIn platform.

Key Takeaways

• Yes, a personal LinkedIn profile is required to create a company page – it serves as the administrator account.
• Company pages must be associated with a real authenticated individual, not created anonymously.
• Use your personal profile to manage, post, and engage with the company page.
• Follow LinkedIn’s step-by-step process to set up your customized company page.
• Promote, maintain, monitor, and engage with the page to maximize its impact.

The Benefits of Having a LinkedIn Company Page

Now that you know you need a personal account to get started, you may be wondering – what are the actual benefits of having a LinkedIn company page in the first place? There are many potential upsides:

• Increased visibility – A complete and robust company page makes your business more discoverable on the world’s largest professional networking platform. Appearing in relevant searches drives new awareness and traffic.
• Thought leadership – Share industry insights, trends, and best practices to establish your company as a trusted authority and influencer.
• Recruitment – Promote your employer brand to attract qualified candidates for open positions.
• Customer acquisition – Acquire new leads and customers by promoting your products and services.
• Builds credibility – An active page with a growing network and engagement shows you’re an established and reputable company.
• Humanizes your brand – Give people a peek behind the curtain to learn more about your mission, culture, values, team, and community impact.

These potential benefits make it well worth the effort of creating and cultivating an amazing company profile on LinkedIn.

Conclusion

A LinkedIn company page is a powerful platform for telling your brand’s story, connecting with professionals in your space, promoting your offerings, recruiting talent, and achieving business objectives. While a personal account is required for setup, the ability to then market your organization to LinkedIn’s 875+ million members is an invaluable opportunity.

Invest the time to create a robust and engaging page that properly represents your brand identity. Integrate promotions into your broader marketing campaigns to drive awareness. And actively manage, monitor, and continue growing your company’s LinkedIn presence. Use the platform as a tool to build relationships, nurture leads, and propel your mission. With a strategic and savvy approach, your company page can yield fantastic dividends.