How do I add instant messenger to LinkedIn?

LinkedIn is a popular professional networking site used by millions of people around the world. One of the great features of LinkedIn is the ability to communicate directly with other members through instant messaging. Instant messaging allows you to have real-time conversations with connections, making it easy to collaborate, ask questions, and build relationships. If you want to activate instant messaging on LinkedIn, there are just a few simple steps you need to follow.

Enable Your LinkedIn Account for Instant Messaging

The first thing you need to do is make sure your LinkedIn account is set up to use instant messaging. Here’s how:

1. Go to your LinkedIn homepage and click on the “Me” icon at the top of the page (your profile picture).
2. From the dropdown menu, select “Settings & Privacy”.
3. On the left side of the page, click on “Communications”.
4. Under “Instant messaging”, toggle the switch to “Yes”.

Enabling this setting allows LinkedIn to share your profile with Microsoft services for instant messaging. You’ll also be able to see which of your connections are available to message in real-time.

Download a Compatible Instant Messaging Application

To send and receive messages through LinkedIn, you’ll need to have an instant messaging app installed on your computer or mobile device. LinkedIn’s instant messaging feature works through Microsoft apps and services.

Here are some compatible instant messaging apps you can use:

• Microsoft Teams – Desktop and mobile app pre-installed with Microsoft 365 subscriptions. Also available as a free standalone app.
• Skype – Longstanding instant messaging app for desktop and mobile devices. Free to download.
• Windows Live Messenger – IM app built into Windows XP through Windows 8. No longer supported after 2013.
• Microsoft Edge browser – Has built-in instant messaging through Microsoft services. Enabled through Collections.

Microsoft Teams or Skype are your best options for chatting through LinkedIn on a variety of devices. Be sure to download and install one of these apps before moving to the next steps.

Log Into Your Instant Messaging App

Once you have a compatible instant messaging app installed, you need to log in using your Microsoft account credentials. Here’s how to get logged in:

1. Open your instant messaging application on your desktop or mobile device.
2. Look for the option to “Sign in” or “Log in”. This is typically found on the landing page when you first open the app.
3. Enter your Microsoft email address and password. These are the same credentials you use for Outlook, OneDrive, etc.
4. If prompted, choose to “Keep me signed in” or “Remember me”. This will save your credentials for next time.

You should now be logged into your instant messaging app and ready to connect with LinkedIn contacts.

Start Instant Messaging Through LinkedIn

Now that everything is set up, starting a chat conversation with your LinkedIn connections is easy. Just follow these steps:

1. Open the LinkedIn app or go to the LinkedIn website.
2. Find the profile of the connection you want to message.
3. Click on the “Message” button on their profile.
4. This will open up a messaging window connected to your instant messaging app.
5. Type your message and hit enter to send it.

That’s all there is to it! The person you message will see your text in real-time and be able to respond instantly. You’ll see an indicator on LinkedIn when they are actively viewing messages.

Use Instant Messaging to Connect With Your Network

Now that you know how to enable and use LinkedIn’s instant messaging feature, here are some tips for getting the most out of it:

• Wish someone a happy birthday or congratulate them on career updates in their feed.
• Follow up after connecting to introduce yourself and start a dialogue.
• Ask connections for quick advice or insights related to their industry.
• Send online meeting invites to schedule time to talk.
• Give thanks and recognition for endorsements or recommendations.
• Quickly share an article or other content that would interest them.

Instant messaging makes connecting on LinkedIn much more personal and conversational. You can strengthen relationships, network more effectively, and bring your LinkedIn community to life through real-time chat.

Troubleshooting LinkedIn Instant Messaging Issues

In some cases, you may run into technical difficulties getting LinkedIn’s instant messaging feature to work properly. Here are some common issues and ways to troubleshoot them:

Can’t See Which Connections are Online

If you’ve enabled instant messaging in your LinkedIn settings but still don’t see indicators showing which of your connections are available to message, try these steps:

1. Make sure you’ve downloaded a compatible IM app like Skype or Teams.
2. Confirm instant messaging is enabled in your account under “Settings & Privacy”.
3. Log out and back into LinkedIn to refresh the connection status.
4. Check your instant messaging app to confirm you are logged in.

Messages Not Going Through

If your messages aren’t being delivered when trying to chat through LinkedIn, the issue may be with your instant messaging app. Try these troubleshooting tips:

1. Make sure your IM app is running in the background.
2. Confirm you have an active internet connection on your device.
3. Restart your instant messaging app and log back in.
4. Update your IM app to the latest version.
5. Uninstall and reinstall your instant messaging app.

Connections Can’t See Your Messages

If the person you are trying to chat with isn’t seeing your instant messages, a few things could be going on:

1. They may not have IM enabled in their LinkedIn settings.
2. They might not be logged into a compatible IM app.
3. Your messages could be getting filtered as spam.
4. There might be connectivity issues on their end.

Have them check their settings, app login, and internet connection. If the problem persists, try emailing them instead.

Conclusion

Enabling and using LinkedIn’s instant messaging feature is a great way to develop deeper, more personal connections with your professional network. With just a few simple steps, you can activate messaging directly through your LinkedIn feed and engage with key contacts in real-time. Take advantage of instant messaging to build relationships, ask for advice, and bring your LinkedIn profile to life through active conversations.