Putting your LinkedIn profile URL in your email signature is a common practice, but is it always a good idea? Here are some quick pros and cons to consider:
Pros:
- Shows professionalism and establishes your personal brand
- Allows people to easily connect with you on LinkedIn
- Can increase your LinkedIn connections and network reach
Cons:
- Some consider it too promotional or salesy
- It adds length to your email signature
- You lose control over who views your full LinkedIn profile
Whether including LinkedIn in your email signature is right for you depends on your goals, industry, job role, and personal preferences. While it can provide benefits, it also comes with some tradeoffs to weigh.
Should you include LinkedIn in your personal email signature?
For personal email accounts, including your LinkedIn URL is less common and may come across as overly promotional. However, it can still be beneficial in some cases:
- If you are currently job searching, it provides an easy way for recruiters and hiring managers to view your full LinkedIn profile.
- For freelancers, consultants, and other solopreneurs, it establishes your professional personal brand.
- When networking and making new professional contacts, it allows them to connect with you.
Overall, the risks are lower with personal email since it is not representing your company brand. But evaluate whether it aligns with how you want to portray your professional image through your personal email communications.
Should you include LinkedIn in your work email signature?
For corporate email signatures, including LinkedIn has become a best practice for many professionals. Here are some of the benefits:
- Adds credibility and establishes you as an industry expert
- Shows you are tech-savvy and social media oriented
- Allows colleagues, partners, and customers to view your full professional profile and connect with you
- Can increase your LinkedIn reach and opportunities
However, there are also some potential drawbacks:
- Some corporate cultures prefer minimalist email signatures
- It could violate company policies or preferences
- Too large or promotional signatures reflect poorly on your company’s brand
- You lose control over who can view your full profile
Check if your company has any guidelines on including LinkedIn or other social media in email signatures. When in doubt, keep it simple and professional.
Tips for adding LinkedIn to your email signature
If you decide to include your LinkedIn URL, here are some best practices:
- Place it at the end or beginning of your signature, not in the middle.
- Use the LinkedIn icon or spell out “LinkedIn” to make it clear what the link is.
- Customize the text, don’t just use your profile URL raw.
- Make sure the link works and directs to your profile.
- Keep the overall signature concise, 3-5 lines max.
Here are some examples:
- Jane Smith | Account Manager | Acme Co. | LinkedIn
- Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yourprofile
Avoid overly salesy language like “Follow me on LinkedIn!” Stick to simple and professional.
Should you include a LinkedIn link on other platforms?
Beyond email signatures, adding your LinkedIn profile URL can be appropriate in many professional digital contexts:
- Professional websites/portfolios – Lets visitors learn more about your experience and credentials.
- Business cards – Provides an easy way for new contacts to connect.
- Social media bios – Shows you are on multiple platforms and open to connecting.
- Online résumés/CVs – Gives additional information beyond what a résumé includes.
- Professional slide presentations – Establlishes you as an industry expert.
The key is making sure it fits naturally with the context and medium. Avoid forcing it if not relevant. But when appropriate, including your LinkedIn profile URL in professional digital contexts beyond email can further your branding, networking, and career growth goals.
Key factors to consider
When deciding whether to include LinkedIn in your email and other professional digital signatures and bios, here are some important factors to consider:
Factor | Favors Including LinkedIn | Favors Excluding LinkedIn |
---|---|---|
Your industry and field | Industries where networking is key (e.g. consulting, sales) | Industries that are more conservative (e.g. law, academia) |
Your job level and role | Higher level executive roles | Entry-level or administrative roles |
Company culture | Tech companies, startups | Older, more traditional companies |
Your goals | Actively job searching or networking | Established professional reputation |
Evaluate these factors to determine if including your LinkedIn URL would be beneficial or not. The right choice can provide a boost to your professional networking and career. But be wary of overdoing it if the context is not quite right.
Conclusion
Here are some final best practices on whether to include LinkedIn in your email signature and other professional digital profiles:
- Include for work emails if your company culture allows it.
- Evaluate whether it makes sense for personal emails based on professionalism and networking goals.
- Add to business cards, websites, presentations if it aligns with your brand and field.
- Avoid forcing it if the context does not call for sharing your LinkedIn.
- Keep the link simple, concise and located at the end or beginning of signatures.
With the right strategic approach, adding your LinkedIn profile URL can expand your digital presence and allow others to learn more about your professional experience and credentials. But be selective in where you share it to avoid coming across as overly promotional. Consider both the benefits and any drawbacks before linking your LinkedIn everywhere.