Should you create a separate LinkedIn profile for your business?

[NewManRising]

Hi guys,

So I already have a LinkedIn profile but it is job-focused. I have my resume on there, job history, education, etc. All my contacts are people I graduated with, some friends, and people that work in the field I am in.

I am in the process of launching a business and a website. I also want to use my LinkedIn profile as a way to network. Do I create a separate profile for all this? Or just add it to my already existing account? What did some of you guys do? It is a little awkward for me because the business I am launching is way different than what I do for a career. And the connections I have, none of them are really business-related people.

Thanks

 

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[Andy Black]

Personally, I like seeing people’s history in their LinkedIn profile or CV. It’s interesting to see them in one industry or profession and gradually morph into something else.

I personally don’t mind who I’m connected to on LinkedIn. It’s a business platform so people are in work mode.

Anyway, check out mine here: www.andyblack.net

Just my own 2c

 

[jon.M]

Could networking for your own business on LinkedIn lead to trouble with your current employer if they happened to find out?

 

[ColbyG]

Could networking for your own business on LinkedIn lead to trouble with your current employer if they happened to find out?

It's generally better to tell your work that you're doing it, but usually as long as what you're doing isn't in direct competition to your workplace they shouldn't really care.

But as always, it depends.

 

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[Scot]

I created a separate profile on LinkedIn.

The primary reason? Well, if my boss found out I started a company he’d probably fire me. My LinkedIn is full of people in my day job industry, so it would take about 30 seconds for someone to get wind of what I was up to.

So, I created a separate account and my network is built up of people in the food industry. So far, it’s workdd quite well for me.

 

[JG17]

Personally what I plan on doing is using my same LinkedIn but adding it to my profile a little while after commencing business, with the correct date of when I started, without sending a notification to my connections. Then if anyone views my profile and notices they'll be able to think back and see that it hasn't affected my performance and is basically none of their business.

But then I work in a completely different industry to my business so there is zero conflict of interest.