LinkedIn Company Page Slaps Me Silly

by | Jul 21, 2014

cartoon slapMy LinkedIn company page delivered a message. Loud and clear.

It was not pretty − or unexpected.

  • More like forgotten
  • A boomer brain moment

My company page reminded me of a simple, well-known fact.

Social media platforms change. 

  • Well Duh, right?
  • Maybe this happened to you, too
  • If not, please lie so I feel better

LinkedIn Company Page

If you are unfamiliar with this feature of LinkedIn, the following provides a brief summary.

  • LinkedIn launched Company Pages in 2010
  • Overview contained a company snapshot (size, location, services, etc.)
  • Careers shared job openings
  • Products & Services offered a platform for featuring products/services
  • Analytics shared statistical data for insight on the page’s performance

All Your Eggs in the LinkedIn Company Page Basket

I do not jump on every social media bandwagon. That’s putting it mildly. However, from the start, I have been a fan of LinkedIn. By far, it is my best social media source for my business.

I decided to make use of the LinkedIn company page feature. I even created a video of my early attempts.

  • I spent a lot of time on Products & Services
  • Most products/service linked back to this site
  • So I thought I was following my cardinal rule

What rule?

Don’t rely on a social media platform for your business.

In 2012, LinkedIn introduced a new design to company pages (and most of LinkedIn). While frustrating, I did update my company page and imported my logo, which I have to admit, looked better that the previous company page headers.

Guess what happened.

  • Yep. LinkedIn changed features of company pages again.
  • In April 2014, LinkedIn slapped my Products & Services into oblivion.
  • ALL. THAT. HARD. WORK.

A Slap in the Head

Now they are introducing features like Showcase Pages.

Sorry, LinkedIn. I’m done.

To be fair, it’s not LinkedIn’s fault.

  • I ignored my cardinal rule when it tapped me on my shoulder
  • As a result, LinkedIn company page slapped me silly

I kept my company page but I am focusing on my personal page. If someone stumbles on my company page, they will see the basics about my business and a link to this site.

It took a couple of slaps but I learned my lesson − again.

I’m not saying the company page is a bad idea.

For me, it does not make sense. And that goes for any business or company page – Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn.

As a sole proprietor, maintaining a personal AND a company page is counter-productive.

  • Particularly on LinkedIn, my personal page updates work well
  • I’d rather spend time developing business relationships

Here is a publisher article that I thought offered a good perspective => LinkedIn Company Page Vs Personal Profile: Which Is Better?

Are you a sole proprietor or small business owner?

  • Do you maintain a personal and a company page (on any platform)?
  • Is it working for you? What are the pros and cons?

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4 Comments

  1. John Soares

    Cathy, I never did create business pages for my freelance writing on any of the networks, not Facebook, not Google+, and not LinkedIn. I took your (new) approach of just focusing on my personal pages, especially on LinkedIn. It takes a lot of time and effort to promote those extra business profiles, and I don’t think it pays off for most freelance writers.

    Reply
    • Cathy Miller

      LinkedIn is the only one I created a Page for. Live and learn. 😉

      Reply
  2. Anne Wayman

    Like John, I only have my personal page… LinkedIN confuses me.

    Reply
  3. Sharon Hurley Hall

    I have a company page, Cathy, but I’m not sure how much use it is.

    Reply

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