LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking platform, with over 800 million members. Many professionals rely on LinkedIn to network, find jobs, connect with business partners, and build their personal brand. With so much riding on your LinkedIn presence, it’s understandable if you want a fresh start on the platform. Perhaps your old profile is outdated, messy, or doesn’t reflect your current career goals. Or maybe you want to pivot industries or reinvent your personal brand. Whatever the reason, starting over on LinkedIn is possible with some strategic planning.
Should you delete or hide your current profile?
If you want a completely clean slate on LinkedIn, deleting your current profile is the most straightforward option. However, this means losing all your existing connections and starting from scratch in rebuilding your network. An alternative is to hide your current profile while you build a new one. Here are the pros and cons of each approach:
Delete your profile
Pros:
- Gives you a 100% fresh start on LinkedIn
- Allows you to create a new profile with a new customized URL
- Lets you build connections from scratch that align with your new brand
Cons:
- Permanently removes all your connections
- Erases your posts, recommendations, and other profile content
- Potentially hurts your SEO if you had strong authority with your old profile
Hide your current profile
Pros:
- Lets you build a new profile while keeping your connections intact
- Allows you to selectively endorse skills for your new brand
- Preserves your posts, recommendations, and other content
Cons:
- Your old profile remains visible to current connections
- You can’t customize the URL for your hidden profile
- May cause confusion for your network to see both profiles
Before deciding, audit your current profile to see what’s worth preserving versus what needs a makeover. Weigh the benefits of a totally clean slate versus leveraging existing connections who align with your new brand.
Step-by-step guide to starting over on LinkedIn
If you decide to start fresh with a new profile, here are the steps to do it right:
1. Download a copy of your current profile data
Even if you plan to delete your current profile, you may want a record of your connections, posts, and other data for reference. LinkedIn allows you to download a zip file containing your entire profile archive:
- Go to your LinkedIn account settings
- Under the “Data privacy” tab, select “Get a copy of your data”
- Enter your password when prompted to request the data download
- LinkedIn will email you when the zip file is ready to download (usually within 24-48 hours)
Reviewing your archived profile can help inform the strategy for your new presence on LinkedIn.
2. Create your stunning new profile
Now it’s time for the fun part – building your new LinkedIn profile from the ground up! Approach it like developing a personal website; this is your chance to completely reinvent your brand.
- Choose a professional profile photo that reflects your new brand
- Write an eye-catching headline and summary that communicates your value proposition
- Showcase your skills, achievements, and expertise in your experience section
- Add media samples such as images, videos, presentations, and portfolios
- Customize your profile URL and public profile settings
Invest time polishing each section until your new profile is a bold advertisement of your best professional self.
3. Strategically invite connections
Resist the urge to rapidly re-connect with your entire former network. Instead, be selective in inviting connections who align with your new brand and career aspirations.
- Search for strategic contacts like leaders in your new industry, respected vendors/partners, or niche influencers
- Segment your contacts and only invite those who are highly relevant now
- Personalize invitation notes to remind contacts who you are and what you now offer
- Engage meaningfully with new connections by liking/commenting on updates, sending messages etc
Quality over quantity is key here. 50 engaged, strategic connections are better than 500 inactive contacts.
4. Enhance your visibility with content
Use content to organically attract the right connections and further build your personal brand.
- Publish status updates sharing your expertise and unique perspectives
- Write LinkedIn articles about topics relevant to your target audience
- Like and comment on content from strategic contacts
- Join LinkedIn groups aligned with your industry or interests
- Follow relevant company pages and engage with their content
Valuable content establishes you as an expert and thought leader in your newly defined space.
5. Keep your old profile hidden
If you chose to hide rather than delete your old profile, revisit periodically to ensure it remains out of view.
- Double check it is set to “private” under profile visibility settings
- Decline any new connection requests so only existing contacts can see it
- Remove the profile photo so only your name appears
Essentially freeze your old profile so it remains archived but inactive. Focus your energy on actively engaging your new professional presence.
Reinventing your brand on LinkedIn
Starting fresh on LinkedIn takes work, but the payoff of revamping your brand can be immense. By strategically designing and promoting your new profile, you can:
- Establish your expertise in a new industry
- Showcase an updated professional identity
- Expand your reach to the right audiences
- Align your personal brand with your current goals
Rather than simply recycle your old profile, approach a LinkedIn reset as a blank canvas to define and share your new brand with the world. Yes, you can start over – if you do it thoughtfully and systematically. The effort invested will quickly elevate your visibility, influence, and career opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it bad to delete my old LinkedIn profile?
Deleting your old LinkedIn profile is not inherently bad, but does have downsides to consider. The main risk is permanently losing all your existing connections and starting over from scratch. However, if your old profile is outdated or you want a completely fresh start, deletion may be the best route.
Can I have 2 LinkedIn profiles?
LinkedIn’s terms of service allow you to have only one active personal LinkedIn profile at a time. However, you can create a second profile as long as you hide your old one from public view first. This lets you build a new profile with new branding while keeping your current connections intact.
Does deleting LinkedIn remove all data?
No, deleting your LinkedIn account does not permanently erase all data from their systems. Like most websites, LinkedIn retains some user analytics and engagement data after account cancellation. However, your public profile content will no longer be searchable or viewable.
Can I reuse my LinkedIn URL for a new profile?
Unfortunately, no. Your custom LinkedIn profile URL can only be assigned to one account at a time. If you delete your profile with a personalized URL, that web address becomes available to be claimed by another user. To get a new custom URL, you’ll have to create a brand new LinkedIn account.
Should I tell my connections I’m starting over?
Notifying your network can help minimize confusion when revamping your LinkedIn presence. Send connection requests from your new profile and include a note explaining you are relaunching your brand on LinkedIn. Or post a status update announcing your new professional chapter and linking to your new profile. Being transparent will make the transition smoother.
Key Takeaways
- Download your current profile data before deleting your LinkedIn account.
- Build your new profile like a strategic personal website to showcase your desired brand.
- Curate and segment your connections to invite only relevant contacts.
- Produce content that establishes your expertise with your new audience.
- Hide your old profile and focus energy into actively engaging your new presence.
Conclusion
Resetting your LinkedIn presence takes effort but can powerfully elevate your personal brand when done strategically. Be thoughtful in how you cultivate your new profile, connections, and content. With discipline and consistency, you can entirely reinvent your professional identity on the world’s largest business networking platform.