Quick Answer
No, it is not possible to directly transfer followers from one LinkedIn account to another. LinkedIn does not provide any features to allow users to move their followers when switching accounts. The only way to recreate your follower base is to start building connections again from scratch on your new account.
Explanation
On most social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, it is possible to transfer your followers if you want to switch to a new account. However, LinkedIn does not allow users to port over their connections when they create a new profile.
This is because LinkedIn treats connections differently than regular social media followers. On LinkedIn, you connect with other professionals to build a professional network and showcase your resume. Your list of connections is meant to represent an accurate portrait of your real-world network.
Allowing users to transfer connections in bulk would undermine the integrity of this system. For example, someone could amass thousands of dubious connections on one account and then transfer them to a new profile to seem more reputable than they really are.
Why You Can’t Transfer LinkedIn Followers
Here are some of the key reasons why LinkedIn does not let you transfer followers between accounts:
- Connections represent an authentic professional network – LinkedIn wants your list of connections to reflect genuine professional relationships, not inauthentic followers.
- Prevents artificial inflation of connections – Bulk transfers would allow users to artificially inflate their connection counts.
- Business model is based on accurate data – LinkedIn sells access to profile data and analytics. Keeping the data clean preserves its value.
- New account means starting fresh – Getting new connections lets you build relationships relevant to your new account’s purpose.
- Potential for abuse – Bulk transfers can be used by spammers or be abused for other deceptive purposes.
How to Notify Connections You’re Switching Accounts
Since you can’t migrate connections to a new LinkedIn profile, you’ll have to rebuild your network from scratch. But there are some steps you can take to smooth the transition when switching accounts:
- Update your profile on your old account to mention you’ve switched to a new profile.
- Message your connections individually to let them know you’re now using a new profile.
- Set your old profile to inform connections you’ve stopped using it but provide a link to your new account.
- Export your 1st-degree connections list and re-invite them from your new profile.
- Ask trusted connections to endorse you on your new account to establish credibility.
It will take time and effort to regrow your network, but focus on reconnecting with your strongest, most relevant connections first. Don’t use any tactics that violate LinkedIn’s terms of service, like buying fake connections.
Transferring Specific Profile Elements
While you can’t transfer connections, there are some LinkedIn profile elements that you may be able to transfer to a new account:
Endorsements
You can’t transfer endorsement data itself. But you can message old connections asking them to endorse you for relevant skills on your new profile. Focus on getting endorsements from connections who would authentically vouch for your skills.
Content and Media
Any content you published on LinkedIn, like posts or articles, will remain on your old profile and cannot be transferred. However, you can republish any original content to your new profile or upload any images and documents again. Just make sure you have the rights to redistribute any third-party content.
Job History and Accomplishments
You’ll have to manually recreate your work history and list of accomplishments on your new profile. But you can copy over all the same details – job titles, companies, descriptions, dates, etc. Rebuilding this section may be tedious but is straightforward.
Education History
As with your work history, you can manually add back all your educational credentials on your new profile. Enter the same info – schools, degrees, majors, dates attended, etc. It’s okay to duplicate your academic history from your old account.
Recommendations
LinkedIn recommendations, like endorsements, cannot be transferred between accounts. You’ll need to personally reach out to old connections and ask them to write new recommendations for you on your new profile.
Focus on getting new recommendations from the connections who will lend you the most credibility. The quality of the recommendation and who wrote it are more important than the quantity.
Other Strategies to Rebuild Your Presence
In addition to recreating your profile and reconnecting with your network, here are some other tips to help rebuild your LinkedIn presence:
- Cross-promote your new profile on other social channels like Twitter.
- Engage regularly with content and groups to make new connections.
- Follow company pages and influencers in your industry.
- Publish original articles and thought leadership content.
- Get certified through LinkedIn’s skill assessment tests.
- Participate in relevant LinkedIn events and conferences.
With persistence and an intentional strategy, you can regain an active, robust LinkedIn network even without transferring any connections from your old account. The most important factors are being patient, consistent, and genuinely developing relationships.
Key Takeaways
- LinkedIn does not allow users to transfer followers or connections between accounts.
- You have to build up your connections from scratch on a new profile.
- Manually recreate parts of your profile like work history, education, skills, etc.
- Notify your key connections that you have a new profile now.
- Focus on quality over quantity as you rebuild your network and presence.
Conclusion
Switching LinkedIn accounts means accepting that you can’t simply port over your network of connections to a new profile. While this may seem inconvenient, it reflects the heart of how LinkedIn is designed to operate.
Connections represent an authentic professional network, not just a list of arbitrary followers. The process of organically building quality relationships again will lead to a more genuine and engaged base of connections on your new account in the long run.
With some diligent effort and effective networking strategies, you can rebuild a comparable level of LinkedIn connections and engagement over time after switching accounts. The process requires consistency and patience, but it is certainly feasible if you use the right techniques.