In the shadow of ChatGPT, everyone’s being told to build their network.\u00a0<\/p>\n
AI has depersonalized communication. Autonomous bots make it harder to know who\u2019s real and who can be trusted. Networking experts are calling this the age of the “relationship economy,\u201d where relationships are more important than ever but harder to establish.\u00a0<\/p>\n
LinkedIn is the natural place to invest in your professional network, but entrepreneurs can feel out of touch with the platform. Forget applying for jobs: the power of LinkedIn is far greater than a virtual resume.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once you understand the etiquette and opportunity of LinkedIn, it morphs from an awkward and stuffy platform to one of the most lively, engaged, and effective corners of the internet for entrepreneurs. This guide will teach you how to network on LinkedIn with confidence in 2026.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Is LinkedIn worth it for entrepreneurs?\u00a0<\/h2>\n
Building a personal LinkedIn profile (not a company page) is valuable for entrepreneurs<\/a> in three major ways:<\/p>\n Tip<\/strong>: Even if you\u2019re not ready to spend time on LinkedIn, set up your profile now so that it can funnel search traffic to your offers.\u00a0<\/p>\n Relationships have always been important for entrepreneurs, but AI has officially ushered<\/a> in the era of the relationship economy<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Entire fake websites, LinkedIn profiles, and video testimonials can be easily (and convincingly) generated with AI.\u00a0<\/p>\n Mindset<\/strong>: Building trust with strangers on LinkedIn starts with treating it as a form of <\/strong>relationship marketing<\/em> <\/strong>instead of content marketing. Entrepreneurs who jump straight to selling will never maximize their LinkedIn ROI.\u00a0<\/p>\n Understanding what LinkedIn isn\u2019t might help you wrap your head around the platform even faster. LinkedIn is not:\u00a0<\/p>\n A good first impression starts with a coherent profile. Pull up your profile and let\u2019s walk through updating your account together.\u00a0<\/p>\n This isn\u2019t a definitive list of every single LinkedIn profile setting. Settings change constantly, get moved behind the Premium paywall, and are rolled out to geographic areas at different times. Instead, this is an overview of the big focus areas with lots of examples to learn from.\u00a0<\/p>\n Profile verifications exist to build trust between users on LinkedIn. Users can verify their identity via a work email, education email, or government-issued ID. If successfully verified, your profile gets a clear checkmark badge.<\/p>\n LinkedIn claims that verified profiles get 60% more<\/a> profile visits, but this process isn\u2019t perfect. For example, some people struggle to get verified because they use a different name than what\u2019s listed on their government identification. There are also geographic limitations.\u00a0<\/p>\n See your verification options here<\/a> and complete the process if you\u2019re able.\u00a0<\/p>\n When was the last time you updated your basic information on LinkedIn? Do a quick once-over and check for these details.\u00a0<\/p>\n Name<\/strong>: The \u201cname\u201d section of your LinkedIn profile is for your name alone. You will see some variations to this, like people adding emojis or keywords, but variations can get your account automatically suspended by mistake. Confession: I added an emoji to my name years ago before I knew about the suspension risk. Save that extra flair for your headline.\u00a0<\/p>\n Pronunciation<\/strong>: On the mobile app, you can add name pronunciation. Click on the speaker icon to record your voice.\u00a0<\/p>\n Pronouns<\/strong>: LinkedIn allows users to provide pronouns on their profile. Users can select she\/her, he\/him, they\/them, or provide custom pronouns.\u00a0<\/p>\n Contact information<\/strong>: LinkedIn limits the number of messages users can send to new connections for free each month. This means that a potential client, collaborator, or media inquiry might find you through LinkedIn but be unable to message you on the platform. Including an off-platform form of communication opens you up to more opportunities.\u00a0<\/p>\n Your headline gets as much exposure as your name and profile picture, except it has more real estate (220 characters). It\u2019s displayed with every comment you share on LinkedIn.<\/p>\n In this section, consider including what you do (with keywords), an email freebie, or a current offer. You can also demonstrate your industry authority here. This can be changed often, so don\u2019t be afraid to test different versions based on your current focus.\u00a0<\/p>\n Tip<\/strong>: Keywords help viewers understand your offers and get your profile indexed in search results.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n Your cover image is the most visually compelling part of your entire LinkedIn profile. A good account cover image is:\u00a0<\/p>\n The featured section on LinkedIn is the equivalent of the \u201cpinned\u201d section on other social media platforms, except that you can add anything to this section (not just posts). It\u2019s a piece of prime real estate.\u00a0<\/p>\n Focus on the highest-value viewer actions in your featured section: booking introductory calls, reading case studies, signing up for email freebies, etc. You can include a single featured item, or allow viewers to scroll through multiple offers.\u00a0<\/p>\n There\u2019s no single right way to structure your about section. Some people will share their background, while others will focus exclusively on their offers.\u00a0<\/p>\n Spanx founder Sara Blakely<\/a> has a lighthearted \u201cAbout\u201d section that shares her personality and passion with viewers:<\/p>\n Focus is your friend. As with anything online, most people will skim instead of reading every word.\u00a0<\/p>\n LinkedIn has removed the need for an independent website by offering service listings directly within the platform. Services are displayed directly under the about section and can include text, links, skills, and recommendations from clients (though these are sadly not linked to the recommendations section on your profile).\u00a0<\/p>\n When viewers click \u201crequest services,\u201d they\u2019re guided through a set of custom questions about the deliverables and timeline:\u00a0<\/p>\n Most LinkedIn users treat the experience section like a virtual resume. Entrepreneurs can use this section to illustrate their lived professional experience.\u00a0<\/p>\n Naturally use keywords. Add skills. Talk about your current offers. And include links.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n Most people skip this last step, but it\u2019s worth taking the time. Adding links is an easy way to make your profile more skimmable, engaging, and believable. This helps establish trust.\u00a0<\/p>\n For example, I recently vetted a writer who claimed to have written dozens of articles. As I looked at his profile, I couldn\u2019t find a single link to his work.\u00a0<\/p>\n We\u2019ve all heard that effective writing should \u201cshow, not tell.\u201d Show<\/em> your experience here if you can.\u00a0<\/p>\n LinkedIn recommendations are probably the most trustworthy form of testimonial an entrepreneur can receive online. While anyone can make up fake recommendations on their website, LinkedIn endorsements are all attached to an individual. The date is also prominently displayed, making it easy to showcase years of experience.\u00a0<\/p>\n You can request recommendations directly within the platform. Go to the recommendations section at the bottom of your profile, click the \u201c+\u201d icon, and select \u201cask for a recommendation.\u201d You\u2019ll be guided through a set of questions before the recommendation is sent.\u00a0<\/p>\n There are many other \u201cextras\u201d that you can add to display your authority, expertise, and passions on your LinkedIn profile. A few examples include:\u00a0<\/p>\n Here on fashion designer Cassey Ho<\/a>\u2019s profile, you can see patents and awards added:\u00a0<\/p>\n As a writer, I focus on the publications and recommendations section of my profile. Take the time to add all relevant extras to your profile.\u00a0<\/p>\n Once your account is structurally sound, it\u2019s time to move on to engagement.\u00a0<\/p>\n A well-established profile introduces viewers to you, your business, and your offers. But how do they find your LinkedIn profile in the first place? Either through search queries, your posts, or engagement on other people\u2019s posts<\/a>. Start with the comments.\u00a0<\/p>\n If you only take one thing away from this guide, it should be this: comments are the best way to grow on LinkedIn.\u00a0<\/p>\n This is a great thing: comments take less time to write than original posts. They reach new people. And they\u2019re so important to the platform that LinkedIn even shows you how many impressions each comment gets.\u00a0<\/p>\n By actively commenting, you give the kind of engagement that you hope to receive on LinkedIn. It\u2019s a value-first model.\u00a0<\/p>\n Here are a few quick tips:\u00a0<\/p>\n Sending a connection request to a person you don\u2019t know can feel awkward. Spammy. Maybe even against the unspoken rules of LinkedIn?\u00a0<\/p>\n On the contrary, new introductions are what the platform is all about (as long as you actually introduce yourself). Connection requests to new people need context<\/em>: AKA adding a message.<\/p>\n There\u2019s no official \u201cright\u201d way to handle cold requests, but this works well for me: saying hi using a person\u2019s first name. Sharing why their account caught my eye. Mentioning what I do, and telling them that I would love for us to learn from each other.\u00a0<\/p>\n There\u2019s unfortunately now a limit on how many messages you can send for free to new connections. You may be eligible for a free trial of LinkedIn Premium, where you can send unlimited messages with your connection requests. Follow these steps<\/a> to find out if you qualify.\u00a0<\/p>\n Established thought leaders are like watering coolers on LinkedIn, where people gather to discuss a specific topic. The people who read, react, and comment are people who have a shared interest in the topic that the author is posting about.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Collaborations, referrals, trust, visibility, and fun all stem from peer-to-peer connections on LinkedIn. Plus, many peers have the potential to turn into<\/em> clients or customers once trust is established.\u00a0<\/p>\n Potential clients<\/a> are an important group on LinkedIn. In your content, you can speak to their struggles, show them that you understand their challenges, and position yourself as their solution. Posting this type of content attracts attention and builds retention.\u00a0<\/p>\n For those who have the time, a great outcome of LinkedIn networking is to leave<\/em> the platform and speak in real-time on video calls. This is where conversations flourish, and connections move from just another face on the platform to a specific, memorable person.\u00a0<\/p>\n On LinkedIn, these calls are often called \u201ccoffee chats.\u201d They\u2019re 15-30 minute conversations where two people get to know each other. No structure or agenda. No pitching.\u00a0<\/p>\n I schedule my coffee chats on Fridays, which I call \u201cFriendly Friday.\u201d I have a dedicated Google Calendar booking link that I share freely on LinkedIn. I try to do a couple of friendly Friday calls a month. These conversations have naturally led to many friendships and opportunities.\u00a0<\/p>\n There\u2019s a huge opportunity for entrepreneurs to become known for what they do on LinkedIn, without needing to go viral or attract hundreds of thousands of followers. That\u2019s because LinkedIn is popular, but comparatively, it\u2019s not crowded.\u00a0<\/p>\n The platform has more than 1 billion users<\/a>, but most of them don\u2019t post content regularly. The algorithm compensates for this in different ways, like sometimes:\u00a0<\/p>\n Posting builds visibility, authority, and trust, which lead to conversions. After you\u2019re already investing regularly in engaging with other content (commenting), experiment with these content types.\u00a0<\/p>\n YouTube is more than videos. Instagram is more than photos. X is more than short-form text. And likewise, LinkedIn is a collection of content types:<\/p>\n What type of content performs best<\/a>? Your unique answer can only be found by experimenting with content creation on LinkedIn.\u00a0<\/p>\n Before and after posting any piece of new content, you should spend time engaging with others on the platform.\u00a0<\/p>\n Commenting before you post \u201cwarms up\u201d the algorithm. Commenting afterwards helps bring people to your profile and improves content distribution in the feed. I haven\u2019t posted \u201ccold\u201d in years, and I personally wouldn\u2019t even bother.\u00a0<\/p>\n Ready to start posting? Here are nine post ideas to consider today.\u00a0<\/p>\n Every industry event is an opportunity to recap for others who didn\u2019t attend. Share a takeaway, a quote, or a photo with fellow attendees.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.godaddy.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-4.png?size=3840x0\"\/)
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nThe relationship economy\u00a0<\/h3>\n
What LinkedIn isn\u2019t\u00a0<\/h3>\n
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How to set up your LinkedIn profile\u00a0<\/h2>\n
Verifications\u00a0<\/h3>\n
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Basic info\u00a0<\/h3>\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nHeadline\u00a0<\/h3>\n
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Cover image\u00a0<\/h3>\n
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Featured section\u00a0<\/h3>\n
![\"screenshot](\"https:\/\/www.godaddy.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-7.png?size=3840x0\"\/)
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nAbout section\u00a0<\/h3>\n
![\"screenshot](\"https:\/\/www.godaddy.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-8.png?size=3840x0\"\/)
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![\"LinkedIn](\"https:\/\/www.godaddy.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-3.png?size=3840x0\"\/)
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nExperience\u00a0<\/h3>\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nRecommendations\u00a0<\/h3>\n
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.godaddy.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-6.png?size=3840x0\"\/)
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nHow to engage on LinkedIn\u00a0<\/h2>\n
![\"Example](\"https:\/\/www.godaddy.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-5.png?size=3840x0\"\/)
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Cold connection requests\u00a0<\/h3>\n
Thought leaders\u00a0<\/h3>\n
Peers\u00a0<\/h3>\n
Potential clients or customers\u00a0<\/h3>\n
Coffee chats\u00a0<\/h3>\n
Creating content on LinkedIn\u00a0<\/h2>\n
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Types of content\u00a0<\/h3>\n
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Before and after you post\u00a0<\/h3>\n
Post ideas for entrepreneurs\u00a0<\/h2>\n
1. Highlight industry events\u00a0<\/h3>\n
2. Educate with a video\u00a0<\/h3>\n