There's a new layout for LinkedIn profiles. Some accounts already have it and some are in line for the new look. You know how it goes....overnight the familiar format or layout of your social media platform completely changes and you log in and have no idea where anything is...super frustrating for a lot of new and not-so-regular users. 'Who has time to learn how to drive this beast all over again?' seems to be a common theme on forums from LinkedIn member's who are some of the first to get what LinkedIn is calling 'an experience'.
Linkedin announced that the improved desktop experience will be slowly rolled out to all members. This new layout brings the desktop user experience in line with the mobile app features so you’ll only notice these changes when you log via your desktop. The revamped user interface affects individual professional profiles as well as Company and Showcase Pages in terms of layout. How to manage your Linkedin Company Page’s new layout will be featured in a follow up post.
So, don’t be surprised when you log in one day to find things are looking unfamiliar and you can probably also rest assured that it's not a weird virus!
I hope this summary helps those who may have had a tough time learning how to navigate their new account in the first instance (before the changes) and now need to do the LinkedIn learning thing all over again. This post is a bit of a shortcut to honing your Linkedin navigation skills to help find a few things in your new layout. 
If you haven't got it yet ..when will you get it? Linkedin have confirmed it’s a ‘gradual roll out’ so it’s going to be a surprise for all members when it makes it's appearance on each profile.
Here are some features to expect for personal profiles with the new format; Colour theme has changed to teal. Navigating to the notifications button is like the smartphone app and includes recent activity. You can edit your profile in what’s called a lightbox (should be easier for most users also). The messages, notifications and connection activity buttons have been grouped together along the top (all in one bar). To log out click 'Me' (top right photo) the 'Sign Out' is in the list at the end. To ‘Share an article, photo or update’ This is now in one field which you can find from the Home Page at the top. If you publish posts, they are now referred to as ‘articles’ and the shortcut is just under the ‘Share an article, photo or update’ so unless you want to author a full 'blogger style' post, make sure you click in the main field where the words ‘Share an article, photo or update’ are and avoid clicking the ‘write an article’ section. 
The old layout
Do you publish posts?
Notice the slight difference to 'write' or 'share' an article... the top one is the general sharing an update however the bottom line if clicked will take you to the old 'publish a post' function.
The new layout above the news feed refers to them as 'Articles' though once you publish it they are referred to as 'posts' A little confusing but hopefully these things will be ironed out along with the roll out! To find your previously published Posts (there is always more than one way to navigate) you can locate them by viewing your profile and under the summary will be 'posts and activity'. These are the articles you author as opposed to simply sharing an update.
Your personal and contact information is now located along the right-hand side of your ‘Profile View’ screen along with your connections (also find connections in your ‘My Network’ button along the top bar. First things to tweak when you get the new format Check your profile and background photos From ‘Home’ you can either click the profile overview on the left-hand side or click ‘Me’ at the bar at the top right, select ‘View Profile’ (next to your small profile photo and under your name). When you have this screen open, click on your photo in the middle and check if the positioning needs repositioning . From this step it will then take you to ‘edit your intro’ but if you are happy with it as is, just click ‘Save’. In the same profile view screen, your background photo has the words ‘Update Background Photo’ click it for options. I suggest checking the background photo position still looks okay, then just follow the steps to adjust if required. (specifications are 1536 x 768px)  Linkedin Background Photo specifications are 1536 x 768px for the new layout.
Reposition or update your background photo/image. Depending on the contents of your image (if you have text or if you need to balance it visually or make sure it’s centred) you might only need to reposition it slightly. Don’t forget to then check how your background photo looks from your smartphone.
All of your settings should remain unchanged. Getting to know your new look settings further, you could start by clicking each of the 3 newly highlighted fields on the right-hand side, the first one is ‘add new profile section’. Have a click around to see where things are now.
What’s missing?
The profile ranking feature is now only available in the Premium membership profiles. Apparently, it was a 'little used' feature. Users on free memberships will no longer be able to measure how they’re doing for profile views amongst connections or colleagues. The only metrics for free memberships are the profile views and who has viewed your shares (analytics can be found by clicking the profile overview from the left side from Home view). You can click on this and expand for more details on profile views and who has viewed your shares. How you rank for profile views
I will miss having access to this feature (non-premium profiles) because it's a great way to demonstrate to my Linkedin clients some of the results of the ongoing management they have signed up with me for. Using a screenshot similar to the above shows that regular activity from their 'posting pack' and 'web presence' marketing packages really makes a difference. They read each month in the analytics report, the status of their profile view ranking.
So when I'm managing a client's profile, performance is measurable. They can see the results from consistent posting and engagement. Company and Showcase Pages
Company Page changes will be featured in a follow up post, to find it scroll to the Linkedin for Business Category Bees Blog
I will be sharing more about these LinkedIn changes to help you learn more about the new experience and how to improve your own navigation skills. To keep up to date follow Bee Free's LinkedIn Company Page (log in to your account and click below). Need more than just basic navigation tips?
Want to grow your network and improve your presence on LinkedIn amongst your connections?
If you need a profile re-design/refresh for the new year, profile optimisation for job hunting or want to know how much it would cost to have your profile managed regularly, contact me for an obligation free quote deb@beefree.com.au I create content and manage personal profiles for busy professionals who don’t have time to do it themselves and I can create and manage Company Pages. Ask about the ‘Presence Pack’ which is my most popular marketing management package. 
Post by Deb Aitchison
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Bees Blog
Deb AitchisonHi and welcome to Bee's Blog. I'm a Virtual Assistant and I love helping Busy Bees improve their web presence. Follow Bee's Blog on any of the social media accounts below or #BeesBlog
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