Goal:

Successfully create a LinkedIn Ads account.

Ideal Outcome:

By the end of this guide, you will have set up your LinkedIn Ads account and be ready to create your first LinkedIn ad campaign.

Prerequisites or Requirements:

None.

Why This Is Important:

Creating a LinkedIn Ads account is the first and most crucial step before you can start running LinkedIn ads. Without it, you won't be able to access LinkedIn's powerful advertising tools to reach your target audience.

Where This Is Done:

LinkedIn Campaign Manager.

When This Is Done:

Create your LinkedIn Ads account if you plan to run LinkedIn ads but haven't set up an ad account yet.

Who Does This:

The marketing manager or the person responsible for media buying.

Introduction: Why LinkedIn Ads?

In today’s digital marketing landscape, LinkedIn stands out as a premier platform for B2B marketing. With over 900 million professionals using the platform, LinkedIn offers a unique opportunity to target decision-makers, industry leaders, and other key business influencers. Whether you're promoting a product, generating leads, or building brand awareness, LinkedIn Ads provides a sophisticated and highly targeted way to reach your audience.

But before you can tap into LinkedIn's vast network, you need to set up a LinkedIn Ads account. This guide will walk you through every step of the process, ensuring that you can start your advertising journey on the right foot.

Understanding the LinkedIn Ads Structure

Before diving into the setup process, it's essential to understand how LinkedIn Ads is structured. Here's a quick overview:

●     Campaign Manager Account: Every company or individual needs a Campaign Manager account to run ads on LinkedIn. This is your central hub for managing all your LinkedIn advertising activities.

●     Ad Accounts: Within your Campaign Manager, you can create multiple ad accounts. This is particularly useful if you're running ads for different products, services, or even multiple businesses.

●     Campaigns: Each ad account can host several campaigns, such as Sponsored Content, Lead Generation, and Video Ads. Campaigns are where you set your objectives, budget, and targeting options.

Understanding this structure is crucial as it influences how you organize your LinkedIn advertising efforts, especially if you're managing multiple campaigns or working with a team.

Step-by-Step Guide: Creating a LinkedIn Ads Account

Before You Start

There are two primary methods to create a LinkedIn Ads account:

1. With an Existing LinkedIn Profile: If you already have a personal LinkedIn profile, you can log in and create an ad account directly from your profile.

2. Without a LinkedIn Profile: If you don’t have a LinkedIn profile, you’ll need to create a Campaign Manager account before setting up your ad account.

Let’s break down each method.

Creating an Ad Account WITH an Existing LinkedIn Profile

If you already have a LinkedIn profile, follow these steps:

1. Sign in to Your LinkedIn Profile

○     Log in to your LinkedIn account. If you’re already signed in, navigate to the LinkedIn homepage.

2. Access LinkedIn Ads

○     On the top right of your LinkedIn homepage, click on the “Work” icon (the nine-dot grid). In the dropdown menu, select “Advertise.” This will redirect you to the LinkedIn Ads account setup page.

3. Set Up Your Ad Account

○     On the setup page, you'll be prompted to add an ad account name. You can also link an existing LinkedIn Page if you have one (this is optional but recommended if you want to run ads for a specific company or brand).

○     Click “Agree & Create Account” to proceed. Once you do this, LinkedIn will automatically create a new Campaign Manager and ad account for you.

4. Redirect to Campaign Manager Dashboard

○     After creating your account, you will be redirected to the Campaign Manager dashboard, where you can start setting up your first ad campaign or manage your new ad account.

Pro Tip: If you're managing multiple ad accounts, make sure to name each account clearly to avoid confusion later on.

Creating an Ad Account WITHOUT a LinkedIn Profile

If you don’t have a LinkedIn profile, you’ll first need to create a Campaign Manager account. Here’s how:

1. Sign Up for a Campaign Manager Account

○     Visit the LinkedIn Campaign Manager signup page and click on “Create Account.”

2. Complete Security Verification

○     LinkedIn will ask you to complete a security verification process. This step helps protect your account from unauthorized access.

3. Enter Your Location Details

○     Provide your location details, such as country and time zone, then click “Next.”

4. Enter Your Job Title and Company Details

○     Fill in your job title and company information. This information helps LinkedIn tailor the account setup to your needs.

5. Email Verification

○     LinkedIn will send a confirmation code to your email address. Enter the code in the provided field and click “Agree & Confirm.”

6. Choose Job Seeking Preferences

○     LinkedIn will ask if you’re currently looking for a job. Click “Yes” if you are, or “Not now” if you’re not.

7. Add Colleagues (Optional)

○     You can add colleagues’ email addresses if you want them to help manage the account. This step is optional and can be skipped if not needed.

8. Add a Profile Photo (Optional)

○     You’ll be prompted to upload a profile photo. While this step is also optional, it’s recommended for building a professional online presence.

9. Download the LinkedIn App (Optional)

○     LinkedIn will offer a link to download the LinkedIn app. This can be skipped if you prefer to use the desktop version.

10. Complete Campaign Manager Account Setup

○     Click “Finish” to complete the setup. You’ll then be redirected to the ad account setup page.

11. Set Up Your Ad Account

○     Add an ad account name and link any existing LinkedIn Pages if applicable. Click “Agree & Create Account” to finalize the setup.

12. Redirect to Campaign Manager Dashboard

○     After creating your ad account, you’ll be redirected to the Campaign Manager dashboard, where you can start creating campaigns or manage your account settings.

Pro Tip: If you’re running LinkedIn ads on behalf of a client or company, make sure to check if they already have a Campaign Manager account. If they do, simply log in and create a new ad account under their existing setup.

Best Practices for Creating and Managing LinkedIn Ads Accounts

1. Organize Your Ad Accounts

If you’re managing ads for multiple clients or products, it’s essential to keep your ad accounts organized. Name each account clearly and categorize them based on the client, product, or campaign type. This organization will save you time and reduce errors when managing multiple campaigns.

2. Link Your LinkedIn Page

Linking your ad account to a LinkedIn Page is highly recommended. It adds credibility to your ads and allows you to leverage LinkedIn Page features like follower targeting. If you don’t have a LinkedIn Page yet, consider creating one before setting up your ad account.

3. Set Up Multiple Payment Methods

To avoid interruptions in your ad campaigns, consider setting up multiple payment methods. LinkedIn allows you to add more than one payment method, ensuring that your campaigns continue running even if there’s an issue with one of the payment options.

4. Manage Access Carefully

Grant access to your ad accounts based on the roles and responsibilities of each team member. Use LinkedIn’s role-based access controls to ensure that only authorized individuals can manage campaigns, view reports, or handle billing.

5. Regularly Review Account Performance

Once your ad account is set up and campaigns are running, make it a habit to review performance regularly. LinkedIn Campaign Manager provides detailed insights and analytics that can help you optimize your ads for better results.

Why LinkedIn Ads Are Crucial for B2B Marketing

1. Targeted Advertising

LinkedIn Ads offer advanced targeting options that allow you to reach professionals based on their job title, industry, company size, and more. This precision targeting is especially valuable for B2B marketers looking to connect with decision-makers.

2. High-Quality Leads

LinkedIn’s professional user base means that the leads you generate from LinkedIn Ads are often of higher quality than those from other platforms. These users are typically more engaged and have more purchasing power, making LinkedIn an excellent platform for lead generation.

3. Multiple Ad Formats

LinkedIn offers a variety of ad formats, including Sponsored Content, Message Ads, and Dynamic Ads. This versatility allows you to choose the format that best suits your campaign objectives, whether it’s driving traffic, generating leads, or building brand awareness.

4. Analytics and Optimization

LinkedIn Campaign Manager provides robust analytics tools that help you track the performance of your ads in real time. You can use these insights to optimize your campaigns, making data-driven decisions that improve your ROI.

5. Brand Credibility

Running ads on LinkedIn can enhance your brand’s credibility. Because LinkedIn is viewed as a professional platform, ads that appear here are often perceived as more trustworthy than those on other social networks.

Examples of Successful LinkedIn Ad Campaigns

1. Case Study: Lead Generation for a B2B SaaS Company

A B2B SaaS company used LinkedIn Lead Gen Forms to capture high-quality leads from its target audience of IT decision-makers. By targeting specific job titles and industries, the company achieved a 40% conversion rate from its LinkedIn ads, significantly boosting its sales pipeline.

2. Case Study: Brand Awareness for a Financial Services Firm

A financial services firm used LinkedIn Video Ads to build brand awareness among senior executives in Fortune 500 companies. The campaign’s precise targeting and engaging video content resulted in a 25% increase in brand recognition within the target audience.

3. Case Study: Recruitment for a Healthcare Organization

A healthcare organization used LinkedIn Sponsored Content to attract qualified candidates for hard-to-fill positions. By targeting professionals with specific skills and experience, the organization filled several key roles within a short timeframe, demonstrating LinkedIn’s effectiveness as a recruitment platform.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Creating LinkedIn Ads Accounts

1. Not Linking a LinkedIn Page

Failing to link a LinkedIn Page to your ad account can limit the effectiveness of your campaigns. A LinkedIn Page adds credibility to your ads and allows you to access additional features like follower targeting and organic post promotion.

2. Overcomplicating Account Structure

While it’s essential to stay organized, creating too many ad accounts or campaigns can lead to confusion and inefficiency. Keep your account structure as simple as possible while still meeting your organizational needs.

3. Ignoring Access Management

Neglecting to manage who has access to your ad accounts can lead to security risks and potential misuse of your advertising budget. Regularly review and update user access permissions to maintain control over your accounts.

4. Overlooking Payment Settings

Ensure that your payment settings are correctly configured and that you have a backup payment method in place. This will prevent your campaigns from pausing unexpectedly due to payment issues.

Conclusion: Start Your LinkedIn Advertising Journey Today

Creating a LinkedIn Ads account is your gateway to reaching a highly targeted and professional audience. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to launching successful ad campaigns that drive real results for your business.

Whether you’re aiming to generate leads, build brand awareness, or recruit top talent, LinkedIn Ads offers the tools and targeting options you need to achieve your goals. Don’t wait—start setting up your LinkedIn Ads account today and unlock the full potential of LinkedIn’s powerful advertising platform.

Ready to Get Started?

Create your LinkedIn Ads account now and begin crafting campaigns that connect with your target audience. For more insights on optimizing your LinkedIn Ads, explore our LinkedIn Ads Best Practices Guide. Happy advertising!