LinkedIn Events: How to Create an Online Event When the Location is Required?

I often get questions from people regarding LinkedIn. When I feel the question is shared by others, I post it here on my blog for all to read. Keep reading to learn about LinkedIn Events.

Dear Donna,

I am trying to create an event on LinkedIn. The LinkedIn event is virtual, an online webinar. LinkedIn requires I fill in the location field from a droplist of actual locations. I tried typing in webinar, online event, Zoom, etc. and nothing works? HELP!

How to Create Virtual LinkedIn Events

LinkedIn recently brought back the ability to create events within the LinkedIn platform. LinkedIn states:

The LinkedIn Events feature is designed to make it easier for members to grow their networks and build authentic, face-to-face relationships with other LinkedIn members who share common interests.

https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/100582

The operative word within that paragraph is FACE-TO-FACE. LinkedIn Events are designed to invite people to in-person events.

If you want to use LinkedIn Events to notify your network of virtual events, there is a problem. When creating the event, LinkedIn requires you to add an actual location:

Creating a Virtual LinkedIn Event

When creating a virtual LinkedIn event, you might consider typing ONLINE, or VIRTUAL, or Zoom Event or WEBINAR as the location. As smart as that is, LinkedIn rejects it. You MUST select from the drop-down list of actual locations. Luckily, some of the locations within that drop-down list are quite broad. So… instead of choosing an exact location, add your general location: Philadelphia, PA or Dallas, TX.

Next, make sure your Event’s name clearly states that it is a virtual, online event, for example, ONLINE Business Development Masterclass WEBINAR.

In the venue details, reiterate that it is a webinar or virtual networking event. By this time, everyone should be completely aware that this is not an in-person event. You can even put the online signup form in the ticketing URL field. 

Before you create the event, LinkedIn asks you to agree to their terms and conditions for events. Looking through the legalese, nothing states that the event must be an in-person event, so you aren’t breaking any rules.

I reached out to LinkedIn for comment and their response was:

In Conclusion…

Perhaps LinkedIn will hear our pleas and provide the ability to mark an event as virtual. Until then, use my workaround as a way to use LinkedIn Events for virtual meetings and webinars.

Best of luck to you!