Let me be direct about this one. Whoever is in B2B sales nowadays HAS TO BE ACTIVE ON LINKEDIN. It is an indispensable sales tool. And part of being active means being reachable.
Yet most sales professionals hide their phone number as if it were classified information.
The fear that holds people back
"I will get spammed with cold calls." "Random people will call me." "I do not want strangers reaching me directly."
Here is the reality: I have had my number on LinkedIn for years. I get cold-called maybe once every six months. That is it. The fear is dramatically overblown compared to the actual experience.
Why your number should be there
Accessibility signals confidence. When a prospect sees your phone number, it communicates that you are open, approachable, and easy to do business with. Those are exactly the qualities you want to project in sales.
It removes friction. A prospect researches solutions, finds your profile, and wants to ask a quick question. If your number is there, they call. If it is not, they might move on to someone who is easier to reach.
It matches your role. You are in sales. Your job is to connect with people, build relationships, and close deals. How does hiding your contact information support any of that?
Where to put it
Put your business number on your LinkedIn profile. In the contact info section. Preferably your mobile number. Not buried in a post or in your headline, but in the designated contact information area where people expect to find it.
What about personal boundaries?
Use your work phone, not your personal one. Set business hours. You are not committing to 24/7 availability. You are committing to being reachable during working hours. That is a reasonable expectation for anyone in a client-facing role.
The verdict
Put your phone number on LinkedIn. The risk is minimal and the upside is significant. Stop hiding from the very people you are trying to reach.
This is article #12 in the "Either/Or?" series.
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