going around in circles trying to setup Ubuntu

Hi I have installed the latest version of ubuntu 15.04 and have tried to follow this guide

https://www.digitalocean.com/community/tutorials/initial-server-setup-with-ubuntu-14-04

this is what I have done adduser mike2099 Adding user mike2099' ... Adding new group mike2099’ (1000) … Adding new user mike2099' (1000) with group mike2099’ … Creating home directory /home/mike2099' ... Copying files from /etc/skel’ … Enter new UNIX password: Retype new UNIX password: passwd: password updated successfully Changing the user information for mike2099 Enter the new value, or press ENTER for the default Full Name []: Mike Room Number []: Work Phone []: Home Phone []: Other []: Is the information correct? [Y/n] y root@mikejsaunders:~# gpasswd -a mike2099 sudo Adding user mike2099 to group sudo root@mikejsaunders:~# su mike2099 mike2099@mikejsaunders:/root$ mkdir .ssh mkdir: cannot create directory ‘.ssh’: Permission denied

I presumed the directions for the newer version would work the same

this is the 3rd time I have tired this and I get the same error every time, I have setup an ssh key already and when I create the droplet I am adding it, based on the instructions I should add the key to the new user in order to secure the new users account ? or have I missed something

thanks Mike