LinkedIn is a popular social media platform focused on professional networking and career development. In recent years, LinkedIn has also emerged as a valuable platform for content creators to build their personal brand and earn money through sponsored content.
How LinkedIn Pays Content Creators
There are a few main ways LinkedIn pays content creators:
- LinkedIn Creator Mode
- LinkedIn Sponsored Content
- LinkedIn Newsletter Sponsorships
- LinkedIn Live Video
The compensation models vary, but generally involve paying content creators either per post or based on engagement metrics like views, clicks, and shares.
LinkedIn Creator Mode
LinkedIn Creator Mode is a monetization program that allows creators to earn money from their content directly within the LinkedIn platform.
To qualify for Creator Mode, you must have at least 10,000 followers and consistently publish content that drives engagement. If approved for the program, LinkedIn will attach a “Support” button to your profile that allows followers to send you monetary tips.
LinkedIn does not disclose the exact revenue share model for Creator Mode. However, they have stated that 100% of the first $100 in tips each month goes directly to the creator. After $100, LinkedIn takes a percentage as a platform fee but creators still earn the majority of the income.
Creator Mode Payment Example
For example, let’s say you earn $200 in tips for the month through Creator Mode. Here is a hypothetical breakdown of how that income would be distributed:
Income Source | Payout |
---|---|
First $100 in tips | $100 (paid fully to creator) |
Remaining $100 in tips | $70 (after LinkedIn’s cut) |
Total | $170 |
These are just hypothetical numbers, but they demonstrate how LinkedIn Creator Mode payouts work, with creators earning 100% of the first $100 in tips before LinkedIn takes their platform fee from additional earnings.
LinkedIn Sponsored Content
In addition to Creator Mode tips, LinkedIn also pays content creators through Sponsored Content. This allows brands to pay creators directly to produce branded posts and videos.
According to LinkedIn, the average price for a sponsored post is $75 per 1,000 post impressions. However, prices can range from $25 to $300+ per 1,000 impressions depending on factors like follower count, industry, and historical engagement levels.
For videos, LinkedIn says creators typically earn a minimum of $200 per video from brands for Sponsored Content. Higher-end video production for television commercials and live events can earn creators up to $2,500 and beyond.
Sponsored Content Payment Example
Let’s look at an example of how a Sponsored Content deal could work:
Sponsorship Details | Payout |
---|---|
1 Sponsored Post | $250 |
Estimated Impressions: 20,000 | |
Rate: $100 per 1,000 Impressions | |
Total | $250 |
In this hypothetical example, the brand agrees to pay $250 upfront to the creator for a sponsored post that is estimated to reach 20,000 impressions at a rate of $100 per 1,000 impressions.
LinkedIn Newsletter Sponsorships
Sponsorships for LinkedIn newsletters is another monetization route for content creators on the platform. This allows brands to sponsor a creator’s email newsletter.
According to LinkedIn, newsletter sponsorships typically start at a $500 minimum per send. However, top creators can earn $2,500+ per edition for newsletters with high open and click through rates.
Payment models include:
- Cost per send (fixed rate per edition sent)
- Cost per click (rate based on clicks on sponsored content)
- Cost per impression (rate based on newsletter subscribers reached)
Newsletter Sponsorship Example
Here is an example of how newsletter sponsorship revenue could work:
Sponsorship Details | Payout |
---|---|
1 Newsletter Edition | $1,000 |
Audience Reach: 50,000 | |
Fixed Cost Per Send | |
Total | $1,000 |
In this case, the creator earns a fixed sponsorship fee of $1,000 for one send of their newsletter that reaches an audience of 50,000 subscribers.
LinkedIn Live Video
Live streaming represents another potential source of income for creators on LinkedIn. The platform allows creators to live stream video and earn money from viewer tips and sponsorships.
LinkedIn shares ad revenue from live videos with creators who achieve over 50 live views. The exact revenue share percentage is not disclosed.
In addition, creators can earn tips from viewers during live streams via LinkedIn’s tipping feature. As with Creator Mode, 100% of the first $100 in tips every month goes to the creator.
Top creators can also earn sponsorship revenue, with some charging over $10,000 per stream for highly produced live events and exclusive brand partnerships.
Live Video Monetization Example
A LinkedIn Live video sponsorship deal could look like:
Sponsorship Details | Payout |
---|---|
1 Live Video | $2,500 |
Estimated Live Views: 50,000 | |
Fixed Sponsorship Fee | |
Total | $2,500 |
Here the creator earns a fixed $2,500 sponsorship fee from a brand for a single live video estimated to reach 50,000 live views.
Other LinkedIn Monetization Opportunities
In addition to the main programs outlined above, there are a few other ways creators can potentially earn money on LinkedIn:
- LinkedIn Learning commissions – Create paid courses for LinkedIn Learning and earn royalties based on enrollments.
- Paid groups – Earn revenue from premium subscriptions to managed LinkedIn Groups.
- Affiliate marketing – Promote relevant software, products, or services and earn commission on sales.
- Job promotion services – Get paid by companies seeking to advertise open positions to your audience.
However, most creator monetization on LinkedIn centers around the Sponsored Content, Creator Mode, Newsletters, and Live Video products mentioned previously.
How Much Can You Really Make on LinkedIn?
The earning potential on LinkedIn can vary substantially based on your personal brand, audience size, content quality, and sponsorship opportunities.
Some back-of-the-napkin estimates for potential LinkedIn creator earnings include:
Creator Type | Earning Potential |
---|---|
Nano influencer | $300 – $500 per month |
Micro influencer | $500 – $1,000 per month |
Mid-tier creator | $1,000 – $3,000 per month |
Top creator | $3,000 – $8,000+ per month |
These averages are based on reports of typical sponsored post rates and Creator Mode incomes from creators at different follower tiers.
At the middle tiers, consistent posting and sponsorships could realistically bring in an extra $1,000 to $3,000 per month for many full-time creators.
At upper tiers with over 100,000+ followers, six-figure annual incomes are possible but require securing many recurring sponsorships, high-value live streams, top-tier newsletter ads, and executive coaching packages.
Overall, LinkedIn certainly provides the opportunity to earn money from content creation. But it takes time to build your audience and a consistent investment in high-value content to maximize your income potential.
Keys to Making Money on LinkedIn
Here are some top tips to start earning or improve your existing income as a content creator on LinkedIn:
- Build your niche – Establish a focused topic and personal brand that provides value to a professional audience.
- Prioritize video & live content – Video drives high engagement that brands will pay for.
- Engage followers – Build relationships and trust by consistently engaging followers.
- Pitch sponsorships – Proactively pitch your services to relevant brands.
- Promote your content – Leverage LinkedIn’s tools to maximize reach and engagement.
- Track analytics – Use LinkedIn’s analytics to optimize content and prove your value.
- Provide exclusivity – Brands will pay more for exclusive content only shared with your audience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements to join LinkedIn’s Creator Mode?
To qualify for LinkedIn Creator Mode, you must have a minimum of 10,000 followers, be actively creating content, and submit an application to join. LinkedIn reviews creators based on engagement metrics and content quality.
Can you make money on LinkedIn without a huge audience?
Yes, you can start earning money on LinkedIn with just a few thousand engaged followers. Micro-influencers can earn a couple hundred dollars per sponsored post even at lower follower ranges. Building up to 10,000+ followers unlocks additional monetization opportunities.
Is it better to focus on written posts or video content?
High-quality video content tends to drive the highest engagement and earnings potential on LinkedIn. But a balance of videos, articles, and newsletters aligned to your niche is recommended. Most top creators utilize multiple formats.
What types of brands typically sponsor LinkedIn creators?
Common sponsor categories include SaaS, business services, HR/talent, marketing, financial services, and professional education. B2B brands focused on professionals and career development are natural fits to target LinkedIn audiences.
How much time does it take to earn money on LinkedIn as a creator?
It takes consistent time investment to build an audience and profitable creator brand on LinkedIn. Many full-time creators spend 20-30+ hours per week creating content and networking on the platform. But it can take 6 months+ to start seeing earnings potential.
The Bottom Line
LinkedIn provides a valuable platform for professionals to build their reputation, network, share knowledge, and now get paid as a creator. While it takes significant time and effort to build your audience and skills, six-figure incomes are achievable for top performers.
For most, the realistic path is to start by building your niche, focusing on high-quality content, and leveraging LinkedIn’s tools to maximize the reach of your posts and videos. As your audience grows, small sponsorships opportunities arise, with the potential to scale up over time. Passion and persistence for delivering value through online content creation are ultimately the keys to success.