LinkedIn has become one of the most important platforms for professionals to build their personal brand and establish themselves as thought leaders in their industry. With over 722 million users worldwide, LinkedIn offers incredible opportunities to grow an engaged audience and position oneself as an influencer.
What is a LinkedIn Influencer?
A LinkedIn influencer is someone who has built up a large, engaged following on the platform and leverages their expertise to educate and inspire their audience. Influencers on LinkedIn are recognized as subject matter experts and trusted voices in their field.
LinkedIn designates influencers based on factors like how many followers they have, their post engagement, and how much their content gets shared. Influencers have access to additional features like write long-form posts and advanced analytics.
Why Become a LinkedIn Influencer?
Here are some of the main benefits of becoming a LinkedIn influencer:
Build your personal brand
The most obvious benefit is the ability to enhance your personal brand and reputation. By consistently sharing valuable insights, you showcase your expertise and establish credibility. The more content you publish, the more opportunities you have to get your name and knowledge in front of a wide audience.
Increase authority and trust
As you gain more followers and engagement, you build authority and trust. People will see you as an expert voice they can rely on for industry news, career advice, and more. This makes you more influential both within and outside of LinkedIn.
Grow your network
Influencers tend to have very large networks on LinkedIn. As you publish more content, you’ll connect with professionals across different companies, roles, and geographies. A bigger network means more opportunities for partnerships, referrals, and career openings.
Land speaking opportunities
Event organizers and conference producers are always looking for influential speakers who can provide value to attendees. As a LinkedIn influencer, you’re more likely to get invited to share your insights at key industry events.
Get recruited for job opportunities
Employers and recruiters actively scout LinkedIn for talent. Your influencer status shows your expertise and leadership, making you attractive for potential job openings. Increased visibility can lead to more inbound recruitment opportunities.
Promote your business or services
For consultants, coaches, agency owners and other entrepreneurs, becoming an influencer provides a platform to showcase your business to prospective clients. You can organically integrate mentions of your services into your content.
Sell products or courses
Some influencers leverage their audience and authority to sell informational products like ebooks, courses and webinars. While you can’t directly sell on LinkedIn, you can direct followers to external sites.
Partner with brands
Once you reach influencer status, you become attractive for brand partnership opportunities. Brands may offer you compensation to mention their products or services in your posts.
Monetize through affiliate links
Affiliate links allow you to earn commission promoting other companies’ products and services. Although you can’t share affiliate links directly on LinkedIn, you can direct your audience to them.
How to Become a LinkedIn Influencer
Here are some tips to boost your chances of becoming a LinkedIn influencer:
Publish High-Value Content Consistently
Posting regularly, at least 1-2 times per week, is key. Provide posts that deliver tangible value to your audience like tips, how-to guides, case studies, and industry analysis. Mix up the format with written posts, articles and videos.
Engage With Your Network
Don’t just broadcast content, interact using LinkedIn features like comments and mentions. Join Groups related to your industry and actively participate in discussions.
Optimize Your Profile
Make sure your profile is all-star caliber. Include rich media like photos, videos, presentations, and more that highlight your expertise. Get recommendations from past colleagues and clients.
Grow Your Network
Focus on quality over quantity. Connect with others who are highly-engaged, insightful voices in your field rather than just accumulating contacts. Aim to initiate conversations that add value.
Partner With Other Influencers
Collaborating with others who have an established audience can help expand your reach faster. Consider co-authoring content, getting featured, or exchanging promotion.
Track Your Performance
Use LinkedIn’s analytics tools to see which types of posts resonate most with your audience. Identify peak posting times when you receive the most engagement. Continue fine-tuning your strategy.
Apply for the LinkedIn Influencer Program
Once you’ve built up an engaged following and are posting regularly, apply through LinkedIn’s Influencer Program site. If accepted, you’ll gain access to more features.
Example of a Successful LinkedIn Influencer
A great example of someone who has leveraged LinkedIn to become an industry thought leader is Viveka Von Rosen. She is known as the “LinkedIn Expert” and author of several best-selling books on the platform.
Von Rosen has over 660,000 followers on LinkedIn. She provides tips on personal branding, growing a loyal network, generating leads, and more. She posts written long-form articles as well as video tutorials.
Some results Von Rosen has achieved through her LinkedIn influencer status include:
- Expanded global awareness for her personal brand
- Landing her a book deal with a top publisher
- Getting recruited to host a podcast for Entrepreneur Magazine
- Securing frequent speaking engagements worldwide
- Partnering with LinkedIn as an official influence marketing coach
Von Rosen is just one example of the doors that can open by becoming a LinkedIn influencer and thought leader.
FAQs
How many followers do you need to be an influencer?
There is no set follower requirement to become an influencer. However, most have at least 10,000 engaged followers as well as high post engagement in terms of reactions, comments, and shares.
Can anyone become an influencer?
In theory, anyone can work toward becoming an influencer by consistently creating stellar content and networking strategically. However, those with more authority, expertise, or an existing platform in their industry have a leg up.
Is being an influencer on LinkedIn worth it?
It requires significant time and effort but the payoff can be huge in terms of establishing yourself as a thought leader. If done strategically, it can greatly benefit your career and business endeavors long term.
How do I apply to become an influencer?
Go to the LinkedIn Influencer Program website and click “Apply Now.” You’ll need to provide details on your account activity, content samples, and why you’re a good fit for the program.
Can I make money as a LinkedIn Influencer?
Yes, top influencers have opportunities to monetize their audience through sponsorships, affiliate marketing, selling products, paid speaking gigs, and more. However, the focus should be on providing value first.
Conclusion
Becoming a LinkedIn influencer requires consistency, patience, and high-quality content that resonates with your audience. But the hard work can pay off tremendously for your personal brand and business. LinkedIn influencers have opportunities to monetize their following, get recruited for job roles, partner with brands, land speaking gigs, and be seen as industry experts.