Let’s be honest…The term ‘influencer’ is one that makes many of us cringe. It’s a word we are both intrigued and discouraged by – you wouldn’t be reading this article otherwise. So, here you are wanting to learn how to become a LinkedIn influencer and maybe hoping no one ever finds out you were here. However, I am not just going to share some tips on what it takes to become a LinkedIn influencer, I am going to completely change your associations with the word.
What makes someone a LinkedIn influencer?
The first thing we need to make clear is that a LinkedIn influencer is someone who built their following on LinkedIn. Sounds pretty obvious, right? Well, would you describe Richard Branson as a LinkedIn influencer? Chances are you wouldn’t however that does not diminish the fact that he has a huge following on the platform. There are some people who will join LinkedIn and bring their established audience with them. Then, there are people like you who are building this following directly from the platform.
There are three main ways your audience can view you as a LinkedIn influencer.
- Inspiring: someone who shares their lessons for success
- Educational: shares the stories of others to inspire
- Entertaining: usually a faceless account that pushes out/reshares viral content
You can actively pick which type you want to be and shape your profile and content around that. Or you might find you naturally fall into one type as you build your audience. There is a chance you might even start out as one and realise you are better suited to another. So, don’t be discouraged if you find yourself struggling to build your audience at first.
How is a LinkedIn influencer different to other social media?
The biggest difference between LinkedIn influencers and influencers on other social media platforms (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube) is audience vs. content. Of course, the quality of your content and the way in which you interact with your audience are vital on most platforms. However, there is a distinct difference from platform to platform that you might not pick up on if you are new to LinkedIn. The more you post and interact on LinkedIn, the more you will be able to naturally notice this distinction. But, to save you some time, let’s dive into it here…
LinkedIn Audience
Every influencer wants to claim that they have a ‘real’ connection with their audience but most of the time this is a blanket statement. Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok are not places people go to start conversations. It’s where you can post content that is quick, informative, educational and entertaining. Those platforms are a great way to draw your audience in and entice them to find you somewhere designed for connecting like-minded people. Enter LinkedIn.
LinkedIn allows you to put a real focus on your audience and how you build your relationships with them. This is one of the most important reasons why you shouldn’t cringe or be ashamed to become a LinkedIn influencer. Many people’s negative misconceptions about ‘influencers’ come from the fact that they never seem genuine or real. Becoming a LinkedIn influencer is all about being genuine and real! Why? Well, that takes us on to our next point…
LinkedIn Content
While platforms like Instagram and Youtube are more content-focused, this does not mean you can slack when it comes to your LinkedIn content. The difference between LinkedIn content and these other platforms is that the content you are posting on LinkedIn needs to invite conversation. Sharing a beautiful image or funny meme might make people stop and leave a like but to connect with your audience and cross over into LinkedIn influencer territory, your content needs to truly resonate with your audience. Whether it is a life lesson, advice or personal story, you need to consistently demonstrate your expertise in a relatable way.
Don’t just comment, connect! Your own content is only part of the equation when it comes to becoming a LinkedIn influencer. Commenting on other people’s posts will also encourage this two-way communication that is vital to elevating you to influencer status. Compliment people on the content they shared but only if it really resonated with you. The last thing you want to do is start any relationship with a lie. Don’t just leave generic, empty comments. Like anything you do on LinkedIn, leave a comment that invites conversation. This will go a long way to making people realise you are genuine and approachable.
What do I need to do to become a LinkedIn influencer?
- Start by building a digital reputation and personal brand
- Take the time to find out what your audience is currently liking
- Share and post content related to these issues/topics
- Don’t share anything that you don’t 100% believe
- Let go of the idea that being an influencer is ‘cringey’
There is a reason you found this article today. Sure, everyone would like a huge following but becoming a LinkedIn influencer is not only about the numbers. It’s authenticity that is the secret of the LinkedIn influencer.
