What are LinkedIn influencers called?

On LinkedIn, influencers are known as LinkedIn Influencers. They are a select group of thought leaders and experts who regularly share their insights and perspectives on various topics through long-form posts published exclusively on LinkedIn.

Who can become a LinkedIn Influencer?

Becoming a LinkedIn Influencer is by invitation only. LinkedIn carefully vets potential influencers based on a number of criteria, including:

• Domain expertise and thought leadership in a relevant field
• A substantial following and engagement on LinkedIn
• A history of sharing valuable insights through content
• Alignment with LinkedIn’s mission to create economic opportunity for every member of the global workforce

LinkedIn states that Influencers are leaders in their industries who actively contribute to conversations happening on the platform. They are committed to sharing their knowledge with LinkedIn’s community of professionals. Only a very small percentage of LinkedIn’s userbase is selected to take part in the Influencer program.

What are the benefits of being a LinkedIn Influencer?

There are several advantages to becoming a LinkedIn Influencer:

• Reach a massive audience – Influencers can tap into LinkedIn’s user base of over 740 million members. This provides an opportunity to get their insights in front of a huge, targeted professional audience.
• Build thought leadership – Long-form Influencer posts allow experts to demonstrate knowledge, establish credibility, and build their personal brand as an industry thought leader.
• Promote content and products – Influencers can link to their website, blog, books, and other material from their LinkedIn posts.
• Networking opportunities – The program provides exposure to other leaders, potential partners, and professional contacts.

In addition to the visibility benefits, LinkedIn Influencers also receive editorial input and support from LinkedIn’s editing team when publishing posts. This gives their content extra polish and optimization for the platform’s readership.

Who are some notable LinkedIn Influencers?

LinkedIn has attracted Influencers from a diverse range of industries and backgrounds. Some of the more prominent LinkedIn Influencers include:

• Bill Gates – Co-founder of Microsoft
• Richard Branson – Founder of Virgin Group
• Arianna Huffington – Co-founder of The Huffington Post
• John Battelle – Co-founder of Wired
• Daniel Pink – Author and business thinker
• Guy Kawasaki – Silicon Valley investor and author
• Brian Scudamore – Founder and CEO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK?
• Pete Cashmore – Founder and CEO of Mashable
• Carol Roth – Entrepreneur, New York Times bestselling author
• Gary Vaynerchuk – Entrepreneur, author, speaker, and internet personality

As of October 2022, LinkedIn reports having over 1,000 Influencers contributing regular content across more than 50 countries.

What topics do LinkedIn Influencers cover?

LinkedIn Influencers provide insights and advice on a wide spectrum of professional topics. Some of the most common categories covered include:

• Leadership and management
• Entrepreneurship
• Marketing and social media
• Sales and business development
• Workplace culture and human resources
• Work-life balance and productivity
• Negotiation and communication
• Technology and innovation
• Career and personal growth
• Workplace diversity and inclusion

Essentially, Influencers weigh in on any theme or issue that’s relevant to LinkedIn’s professional audience. The goal is to provide members with actionable, practical content that can impact their careers and businesses.

How are LinkedIn Influencer posts different from regular LinkedIn content?

LinkedIn Influencer content stands out from regular LinkedIn posts in a few key ways:

• Long-form format – Influencer posts are typically 500-1000 words or more. This allows them to dive deeper into topics.
• Prominent visibility – Influencer posts have prime real estate in the LinkedIn feed and notifications.
• Multimedia options – Influencers can include images, video, slides, and other multimedia in their posts.
• Editorial support – LinkedIn’s team helps Influencers shape and refine their posts.
• Sponsored distribution – Some Influencer posts are boosted through LinkedIn’s advertising products.

The combination of these factors allows Influencer content to gain much more reach and engagement compared to standard member posts.

How often do LinkedIn Influencers post?

There is no set cadence for how often Influencers must publish content. However, most contributors post on a regular basis, ranging from weekly to monthly posts. Consistent publishing helps Influencers stay top of mind and maintain readership.

According to LinkedIn, their most prolific Influencers will typically publish around 25-35 posts per year. But involvement can vary significantly based on the individual. Some tips for Influencers to optimize their publishing frequency include:

• Set a reasonable schedule that works for your workflow.
• Space out posts to avoid overwhelming your audience.
• Test different frequencies and see what resonates best.
• Use relevant events, news, and topics to plan timely posts.
• Take breaks when needed to maintain quality over quantity.

What level of reach and engagement do LinkedIn Influencer posts get?

On average, Influencer posts will reach anywhere from 20,000 to 500,000+ impressions on LinkedIn. However, it’s possible for viral posts to reach into the millions.

For example, here are some sample statistics on LinkedIn Influencer post reach:

• Bill Gates – Over 3 million followers, posts average 200k+ likes
• Richard Branson – Over 19 million followers, posts average 50k+ likes
• Daniel Pink – Over 1.5 million followers, posts average 5k+ likes
• Pete Cashmore – Over 700k followers, posts average 1-2k likes

The most popular Influencers can attract engagement that rivals major media outlets and celebrities. This underscores the influencer status these thought leaders have built within the LinkedIn community.

Even newer Influencers with smaller followings can expect to generate thousands of impressions and interactions per post after getting accepted into the program.

How are LinkedIn Influencers expected to use the platform?

To get the most out of the program, LinkedIn recommends Influencers focus on the following when publishing:

• Post consistently – At least 25-35 posts per year is ideal.
• Share unique insights – Don’t rehash content from other channels.
• Engage with readers – Respond to comments and messages.
• Promote content – Link to your website, offers, etc.
• Follow topics – Comment on trending news and events.
• Collaborate with other Influencers – Cross-promote each other.
• Measure results – Track engagement data and optimize.

Influencers should view themselves as contributing members of the LinkedIn community. While they have a platform to stand out, reciprocity and relationship-building are still core expectations.

What are some examples of top LinkedIn Influencer posts?

Here are a few examples of popular LinkedIn Influencer posts and their engagement:

These posts showcase the viral potential of Influencer content. By blending personal narrative with research, insights, and advice, they can produce high interest and discussion.

What are LinkedIn Influencers not allowed to do?

To uphold editorial standards, LinkedIn prohibits Influencers from:

• Publishing clickbait or misleading titles
• Promoting false information or conspiracy theories
• Plagiarizing content from other sources
• Selling products or services directly
• Posting explicit, defamatory, or offensive content
• Sharing content published elsewhere
• Using their position just for self-promotion

Influencers who violate these rules risk having their privileges revoked by LinkedIn. All posts must provide value to readers and align with LinkedIn’s mission.

How much do LinkedIn Influencers make?

LinkedIn does not directly pay Influencers for their regular posts. The program is primarily meant to be an engagement platform between experts and professionals.

However, there are several indirect ways Influencers can monetize their standing:

• Sponsored posts – Influencers can work with brands on paid partnerships.
• Content promotion – Driving book sales, products, or services.
• Speaking and consulting – Building authority to command higher fees.
• Career opportunities – Raising their professional profile.

The main incentive for Influencers is bolstering their reputation and expanding their reach. But it can indirectly enable lucrative opportunities as thought leaders.

How can you connect with LinkedIn Influencers?

There are a few options for connecting with LinkedIn Influencers:

• Follow their LinkedIn page – You can see all their posts in your feed.
• Like and comment on posts – Directly engage with their content.
• Share their posts – Help increase their visibility.
• Mention them in your content – Draw attention collaboratively.
• Send a connection request – If they accept, you can message directly.
• Join their company page – Interact via their business community.
• Follow on other platforms – Such as Twitter or Facebook.
• Attend live events – Ask questions and network in-person.
• Send a thoughtful message – Introduce yourself and request advice.

LinkedIn Influencers are very active on the platform. Engaging with their content and profile is the best way to get on their radar.

Can anyone become a LinkedIn Influencer?

Technically anyone can apply to become a LinkedIn Influencer via the LinkedIn for Good program. However, acceptance is extremely selective given the limited number of spots.

LinkedIn states that becoming an Influencer is not guaranteed, even with a substantial following and engagement. They look for creators who:

• Consistently publish high-quality, original content.
• Demonstrate deep expertise and thought leadership.
• Are recognized authorities in their field.
• Exhibit professionalism and integrity.
• Align with LinkedIn’s mission and values.
• Engage productively with their community.
• Have strong communication and writing skills.

Aspiring Influencers should focus first on organically building their reputation, audience, and sharing valuable perspectives through consistent posting and engagement on LinkedIn.

What is the process to become a LinkedIn Influencer?

Here are the general steps to become a LinkedIn Influencer:

1. Establish yourself as an industry thought leader on LinkedIn.
2. Build a substantial audience on LinkedIn organically.
3. Consistently publish high-quality, well-written posts.
4. Demonstrate your expertise, credibility, and communication skills.
5. Get invited by LinkedIn or apply via LinkedIn for Good.
6. Get vetted and accepted by LinkedIn’s Influencer program team.
7. Complete LinkedIn’s onboarding for contributing Influencers.
8. Start publishing long-form posts exclusively on LinkedIn.
9. Adhere to LinkedIn’s editorial guidelines for Influencers.
10. Engage your readership and promote your Influencer content.

The process takes significant commitment over the long-term. But the payoff of tapping into LinkedIn’s audience and resources makes it well worth the effort.

Conclusion

LinkedIn Influencers represent an elite group of thought leaders who educate and inspire LinkedIn’s professional community. They provide original perspectives, insights, advice and best practices across industries to millions of engaged readers.

Being accepted into this exclusive program requires deep subject matter expertise, an established personal brand, and alignment with LinkedIn’s mission. While becoming an Influencer takes dedication over time, it offers rewards of reputation-building, increased visibility, and connection with other industry leaders.

For professionals looking to enhance their digital influence, developing high-quality content and sharing knowledge on LinkedIn is the first step. Aspiring and current Influencers can mutually benefit the platform’s members while advancing their own careers and organizations.