How to become a LinkedIn influencer?

Becoming a LinkedIn influencer is not just about having a large follower base; it’s about sharing valuable insights, engaging with your professional network, and establishing thought leadership in your niche. LinkedIn influencers can create meaningful connections, boost their brand's visibility, and even generate revenue. In this article, we’ll break down how you can become a LinkedIn influencer, with tips from successful creators like Justin Welsh and Andrew Lokenauth.

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1. What Is a LinkedIn Influencer?

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A LinkedIn influencer is someone who consistently shares valuable content, engages with their audience, and establishes themselves as a trusted authority in their field. Influencers on LinkedIn typically focus on providing industry insights, professional advice, or thought-provoking discussions relevant to their target audience.

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• Example: Justin Welsh, with over 400,000 followers, has built his influence by sharing practical advice on entrepreneurship and personal branding. His authentic approach and niche focus have made him a trusted voice for solopreneurs and small business owners.

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2. Find Your Niche: The Key to Becoming a LinkedIn Influencer

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Becoming a LinkedIn influencer isn’t about chasing fame—it’s about building trust and providing value. With dedication and a clear strategy, anyone can grow a strong presence on the platform. Here’s how to find your niche and build your influence:

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✅ Define Your Expertise

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Focus on a specific industry or area of expertise that aligns with your professional background, passions, or unique skills. This could be finance, marketing, technology, or any other domain where you have valuable insights to share.

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→ Why It Matters: A well-defined niche sets you apart in the crowded LinkedIn space, helping you attract a dedicated and engaged following.

→ Action Step: Identify the topics where you have the most credibility or experience and build your content strategy around them.

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✅ Share Consistently

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Consistency is critical to staying visible and relevant. Commit to a regular posting schedule and share high-quality content that addresses the challenges, pain points, or goals of your target audience.

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→ What to Post: Industry trends, actionable tips, personal experiences, or thought-provoking commentary.

→ Pro Tip: Use LinkedIn’s features like polls, carousels, and articles to diversify your content format and boost engagement.

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✅ Be Authentic and Engaging

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LinkedIn is more than a broadcasting platform; it’s a community. Engage meaningfully with your audience through comments, shares, and private messages to build genuine relationships.

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→ How to Engage: Respond to comments on your posts, participate in discussions within your niche, and share other creators’ content with your unique perspective.

→ Key Tip: Stay authentic—people connect with real stories and genuine insights more than polished corporate jargon.

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✅ Learn From Successful Examples

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Take inspiration from LinkedIn influencers who have built authority in their niches.

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Example: Andrew Lokenauth established himself as a personal finance expert by consistently sharing actionable financial tips and career advice for young professionals. Over time, he became a trusted voice in his field by addressing his audience’s specific needs.

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✅ Build a Long-Term Vision

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Growing influence on LinkedIn takes time and persistence. Focus on building your reputation as a thought leader by delivering consistent value and nurturing meaningful connections.

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By finding your niche, staying consistent, and engaging authentically, you can position yourself as a LinkedIn influencer who inspires and informs. So, what’s your niche?

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3. Grow Your Audience

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You don’t need millions of followers to become a LinkedIn influencer. Engagement is far more important than follower count. Micro-influencers, with 5,000 to 20,000 followers, often have higher engagement rates and are more effective at influencing decision-makers in niche industries.

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• Example: Maja Voje, who focuses on Lead Generation, built her influence by consistently sharing high-value content, regardless of follower count. Her audience trusts him for authentic advice, which has led to higher engagement.

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You can track your audience growth, monitor engagement, and compare your performance to other influencers in your niche. The platform helps you understand what works and refine your strategy for sustainable growth.

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4. Build Influence and Credibility

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Becoming a LinkedIn influencer is not about joining a program, but about building credibility through organic growth. To build your influence, you need to:

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• Post Consistently: Share valuable insights and regularly spark discussions.
• Engage Actively: Reply to comments, start conversations, and engage with other professionals’ content.
• Optimize Your Profile: Your LinkedIn profile is your digital business card. Make sure it’s complete with a well-crafted headline, professional photo, and summary that reflects your expertise.

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Example: Justin Welsh has mastered this approach by sharing consistent, thoughtful content and engaging deeply with his followers. His active engagement has made him a leading figure in the entrepreneurial community. He's been posting every day for 2 years!

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The gamification can turn your journey into a more interactive experience. For example, you can earn badges for milestones like growing your follower count or boosting engagement rates. These badges and rankings can motivate you to continuously improve and stay consistent, just like Justin Welsh did with his frequent, high-value content.

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5. Get Paid for your work

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LinkedIn influencers can earn income through various channels, including:

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• Sponsored Content: Brands may pay influencers to promote their products or services to a professional audience.
• Consulting or Coaching: Many influencers use their platform to attract clients for one-on-one coaching or consulting services.
• Online Courses and Workshops: Influencers like Justin Welsh offer paid courses on personal branding and business growth, leveraging their LinkedIn presence to reach a wider audience.

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According to a 2023 B2B Influencer Marketing Report, over 30% of B2B influencers generate income from brand partnerships, consulting, and educational content.

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While LinkedIn offers features like LinkedIn Premium, it's important to note that, unlike platforms such as YouTube, LinkedIn currently does not offer direct options for creators to get paid through subscriber-based monetization.

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To find out more: How are B2B Influencers Paid?

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Becoming a LinkedIn influencer is a journey that requires consistency, authenticity, and a strong understanding of your audience’s needs. Whether you're sharing insights from your industry, sparking meaningful conversations, or offering valuable resources, your ability to engage and build trust is what truly defines influence on LinkedIn. Start by optimizing your profile, sharing consistent and valuable content, and engaging actively with your network. By following these steps, you can grow your presence, expand your reach, and unlock new opportunities as a LinkedIn influencer. Remember, success doesn’t happen overnight, but with the right strategy, anyone can build influence on LinkedIn. Now, it’s time to put these tips into action and start growing your LinkedIn influence today!

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