Influencers on LinkedIn

If learning that influencers exist on the networking site LinkedIn has shocked you, then the contents of this article will blow your mind.

What are influencers on LinkedIn?

Influencers on LinkedIn are considered experts within their chosen industries. Rather than promoting brands and products, they are able to offer advice on issues faced and trends that soar in their fields. So, if you were waiting around for them to release a fashion edit with PrettyLittleThing, you might be waiting for a very long time. LinkedIn influencer marketing looks a little bit different. Small businesses who are looking to improve their reputation will be a good fit for this marketing strategy, as many users will trust a recommendation from someone who is an expert in their field.

Influencers on LinkedIn differ from your typical Instagram, YouTube and TikTok influencers in the way they achieve influencer status. On any other social media platform, if you continue to dedicate your time and effort to your profile and gain a certain number of followers, you are automatically considered either a micro or macro influencer. LinkedIn influencers are selected by invitation only. This means that if you are looking to become a LinkedIn influencer, you really have to impress the board.

The perks of becoming an influencer on LinkedIn

While understanding that everyone’s idea of success is personal to them, LinkedIn can take career success to levels that other social media platforms very rarely can. With over half a billion users worldwide, the platform serves as a hub for creating business connections. As an influencer, these connections build authority, which then translates into real life credibility with people you may come across, as you will now be viewed as a reliable and authentic business person; attracting more customers.

An increase in connections, and therefore potential customers, is also made easier for influencers through their engagement rates. The more people who interact with your posts, the more likely it is to make it onto LinkedIn’s trending topics page. Here, you will be granted exposure to every user on the site and attract even more potential customers. Do you see the pattern now? Creating/building connections gives you more leverage for exposure on the platform—exposure leads to more potential customers and potential customers equals a boost in your business.

Just like with all forms of influencing on every platform, it takes a lot of hard work and dedication to your profile to eventually build something noteworthy. Or in LinkedIn’s case, to eventually be noticed and invited to become an influencer.

Influencers to Follow on LinkedIn

Top LinkedIn Influencers

We have put together a list of LinkedIn influencers who are at the top of their field within Digital Marketing.

1. Neil Patel – Digital Marketing Specialist and Co-Founder at Neil Patel Digital. 

Follower count – 435,457

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilkpatel/

 2. Gary Vaynerchuck – Communications Expert, Author, Chairman of VaynerX, CEO of VaynerMedia

Follower count – 5,042,989

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garyvaynerchuk/

 3. Bryan Eisenberg – Optimisation Expert, Co-Founder at Pelotero

Follower count – 151,298

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryaneisenberg/ 

 4. Pam Moore – Social Media Marketing Specialist

Follower count – 353,288 

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pmoore/

 5. Ann Handley – Digital Marketer, Content Expert

Follower count – 435,182

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhandley/ 

FAQs

How do LinkedIn influencers work?

Influencers on LinkedIn are a select group of individuals who are considered experts in their respective fields. They discuss their opinions on trending topics and issues in order to help others expand their knowledge and businesses. A team of editors at LinkedIn works closely with the influencers to form articles and posts that not only make members more professionally informed, but also to spark thought-provoking conversations in the comments.

What is influencer status on LinkedIn?

The top LinkedIn influencers have all achieved influencer status through proving their expertise in their industry. Influencers on LinkedIn will typically have 500+ connections in order to deem them worthy of selection by the premium LinkedIn influencer program board.

How do you target influencers on LinkedIn?

Not too dissimilar from knowing how to choose an influencer on any other social media platform, targeting influencers on LinkedIn requires just as much in-depth analysis of the creator and their profile. A few ways to target specific LinkedIn influencers are through;

1. Performing a manual search using keywords relevant to your niche and selecting influencers from the list of those who are using those keywords the most. 
2. Using influencer marketing software.
3. LinkedIn groups. Try joining the top groups in your industry and niche.