LinkedIn Tips
Nov 21, 2024
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15
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8 Steps to Find LinkedIn Influencers in 2024
Want to boost your B2B marketing with LinkedIn influencers? Here's how to find the right ones:
Pick your market focus
Use LinkedIn search tools
Track popular hashtags
Check engagement numbers
Look at posting history
Review follower quality
Look at past brand work
Match brand values
Key takeaways:
Micro-influencers (<100K followers) often have 60% higher engagement rates
Focus on engagement quality, not just follower count
Use tools like Podify.io to analyze influencer stats
Track ROI: (Revenue - Cost) / Cost x 100
Real success: HubSpot's collab with Goldie Chan led to 25% more website traffic and $150K revenue in 3 months.
What Makes a LinkedIn Influencer
LinkedIn influencers are a different breed. They're not just posting selfies or dance videos. These folks are all about sharing industry know-how, starting real conversations, and shaping business decisions.
So, who are these LinkedIn influencers? They come in all sizes:
Nano Influencers (1k-10k followers): The new kids on the block. They might not have huge numbers, but their followers are super engaged.
Micro-Influencers (10k-100k followers): These guys hit the sweet spot. They've got a decent following but still keep it real.
Macro Influencers (100k-1M followers): Big names with big reach. Great for getting your brand out there.
Mega Influencers (1M+ followers): The heavy hitters. Often industry bigwigs or celebs. They'll get you seen, but it'll cost you.
What sets LinkedIn influencers apart? They're not just hawking products. They're shaping industries and helping people level up their careers.
Want to spot a good LinkedIn influencer? Look for these things:
They know their stuff. Like, REALLY know it.
They get people talking. Their posts spark conversations.
They show up. Regularly dropping knowledge bombs.
They keep it real. Sharing wins AND losses.
"Authenticity reigns supreme in the realm of LinkedIn influence. Share your successes and setbacks, offer insights into your learning journey, and showcase the real person behind the profile."
This quote nails it. Being genuine is key on LinkedIn.
When you're thinking about working with LinkedIn influencers, make sure their expertise fits your brand and audience. Take Jill Schlesinger, for example. She's a CBS News Business Analyst with 726,000 followers, dropping finance knowledge that finance pros eat up. Or Adam Grant, an organizational psychologist with a whopping 8 million followers. He dishes out motivation and career advice that resonates with all sorts of professionals.
Tools to Find Influencers
Finding LinkedIn influencers for your brand doesn't have to be a headache. Here are some top tools to make your search easier:
LinkedIn Native Analytics
LinkedIn's built-in analytics is a good starting point. It's free, but you'll need LinkedIn Premium for the full package. You can:
See how your profile's performing
Check out your audience demographics
This info helps you figure out which influencers might click with your target audience.
Hootsuite
Hootsuite is a social media powerhouse. It starts at $99 per month with a 30-day free trial. Here's what you get:
Analytics on your LinkedIn posts' performance
Social listening to track brand mentions
Comparison with your competitors
A tech company used Hootsuite to find AI micro-influencers. The result? 45% more engagement and 30% more qualified leads in just three months.
Podify.io
Podify.io is built for LinkedIn growth. Their Professional plan costs $97/month and includes:
Audience Meter: Check influencers' follower stats and engagement
Content Generation: Turn PDFs and videos into LinkedIn posts
Direct Content Distribution: Share influencer collabs straight to inboxes
It's great for businesses ready to ramp up their LinkedIn influencer partnerships.
Shield
Shield is all about LinkedIn analytics. It's $25 per month for individuals, with a 14-day free trial. You'll get:
Detailed content performance tracking
Combined post and profile stats
Best posting times based on engagement
A B2B software company used Shield to team up with three niche influencers. The result? Demo requests tripled in two months.
Brand24
Brand24 is your go-to for social listening and sentiment analysis. It starts at $119 per month (billed yearly) and offers:
Real-time brand mention tracking across platforms
Influencer finder based on industry reach and impact
Reports on brand and competitor sentiment
When picking your tools, think about what you need and how much you can spend. The priciest option isn't always the best. Try free trials and focus on tools that match your campaign goals and give you actionable insights.
8 Steps to Find the Right Influencers
Want to boost your LinkedIn marketing? Let's find you some top-notch influencers. Here's how to do it in 8 simple steps:
Step 1: Pick Your Market Focus
First things first: nail down your niche and target audience. This sets the stage for your whole influencer hunt.
For example: You're selling HR software to big companies. Your ideal influencers? HR tech experts with a following of HR bigwigs.
Step 2: Use LinkedIn Search Tools
LinkedIn's search is your secret weapon. Get fancy with Boolean operators. Try this:
"HR technology AND (thought leader OR influencer)"
Don't forget to filter by industry, location, and connections. It's like using a fine-toothed comb for your search.
Step 3: Track Popular Hashtags
Hashtags are your treasure map. Follow #HRTech or #FutureOfWork to spot the stars. Look for folks who always seem to be in the conversation.
Step 4: Check Engagement Numbers
Followers are nice, but engagement is king. Here's a quick math trick:
Engagement Rate = (Likes + ½ Comments) / Views x 100%
Let's say a post gets 1000 views, 40 likes, and 10 comments. That's (40 + 5) / 1000 x 100% = 4.5%.
Aim for 2-5% engagement. Higher? Even better.
Step 5: Look at Posting History
Consistency counts. Does your potential influencer post often? At least 2-3 times a week is good. And do they stick to your industry topics? That's what you want.
Step 6: Review Follower Quality
It's not a popularity contest. It's about reaching the right people. Check out the "People Also Viewed" section on their profile. If you see other pros in your field, you're on the right track.
Step 7: Look at Past Brand Work
Has this influencer played well with others? Check out their previous brand teamups. How did those go? It's like checking references, but for influencers.
Step 8: Match Brand Values
Last but not least: make sure your values line up. Read their stuff. Get a feel for their voice. Do they sound like someone you'd want speaking for your brand?
There you have it. Follow these steps, and you'll find influencers who aren't just popular, but perfect for your brand. Happy hunting!
How to Track Results
Measuring your LinkedIn influencer partnerships' impact is key. Here's how to do it:
Set Clear Objectives
Start with specific, measurable goals. Want more brand awareness? More leads? More sales? Your goals shape what you'll measure.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Focus on these KPIs:
Engagement Rate: Shows how well the influencer's content connects with their audience.
Engagement Rate = (Likes + ½ Comments) / Views x 100%
Aim for 2-5% or higher.
Reach and Impressions: Count unique users seeing your content and total views.
Follower Growth: Watch your follower count. A steady rise means the influencer is attracting potential customers.
Website Traffic: Use Google Analytics to see traffic from the influencer's content.
Conversion Rate: Measure how well the influencer's content drives specific actions.
Tracking Tools and Techniques
Use these methods:
Unique Tracking Links: Use UTM parameters or custom short links for each influencer.
Promo Codes: Give influencers unique discount codes to track their sales.
Social Listening: Keep an eye on brand mentions and sentiment across social platforms.
Analytics Platforms: Use tools like Hootsuite or Podify.io for deeper insights.
Calculating ROI
Here's how to check if your partnerships are profitable:
ROI = (Revenue - Cost) / Cost x 100
For example: If a campaign brings in $20,000 and costs $5,000: ROI = ($20,000 - $5,000) / $5,000 x 100 = 300%
That's a win - 300% return on investment.
Real-World Success Story
HubSpot teamed up with LinkedIn influencer Goldie Chan in 2023 to promote their CRM platform. They focused on educational content about inbound marketing strategies.
The results?
25% more website traffic from LinkedIn
15% growth in HubSpot's LinkedIn followers
500 new qualified leads
$150,000 in revenue over 3 months
HubSpot's CMO, Kipp Bodnar, said: "Our collaboration with Goldie not only boosted our brand visibility but also directly impacted our bottom line. The ROI far exceeded our expectations, proving the power of strategic influencer partnerships on LinkedIn."
Tips for Choosing Influencers
Picking the right LinkedIn influencers isn't just about big numbers. Here's how to make smart choices:
Look Beyond Follower Counts
Big followings don't always mean real influence. Focus on engagement quality instead.
Here's a surprise: micro-influencers (under 100K followers) can be powerhouses. A HelloSociety study found they deliver 60% higher engagement rates and are 6.7 times more cost-efficient than average.
Check for Real Engagement
True influence shows in comments, shares, and conversations. Use tools like Social Blade or HypeAuditor to spot fake followers or fishy engagement. Look for real, meaningful interactions, not just high numbers.
Match Your Brand Values
Pick influencers who fit your brand's mission. Nacho Selma, Influencer Marketing Manager at Isnach, says:
"For me, the most important thing is the quality and type of content the influencer has previously published."
Dig into their past content and collabs to make sure they match your brand's voice.
Quality and Consistency Matter
Top influencers create great content regularly. Browse their posts to see if they've improved over time. Look for original, relevant stuff that their audience loves.
Audience Fit is Key
Make sure an influencer's followers match your target market. Use LinkedIn's tools to check audience details. A smaller, engaged audience that fits your niche can beat a big, uninterested one any day.
Check Past Brand Work
See how they've worked with other brands. Look for clear sponsored content and smooth brand message integration. It shows how pro and effective they are.
Build Real Relationships
Think long-term, not just one-off deals. Engage with their content, offer value, and focus on real connections. This often leads to better, more authentic teamwork.
Use Smart Tools
Grab tools made for finding and analyzing influencers. Podify.io, for example, has an Audience Meter to check follower stats and engagement rates. It helps you make data-backed choices when picking influencers.
Summary
Finding and working with LinkedIn influencers in 2024 can boost your B2B marketing. Here's what you need to know:
Set clear goals first. Are you after brand awareness? Leads? Sales? Your goals will guide your influencer strategy.
Don't get hung up on follower counts. Micro-influencers (under 100K followers) can pack a punch. They often have 60% higher engagement rates and can be 6.7 times more cost-effective than average.
Use LinkedIn's tools to your advantage. Their advanced search filters help you find influencers by industry, job title, and location. Check out their "Top Voices" program too - it's a goldmine for finding key influencers in different categories.
Look at engagement, not just numbers. Tools like Podify.io's Audience Meter can give you the lowdown on follower stats and engagement rates. It's all about data-driven decisions.
Pick influencers who match your brand's vibe. As Nacho Selma from Isnach puts it:
"For me, the most important thing is the quality and type of content the influencer has previously published."
Keep tabs on your results. Track things like engagement rate, reach, follower growth, and conversion rate. Calculate your ROI to make sure these partnerships are worth your while.
Think long-term. Build relationships with influencers instead of going for quick, one-off deals. Engage with their content and offer value. It's about creating genuine collaborations.
Learn from the pros. Take HubSpot's 2023 collab with LinkedIn influencer Goldie Chan. The results? 25% more website traffic from LinkedIn, 15% follower growth, and $150,000 in revenue over 3 months. Not too shabby, right?
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