LinkedIn has evolved from a digital resume hub into a thriving platform for thought leadership and professional influence. While platforms like Instagram and TikTok dominate the B2C influencer space, LinkedIn has quietly become a cornerstone for B2B influencer marketing and professional branding.
According to the Content Marketing Institute, 89% of B2B marketers use LinkedIn for lead generation. With this growing trend, finding the right influencers on LinkedIn isn’t just a tactic—it’s a competitive advantage.
What is a LinkedIn Influencer?
A LinkedIn influencer isn’t necessarily someone with hundreds of thousands of followers. Instead, they are individuals who:
- Consistently share valuable, insightful content
- Have strong engagement and community interaction
- Hold authority or expertise in their industry
- Influence decisions and spark conversations
LinkedIn’s “Creator Mode” is a key signal—those who enable it typically aim to build a following through original content and active engagement.
Why LinkedIn Influencers Matter for Your Brand
Unlike other platforms where influence is often based on lifestyle appeal, LinkedIn influencers offer:
- Professional trust and credibility
- Industry-specific insights
- A targeted, decision-making audience
“LinkedIn is the boardroom of the internet. People don’t just scroll—they evaluate.” — LinkedIn Top Voice, 2024
Whether you’re a SaaS company, a consultant, or a B2B brand, collaborating with the right LinkedIn voices can amplify your reach and elevate your positioning.
9 Best Ways To Find Influencers on LinkedIn
1. Manual Search Techniques:
- Use LinkedIn’s search bar and filter by industry, job title, location, and content type
- Search hashtags like #Leadership, #SaaS, #WomenInTech, or #HRTech
- Review engagement on viral posts in your sector to find relevant influencers and authors with influence
2. Using LinkedIn Features:
- Creator Mode: Look for users with “Creator Mode” enabled, which highlights their content and follower count
- Newsletters: Subscribe to popular LinkedIn newsletters in your industry to find consistent voices
- Top Voices Lists: Use LinkedIn’s curated lists like “Top Voices in Tech” or “Top Voices in Sustainability”.
3. Engage in Niche LinkedIn Groups:
Join LinkedIn Groups relevant to your industry or target audience. Within these groups, observe who consistently shares insights, sparks conversations, and receives strong engagement. These active participants often have influence in very specific professional niches—even if their overall follower count isn’t massive.
Pro Tip: Sort group posts by “Most Active” or “Recent Activity” to spot influential contributors quickly.
4.Track Event Speakers & Panelists
Look at speakers from LinkedIn-hosted events, industry webinars, or professional conferences. Many of them are active content creators on LinkedIn and already have a built-in audience.
Where to look: LinkedIn Events section, virtual summits, or industry-specific conferences.
5. Explore LinkedIn News and Top Articles
Check LinkedIn’s “Today’s news and views” or trending articles. Often, the authors of these pieces are considered thought leaders in their fields.
Bonus: You can identify which professionals are consistently cited, featured, or quoted.
6. Monitor Viral Comment Sections
Find trending posts in your industry and dive into the comments. Influential voices often engage in discussions even if they didn’t create the post. This surfaces hidden micro-influencers.
7. Analyze Mutual Connections of Industry Leaders
Check the connection list or interactions of well-known thought leaders. See who they’re tagging, reposting, or engaging with regularly. This reveals second-tier influencers you may not be aware of.
8. Use Content Engagement Tracking Tools
Install tools like Shield, Taplio, or LinkedIn analytics extensions that let you track top-performing posts in a niche and see who’s generating the most consistent engagement.
9. Using Discovery Tools & Platforms:
While manual discovery can work, platforms like InfluencerDiscoveries streamline the process with precision. You can filter influencers by niche, engagement rate, and audience demographics. Other tools include:
- BuzzSumo
- Klear
- Upfluence
These tools are especially useful if you’re running campaigns at scale or need deeper analytics.
How to Evaluate Influencers on LinkedIn
Not all influencers are equal. Here’s what to assess:
- Engagement Quality: Are they receiving thoughtful comments or just likes?
- Audience Relevance: Do their followers align with your target market?
- Content Consistency: Are they posting regularly and meaningfully?
“LinkedIn influencers with consistent weekly content get up to 5x more profile views.” — LinkedIn Analytics Team, 2024
Use analytics tools like Shield App or Taplio to dig deeper into engagement metrics.
Outreach: How to Approach LinkedIn Influencers
When you’re ready to connect:
- Personalize your message: Reference their content or recent post
- Be clear about the value exchange: Is it a co-branded post? Webinar? Interview?
- Keep it professional and authentic
Do:
- Compliment their work
- State your objective
- Suggest a clear next step
Don’t:
- Send generic mass messages
- Focus only on promotion
- Pressure for quick collaboration
What Mistakes You Need to Avoid
- Prioritizing Follower Count: Focus on relevance, not reach
- Skipping Research: Not all visible creators have true influence
- Transactional Mindset: Build relationships, not just campaigns
Final Thoughts
LinkedIn is the new stage for professional influence. By identifying credible voices, evaluating their impact, and forming authentic partnerships, brands and professionals can extend their reach and boost credibility in a meaningful way.
Ready to get started?
Explore our database of verified LinkedIn influencers tailored to your industry at InfluencerDiscoveries.com and supercharge your next campaign.