LinkedIn is more than just a professional networking platform; it is also a powerful resource for keeping up with the latest industry trends and learning from thought leaders. Industry thought leaders are experts who consistently share valuable insights, knowledge, and opinions within their respective fields. Following these individuals on LinkedIn can be an excellent way to stay informed, gain fresh perspectives, and expand your network.
This guide will walk you through the steps to effectively use LinkedIn to follow and engage with industry thought leaders.
1. Why Follow Industry Thought Leaders on LinkedIn?
Following industry thought leaders has several benefits for your professional growth and development:
- Stay Updated on Trends: Thought leaders often share cutting-edge ideas and information, helping you stay ahead in your industry.
- Learn from Experts: You can learn best practices, new strategies, and innovative approaches by following the insights of recognized experts.
- Expand Your Network: Interacting with thought leaders can increase your visibility within your industry and help you connect with other professionals.
- Inspiration and Motivation: Thought leaders often share inspiring stories, successes, and challenges, which can help motivate you in your career or business endeavors.
2. Identifying the Right Thought Leaders to Follow
The first step in using LinkedIn to follow industry thought leaders is to identify the right people who align with your professional goals and interests.
A. Define Your Industry and Interests
Determine which industry or field you’re focusing on. This could be anything from marketing, technology, and healthcare to design, entrepreneurship, or education. Also, identify what specific topics or areas within that industry interest you the most, such as digital transformation in marketing or innovation in product design.
B. Use LinkedIn’s Search Feature
LinkedIn’s search feature makes it easy to find thought leaders. Here’s how to use it effectively:
- Search by Keywords: Enter industry-relevant keywords or topics in the search bar. For example, if you’re in marketing, search for “digital marketing,” “content strategy,” or “growth hacking.” LinkedIn will show profiles, articles, and posts related to these topics.
- Use Filters: Narrow your search by using LinkedIn filters such as location, industry, or job title to find leaders who are most relevant to your needs. You can filter to find people with titles like “CEO,” “Founder,” “Author,” “Keynote Speaker,” or “Influencer” in your industry.
C. Look for Verified LinkedIn Influencers
LinkedIn has an Influencers program where they officially recognize and promote industry leaders, celebrities, and experts. You can identify these influencers by the LinkedIn Influencer badge on their profiles. Following these LinkedIn Influencers can give you access to high-quality, insightful content in your industry.
D. Explore Industry-Specific Hashtags
Search for and follow industry-specific hashtags such as #Marketing, #Leadership, #AI, #TechInnovation, or #Startups. Thought leaders often use these hashtags when sharing content. Once you follow the hashtags, you can discover new voices and engage with posts from leading professionals.
3. How to Follow and Engage with Thought Leaders
After identifying the thought leaders in your industry, it’s time to start following them and engaging with their content.
A. Follow Their LinkedIn Profiles
Go to the profiles of thought leaders you’ve identified and click Follow. By doing this, you will start seeing their updates and posts in your feed. Make sure to follow a mix of people across different sectors of your industry to get a well-rounded perspective.
B. Engage with Their Content
It’s not enough to passively follow thought leaders—you should actively engage with their content to get the most benefit.
- Like and Comment: Liking posts can help you get noticed, but thoughtful comments will help you engage on a deeper level. Provide meaningful input, ask questions, or share your own experiences to contribute to the conversation.
- Share Their Posts: If a thought leader shares a valuable insight, article, or opinion, consider sharing it with your network. When sharing, add your own commentary to show how the content resonated with you or applies to your field.
- Tag and Mention: If you write a post or article relevant to a thought leader’s area of expertise, mention or tag them in your post. This can lead to direct engagement and help you build connections with them over time.
C. Engage Through LinkedIn Articles and Videos
Many thought leaders on LinkedIn publish long-form articles or videos on their areas of expertise. By engaging with these posts, you can learn in-depth information on key industry trends.
- Read and Comment on Articles: LinkedIn articles provide more detailed insights than regular posts. Take the time to read and comment on these articles to show your interest and engage in deeper discussions.
- Watch LinkedIn Videos: Many thought leaders also post videos where they discuss industry topics, provide advice, or share experiences. Videos tend to get higher engagement rates, and commenting on them can increase the chance of being noticed.
4. Leverage LinkedIn’s Notifications and Alerts
To ensure you never miss important updates or insights from thought leaders, take advantage of LinkedIn’s notification and alert features.
A. Turn on Notifications for Key Thought Leaders
LinkedIn allows you to turn on notifications for specific people. To do this, go to the profile of a thought leader, click on the bell icon located near their name, and choose to receive updates whenever they post something new. This way, you can engage with their content as soon as it goes live.
B. Follow Their Activity Beyond LinkedIn
Many thought leaders are active across multiple platforms, including blogs, podcasts, and other social media channels. Make sure to follow their activity on these platforms as well to get a broader perspective of their content. If they post about new speaking engagements, webinars, or interviews, be sure to tune in for additional learning opportunities.
5. Build a Relationship with Thought Leaders
Once you’ve consistently engaged with thought leaders, you can start building professional relationships. Developing these connections can open doors to new opportunities, collaborations, and mentorship.
A. Send Personalized Connection Requests
If you’ve interacted with a thought leader’s content over time, you can send them a personalized connection request. Make sure to reference something specific from their content that resonated with you, and explain why you’d like to connect. A thoughtful, well-crafted message will increase the likelihood of your request being accepted.
B. Engage in Direct Conversations
Once connected, don’t be afraid to reach out for advice, feedback, or professional insights. Approach these conversations respectfully and make sure your questions are thoughtful and concise.
- Request for Mentorship: If you’ve developed a solid rapport, consider asking them for professional advice or mentorship. Keep your request clear and respectful of their time.
- Collaborate on Content: If appropriate, propose collaboration on content or projects that align with both of your interests. This could involve guest posts, interviews, or discussions on industry topics.
6. Follow Thought Leader Companies and Organizations
In addition to individuals, many thought leaders represent prominent companies, organizations, or think tanks. Make sure to follow these companies’ LinkedIn Pages to stay updated on corporate insights, innovations, and thought leadership content.
A. Follow Company Pages
Search for and follow company pages in your industry that are known for setting trends or influencing market shifts. These companies often share reports, whitepapers, and articles that thought leaders contribute to.
B. Engage with Corporate Content
Many thought leaders share their expertise through corporate content, such as blog posts, webinars, or events hosted by their companies. Engaging with this content can provide more structured insights into your industry while offering opportunities to connect with other professionals.
Conclusion
Following and engaging with industry thought leaders on LinkedIn is a powerful way to stay informed, gain fresh perspectives, and expand your professional network. By identifying the right leaders in your industry, actively engaging with their content, leveraging notifications, and building relationships, you can enrich your knowledge and position yourself as an engaged member of your professional community. Use LinkedIn not only as a platform to observe but also to interact, contribute, and grow your personal brand through these valuable connections.