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Few YouTube creators have embraced LinkedIn. The overwhelming majority haven’t started profiles, shared their videos, or networked with anyone on the platform.
Why? It doesn’t feel like “the place to be” for video creators. People imagine office jobs and resumes when they think of LinkedIn.
They’re not entirely wrong because 9-to-5ers have always dominated the platform. But look closer. You’ll find that creators are making extra money when they network on LinkedIn.
According to Judi Fox, a Top 10 LinkedIn Business Coach for 2021, content creators use LinkedIn to get brand deals, podcast interviews, and speaking engagements.
“We forget that we’re humans talking to other humans across all platforms now, and we put up walls when we limit why a platform exists,” Fox says. “All of these platforms are tools.”
In this episode of TubeTalk, Fox explains how to leverage LinkedIn for better opportunities. Professionals have done that for years, but these new tips are directed at YouTube creatives.
Did you hear the news? LinkedIn is launching creator mode, a new profile type that offers content creation tools and advanced features. It’s rolling out slowly, so check your LinkedIn dashboard to see if you have access to creator mode.
Creator mode has several perks, including:
Turning on creator mode is step one when you join LinkedIn. You get to position yourself as an expert and get more eyeballs on your content, YouTube videos included.
And if that wasn’t enough, Fox says LinkedIn is backing some creators financially. In September 2021, the company launched a $25 million fund to support creators and their businesses.
Basically, there’s never been a better time to share content on LinkedIn.
When you join LinkedIn, don’t just turn on creator mode and call it a day. Take advantage of its most important offering: LinkedIn Newsletters.
For years, experts have written LinkedIn articles to build credibility and grow their audiences. But that was never enough on its own. Even the best articles underperform when they aren’t promoted to the right readers.
That’s why LinkedIn Newsletters are a game-changer. Imagine writing an article about something in your niche – how to sell fine art in 2022, for example. You could include a video from your YouTube channel to complement that information, which increases your views. Then you get to market the whole thing – the article and the video inside of it – in your LinkedIn newsletter.
“That is what Gary Vaynerchuk is doing,” Fox says. “He’s making a micro piece of content from an hour-long video on YouTube. He’s timestamping a few moments and making the video play in the LinkedIn article.”
This drives traffic to your YouTube channel and expands your LinkedIn network at the same time.
If you’re struggling to get brand deals on YouTube, LinkedIn is the place for you. Think of all the companies that have a presence there, such as Disney, Skillshare, and Blue Apron. Those are common YouTube sponsors, and you’re bound to find corporate contacts from each company. That will probably happen via LinkedIn Audio Live, a social audio platform that’s similar to Clubhouse.
Here’s a sneak peek from Rob Balasabas, who tested the feature a few weeks ago. It’s still in beta, but anyone with creator mode enabled will get LinkedIn Audio Live eventually.
Fox says there are benefits to using social audio. For one, people feel comfortable working with someone they’ve already spoken to. This is especially true for marketers who want to work with influencers for a campaign. They get to hear voices in real-time and form better connections.
Because of that, brand managers are eager to meet again (one-on-one) and discuss campaign opportunities. Even if you're following up with a pitch email, your message is less likely to be ignored.
Read More: Getting a Brand Deal on YouTube - 10 Terrible Mistakes to Avoid
Of course, you have to be vocal in audio rooms to get those meetings.
“The best advice I can give anyone who’s thinking about LinkedIn or any social audio: Be the show,” Fox says. “Don't just go and think, ‘Oh, I wouldn’t use it. I’m not a consumer [of that]'. Stop thinking about what you would do and realize that there's a place for you to be a show on all these channels.”
LinkedIn is investing in the creator economy, but it’s not the only platform to look out for.
Check out these 11 companies that match creators with lucrative brand deals.
Lydia Sweatt is a writer who loves balancing her article/blog time indoors with a healthy dose of nature. She bikes, hikes, and identifies edible plants along the way.
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