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LinkedIn offers $25 million to get in on the digital creator economy

The Future. LinkedIn is jumping into the influencer economy with a $25 million creator fund, a Clubhouse-like social chat feature, and a new accelerator program to kickstart the era of LinkedInfluencers. With LinkedIn’s 774 million users using the platform almost exclusively for job searching or professional development, personalities that excel at connecting people with opportunities may be the most successful creators.

Clubhouse with a dress code
Even LinkedIn wants to recruit influencers.

• The platform is launching a $25 million creator fund, which will initially fuel its new Creator Accelerator Program.
• It’s also debuting a Clubhouse-esque live conversation feature, which is part of an upcoming, larger virtual/hybrid events strategy.

The Creator Accelerator Program will train 100 influencers how to make content optimized for LinkedIn. It will also arrange for them to network with “like-minded individuals” and give them a $15K grant. The deadline is open here until October 12.

Opportunity cost
You may be thinking, “What is a LinkedIn influencer?” Andrei Santalo, global head of community at LinkedIn, says that “creating content on LinkedIn is about creating opportunity, for yourselves and others.” In that vein, authentic voices (the all-important buzzword) on the platform will be those that provide tried-and-true tips and tricks on how to land a job or develop your career.

While nearly every social platform has launched a creator fund to attract talent, LinkedIn’s may be the most crucial, as it’s the only way to get paid on the platform so far… other than, you know, getting a gig.