LinkedIn Invests $25M to Help Creators Build Audiences

LinkedIn has debuted the LinkedIn Creator Accelerator Program, part of a $25 million investment to help creators of the business-based social media platform build their audiences and amplify their voices, according to a Tuesday (Sept. 14) announcement.

“My team has spent the past few months talking with hundreds of creators from around the globe about what we can do to help them be more successful on LinkedIn,” said Global Head of Community Andrei Santalo in the announcement. “What we heard is that building an audience, creating community, and being financially rewarded are some of the most important things to get right.”

The LinkedIn Creator Accelerator Program is a 10-week, incubator-style offering for up to 100 U.S.-based creators that will feature coaching, a network of creators, chances to be showcased on LinkedIn channels and a $15,000 grant to help the participants share content, start conversations and build communities, the announcement stated.

“Creating content on LinkedIn is about creating opportunity, for yourselves and others,” Santalo said in the announcement. “How can your words, videos and conversations make 774+ million professionals better at what they do or help them see the world in new ways?”

Applications to join the LinkedIn Creator Accelerator Program are due Oct. 12. LinkedIn will be hosting several events leading up to the deadline to help emerging creators figure out better ways to navigate LinkedIn, make more connections with fellow creators and build their careers, according to the announcement.

That includes the inaugural INFused event on Friday (Sept. 17) for Black creators on LinkedIn; a LinkedIn Live show dubbed “Top 5 Things Creators Need to Know,” hosted by LinkedIn’s Community Management team on Sept. 24; and Create Learning Week, coming free to LinkedIn for all members later this month, the announcement stated.

That event will help attendees build their presence, write more effectively in professional settings and make better videos on LinkedIn, according to the announcement.

In June, LinkedIn invested in virtual events provider Hopin to expand its offerings to members.

Read more: LinkedIn Jumps Onboard With Virtual Events Provider Hopin

“LinkedIn is more than just an investor,” said Hopin Founder and CEO Johnny Boufarhat at the time. The goal is “to help LinkedIn members and Hopin users engage with more people and discover immersive experiences.”