C-Suite Personal Branding Series by Inna Kuts. Leading Voices: A Guide for Executives on LinkedIn Top Voice.

Leading Voices: A Guide for Executives on LinkedIn Top Voice

C-Suite Personal Branding Series
4 min readNov 30, 2023

Numerous social media platforms are rethinking how they acknowledge and reward their top creators.

Historically, a blue tick or badge on social media symbolized notable figures, whether they were up-and-coming creators or well-known public personalities.

However, recent developments, such as Meta’s verification subscription and X Premium, have simplified the path to achieving this recognition. Now, there’s less focus on expertise and more on financial commitment, as it’s a paid feature available to everyone.

In contrast, LinkedIn is taking a unique approach. Emphasizing skill, experience, and dedication, LinkedIn’s Top Voices program stands out, particularly with its Top Community Voices tier. This new category offers a more accessible yet equally prestigious badge, rewarding genuine effort and professional excellence.

Here’s a comprehensive guide to understanding and achieving the status of a LinkedIn Top Voice.

Understanding LinkedIn’s Top Voices Program

Unlike other social media platforms that offer verification or badges based on popularity or payment, LinkedIn focuses on skills, experience, and genuine contribution.

What is a LinkedIn Top Voice?

The LinkedIn Top Voices program highlights top creators, making it easy for members to find and follow great content from experts worldwide. It offers two special badges: the Top Voice badge for experienced leaders and the Community Top Voice badge for those who contribute well to group articles.

These badges are important as they show that you are recognized for your skills and leadership on LinkedIn.

How to Become a LinkedIn Top Voice?

Building a personal brand and consistently creating high-quality content are instrumental in earning the Top Voice badge.

How can you achieve it?

  • Define your audience: Understand who you are targeting and the challenges you can help them overcome.
  • Complete your LinkedIn profile: Optimize your profile with a professional photo, compelling headline, and engaging cover photo.
  • Turn on Creator Mode: Gain access to valuable features and analytics by switching to Creator Mode.
  • Create Captivating Content: Share your expertise, insights, and experiences to provide value to your audience regularly.
  • Engage with Other Creators: Nurture meaningful connections by actively participating in conversations and leaving thoughtful comments.

LinkedIn Community Top Voice Badge

Launched in 2023, the badge recognizes creators for their significant input in collaborative articles.

It’s not about how long you’ve been in the industry or your leadership role; what counts are your personal insights and contributions.

How can you achieve it?

  • Participate in Collaborative Articles: Contribute meaningful insights to LinkedIn’s collaborative articles. These articles are augmented by AI-powered conversation starters.
  • Finding Articles to Contribute: Select articles in your niche or related fields to add valuable contributions.
  • Quality Over Quantity: The quality of your contributions is crucial. Consistently adding relevant, original, and thoughtful insights can earn you the Community Top Voice badge.
  • Maintaining the Badge: The badge needs to be renewed every 60 days by continuing to contribute noteworthy content.

Extra Tips and Best Practices

  • Consistency is Key: Regularly post valuable content to stay engaged with your audience.
  • Be Authentic: Share your experiences and even your mistakes to build trust and credibility.
  • Experiment with Different Post Formats: Test photos, videos, and carousels to find what resonates with your audience.
  • Monitor LinkedIn Analytics: Measure the performance of your content and make informed decisions.
  • Network Strategically: Connect with like-minded professionals and potential collaborators to expand your reach.

Wrapping up

Earning a LinkedIn Top Voice or Community Top Voice badge goes beyond just getting a symbol. It shows your dedication to providing high-quality content, being a leader, and actively engaging with other professionals. For executives and entrepreneurs, these badges can greatly improve your online presence and strengthen your reputation as a thought leader in your field.

As the significance of executive branding continues to grow in the upcoming years, this is the very moment to refine your online presence. Ready to dominate on LinkedIn and elevate your executive profile like never before? Visit innakuts.com, DM or reach out to me at ik@innakuts.com.

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C-Suite Personal Branding Series

A weekly newsletter on personal branding for CEOs, executives, and entrepreneurs.