One dimension of our personal brand value is our influence.
Understanding if others look to us for advice and knowledge.
We can get a feel for our influence at work based on interactions.
Online, knowing our influence with people we don’t know is more challenging.
For many, LinkedIn is the primary platform for building personal brands.
Below are 10 ways we can measure our influence on LinkedIn.
1. Profile Views
These are a straightforward metric to assess how much attention we’re attracting. A consistent increase in profile views usually indicates that our content, engagement, and overall presence on LinkedIn are resonating with our audience. We can analyze who is viewing our profile and adjust our activity (content, engagement, networking) to draw the attention we want.
2. Content Engagement
The engagement our posts receive—likes, comments, shares, and views—are essential indicators of influence. Regularly checking the performance of our posts will help us understand which types of content resonate with our audience.
3. Follower Growth
Growing our follower base is a key metric of influence on LinkedIn. A steady increase in followers suggests that more people find our content and insights valuable enough to stay connected. Focus not just on the number of followers, but the quality—are they industry professionals, decision-makers, or peers who align with our goals? To increase followers, regularly publish quality content, engage with others’ posts, and connect via networking.
4. LinkedIn SSI (Social Selling Index)
LinkedIn offers a unique metric that provides insight into how effectively we’re establishing our professional brand, finding the right people, engaging with insights, and building relationships. There are four components to your SSI score – strength of profile, ability to connect with relevant people, content sharing & engagement, and quality and frequency of interactions with connections. Higher SSI scores = higher influence on LinkedIn. Discover your SSI here.
5. Connection Requests & Inbound Messages
The number and quality of connection requests and direct messages we receive can be a great indicator of influence. If we are receiving more connection requests from relevant professionals, clients, or recruiters, it’s a sign that our brand is expanding.
6. Endorsements and Recommendations
Endorsements and recommendations are visible signs of credibility and influence. They serve as social proof of expertise in specific skills and professional value.
7. Quality of Your Network
The strength of LinkedIn influence is reflected not just in the size of network but also in its quality. Who are we connected with? Are they leaders, decision-makers, or influencers in our field? A high-quality network can amplify our influence by increasing the visibility and credibility of our content.
8. Involvement in LinkedIn Groups
Being active in LinkedIn Groups related to our industry or niche allows us to engage with like-minded professionals and showcase our expertise. Evaluate influence by examining how people interact with posts and comments within these groups.
9. LinkedIn Article Performance
LinkedIn articles offer a platform for sharing longer-form content and thought leadership. Check the performance of any articles written—how many views, likes, and comments are they generating? Articles with strong engagement indicate that insights are valuable to our audience. Write about evergreen topics, offer actionable advice, and promote articles to boost visibility.
10. Feedback from Our Network
One of the best ways to gauge influence is to directly ask our network for feedback. Engage with connections by asking them what type of content they find most valuable and how our presence on LinkedIn has impacted them. Feedback can help us adjust our strategy and better serve our audience.
Summary
Assessing our influence on LinkedIn can help us determine where we are and enable us to intentionally create plans to increase the impact of our personal brand.
Checking in on the metrics once or twice a year to adjust strategy sets us on a path to growth.
Your Turn
Have you considered all 10 dimensions of influence?
What insights might you gain from a semi-annual audit of your personal brand?
Did the list inspire you to change some of your approaches on LinkedIn?