If you’re a writer, tell me if this advice sounds familiar to you. “Create a LinkedIn profile.”

It seems like all roads lead to LinkedIn. Whether you’re a technical writer or a finance writer, you’re advised to have some type of presence on the platform.

But is it really helpful for writers? Do writers still need a LinkedIn profile to succeed in 2024?

Let’s take a look at the whole picture.  

What Writers Need From LinkedIn

The majority of writers online are freelance writers. What does that mean?

That you’re an independent contractor. You’re the boss. You’re in full control of your writing.

You also wear all of the hats. Some of the skills you have to juggle are

• Content writing.
• Project management.
• Organizational skills.
• Marketing.
• Administrative skills.
• Daily operations.
• Lead generation.

And if you’re juggling these skills, you don’t need something else on your plate. You need a social media platform that can meet you halfway.

Fortunately, LinkedIn is still that platform. Here’s why.

Convenient Networking

You need an online hub where either you can find clients or clients can find you. And that’s LinkedIn.

LinkedIn has 675 million monthly users (Gallant, 2024). And these aren’t users who are signing up because they want to. They’re professionals looking to network with other professionals.

Companies know that LinkedIn is one of the best places to find freelancers for different projects.

I can definitely say that my LinkedIn profile has helped connect me with my clients. Each of my clients has reached out to me through Direct Message before we started working with each other.

It’s very few platforms that allow you to directly connect with your clients. And another way that you can directly connect is by sharing your work, which is the next benefit.

Showcase of Work

Just like companies find writers on this platform, they also come across their great work.

91% of marketing executives list LinkedIn as the top place to find quality content (Gallant, 2024). There’s no better place to show your skills than through your profile.

There are so many ways that you can create a portfolio of your best work. You can create an article from scratch or feature your best work in the Featured Section.

Creating posts is another way to showcase your writing skills, especially if you practice SEO skills.

You don’t have to plead your case with your clients. Your clients can see the type of work that you can write and determine whether they want to work with you.

Better Brand Awareness

Creating your LinkedIn profile is another way to personalize your brand.

Don’t let the large number of subscribers on LinkedIn scare you from standing out. Based on what you put in your profile, you can still connect directly to your target audience.

In my new eBook How To Maximize Your LinkedIn Profile, I’ll discuss the techniques you can use to distinguish yourself from other freelance writers. You don’t want to just describe yourself as a Content Writer on such a large platform.

And most importantly, you don’t want potential clients to view you in that manner.

You want to be strategic about what you place in your profile sections and content.

Mastering Your Craft

Working on your LinkedIn profile also makes you a better writer.

You’ll have to learn how to write different types of content, from short-form to long-form. Some of the best forms of content that perform well on LinkedIn are How-To and list pieces (Gallant, 2024).

Creating this type of content and adding it to your profile is a great way to practice your writing skills.

There are also different marketing techniques like SEO that you have to master.

Working on your profile allows you to master these skills while networking with other professionals. As you continue to practice, your writing and networking skills get better.

Greater Relationships With Clients and Peers

Finally, your LinkedIn profile is a great way to connect socially with your clients and other peers.

As a freelance writer, it can feel at times like you’re in this by yourself. When you read posts or comment under posts from different writers, it’s a reminder that you’re not the only one.

It’s also an authentic way to connect with other people in your niche. You can create fun surveys for other writers to answer. You can leave encouraging comments under another writer’s post.

LinkedIn is not just a formal social media platform. You can share parts of your personality without worrying about appearing unprofessional.

Final Thoughts

So, is it still beneficial for freelance writers to have a LinkedIn profile in 2024? Yes.

But more importantly, how you use your LinkedIn profile matters.

There are ways that you can make your LinkedIn profile work for you, and I can show them in my new eBook How To Maximize Your LinkedIn Profile. It will be released in a week, so be on the lookout.

In the meantime, check out my blog post Best Social Media Platforms For Content Writers – Valeria Publications.

Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Sources:

Gallant, J. January 16, 2024. 50+ LinkedIn Statistics Marketers Need To Know in 2024. Retrieved from https://foundationinc.co/lab/b2b-marketing-linkedin-stats/.