Celebrating 20 Years of LinkedIn Thought Leadership: Your Guide to Standing Out

Navigating LinkedIn to build your personal brand, grow your network, or establish thought leadership can feel like a daunting task. If you’re wondering how to make your voice heard in today’s crowded digital space, you’re not alone—I’ve been there.

Twenty years ago, in 2005, I took my first step into LinkedIn’s world of digital networking. With no clear playbook, I dove in, posting up to four times a day, sharing insights on digital marketing and B2B social media to connect, learn, and lead. My mission was simple: become a recognized thought leader.

The journey wasn’t without its challenges. Early on, I entered a contest for the best LinkedIn tip. While others submitted a single idea, I shared a Top 10 Ways to Quickly Become a LinkedIn Expert. When I realized I’d gone beyond the norm, I panicked—had I misunderstood the rules? Should I delete it? I didn’t. That bold move won me second place, an all-expenses-paid trip to BlogWorld in Las Vegas, and a feature as the LinkedIn expert in Sticks and Stones: How Digital Business Reputations Are Created Over Time and Lost in a Click by Larry Weber.

Since then, I’ve written over 370 LinkedIn posts, spoken globally on digital PR and personal branding, and helped countless professionals and brands amplify their impact. From founding Social Media Club Chicago in 2008 to launching my podcast, Growing Social Now, in 2021, LinkedIn has been my catalyst for transformation.

AI-Generated Summary: Barbara Rozgonyi celebrates 20 years on LinkedIn, sharing her journey from an early adopter to a recognized thought leader in digital marketing and personal branding. Her 20 tips for LinkedIn thought leadership offer actionable strategies to build a standout presence, drawing from her experience of over 370 posts, global speaking, and milestones like founding Social Media Club Chicago. With a focus on authenticity and connection, Barbara invites readers to share their stories and offers consulting to elevate their LinkedIn success.

20 Tips to Become a Recognized Thought Leader on LinkedIn

1. Optimize Your Profile Photo: Choose a professional, approachable headshot to build instant trust.
2. Design a Branded Background Image: Create a banner that reflects your personal brand or industry expertise.
3. Craft a Compelling Headline: Highlight your unique value—beyond a job title—to attract your ideal audience.
4. Write an Engaging About Section: Share your story, passion, and a call to action to invite connection.
5. Customize Your LinkedIn URL: Use a clean URL (linkedin.com/in/YourName) for seamless sharing.
6. Showcase Your Expertise: Pin articles, videos, or projects to your Featured section to highlight your work.
7. Curate Relevant Skills: List skills tied to digital marketing or your niche and encourage endorsements.
8. Request Authentic Recommendations: Ask for specific, results-focused endorsements and offer them in return.
9. Engage Meaningfully: Comment with insights to spark conversations and boost your visibility.
10. Publish Original Content: Share posts or articles on LinkedIn thought leadership to establish authority.
11. Leverage Creator Tools: Use Creator Mode, newsletters, or LinkedIn Live to expand your reach.
12. Join Industry Groups: Participate in groups to network and share B2B social media insights.
13. Host or Attend LinkedIn Events: Build relationships through virtual or in-person events.
14. Track Analytics: Use LinkedIn’s data to refine your digital marketing strategy.
15. Post Consistently: Share weekly or daily to stay visible in your network’s feed.
16. Personalize Connection Requests: Include a genuine note to foster meaningful relationships.
17. Highlight Achievements with Metrics: Quantify impact (e.g., “Increased leads by 25%”) in your experience section.
18. Engage with Industry Leaders: Comment on their content to grow your network and credibility.
19. Stay Updated on Features: Experiment with polls, audio, or AI tools to stay relevant.
20. Be Authentic: Share your unique perspective to build trust and deepen connections.

These tips, honed through 20 years of experience, are designed to help you move from uncertainty to confidence, creating a LinkedIn presence that opens doors and drives impact.

A Legacy of Connection and Impact

LinkedIn is more than a platform—it’s a springboard for transformation. It’s connected me with inspiring people from Glen Ellyn to Charlotte, Chicago to global stages. It’s fueled milestones like founding Social Media Club Chicago, launching Growing Social Now, and speaking internationally on digital marketing and personal branding. To everyone who’s liked, commented, or collaborated with me over these 20 years: thank you. Your support has made this journey unforgettable.

“In a world where innovations in technology, data and platforms have forever changed customer expectations… I have been lucky enough to engage a ‘secret weapon’ for HuFriedyGroup… That secret weapon is Barbara Rozgonyi. We have worked with Barbara on multiple engagements that have focused on LinkedIn strategy and global social media training… Barbara’s super-power is her ability to breakdown fears around technology complexity… Our teams around the world… continue to rave about the learning and skills they acquired as having a direct impact on performance.” — Patrick Bernardi, SVP/Chief Marketing Officer, HuFriedyGroup

Let’s Shape Your LinkedIn Success

You have a story worth sharing and a voice that deserves to be heard. Whether you’re new to LinkedIn or ready to elevate your personal branding, I’m here to help you succeed in digital marketing and B2B social media.

• Book a free 15-minute consult: www.TuneIntoTomorrow.com
• Inquire about speaking, training, or consulting: barbararozgonyi.com
• Explore more digital marketing insights: wiredPRworks.com

What’s your LinkedIn story? Share it in the comments below—I’d love to hear how you’re building your presence.

About Barbara Rozgonyi

Barbara Rozgonyi is the founder of CoryWest Media, a creative marketing consultancy specializing in digital marketing, personal branding, and B2B social media. An international trends speaker and LinkedIn sales trainer, she has empowered thousands with actionable strategies. Named after her mother and grandmother, CoryWest Media drives innovation and growth. Barbara founded Social Media Club Chicago in 2008 and hosts the Growing Social Now podcast, launched in 2021. Visit wiredPRworks.com for more.

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