How to be a LinkedIn Top Voice or Community Top Voice
Discover the secrets to becoming a LinkedIn Top Voice or Community Top Voice. Unlock your potential for professional recognition and influence in this guide.
When you think of LinkedIn, what comes to mind? Building a professional network? Searching for job opportunities? While these aspects are undeniably important, LinkedIn has evolved into much more than that.
One of the most exciting features of LinkedIn is the ability to engage in interesting discussions and connect with great people. It's no longer solely a platform for showcasing your resume; it offers an opportunity to become an influencer through your content.
In fact, LinkedIn even awards a "Top Voice" badge to recognize individuals making a significant impact.
On the platform, members can earn one of two versions of the Top Voices badge on their profile. This can be achieved through either the LinkedIn Top Voices or the Community Top Voices programs.
What is LinkedIn's Top Voice
The blue Top Voice badge is invitation-only, featuring senior-level experts and leaders.
Getting the blue LinkedIn Top Voice is way tougher than scoring the community badge. So, if you really wanna grab that LinkedIn badge, my advice is to aim for the golden badge instead.
What is Community Top Voice
The light gold badge can be earned based on making noteworthy contributions to collaborative articles on LinkedIn, and is earned for a specific skill on your profile. (Source: LinkedIn)
How to be a "Top Voice" on LinkedIn
Since it's an invitation-only program, you have to be approached by the LinkedIn team. I'm not really sure about the selection criteria, but let me tell you why I think I got chosen to be a LinkedIn Top Voice and what might have played a role in the selection process.
Over the last ten years, I've been sharing content for job seekers and recruiters almost every day. And yeah, I've thrown in a few recruitment jokes here and there, but my main focus has always been on creating quality content to help people on their journey.
To become a LinkedIn Top Voice and earn the blue badge, focus on creating quality content, sharing knowledge, and actively engaging with comments. Consistency is crucial as well — merely sharing thoughts monthly or weekly might not be sufficient.
Additionally, expanding your network through LinkedIn networking is paramount and should be integrated into your career journey.
Moreover, turning on creator mode allows people to become your followers, even if you reach the 30,000 connection limit, ensuring they stay notified of your new content.
Now you know how to be a LinkedIn Top Voice, but even if you obtain the blue badge, it is important to remember that it is not a permanent possession! The LinkedIn team could take it away anytime, so keep your focus on consistently producing exceptional content.
How to Get a LinkedIn LinkedIn Top Voice Badge
Community Top Voices are noteworthy contributors who show expertise in a specific skill or skills as determined by their contributions to collaborative articles (For example, Top Sales Voice).
These members can be identified by the light gold badge. This program is separate from the invitation-only Top Voices program, which has different criteria.
How to Be a Community Top Voice
You can actually earn this badge when other LinkedIn members deem you as one of the most outstanding contributors to collaborative articles for a specific skill. You can earn badges for multiple skills, which will then be combined into a single badge on your profile.
I have these badges below for sharing my knowledge through collaborative articles in those categories.
You can easily check your badges by simply clicking on "Show all skills" in the Skill section of your LinkedIn Profile.
If people click on your main Top Voice badge, they'll be able to see all your other badges.
This badge is active for 60 days after you earn it, but may be removed at any time if you post content on LinkedIn that is not additive (including, but not limited to, contributions that are copied, inappropriate, irrelevant, or unoriginal), or any violation of LinkedIn Professional Community Policies.
Having a LinkedIn Community Top Badge isn't something that lasts forever. If you want to hang on to it, you'll need to keep answering those collaborative articles and get some sweet endorsements for your skills!
Why You Should Consider Getting This Badge
Why should you make the effort? You don't have to!
However, there are several benefits to having one of those badges:
Recognition: Having it brings recognition to your expertise, distinguishing you as a reliable and knowledgeable member of the community. This recognition can open doors to new opportunities and collaborations.
Credibility: The badge enhances your credibility by demonstrating your commitment and contributions to The Community Voice. It shows that you have been recognized by a trusted platform and can be trusted as a reliable source of information and expertise.
Visibility: With it, your profile and contributions gain increased visibility within the community. This increased visibility can lead to more exposure, attracting potential clients, collaborators, or employers who are seeking experts in your field. Additionally, Google indexes your answers, enhancing their visibility and accessibility.
I've observed indications suggesting that these collaborative articles might be turning into a platform similar to Quora, tailored for professional queries—a strategic move if true.
Personal Growth: Pursuing this badge is a journey of personal growth and development. By striving to meet the stringent criteria and engage with the community, you constantly challenge yourself and acquire new skills, which can positively impact your professional growth and broaden your horizons.
But if there's one thing I'd choose from those, it will be: Visibility. Having a Top Sales Voice badge right away gives the impression that you're a sales expert, helping you land a job faster and excel in networking.
Once you've got that badge, don't be shy to brag about it! Do what many others do and add it to your headline so everyone knows, and hey, why not write a post expressing gratitude for this amazing opportunity?
Because no one knows whether your badge will remain for 60 days, and you can lose it! So use the time to get attention to your profile and get maximum from it.
To retain the badge beyond 60 days, your contributions must remain relevant and members must continue to find them noteworthy! If you have badges for multiple skills, you'll keep them as long as you continue to be among the most noteworthy contributors in each skill's 60-day period.
How to Get Community Top Voices Badge
As LinkedIn keeps evolving, this way might change in the future. So make sure to always check their blog and help section to learn more about how you can get these badges.
Before you begin, make sure you've achieved All-Star Status on LinkedIn for your profile
First, you'll want to add the skills that are relevant to the category where you want to earn the Community Top Voice badge.
Visit collaborative articles and start sharing your thoughts. If you can't see the comment field, just interact with the answers in your selected category, and this will turn on the comment option for you.
Try to answer as much as you can over the next few weeks, but remember to provide quality content because people need to find your comments insightful enough to give them a like.
And that's pretty much it!
Your badge will appear on your profile, as well as next to your contributions in collaborative articles. If you do not want the badge on your profile, edit the settings on your profile to hide your badge.
Note: Community Top Voices are vetted to ensure that they meet high trust standards. These badges are given at LinkedIn’s discretion and may be removed at any time without notice, including removal for violating our Professional Community Policies.
More Than Just a Networking Platform
Next time you log in to LinkedIn, remember that it's not just a networking platform. It's a place where you can cultivate meaningful connections, showcase your expertise, and expand your influence within your industry.
By staying active and engaging with the LinkedIn community, you can have a significant impact on your career growth.
Good luck!
The Fastest Way to Become a Community Top Voice
Here's my recommendation on how often you should add those comments. Plus, discover the secrets others use to fast-track their way to these badges and how to retain them: