How to Create a LinkedIn Newsletter (Benefits and Tips)
Learn how to create a LinkedIn newsletter with this helpful guide. Discover the benefits and get valuable tips to make your newsletters stand out on this professional platform.
LinkedIn has become the go-to platform for recruiters to connect with top talent and build their personal brand. With over 1 billion members, it's no surprise that an impressive 500+ million professionals have subscribed to the 146,000+ LinkedIn Newsletters spanning a variety of professional topics.
In this article, I'll walk you through how to create a LinkedIn newsletter and highlight the benefits of having your own. Whether you're new to newsletters or looking to level up your existing one, this article is packed with practical tips to set you up for success.
If you're ready to share your insights and expertise with a targeted audience and expand your reach, then let's dive right into the world of LinkedIn newsletters!
4 Reasons to Create a LinkedIn Newsletter
Let's cut to the chase. You're busy. I'm busy. We're all busy trying to juggle a hundred things in the world of recruiting. So, why on earth add something else to the pile?
Here's where I make my pitch for the LinkedIn Newsletter:
Build Your Brand
We all know how competitive the recruitment field is. Newsletters help you break free from the noise of endless, identical-looking job postings. It's the place to showcase your industry knowledge, give insider tips, and share wins that prove you're a powerhouse recruiter. Each edition strengthens your reputation!
Nurture Relationships
Imagine a scenario where instead of hunting down those perfect candidates, they start coming to you. Newsletters turn the tables! When you create valuable content – whether it's company culture spotlights, insights into your process, or salary guides for your niche – those ideal folks will naturally follow. And guess what? Now you've got your warm lead pipeline.
Writing a newsletter targeted at people in your niche can also deepen your understanding of the industry. So, if you're looking to attract Product Managers, creating content specifically for them will not only draw in Product Managers but also give you valuable insights into this industry.
Become a Better Story Teller
Storytelling isn't just for authors and filmmakers; it's a vital skill for recruiters, too. By regularly writing and refining your outreach messages, you develop a sharper sense of how to engage your audience. This isn't just about selling a role; it's about creating a narrative that resonates with potential candidates. Each message is an opportunity to weave a story that showcases not only the job but also the unique culture and opportunities your company offers. The best pitches captivate candidates by going beyond facts.
Improve Your Response Rate
A newsletter gives you a dedicated space to flex your creative muscles. In a sea of "Hi, I'm [Name] from [Company]" introductions, it's crucial to stand out. Those who write regularly develop an instinct for what grabs attention. It's about understanding the power of a personalized touch, the right hook, and the value of brevity. By honing this skill, you'll see your response rates climb, as candidates feel more engaged and valued right from the first message.
Consistency is key - don't expect overnight results! View your newsletter as an investment that will pay dividends down the road. Every quality article you publish helps build trust and authority with subscribers. Over the course of 6-12 months with regular, high-value content, you'll start to see engagement and subscriber numbers grow.
Be patient and keep delivering value to your audience. The compounding effects of consistency will put you far ahead of sporadic efforts. A newsletter gives you a direct line to an invested audience that will support your brand for years to come.
How to Create a LinkedIn Newsletter
First things first, let's talk about eligibility. To start a LinkedIn Newsletter, you need to have at least 150 connections or followers. Why so? Because LinkedIn wants to make sure your insights are shared with an already engaged audience. Also, you should have been actively sharing content on LinkedIn – be it posts, articles, or videos. This shows LinkedIn that you’re not just a one-hit-wonder but someone dedicated to contributing value to the community.
Additionally, you must enable creator mode to meet the newsletter access criteria.
Action Time – Setting Up Your Newsletter
You don't need a special manual that gives you exact steps on how to create a LinkedIn newsletter. The whole process is actually pretty simple and stress-free:
Step 1: Finding the Magic Button Head to your LinkedIn homepage. See that familiar 'Write an article' box at the top of your feed? Hit that button.
When someone asks you, just click on 'Create a newsletter'. Boom! You're in! One of the cool things about LinkedIn is that you can run multiple newsletters. If you want to cover different topics or have both a personal and business newsletter, you're all set!
Step 2: The Name Game Now's the time to find a title that's both memorable and reflective of the content you plan to share. Be creative, but clarity is still key. For example, instead of "Sarah's Tips", something like "The Talent Insider" gives a clearer picture of your focus. For example, my LinkedIn Newsletter is called 'Talent Spotlight'.
Step 3: Craft a Tempting 'About' Section Think of this as your elevator pitch. What's the vibe you want to convey? Why should people care? Give potential subscribers a compelling reason to hit that 'Subscribe' button. Make it a mix of professionalism and personality.
Step 4: Pick Your Pace Newsletters thrive on consistency. Can you reliably pump out quality content on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis? Be realistic here – it's better to underpromise and overdeliver than to burn out before you begin!
Pro Tip: Don't underestimate the power of visual appeal! Create a slick logo for your newsletter. A polished-looking product commands instant attention.
What Is Your Niche
Before you start writing, get clear on the niche, theme, and goals of your newsletter. This will shape the tone, topics, and audience you attract.
Some key questions to ask yourself:
Will your newsletter focus broadly on career tips and workplace advice? Or will it zero in on recruiting best practices specifically? Defining a tight focus is best to start.
What are the main objectives you want to achieve? Building personal brand? Sharing job openings? Providing candid career insights? Understand your motivations and purpose.
What would readers find most valuable and engaging? Curated job listings? Candidate success stories? Behind-the-scenes company culture scoops? Lead with their needs in mind.
What’s your unique perspective and expertise to share? Your lived experiences as a recruiter are an asset. Draw from this.
What niche does your newsletter fill that others don’t? Identify the gap and own it. Maybe you specialize in recruiting Gen Z candidates or in the tech sector.
Don’t try to be everything to everyone - niche newsletters perform best. Once you’ve clearly defined the market need your newsletter aims to fill, the rest of your content and messaging will naturally fall into place.
If you're unsure about what to write, you can find some inspiration in this article: "What to Post on LinkedIn That People Will Actually Read".
Content is King (or Queen!)
Your newsletter isn't just about you and your hiring activities. Yes, you want to build your brand, but avoid turning your newsletter into a constant stream of "We're hiring!" Instead, let's put our efforts into creating real value for our readers.
Think about the questions your ideal target group or candidates are asking themselves, the things they struggle with, and offer solutions!
If you're looking to promote your company or agency, here are some ideas to help you get started:
The Inside Scoop: Break down current industry trends and explain what they mean for recruiters and candidates.
Straight from the Source: Short interviews with hiring managers where they share their ultimate job-seeker peeves and the traits that land a "must-call" status.
Show, Don't Tell: Craft bite-sized 'Day in the Life' pieces to give an authentic glimpse into your company's work culture. You can add short videos or photos to your articles.
Sparking Debate: Don't shy away from a bit of good-natured controversy. React to a hot topic in the recruiting world or your industry, offering your balanced perspective.
The Magic Blend: The real trick lies in combining value with personality. Don't be afraid to let your humor show, share the occasional relevant anecdote, and use a style that feels true to you. People sign up for newsletters from people, not corporate robots. Think of it as what you'd want to read in your inbox on a Wednesday afternoon.
Pro Tip: Batch-create your content! On days when you're feeling inspired, brainstorm a bunch of topics and even rough drafts. You'll thank yourself later.
Newsletters are an investment, but it's a worthwhile long-term strategy!
Benefits of a LinkedIn Newsletter
Let's be clear, starting a LinkedIn Newsletter isn't about instant results or finding some magical fix for all your recruiting woes. It's a long game, a commitment to positioning yourself as the savvy, connected recruiter that top candidates naturally gravitate toward.
Think of it this way: you're not just juggling the urgent "fill this role yesterday" jobs. You're also planting seeds – cultivating relationships, offering value, and making people genuinely interested in what you have to say.
Let me ask you: Are you considering venturing into the exciting world of LinkedIn Newsletters? I hope so! While there might be a slight learning curve at first, it's worth diving in.
Remember, you can tailor everything to fit your unique style and voice. And when you start seeing an engaged subscriber base, and the first 'aha' placements that originate from those newsletter connections occur, that's when you know you've struck gold.
I truly believe you have a voice worthy of being heard. Let me know how your newsletter journey unfolds – I'm excited to see where it takes you!
Starting with LinkedIn Newsletter: Don't Fall into These Common Traps!
Starting a newsletter is an awesome way to reach your audience and establish your expertise, but here's the thing: many people launch their newsletters with classic missteps that trip them up before they gain any decent traction. Let's unpack these all-too-common errors so you can focus on delivering a high-quality newsletter from the start.
Here are the top 4 mistakes that can hold you back from growing your newsletter: