5 Simple Ways to Make Money on LinkedIn – A Guide for Small Business Entrepreneurs
LinkedIn isn’t just a place to network; it’s a goldmine for business opportunities. While many professionals use the platform to scroll, like, and comment, they miss out on its real potential—making money. Whether you’re a small business owner or an entrepreneur, your LinkedIn profile can become a revenue-generating machine.
Jodie Cook, a senior contributor at Forbes, recently shared five simple ways to monetize LinkedIn without resorting to spam or gimmicks. Let’s break them down and explore how small business owners and entrepreneurs can apply them effectively.
1. Sell a Tripwire Product
A tripwire product is a low-cost, high-value offer designed to convert LinkedIn visitors into paying customers. Price it between $9-$49, making it an easy and almost impulsive purchase for your audience.
How to do it:
Feature your tripwire product in your LinkedIn banner, call-to-action (CTA), and featured section.
Offer something that solves a specific problem immediately (e.g., a business template, an AI toolkit, or an exclusive guide).
Keep the messaging clear and compelling so visitors can’t ignore your offer.
Jodie showcases her AI for Coaches Toolkit this way, leading to daily sales. Your small business can do the same by offering digital downloads, e-books, or quick solutions tailored to your industry.
2. Add a Paid Calendly Link
If you offer coaching, consulting, or expert advice, charging for one-on-one calls is a straightforward way to make money. LinkedIn now integrates with Calendly for Premium Business subscribers, making scheduling easier.
Why this works:
LinkedIn users who visit your profile are already interested in your expertise.
A paid Calendly link turns profile views into booked calls.
Users who offer consultations see a 25% increase in profile views after adding a scheduler.
Set a fair rate (e.g., $100 for 30 minutes or $500 for an hour) and include testimonials from past clients to boost credibility.
3. Build and Monetize a Newsletter
LinkedIn newsletters are a free traffic source that can drive potential customers straight to your inbox. Once you have a strong subscriber base, you can offer a premium version on platforms like Ghost or Substack.
Steps to make money:
1. Start a free LinkedIn newsletter to attract subscribers.
2. Share valuable insights to build trust.
3. Offer exclusive content behind a paywall (e.g., deep dives, case studies, or personal coaching).
4. Convert even 1% of free readers into paid subscribers for a steady income stream.
4. Conduct Customer Research
Market research doesn’t have to be expensive. LinkedIn gives you access to your ideal customers in real-time.
How to use LinkedIn for research:
Follow potential customers and analyze their pain points.
Run polls and surveys to test product ideas.
Message prospects to ask about their challenges and needs.
This strategy helps small business owners refine their offers, making sales and marketing efforts more effective.
5. Sell on Commission
You don’t need to create your own products to make money. If you’re great at networking and sales, you can partner with businesses and earn commissions on successful referrals.
How to get started:
Identify businesses with great products but weak outreach.
Offer to sell on a commission basis (10-30%).
Promote products you genuinely believe in to your LinkedIn network.
This is a win-win: businesses gain new customers, you earn a commission, and your connections receive valuable solutions.
Final Thoughts
Making money on LinkedIn isn’t complicated—it’s about positioning yourself strategically. Whether you sell a digital product, offer consulting, build a newsletter, research customer needs, or sell on commission, the key is taking action.
Small business owners and entrepreneurs already have the tools needed to monetize LinkedIn. Start today by optimizing your profile, testing these methods, and turning your LinkedIn presence into a money-making machine.
Want more insights? Follow me on LinkedIn and my social media for business tips and strategies!
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