How to get a LinkedIn Top Voice Badge 

For many professionals, getting the LinkedIn Top Voice badge is the ultimate stamp of approval. It’s a powerful way to establish yourself as a thought leader and build credibility on the world’s largest professional network. But what does it take to earn this coveted recognition? And how can you use it to grow your personal brand and your client’s business?

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about getting the LinkedIn Top Voice badge, from understanding the different types of badges to the content strategies that will get you noticed by the LinkedIn algorithm and its editorial team.

What Is a LinkedIn Top Voice Badge?

A LinkedIn Top Voice badge is a form of recognition from LinkedIn that signals an individual's expertise and influence in a specific professional field. It's a badge of honor that helps you stand out, increases your visibility, and validates your professional knowledge.

Blue Badge vs. Golden Badge

• Blue Badge (LinkedIn Top Voice): This is the more exclusive of the two badges. It is awarded to senior-level experts and leaders who are hand-selected by LinkedIn's editorial team. The blue badge is an invite-only accolade and recognizes global thought leaders for their overall influence and consistent, high-quality content on the platform.
• Golden Badge (Community Top Voice): This badge is awarded to members who consistently provide insightful contributions to Collaborative Articles. It recognizes individuals who are a noteworthy top voice in a specific skill or subject matter. This badge is an excellent way for experts to get recognized within a niche without needing a large following.

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Getting the LinkedIn Top Voice Badge

While LinkedIn doesn’t share a specific checklist of requirements, the path to earning a LinkedIn top voice badge is built on a foundation of consistent, high-quality engagement. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to get a LinkedIn top voice badge.

Step 1: Define Your Niche and Optimize Your Profile

‍You must first demonstrate expertise in a specific area. If you’re a social media marketer, don't just say you work in "marketing." Be more specific, such as "Social Media Marketing," "B2B Marketing," or "Content Strategy." Make sure your profile clearly reflects this expertise. Use keywords in your headline and "About" section that align with the badge you want to earn. Turn on "Creator Mode" to access features like analytics and a "Follow" button, which helps in demonstrating your influence.

Step 2: Contribute to Collaborative Articles (For the Community Badge)

This is the fastest path to earning the golden Community Top Voice badge.

Step 3: Create High-Quality, Consistent Content

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Whether you’re aiming for the blue or gold badge, consistency is key. LinkedIn rewards creators who post regularly and maintain a strong presence. Aim for at least 3-5 high-value posts per week. Your content should be:

• Original and Insightful: Share your unique experiences, industry forecasts, and innovative solutions. Don't just repost news; add your expert analysis.
• Varied: Experiment with different formats. A strong mix of posts, articles, and even engaging content like polls or LinkedIn video content can help you stand out. To avoid burnout, a social media management platform is crucial for scheduling content weeks in advance.
• Actionable: Provide practical tips and advice your audience can use immediately. For inspiration, check out these expert LinkedIn hacks for social media marketers.

Step 4: Engage Authentically with Your Community

Engagement is a crucial factor in the algorithm. Don’t just post and walk away. Respond to all comments on your own posts, and leave thoughtful comments on other people’s content in your niche. This fosters a sense of community and shows that you are actively participating in industry conversations, not just broadcasting your own message. This also helps when presenting a content approval process to clients, as it shows the benefits of an engaging brand voice.

How to Keep the LinkedIn Top Voice Badge Once You Earn It

The badge is not permanent. The original article correctly mentions that badges are awarded in 60-day cycles. This means you must continue to perform at a high level to retain your status. To keep the LinkedIn top voice badge, you must maintain your position in the top 5% of contributors by continuing to provide high-quality, relevant, and original insights.

Key strategies to maintain your status include:

• Consistent Activity: Don't stop contributing after you get the badge. Keep posting and engaging regularly.
• Monitor Your Progress: Check your progress tracker on the Collaborative Articles page to see where you stand.
• Listen to Your Community: Pay attention to what content resonates most with your audience and double down on those topics.

Examples of Brand Leaders with a LinkedIn Top Voice Badge

Studying successful top voice badge LinkedIn holders is an excellent way to inform your strategy. These individuals often post frequently, collaborate with others, and consistently share valuable insights.

• Shama Hyder (Marketing, CEO of Zen Media) is an example of a brand leader who maintains a consistent presence by posting several times a week. Her content often includes industry trends and actionable marketing tips.
• Gary Vaynerchuk (Entrepreneurship) is a prolific content creator who uses a mix of native text posts, videos, and articles. He is known for sharing high-energy, authentic advice for business owners.
• Dr. Aiysha Baig (Health & Wellness) is a great example of a top voice who provides deep, nuanced insights into a specific niche, building a dedicated community around her expertise.

How to Use Cloud Campaign to Help Your Client Earn a LinkedIn Top Voice Badge

As a content marketer, using a robust social media management platform is essential to help your clients earn the LinkedIn top voice badge without burning out. Cloud Campaign can be an invaluable tool in this process.

• Consistent Content Creation: Cloud Campaign's scheduling features allow you to plan and schedule weeks or even months of content in advance. This ensures a consistent posting frequency, a critical factor for getting the badge.
• Client Collaboration & Approval: Use Cloud Campaign’s approval workflows to streamline the content creation process. Your client can easily review, approve, or request edits to posts, ensuring that every piece of content meets their professional standards before it goes live. This is essential for maintaining the high-quality insights required by LinkedIn.
• Content Curation & Repurposing: The platform's content library and recycling features enable you to manage and reuse evergreen content effectively. This helps you build a strong, consistent brand voice without having to create all-new content every day.
• White-Label Reporting: Cloud Campaign allows you to provide beautifully branded, white-labeled reports to your clients. This not only shows them the impact of their new status but also reinforces your value as their marketing partner.

Conclusion

The LinkedIn Top Voice badge is more than just a shiny symbol; it’s a powerful tool for professional growth and thought leadership. By focusing on consistent, high-quality contributions, defining your niche, and leveraging the right tools for efficiency, you can position yourself and your clients to earn this valuable recognition.

For more information on the official program, you can visit the official LinkedIn help page.

For another perspective, see how one professional is chronicling their journey in this LinkedIn Pulse article.

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