How I Became a LinkedIn Top Voice—and What It Did for My Substack

I don’t think I’ve ever told you how I became a LinkedIn Top Voice—it's about time I did.

I started writing on LinkedIn back in January 2022 as an experiment.

I had no experience writing on any social media platform, and I want to try it.

I chose LinkedIn because it’s a professional space, and I wanted to attract a like-minded, professional audience.

So, I began a personal challenge: to post every day for 100 days. Nothing fancy—just a quote, a story, or a sketch.

By the end of those 100 days, something amazing happened.

I had made meaningful connections, gained followers, and, more importantly, found the courage to share my writing more widely.

I used the same strategy on Medium.com. There, too, I set myself a challenge of writing 100 articles in 100 days. That experience gave me a solid foundation and helped me build an audience of readers who resonated with my work.

In 2023, I joined a LinkedIn cohort challenge to write 30 posts in 30 days. That was my real introduction to the platform, where I learned how LinkedIn truly works and how to write content that connects.

One of the best outcomes? The friendships I formed.

Many of those early connections are still in my life today. I meet them whenever I travel, and we’ve continued supporting each other over the years.

In 2024, I decided to take LinkedIn seriously and joined a cohort led by Lara Acosta, who has a following of over 200,000. That’s where I learned how to truly leverage LinkedIn and maximise the value of writing consistently.

Then something unexpected happened.

In January, I received an email from the LinkedIn Editorial Team saying I’d been selected for their editorial program. A program where only 300 people were chosen globally. I was surprised and deeply honored. I didn't think I was consistent enough, or good enough, to stand out—especially from Australia.

I attended their training, applied everything I learned (including from Lara’s cohort), and started seeing real results.

In August 2024, the LinkedIn Editorial Team selected me as a LinkedIn Top Voice—a title usually reserved for people leading in their fields who consistently share valuable, authentic insights.

You don’t have to be part of the LinkedIn editorial program to receive the Top Voice badge.

In my case, I happened to be in the program, but it’s not a requirement.

The badge is typically awarded to people who consistently write, share valuable insights, and show thought leadership in their field.

That said, the LinkedIn Editorial Program isn’t available in every country; it rotates.

From what I understand, LinkedIn’s goal with the program is to identify and support authentic voices on the platform by offering guidance and training to help them write more effectively for LinkedIn.

Another thing about the LinkedIn Voice Badge—it expires after 6 months unless renewed. My frequent travelling means I couldn’t keep the frequency of publishing and engaging with other creators. I lost my badge in March 2025. But I am almost certain to regain it with continued original writing and making an impact that fits what LinkedIn is looking for.

Want to leverage LinkedIn to grow your newsletter?

LinkedIn is one of the most powerful platforms to grow your Substack newsletter, especially if your content serves professionals, entrepreneurs, or niche audiences.

With over a billion users, LinkedIn offers unmatched organic reach and visibility for writers who position themselves well.

By sharing valuable, insight-driven posts that align with your newsletter's theme, you can attract the right audience who are already seeking information, connection, and credibility.

Each post becomes an opportunity to showcase your expertise and invite your network to take the next step—subscribing to your newsletter.

I've compiled everything I learned into a practical, easy-to-follow LinkedIn Playbook. If you're serious about growing your newsletter audience, you can grab it here.

It’s free.

LinkedIn and Substack serve different purposes. LinkedIn is primarily a networking and professional platform, while Substack is a content creation and subscription-based platform.

However, the audience on both platforms is likely to overlap, especially if you’re positioning yourself as an expert or thought leader in a specific niche.

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Masterclass: LinkedIn (Top Voices) & Substack Flywheel

I am doing a workshop for Kristina God’s audience at her Online Writing Club.

On May 5 at 5 pm EST, you can learn how to:

• Write posts on LinkedIn that stop the scroll

• Win your first clients with LinkedIn

• Earn the Top Voices badge (and get it back (or not) when you lose it)

• Build a content flywheel between LinkedIn and your Substack to gain more subscribers and generate leads

Everything’s inside my LinkedIn Playbook.

Want to grow your newsletter fast? Grab your copy now. It’s free.

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That’s all from me today.

As always, thanks for reading.