How to Turn on Creator Mode on LinkedIn

Thinking about switching your LinkedIn profile from a digital resume to a powerful content platform? That's precisely what Creator Mode is designed for. This simple setting shifts the focus of your profile from job-seeking to audience-building, giving you the tools to establish yourself as a voice in your industry. This guide will walk you through exactly how to turn on Creator Mode, the benefits of making the switch, and actionable strategies to make the most of its features once you do.

What Exactly Is LinkedIn Creator Mode?

Creator Mode is a profile setting that LinkedIn launched to better support members who regularly create and share content to grow their audience. When you turn it on, your profile fundamentally changes its priority. Instead of highlighting your professional history for recruiters, it showcases your voice, your expertise, and your content for potential followers.

Think of it this way: your standard LinkedIn profile is a handshake and an exchange of business cards. A profile in Creator Mode is like stepping onto a stage with a microphone. It signals to LinkedIn and to your network that you're here to share ideas, not just to connect.

Key Changes When You Activate Creator Mode

Flipping the switch isn't just a cosmetic update. Several key elements of your profile are reconfigured to support content creation and audience growth:

• "Connect" Becomes "Follow": This is the most visible change. Your primary call-to-action button switches from "Connect" to "Follow." While people can still connect with you (the option is moved to the "More" menu), this prioritizes growing your follower count, allowing you to reach an audience beyond your immediate network of connections.
• Follower Count is Prominently Displayed: Your follower count moves to the top of your profile intro, right under your name and headline. This acts as social proof and puts your influence front and center.
• Topics of Expertise Showcased: You can select up to five topics (as hashtags) that you regularly talk about. These appear directly in your profile intro, giving visitors an instant snapshot of your areas of expertise (e.g., #SaaS, #MarketingStrategy, #ContentCreation).
• Content Takes Center Stage: Your "Activity" section is expanded to show more of your recent posts, and it's moved up your profile page, appearing before your "Experience" section. This makes your content one of the first things visitors see.
• Access to Creator Tools: Activating Creator Mode unlocks access to a suite of tools designed for content creators, including LinkedIn Newsletters, LinkedIn Live, and Audio Events, giving you more ways to engage with your audience.

The Real Benefits: Why You Should Turn on Creator Mode

Turning on Creator Mode is more than just a new look for your profile, it's a strategic move to build your personal brand and professional influence. If you're creating content (or want to start), here are the tangible benefits you can expect.

Amplify Your Reach and Visibility

By prioritizing the "Follow" button, you open the door to growing an audience much faster. Not everyone wants to send a connection request, but many are happy to follow for valuable insights. As your follower count grows, so does the potential reach of every post you share. More followers mean your content appears in more feeds, increasing your chances of starting conversations and reaching new opportunities.

Establish Yourself as a Go-To Expert

Your profile is your digital storefront. Creator Mode helps you curate that storefront more effectively. By displaying your core topics (#ContentMarketing, #Leadership, #ProductManagement), you instantly signal what you're known for. When your best content is the first thing people see in your featured section, it doesn't just show what you've done - it shows how you think. This shift positions you as a thought leader and subject matter expert, not just someone with a list of job titles.

Unlock Powerful Content Creation Tools

Some of LinkedIn's best engagement tools are reserved for creators. Activating the mode gives you access to:

• LinkedIn Newsletters: Publish articles that land directly in your subscribers' inboxes and on your profile. A newsletter is one of the best ways to build a loyal, dedicated audience that looks forward to your insights.
• LinkedIn Live: Host live video streams to engage with your audience in real-time. You can run Q&,As, interview guests, or present on a topic, creating a much deeper connection than a standard text post.
• Audio Events: Like a live podcast or a Clubhouse-style room on a professional platform. Host discussions and panels where you can share expertise and interact with your audience through audio.

Gain Deeper Insights into Your Performance

Creator Mode comes with enhanced analytics that give you better data on how your content is performing. You'll gain access to follower growth insights and more detailed post-performance metrics. This data is invaluable for understanding what resonates with your audience, allowing you to refine your strategy and create more of what works.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Turning on Creator Mode

Ready to make the switch? The process is quick and straightforward. You can activate Creator Mode from either your desktop or the mobile app in just a few clicks.

On Your Desktop:

1. Navigate to your LinkedIn profile by clicking the "Me" icon in the top right corner and choosing "View Profile."
2. Scroll down your profile until you see the Resources section. This section is private and only visible to you.
3. Under Resources, you'll see "Creator mode: Off." Click on it.
4. A pop-up window will appear, explaining the changes that will be made to your profile. Click Next.
5. You will be prompted to add topics you post about. Type and select up to five relevant hashtags. Choose these carefully, as they'll become the cornerstones of your personal brand on the platform.
6. Once you've selected your topics, click the Turn on button. That’s it! Your profile is now in Creator Mode.

On the LinkedIn Mobile App (iOS or Android):

1. Open the LinkedIn app and tap on your profile picture in the upper-left corner.
2. Tap View Profile from the menu that appears.
3. Scroll down to the Resources section.
4. Tap on "Creator mode: Off."
5. The app will guide you through the same process as the desktop version. You'll review the changes, add your five topics, and confirm to switch it on.

Don't worry, the decision isn't permanent. If you decide it's not for you, you can turn Creator Mode off at any time by following the same steps.

You've Turned It On. Now What? Making Creator Mode Work for You

Activating Creator Mode is just the beginning. The real value comes from leveraging its features with a thoughtful content strategy. Simply turning it on won't magically grow your following, using it effectively will.

1. Optimize Your New Creator-Focused Profile

Your profile is now designed to attract followers. Tweak a few key areas to make a powerful first impression.

Rewrite Your Headline

Your headline is more than just your job title. It's an opportunity to pitch your value. Instead of "Marketing Manager at XYZ Company," try something like: "Helping B2B SaaS companies grow with data-driven content marketing | Podcaster | Speaker | #ContentStrategy." This instantly tells visitors who you help, how you help them, and what you talk about.

Strategically Choose Your 5 Topics

The five hashtags you selected are your profile's keywords. They tell LinkedIn's algorithm what kind of content you create, helping it show your profile to people interested in those subjects. Choose a mix of broader topics (e.g., #Marketing) and more-niche ones (e.g., #PLG) to attract the right audience.

Curate Your Featured Section

The "Featured" section is your personal portfolio. Pin your best-performing posts, the introductory issues of your newsletter, or links to external articles or podcasts. Use this space to showcase your most valuable content so new visitors can immediately see the quality of your work.

2. Build a Consistent Content Rhythm

A successful creator profile runs on consistency. You need to show up regularly with valuable content to keep your audience engaged and growing.

Plan Your Content Cadence

You don't need to post every day, but you should aim for a regular schedule. Start with 2-3 times per week and focus on quality over quantity. The key is to be dependable so your followers know when to expect new insights from you.

Vary Your Content Formats

Don't just stick to text posts. Leverage the full range of LinkedIn's content options:

• Text and Image Posts: Great for quick thoughts, storytelling, and sharing insights.
• Document Posts (Carousels): Upload a PDF to create visually engaging, swipeable presentations. These posts have incredibly high engagement rates on LinkedIn.
• Polls: A simple way to generate quick engagement and gather feedback from your audience.
• Video: Share short-form videos with quick tips or host longer discussions to build a deeper connection.

3. Engage Like a Creator

Influence isn't built by broadcasting, it's built by interacting. Your engagement strategy is just as important as your content strategy.

Respond to Every Comment

When people take the time to comment on your posts, acknowledge them. Reply to their comments, answer their questions, and thank them for their input. This fuels the algorithm (which loves seeing active conversations) and builds a strong, loyal community around your brand.

Join Conversations in Your Niche

Your work isn't done once you've published your post. Spend 15-20 minutes each day engaging with content from other leaders and peers in your industry. Leave thoughtful comments (more than "Great post!"), add your perspective, and provide value in other people's comment sections. This is one of the most effective ways to get noticed by new, relevant audiences.

Final Thoughts

Turning on LinkedIn's Creator Mode is a simple technical step, but it represents a significant strategic shift. It formalizes your intention to move from a passive networker to an active voice in your industry, providing the display and tools you need to build authority and a genuine audience on the platform.

Sustaining this momentum means having a solid plan. A consistent content strategy is central to making Creator Mode work, but managing that can feel like a job in itself. Having built Postbase from our experiences managing social media, we designed our visual calendar to take the chaos out of planning. You can see your entire content schedule at a glance, drag and drop posts to reschedule, and customize everything for multiple platforms - including LinkedIn - from one clean dashboard. It helps us stay organized so we can focus on creating content that connects, without getting bogged down by the logistics of posting it. Try a tool like Postbase if you also want something powerful yet simple to get the job done!