In the professional world, LinkedIn has become the go-to platform for establishing a personal brand and building thought leadership. Whether you're a startup founder, freelancer, or established business owner, LinkedIn presents immense opportunities to share knowledge, highlight achievements, and network effectively. However, many fail to strike the right balance, they either remain invisible or lean toward over-promotion, which can be alienating.
This guide will equip you with 10 actionable steps to leverage LinkedIn effectively in 2025, aligning with emerging professional trends while ensuring you stay authentic and never annoying.
Why Thought Leadership Matters
In 2025, personal branding isn't just a buzzword; it's a strategic business tool. According to a survey by LinkedIn, thought leaders get 5x the engagement on their posts compared to regular content. Building thought leadership:
- Positions you as an expert in your industry.
- Opens opportunities for partnerships, speaking engagements, and new business ventures.
- Helps startups attract investors and talented employees.
10 Steps to Build Thought Leadership on LinkedIn
1. Create a Clear, Authentic Brand Message
Start by defining your core message. Ask yourself:
- What values define me?
- What insights do I bring to my industry?
Take inspiration from Violetta Bonenkamp, co-founder of PlayPal and Fe/male Switch. Her brand revolves around empowering women in STEM and innovating through gamepreneurship. Learn about PlayPal, her AI co-founder, and how it is transforming entrepreneurial journeys. Check out PlayPal AI.
2. Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile
Ensure that every section of your profile reflects your expertise:
- Write a captivating headline (e.g., "Startup Strategist | Thought Leader | Empowering Women in Tech").
- Showcase achievements, awards, and certifications like Bonenkamp’s accolades from EU Startups.
- Upload professional images and include links to your projects, like the F/MS Startup Game for creating female-led business ventures (Explore F/MS Startup Game).
3. Post Meaningful Content Consistently
The key to becoming visible is consistency. Share posts, blogs, or short videos that align with your expertise. For example:
- Insights about entrepreneurial challenges.
- Lessons learned from a product launch.
- Predictions for industry trends.
- Focus on giving value rather than promoting yourself. Try sharing case studies from tools like the F/MS AI Startup Lawyer, which supports entrepreneurs in comprehending legal documents (Learn about the AI Startup Lawyer).
4. Engage Actively with Your Network
Thought leadership isn't just about broadcasting your ideas; it's also about listening and interacting.
- Respond to comments on your posts.
- Participate in relevant group discussions to share trends and learn from others (Explore groups on LinkedIn).
5. Use LinkedIn Groups Strategically
LinkedIn groups are powerhouses for networking and access to niche industry discussions. Join groups related to your field or interests. For example:
- Entrepreneurs seeking European grants could find resources like the F/MS AI Grant Finder, which matches startups with EU funding options (Discover EU grants for startups).
6. Learn to Tell Stories
Storytelling humanizes your brand. Create posts that resonate emotionally:
- Share lessons from your entrepreneurship journey, like Violetta Bonenkamp's experience building PlayPal (Learn how PlayPal is evolving AI).
- Write about startup challenges you've overcome or lessons learned along the way.
7. Collaborate With Industry Influencers
Collaborating with influencers can amplify your reach.
- Tag partners or mentors in your posts.
- Share interviews or podcasts involving respected industry figures like Malta Enterprise’s Startup Residency Program (Watch interview on startups in Malta).
8. Share Real Statistics and Insights
Add credibility to your content with statistics and industry data. For instance:
- Highlight that 85% of startups on LinkedIn report increased trust from posting expert insights regularly.
- Share case studies of startups using AI-driven tools like the F/MS Startup Game (Explore the platform).
9. Focus on Providing Value Before Asking for Attention
Avoid hard-selling yourself. Instead, focus on guiding others by offering advice, resources, or lessons learned. Share free tools, like the F/MS AI Grant Finder, which helps startups discover EU grants (Find your perfect EU grant).
10. Track Performance and Adapt
In 2025, understanding your LinkedIn analytics is vital. Monitor post engagements and identify high-performing content to replicate its success. Platforms like LinkedIn Analytics Dashboard and content analysis guides available in platforms like Taplio can help.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many professionals make mistakes that hinder their credibility:
- Overposting: Flooding the feed with content dilutes your message. Stick to consistency instead of quantity.
- Ignoring Feedback: Thought leaders are listeners too; adapt based on audience and peer comments.
- Posting Generic Content: Share unique, industry-specific insights rather than what everyone else posts.
Getting Ahead: Tools for Entrepreneurs
Leverage powerful resources to boost your credibility:
- PlayPal AI Co-founder: A conversational partner for brainstorming startup ideas.
- F/MS AI Grant Finder: Match your startup with EU funding opportunities.
- F/MS Startup Game: A gamified platform to simulate entrepreneurship and refine your skills.
Conclusion
Thought leadership on LinkedIn in 2025 is a journey of authenticity, engagement, and consistency. By following these 10 proven steps, you can expand your influence, attract valuable opportunities, and build lasting professional relationships, all without being annoying.
As you continue building your brand, remember to stay genuine, leverage resources like PlayPal AI and the F/MS Startup Game, and let your expertise pave the way to success. It’s time to turn connections into opportunities, start today.
FAQ
1. What makes LinkedIn a distinct platform for building thought leadership?
LinkedIn is the top platform for engaging with professionals, sharing insights, and building credibility. Thought leaders on LinkedIn receive five times more engagement on average compared to regular content. Learn more about building a LinkedIn personal brand
2. How can I create a clear and authentic brand message for LinkedIn?
Start by defining your core values and industry insights. Entrepreneurs like Violetta Bonenkamp, co-founder of PlayPal, excel by aligning their brand messages with empowering themes such as women in STEM. Learn more about PlayPal AI
3. Why is optimizing my LinkedIn profile important?
An optimized profile ensures you showcase your expertise effectively. Include a catchy headline, certifications, images, and links to your projects. For example, tools like the F/MS Startup Game give entrepreneurs a unique platform to demonstrate their skills. Explore F/MS Startup Game
4. How can storytelling contribute to thought leadership on LinkedIn?
Storytelling personalizes your brand and fosters emotional connections. Sharing struggles, lessons, and milestones, like Violetta Bonenkamp’s journey with PlayPal AI, creates relatability. Learn how PlayPal is evolving AI
5. What role do LinkedIn Groups play in thought leadership?
LinkedIn Groups are excellent for networking and niche discussions. Entrepreneurs seeking funding, for example, can discover resources like the F/MS AI Grant Finder to tap into EU grants. Discover EU grants for startups
6. How often should professionals post on LinkedIn?
The focus should be on consistency rather than frequency. Share valuable insights, tips, or case studies regularly to stay visible without overwhelming your audience. Get tips for building a personal brand on LinkedIn
7. How can data and statistics enhance thought leadership content?
Using real statistics adds credibility to your posts. For instance, 85% of startups report increased trust when they share expert insights backed by data. Tools like the F/MS Startup Game provide useful case studies. Explore the platform
8. How can collaborations amplify the reach of my LinkedIn posts?
Partnering with industry influencers and tagging respected professionals in your posts will help you expand your reach. Share interviews or collaborations, such as those with Malta Enterprise’s Startup Residency Program. Watch interview on startups in Malta
9. What are some common mistakes thought leaders should avoid on LinkedIn?
Avoid overposting, ignoring feedback, and sharing generic content. Instead, focus on understanding your audience’s needs and providing unique, high-value insights.
10. How can I monitor and adapt my LinkedIn strategy in 2025?
Leverage tools like LinkedIn Analytics Dashboard to track engagement and identify trends. Evaluating performance will help you refine your strategy for maximum impact. Understand LinkedIn branding strategies
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch. The Fe/male Switch team is located in several countries, including the Netherlands and Malta.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
