Discover how to harness the power of LinkedIn as an author to boost book sales and build credibility. Learn actionable insights on positioning yourself as a thought leader, maximizing profile features, and building meaningful connections that lead to future opportunities.

Special thanks to Rob YB Youngblood, of YBConnects, LLC for his help with this post and his appearance at our Author to Influencer Accelerator Power Hour!

In today’s digital age, LinkedIn is no longer just a platform for job seekers. It has evolved into a powerful tool for authors, entrepreneurs, and business professionals to increase their visibility, credibility, and ultimately, profitability. Rob YB Youngblood, known as the “LinkedIn Locksmith” and the founder of YBConnects, LLC, recently shared his expert insights on how authors can leverage LinkedIn to promote their books and expand their professional network.

Increase Visibility, Credibility, and Profitability

For authors, LinkedIn presents an opportunity to showcase their books and create lasting connections with potential readers, collaborators, and partners. Youngblood stresses the need to approach LinkedIn strategically by positioning yourself as a thought leader in your genre or field. He encourages authors to not only connect with people but to build relationships that foster future opportunities.

“People won’t buy your books if they don’t see you,” Youngblood noted, underlining the importance of visibility. He advises authors to use LinkedIn to increase their credibility by showcasing endorsements and testimonials. “What other people say about you matters,” he said. “Be connected to the right people and use their credibility on your behalf.”

LinkedIn is not just about posting a book announcement and hoping for sales. Authors should focus on generating profitable and meaningful relationships that can lead to new audiences and opportunities. Whether it’s connecting with bookstores or other professionals who can help distribute your book, Youngblood believes LinkedIn can increase book sales and help authors make a lasting impact. He stated, “Every relationship leads to future opportunities.”

How to Use LinkedIn as an Author

Youngblood recommends treating LinkedIn like a “billboard” for your brand. He suggests updating your banner image with a picture of yourself and your book cover, making it the first thing people see when they visit your profile.

Authors should use the headline section to mention their status as an author, which can be updated regularly to reflect new achievements or publications. “Not being salesy, just announcing to the world that you’re an author,” Youngblood explained.

The “Featured” section on LinkedIn is another valuable space where authors can highlight their books. Here authors should include pictures of people holding their books, which not only increases visibility but also enhances credibility. “Let people see your book,” Youngblood urged, emphasizing that visibility is key to making your book stand out.

In the “About” section, authors should position themselves as experts by including a brief bio that mentions their books and their contributions to their field. In doing so, they can attract readers who are looking for subject matter experts. Authors can also leverage their experience section by incorporating their books into their professional story, showcasing how writing the book has contributed to their personal or professional growth.

Leveraging LinkedIn for Memoir Authors

Youngblood also offered tailored advice to authors with different genres, including memoir authors like Sally, a first-time author and therapist, who was uncertain about using LinkedIn to promote her personal story. Youngblood suggested that Sally use the “MMD” framework, which stands for Mindset, Methodology, and Discipline, to shift her approach.

“Identify your audience and use LinkedIn to reach them,” he advised. He emphasized that memoir authors should connect with their network and educate them on how their personal stories are impacting lives. For Sally, this meant moving past the fear of rejection and instead focusing on the people who would benefit from her story. “People won’t like my stuff,” she worried, to which Youngblood responded, “Then those are the wrong people.”

Follower vs. Connection on LinkedIn

One key question that came up was whether it is better to follow or connect with someone on LinkedIn. Hasan, another attendee, asked if it was okay to connect with someone after commenting on each other’s posts or if it was better to simply follow them.

Youngblood explained that followers have access to your content, but they don’t have direct access to you, whereas connections allow for more direct communication through messaging. He recommended sending personalized messages with connection requests to remind the recipient of any prior conversations. “Every connection is a follower, but not every follower is a connection,” he clarified.

Final Thoughts: Courage and Consistency

By leveraging LinkedIn effectively, authors can not only promote their books but also build lasting, profitable relationships that enhance their credibility and expand their reach. For any author looking to grow their audience, Youngblood’s advice is clear: LinkedIn is not just a platform—it’s a powerful tool for building currency, one connection at a time.

Ready to unlock LinkedIn’s full potential for your book’s success? Whether you’re an aspiring thought leader or seeking meaningful connections to boost visibility and sales, our book publicity experts can help. Contact us today to create a tailored publicity strategy that puts your book—and your brand—in the spotlight!

Looking to learn more about authorship and social media? Check out: 

• Tips for Promoting Your Book on Meta 
• Making the Most of Your Goodreads Author Program Profile
• Mobilizing Your Tribe: Engaging Your Followers in Book Marketing