This week’s Money Mondays was packed with valuable insights as AJ Eckstein, founder of Creator Match, sat down with LinkedIn creator Brandon Smithwrick to discuss strategies for growing and monetizing an audience on LinkedIn. With Teachable sponsoring the event, it was an exciting conversation on turning passion into profit—perfect for anyone looking to make the most of LinkedIn.
Here are the biggest takeaways from the discussion.
LinkedIn Is a Platform for Personal Branding
Brandon kicked things off by explaining that LinkedIn has evolved far beyond just a resume site. For creators, it’s become a space to build personal brands and share meaningful content. “Consistency is key,” Brandon shared, adding that posting regularly helps build trust and familiarity with your audience.
He also emphasized the importance of being authentic:
“Sharing your personal stories and experiences allows your audience to connect with you on a deeper level. That’s what drives real engagement.”
AJ agreed, highlighting how creators with a clear and consistent brand are the ones that attract sponsors the quickest.
How Brandon Smithwrick Monetizes His LinkedIn Audience
One of the biggest topics of the conversation was how to turn an engaged audience into a revenue stream. Brandon talked about the importance of offering value through content and how being proactive with brands makes all the difference.
“You can’t just wait for sponsors to come to you,” Brandon explained. “Reaching out to the right brands whose values align with yours will help you land deals.”
AJ added that LinkedIn newsletters are a game-changer. Creators can build deeper relationships with their audience through exclusive content and use newsletters as a tool to attract sponsors.
Practical Tips for Attracting Sponsors
Both AJ and Brandon shared some actionable advice for creators looking to secure sponsorships:
- Engagement matters more than follower count. Brands care about how active and loyal your audience is.
- Build relationships early. Start engaging with brands long before asking for sponsorships.
- Showcase your value. Case studies and examples of successful partnerships go a long way in landing deals.
AJ explained that creators who understand their audience and can provide insights—like demographics and engagement metrics—stand out to brands.
Expanding Beyond Sponsorships with Teachable
The conversation also touched on diversifying income streams. Both AJ and Brandon agreed that relying solely on sponsorships isn’t sustainable. That’s where platforms like Teachable come in.
“Creators have so much knowledge to share,” AJ said. “Platforms like Teachable allow them to turn that expertise into courses and digital products, giving them another way to make a living.”
Key Takeaways: Authenticity Drives Success
As the conversation came to a close, Brandon encouraged creators to stay authentic and not be afraid to experiment with content.
“Just start,” he said. “The more you create, the more you learn what resonates.”
AJ echoed this sentiment, reminding creators that monetization follows passion when combined with a clear strategy and consistent effort.
Missed the Interview? Watch the Full Recording
If you missed this week’s Money Mondays, don’t worry! You can watch the full interview [here] to catch all the insights and tips from AJ and Brandon.
Stay tuned for next week’s episode, where we’ll dive into more strategies for creators looking to grow, engage, and monetize their audience.
