Why it’s worth using LinkedIn as an emerging creative, and how to do it right

At a time when social platforms are so often shape-shifting, one of them has remained more consistent for emerging creatives. Far from just a job board, LinkedIn offers a place to be discovered, build genuine connections and grow with purpose. To better understand its value, we asked creatives and industry experts how they’re using the platform and how you can make it work for you.

Social media has changed a lot for creatives over the past few years. While some are navigating the rise of AI-generated content and increasingly noisy feeds, others have decided to step away altogether. But in that time, many users who’ve stuck it out on LinkedIn have found it to be a reliable platform, and one that can help personal brands flourish.

LinkedIn was originally created as a platform for professional networking and career development. While it became widely known as a job-seeking site, it has since evolved into so much more. It's a space where users can build a community, which is ideal for those who prefer to network online.

So why do we think LinkedIn is worth embracing? We've spoken to a range of creatives who have done just that and reaped the benefits. Keep reading for their insights and tips.

Where do I start?

If you’re wondering where to begin, the general advice from experienced creatives is to make sure you’ve polished up your profile as a starting point. This includes writing yourself a strong bio and remembering to highlight your wins. From there, share whatever feels right – whether that’s personal projects, process insights, or visual work.

Don’t have anything ready to post? Leyya Sattar, founder of creative inclusion consultancy and social impact company Other Box, recommends sharing your “voice, values, and perspective.” Be clear on what you care about. “Share your process, not just the finished product. Don’t wait until something is ‘perfect’ to put it out there.”

And if that feels risky? Good. Ben Mottershead, founder and creative director of Never Dull Studio, believes real progress starts outside your comfort zone. “At this stage in your career, your goal shouldn’t be to chase success. It should be to chase failure, learn from it and grow.”

Put your profile into practice

To build on this advice, we asked Zara Easton, LinkedIn’s Group Head of Brand & Product Marketing, EMEA, what emerging creatives can do to make their profiles work harder.

Write your headline and About section
“I’d start with the story their profile tells at first glance,” says Zara. Can someone quickly understand what you’re about and where you want to go next? Alongside a clear profile photo and a cover image that reflects your work or interests, your headline can help communicate this.

“It doesn’t just need to be an impressive job title. Use the space to describe your discipline and the kind of work you want to be known for.”

For your About section, Zara recommends writing in the first person and keeping it natural. Aim for around 100 words introducing who you are, the work you enjoy, the skills or perspective you bring and what you’re looking to explore next.

Make your skills easy to find
Make sure you’ve also listed relevant skills, which recruiters can use to search and filter candidates. For a junior creative, these might include copywriting, art direction or social content, alongside communication and collaboration.

Recruiters may be looking through a high volume of candidates, so don’t leave them to piece everything together. “Your headline, About section, skills and featured work should work together to tell that story without someone having to dig for it,” says Zara.

“The biggest missed opportunity is often a profile that lists education and job titles but never shows the person’s story, ideas or actual creative work.”

Show your work and explain your contribution
Think of your profile as a front door to your work. As Zara explains, some companies will still ask for a separate CV and creative portfolio, but LinkedIn gives people another way to discover you and get a sense of what you do.

And if you don’t have much paid experience yet? University briefs, personal projects, internships and freelance work can all show what you can do. Use the Featured section to make your strongest work visible, then add context in your Experience section: explain the brief, your approach, your role and the skills or tools you used.

“If it was a group project, be clear about your individual contribution,” says Zara. “And don’t feel you need to pass something off as paid client work for it to have value.”

Feel the fear and share anyway!

Self-promotion isn’t always easy, but it starts with simply showing up – and people value openness. For illustrator and content creator Ælfleda Clackson, starting out on LinkedIn “felt pretty embarrassing” and brought on feelings of impostor syndrome. But it got easier with time. “Don’t lose your personality. People will appreciate you for it.” She also reminds us: “They want to see content that gives them something — a story, a lesson, tips, a laugh. Be generous!”

“[LinkedIn’s] become less of a professional hub,” says Ben Mottershead. “You see career updates and industry insights, but it’s dominated by personal branding. It can be useful if you’re looking to build visibility.”

Ben believes the platform rewards extroversion but still sees its potential. “The true value of LinkedIn isn’t in the content itself, but in the people behind it. If you’re more introverted, LinkedIn can be a helpful space to find your voice, explore ideas, and connect on your own terms.”

If you’re looking for more LinkedIn-spiration to take the plunge, F*ck Being Humble founder Stefanie Sword-Williams encourages creators to take up space without the guilt across the platform.

Show others what drives you

Leyya Sattar explains, "In a world that’s crying out for more purpose-led work, platforms like LinkedIn give you space to show not just what you do, but why you do it.” For Leyya, LinkedIn is a space where emerging creatives can “take up room, build communities, and show the world what matters to them.”

Leyya also adds that people connect with “honesty, growth, and passion.” Whether you’re sharing resources, advice or reflecting on your journey, it’s all valid, and it can benefit others in the same position. “Don’t underestimate the power of your lived experience,” she says. “The creative industries need more people who’ve been historically overlooked. Your voice is your superpower.”

For Zara, showing your perspective is also valuable when you’re building up experience. “At a time when AI is changing how work is created and skills are evolving quickly, being able to show how you think, what you’re curious about and the perspective you bring matters just as much as listing what you’ve done.”

Let go of the likes

Like other platforms, it’s easy to get caught in the engagement trap. But LinkedIn isn’t about popularity – it’s about staying top of mind.

Once you stop chasing likes, posting becomes less stressful and more meaningful. “Some of the most meaningful opportunities have come from posts with very few likes,” says Leyya. “The right five people seeing your post can be more valuable than 5,000 likes.”

Even so, for illustrator and content creator Ælfleda Clackson, the algorithm can still be generous. “It’s pretty easy to reach lots of people. Comments are pushed onto feeds, so you don’t need someone to repost your content for it to be seen by their connections.”

Connect with others purposefully

Yes, LinkedIn can feel oversaturated. But that’s often only true if you haven’t found your people yet. Making connections on LinkedIn isn't always a numbers game.

Ben is deliberate about who he connects with – usually those who “genuinely challenge or inspire” him. Ælfleda agrees. She suggests saving five to ten profiles that inspire you to get a feel for what works in your niche.

If posting still feels daunting, Zara from LinkedIn suggests taking the pressure off and thinking of networking as participating. Start by following people, agencies and creatives whose work interests you, then get involved in the conversations already happening.

“A thoughtful comment is a really easy place to start,” she says. “Rather than simply saying ‘great work’, add an observation, share what you took from it or ask a genuine question.”

Making connections doesn’t have to mean immediately asking someone for something. Zara suggests approaching a connection request as you would an introduction at an event: explain who you are and why you’d like to chat.

“I also wouldn’t lead by asking for a job,” she says. “Tell them what interested you about their work, why you’d like to connect or what you hope to learn from following them.”

“My biggest advice is to start small. One thoughtful comment, connection or message is networking.”

Success stories

Nearly everyone on LinkedIn is doing the same thing: showing who they are and what they do to grow professionally. For many, this means pushing through the fear of self-promotion to claim space online. If you’re not doing it for yourself, who will?

For many creatives, this mindset has opened doors. Ben now works as a visiting lecturer at the University of Hertfordshire – a role he got directly through LinkedIn. “I engaged with a post from the Head of Course, who then messaged me to say some students had spoken highly of me. We arranged a meeting and it led to a formal role.”

For Leyya, opportunities have included public speaking, panel features and consultancy work. “Articles and posts I’ve shared have been seen by editors at major publications, which has led to contributions for Vogue Business, Stylist Magazine, WIRED, and The Guardian,” she says. “It’s not about going viral – it’s about showing up consistently.”

Emerging creatives like Anupa Joshy are another great example. While studying for her master’s, Anupa shared a post opening with the call-out: “Where are all the Brown creatives?” Seven months later, that same post led to her giving a talk on the topic at Imaginary Friend’s Curio 2 event in February 2025. It was a powerful example of how sharing your voice and what drives you can resonate with others and create real opportunities.

Beyond LinkedIn, connections can also help you explore a different direction within your existing workplace. Zara suggests looking for opportunities to shadow a team or support a project connected to the work you’d like to do.

“When I was working in Partnerships early in my career, I knew I wanted to move into Brand, so I made an effort to get to know the team and volunteered to support a few of their projects,” she says. “That experience and visibility helped me when an opportunity to join the team came up later.”

Key takeaways

LinkedIn can be a powerful ally as you grow your career, and though it might feel daunting at first, it all starts with small, consistent steps.

By understanding its value, cutting through the noise with authenticity and transparency, you won’t just attract opportunities – you’ll attract the right people. We’ve already mentioned a few inspiring creatives to follow, so start with what you’ve got, share what matters to you, and start embracing the sides of LinkedIn you might have overlooked.

Below is a summary of the most valuable learnings we're taking from speaking to experienced creatives: