Woman turns LinkedIn hustle into Rs 22.70 Lakh success; See how

Jayde Powell, an American social media strategist, discovered an unexpected avenue of income by leveraging her LinkedIn presence. Having collaborated with big brands like Delta Airlines, she never imagined that this platform would become a lucrative source of revenue. However, after the social media landscape moved away from sites like X (formerly Twitter) in 2021, Powell recognized an opportunity.

Within a year, her posts, focused on her corporate experiences, began to attract significant attention from both followers and past clients, according to a report from CNBC Make It. The turning point came when Sprout Social, a management platform social media company, approached her with an offer of $1,000 to create a sponsored post for her event on LinkedIn. That moment marked a pivotal realization for Powell: She could turn her LinkedIn activity into a profitable venture.

In 2022, Powell founded his own agency, The Em Dash Co., seeking greater flexibility and independence from the conventional 9-to-5 work model. As a solopreneur, the additional income she generates on LinkedIn has become essential to managing her mortgage, utility bills, and business expenses while she focuses on expanding her agency.

While her LinkedIn earnings have not yet reached the $95,000 salary she earned in her previous full-time position, they have significantly surpassed her initial earnings from The Em Dash Co., which totaled $52,100 last year.

Powell’s success highlights a growing trend in influencer marketing. “Consumers are savvier than ever; they know when they are being marketed,” she notes. By infusing personality and authenticity into her content, she cultivated a more engaging and relatable online presence.

She highlighted that people trust individuals, not brands. A 2023 survey from public relations firm Matter Communications revealed that more than two-thirds of North American consumers prefer recommendations from influencers or friends over ads from traditional brands, according to CNBC.

For Powell, LinkedIn emerged as her platform of choice. “I like the non-serious tone, but I adjust my content to fit what young professionals are talking about,” she explains. Recognizing the monetization potential, it began reaching out to brands at the same time it had built its business clientele. By leveraging tools she was already familiar with, like Teachable for webinars, she started conversations with potential partners.

Managing your side hustle on LinkedIn has advantages and challenges. While she values ​​the flexibility it offers, the uncertainty of freelancing can be daunting. “It can be scary when you’re wondering, ‘When will my next paycheck arrive? When will my next bill be processed?” she admits.

Despite these obstacles, Powell is optimistic about her future as a LinkedIn influencer. Her next goal is to reach 100,000 followers by 2025, with aspirations to possibly transition into creating content full-time.

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