Many brands dive into LinkedIn influencer marketing with high hopes. But the reality? They end up losing money on missed opportunities and ineffective strategies. It’s frustrating, especially because the platform has so much potential.
We get it. At Creator Match, we’ve managed hundreds of successful campaigns for brands like Wix, Fiverr, and Teachable. We know what works and, more importantly, what doesn’t. That’s why we’ve compiled the top mistakes brands make so you can avoid them, save money, and get better results.
Without further ado, here are the 15 biggest LinkedIn influencer marketing mistakes your brand should avoid:
1. Comparing LinkedIn’s CPM to Other Platforms
According to Databox, LinkedIn’s CPM (cost per thousand impressions) averages about $26.91—significantly higher than platforms like TikTok or Instagram.
Here’s why: LinkedIn’s audience is unique. It’s filled with professionals and decision-makers with the purchasing power to make high-value investments.
Think about it. If a B2B SaaS brand targets senior IT managers on LinkedIn, they’re not just reaching random users but qualified leads who can act. While this CPM might seem high, it’s an investment in quality over quantity, giving brands a direct line to their ideal audience.
So, keep this in mind:
Focus on who you’re reaching, not just how many. By prioritizing targeting accuracy over CPM alone, you’ll create a LinkedIn campaign that reaches the right people—and drives real results.
2. Sticking to Outdated Tools
Managing LinkedIn influencer campaigns with traditional methods like spreadsheets and email threads? It slows everything down.
At Creator Match, we’ve replaced this approach with a streamlined backend reporting and analytics dashboard that offers brands real-time campaign visibility.
With our dashboard, your brand can track every campaign detail—from live posts to overall engagement metrics—at any time.
This transparency not only saves time but also enables you to make data-driven decisions based on actual performance rather than waiting for after-the-fact reports.
By moving away from basic tools, you can gain deeper insights and drive faster, more responsive campaign strategies.
3. Neglecting Keyword Relevance in Creator Selection
Choosing creators whose content aligns with campaign goals is critical for successful LinkedIn influencer marketing. Many brands overlook this, selecting creators based solely on follower counts or general relevance.
At Creator Match, we prioritize keyword relevance as part of our creator selection process. For instance, if a campaign focuses on B2B marketing solutions, we help brands find creators who actively discuss ‘B2B marketing’ or similar terms in their content.
This approach fosters an authentic connection between the creator’s audience and the brand’s message, boosting campaign engagement from the start.
Recently, we helped kick off Teachable’s 9-to-5 Quitters Club LinkedIn campaign. To reach the right audience, we partnered with creators like Brandon Smithwrick, who frequently discusses topics related to the Creator Economy.
This careful selection process contributed to the campaign’s overall success, capturing the attention of those who recently quit their 9-to-5 jobs—and others considering taking the leap.
4. Using Averages Instead of Medians
When reviewing performance metrics from LinkedIn creators, many brands rely on average engagement statistics. But averages can be misleading, especially if one post goes viral and inflates the numbers.
At Creator Match, we help brands see a clearer picture by focusing on median values, which offer a more stable representation of a creator’s typical performance. This approach helps brands set more accurate expectations and avoid surprises based on outliers.
For example, if a creator’s engagement rate includes one high-traffic post, an average could give an impression of strong performance across the board. By using medians instead, you get a realistic view of what to expect in standard campaigns, making it easier to align goals and results.
5. Boosting Posts Without a Clear Plan
Boosting—or whitelisting—influencer posts on LinkedIn is an effective way to expand reach, but it requires careful planning. Many brands decide to boost content after it’s posted, which can lead to issues, as LinkedIn restricts which content formats can be boosted.
We often encourage brands to plan whitelisting strategies in advance, ensuring post formats meet LinkedIn’s guidelines for boosting.
For example, LinkedIn only allows boosting for certain post types, such as text-only posts, single-image posts, or videos. Polls, reshared posts, and carousels, however, can’t be boosted.
By planning post types and boosting strategies before going live, your brand can avoid last-minute format issues and maximize the effectiveness of its sponsored content.
6. Overlooking Link Click Tracking and Creator Incentives
Tracking link clicks is essential for understanding campaign effectiveness.
Many brands use tools like Bitly or TinyURL to monitor click rates but stop short of sharing this data with creators. This lack of transparency can lead to missed opportunities, as creators perform better when they know what drives engagement.
Providing creators with access to click metrics, like we do at Creator Match, empowers them to refine their content and strive for better results.
When creators understand which parts of their posts resonate most with audiences, they’re more motivated and can adapt to improve campaign performance. Aligning incentives with clear data helps everyone work towards the same goal: increasing clicks and engagement.
7. Ignoring FTC Disclosure Rules
Compliance with FTC guidelines on sponsored content is a legal requirement but also builds trust with audiences. Brands sometimes overlook clear sponsorship disclosures, risking both credibility and legal consequences.
On LinkedIn, creators should clearly tag posts as sponsored, using LinkedIn’s partnership tags or hashtags like #sponsored or #brandpartner.
At Creator Match, we ensure this transparency in all of our campaigns. Here’s an example from one of our campaigns for OpusClip, posted by Jayde Powell:
Transparent disclosure increases audience trust in both the brand and the creator. Ignoring these guidelines can lead to fines and harm a brand’s reputation, especially in LinkedIn’s professional environment.
9. Skimping on Detailed Briefs
Successful LinkedIn influencer campaigns rely on clear, detailed communication. However, many brands overlook this, sending creators vague instructions or expecting them to understand brand messaging intuitively.
A comprehensive brief that includes campaign goals, tone guidelines, and LinkedIn-specific best practices helps creators align their content with brand expectations.
For example, a sample brief could include sections like:
- Campaign Objective: Outline what the campaign aims to achieve (e.g., lead generation, brand awareness).
- Tone and Style: Describe the brand’s preferred tone, such as “professional yet conversational.”
- Key Messages: Include any essential messages or phrases to weave into the content.
- Content Examples: Provide sample posts or links to previous campaigns for reference.
By structuring the brief with these elements, brands give creators a clear framework to follow, reducing the need for revisions and ensuring content aligns with both the creator’s voice and brand goals.
10. Overlooking Prime Posting Times
Timing is everything on LinkedIn. Unlike more casual platforms, LinkedIn engagement peaks during specific business hours, typically mid-morning on weekdays. Many brands overlook this, allowing creators to post at any time—even on weekends, when LinkedIn activity tends to dip.
For optimal visibility, encourage creators to post during LinkedIn’s high-engagement windows, usually between 9-11 AM on Tuesdays to Thursdays. Posting at these times increases the chances of reaching a more active and engaged audience, maximizing the campaign’s impact.
Don’t leave timing to chance. By coordinating posts for high-traffic hours, you can significantly boost the visibility and effectiveness of your brand’s sponsored content.
11. Dictating Inflexible Post Formats
When it comes to LinkedIn influencer campaigns, flexibility is key. Many brands fall into the trap of dictating specific post formats—requiring creators to use videos, carousels, or images that may not align with their usual style. However, creators know their audiences best and are well-versed in what formats resonate with their followers.
Instead of prescribing rigid formats, trust creators to select formats that work best for their audience. If a creator typically engages well with single-image posts, let them stay within that format. This approach leads to more authentic content and a higher likelihood of engagement.
For example, during AG1’s LinkedIn campaign, we allowed creators to choose the post format that resonated with them the most.
Some, like Jade Bonacolta, used carousels:
…while others, like Brett Dashevsky, chose video:
You can do the same when working on your influencer marketing campaigns. Allow creators to play to their strengths. By giving them the freedom to choose formats, you can tap into the creator’s expertise and deliver content that feels genuine and effective.
12. Relying on One-off Deals
Brands often focus on one-off influencer partnerships, expecting immediate returns. However, short-term deals rarely maximize the potential of LinkedIn influencer marketing.
Building long-term relationships with creators allows brands to foster a sense of trust and continuity with the creator’s audience, resulting in stronger engagement over time.
For instance, a brand that partners with a creator over several campaigns gains consistent exposure and can negotiate bundle rates that are often more cost-effective. Additionally, creators who work with brands long-term tend to produce more enthusiastic, loyal content.
13. Expecting Immediate Results
LinkedIn influencer marketing isn’t a quick win—it requires a more extended, multi-touch approach.
Many brands expect rapid results from a single post, especially in B2B campaigns. However, LinkedIn’s audience often engages in longer decision-making cycles, meaning it can take multiple interactions before they convert. Successful LinkedIn campaigns, therefore, focus on nurturing leads over time rather than expecting instant returns.
By setting realistic timelines and fostering continuous engagement with creators, your brand can build trust and credibility with its target audience. This long-term approach aligns well with LinkedIn’s professional environment, where relationship-building is key.
14. Micromanaging Creative Freedom
While it’s tempting to oversee every detail, micromanaging can stifle a creator’s ability to produce authentic content.
LinkedIn creators know what resonates best with their audience, and overly strict brand guidelines can make sponsored content feel forced or inauthentic. Instead, provide a solid campaign brief and allow creators the space to interpret it in their own style.
For instance, rather than dictating every word or visual element, share high-level expectations and approve content before it goes live. This approach balances brand messaging with creative freedom. It allows the creator’s voice to shine through while still aligning with campaign goals.
15. Prioritizing Follower Count Over Engagement
When selecting LinkedIn influencers, brands sometimes make the mistake of focusing solely on follower count, assuming a larger audience means more impact. However, engagement rate is often a more telling metric for campaign success.
Creators with smaller, more engaged audiences frequently drive better results than those with higher but less interactive follower counts. With tools like the Creator Match Chrome extension, you can easily assess any creator’s engagement metrics like likes, comments, and shares.
Our free tool provides you with deeper insight, helping you identify creators who truly connect with their audience—going beyond follower numbers to find those who can deliver real engagement.
Here’s an example from Matty Piazzi’s profile:
Focusing on engagement metrics ensures your message reaches an active audience more likely to engage, share, and convert.
Maximize Your LinkedIn Campaigns and Drive Real Results
LinkedIn influencer marketing holds the power to connect your brand with professionals who matter. By steering clear of common pitfalls, your brand can reach a more engaged audience, build trusted creator relationships, and see real, lasting results on the platform.
The good news? With proven results for brands like Adobe, HubSpot, and Notion, we’re here to help make LinkedIn a powerful growth channel for your business. Book a call with the Creator Match team today, and let’s help you generate outstanding results.
