UCCS student Chad Buchanan has found career success as a LinkedIn influencer. Despite having two years left in college, Buchanan has a large following on the networking app.
LinkedIn is a professional networking site where employers can seek out qualified candidates for open positions. LinkedIn users can post on the website to connect with other professionals, similarly to social media. Under the username “Chad Buchanan-Business Man,” Buchanan has over 100k followers.
Beginning by posting motivational quotes on LinkedIn after taking an Intro to Business course his freshman year, Buchanan quickly gathered a following. “I wanted to help people, you know? No one in our generation has that drive anymore. I just needed people to realize … when we stop moving, the world stops spinning,” Buchanan said. He then proceeded to hand out branded stickers that said the same thing.
Following a regimented schedule, Buchanan said he wakes up at 3 a.m. to get a jumpstart on his day. “I wake up and do 100 pushups every hour on the hour until 6 a.m.,” Buchanan said. For breakfast he eats five dozen eggs and two pieces of toast. In between classes, Buchanan posts on his LinkedIn page to maximize engagement.
Buchanan plans to use his LinkedIn success to skip out on entry-level business jobs once he graduates. “Obviously I’m a leader. I plan on coming in at the top of the corporate ladder,” Buchanan said.
LinkedIn influencers can monetize their platform through brand partnerships. “I’ve partnered with Nike to promote their new line of business clothes,” Buchanan said. The brand’s slogan “Just do it,” along with their offer of 50k per post, resonated with the influencer. “The brand aligns with my values. I encourage everyone to get out there and ‘Just do it,’” Buchanan said.
Despite encouraging people to “Just do it,” Buchanan plans on finishing his college degree, as LinkedIn influencers with college degrees attract more lucrative brand partnerships.
Buchanan’s follower demographic is made up primarily of men aged 18-23. Robert Follows, a junior business major, was one of the first people to find Buchanan on LinkedIn. “He really saved me. I didn’t have a direction and Chad introduced me to this. Speaking of … are you looking to make some extra income? You can pick your own hours and everything,” Follows said.
Mark Zuckerberg is Buchanan’s biggest influence. “That’s a man with drive. He didn’t even finish college, but he still found a way to run Google,” Buchanan said.
Buchanan plans on hosting a four-part webinar series in May titled, “Man, if only I looked like him.” The series will cover the importance of clothing in handling business transactions. Each attendee will receive a free eBook titled “The World: It’s Yours To Spin,” upon registration.
Editor’s Note: Scribble is the satirical section of the Scribe.
Photo courtesy of LinkedIn.