ISLAMABAD: LinkedIn is introducing new features that will allow professionals and entrepreneurs to earn money by offering paid consultations, creating opportunities to turn their skills and industry experience into additional income without selling physical products.
One of the key additions, called Advice Sessions, will enable eligible users to offer one-on-one consultations and charge clients for their expertise. Depending on their experience and services, some professionals could potentially earn $100 or more per hour, although actual earnings will vary.
The feature will initially be available to Business Premium subscribers in the United States, with LinkedIn allowing participants to retain their earnings without taking a commission from the sessions.
The move reflects a broader shift in how professionals use LinkedIn, which has traditionally focused on job searches, networking and career development.
As more people pursue freelance work, consulting and multiple sources of income, the platform is expanding its services to support professionals working beyond conventional full-time employment.
How LinkedIn’s paid advice sessions will work
Under the new arrangement, eligible professionals and business owners will be able to offer individual consultation sessions based on their knowledge and experience.
The service could provide opportunities for specialists in areas such as business strategy, marketing, technology and professional development to generate income through advisory work.
LinkedIn has not announced a fixed earning rate, meaning professionals will determine their potential income according to the services they provide and the fees they charge.
The company has also not confirmed when Advice Sessions will become available outside the United States, including Pakistan.
New LinkedIn features for professionals and creators
Alongside paid consultations, LinkedIn is introducing changes designed to help users present multiple professional roles on their profiles.
The platform is also testing a feed that prioritises posts from existing connections and followed accounts rather than relying primarily on algorithmically recommended content.
Another upcoming feature is a digital business card that users can save in their smartphone’s wallet application, making it easier to exchange professional details during meetings and networking events.
For content creators, LinkedIn plans to introduce an improved analytics dashboard to help users understand how their posts perform.
The company is also expanding its video advertising revenue-sharing programme, which allows eligible creators to receive a portion of revenue generated from advertisements displayed before their videos.
LinkedIn reports 70% rise in users identifying as founders
According to LinkedIn, the number of users adding the title “Founder” to their profiles has increased by 70 percent over the past year.
The company has also observed more professionals listing multiple jobs or business responsibilities, reflecting changing employment patterns and growing interest in independent work.
LinkedIn Chief Product Officer Hari Srinivasan said the company’s data indicated an increase in entrepreneurial activity, although the reasons behind the trend were difficult to establish.
He noted that artificial intelligence was making it easier to develop software and digital products, but creating a product alone did not guarantee a successful business.
The latest features come as artificial intelligence, changing employment conditions and growing demand for additional income reshape the professional landscape.
For Pakistani professionals, the planned services could offer new opportunities if LinkedIn expands their availability internationally. For now, the paid Advice Sessions feature is limited to eligible US subscribers.