In the ever-evolving world of social media and digital marketing, tools and platforms come and go.

One such tool that left a significant void in the employee advocacy space is LinkedIn Elevate.

Launched in 2015, LinkedIn Elevate was a powerful platform designed to help companies amplify their brand through employee advocacy.

However, in 2021, LinkedIn announced the discontinuation of Elevate, leaving many organizations scrambling to find suitable alternatives.

In this article, we’ll explore what LinkedIn Elevate was, the importance of employee advocacy, and three robust alternatives to LinkedIn Elevate that can help your organization continue to thrive in the realm of social media marketing.

What Was LinkedIn Elevate?

LinkedIn Elevate was a social selling and employee advocacy platform that allowed companies to empower their employees to share curated content on their personal LinkedIn profiles.

The goal was to increase brand visibility, drive engagement, and establish thought leadership within the industry.

Key Features of LinkedIn Elevate:

1. Content Curation: LinkedIn Elevate provided a library of pre-approved, industry-relevant content that employees could easily share with their networks.
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2. Automation: The platform automated the process of content sharing, making it easy for employees to post regularly without spending too much time searching for content.
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3. Analytics: LinkedIn Elevate offered detailed analytics to track the performance of shared content, including impressions, clicks, and engagement metrics.
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4. Gamification: The platform included gamification elements, such as leaderboards and rewards, to encourage employee participation.
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5. Integration with LinkedIn: As a LinkedIn product, Elevate seamlessly integrated with the platform, ensuring a smooth user experience.
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LinkedIn Elevate was particularly popular among B2B companies, as it helped them leverage their employees’ networks to reach a wider audience and build trust with potential customers.

What Is Employee Advocacy?

Employee advocacy refers to the promotion of a company’s brand, products, or services by its employees.

When employees share company-related content on their personal social media profiles, they act as brand ambassadors, extending the company’s reach and credibility.

Why Is Employee Advocacy Important?

Employee advocacy has become a cornerstone of modern marketing strategies, and for good reason.

In an era where consumers are increasingly skeptical of traditional advertising, employee advocacy offers a more authentic and relatable way to connect with audiences.

Let’s dive deeper into why employee advocacy is so important and how it can benefit your organization.

Increased Reach

One of the most compelling reasons to invest in employee advocacy is the sheer scale of reach it can provide.

On average, employees have networks that are 10 times larger than a company’s official social media following.

When employees share content, they tap into their personal networks, which often include colleagues, industry peers, friends, and family.

This organic sharing significantly expands the brand’s reach, exposing it to audiences that might otherwise never encounter the company’s official channels.

For example, if 100 employees each share a post with their 500 connections, the potential reach is 50,000 people—far beyond what most companies can achieve through their own social media accounts alone.

This expanded reach is particularly valuable for B2B companies, where building relationships and trust within niche industries is critical.

Enhanced Credibility

Content shared by employees carries a level of authenticity that branded content often lacks.

When a company posts on its official social media channels, it’s seen as promotional.

However, when an employee shares the same content, it feels more personal and trustworthy.

According to research, people are more likely to trust recommendations from individuals they know—or even from strangers—over messages directly from brands.

This is because employees are seen as real people with no ulterior motives, making their endorsements more credible.

For instance, a post about a company’s new product shared by an employee is perceived as a genuine recommendation, whereas the same post from the company might be viewed as a sales pitch.

This credibility can lead to higher engagement rates, more meaningful interactions, and ultimately, stronger relationships with potential customers.

Improved Employee Engagement

Employee advocacy isn’t just beneficial for the company—it’s also a powerful tool for boosting employee morale and engagement.

When employees are encouraged to share company content, they feel more connected to the organization’s mission and values.

It gives them a sense of ownership and pride in their work, as they become active participants in shaping the company’s public image.

Additionally, advocacy programs often include gamification elements, such as leaderboards and rewards, which can make the process fun and competitive.

This not only increases participation but also fosters a sense of camaraderie among employees.

Engaged employees are more likely to stay with the company, reducing turnover rates and creating a more positive workplace culture.

Cost-Effective Marketing

In a world where digital advertising costs are rising, employee advocacy offers a cost-effective way to amplify your marketing efforts.

Unlike paid ads, which require a significant budget, employee advocacy relies on organic reach.

Employees sharing content on their personal profiles can generate substantial visibility without the need for additional spending.

This is especially valuable for small and medium-sized businesses with limited marketing budgets.

Moreover, the ROI of employee advocacy is often higher than traditional marketing methods, as the content is more likely to resonate with audiences and drive meaningful engagement.

For example, a single post shared by an employee could lead to a new client or partnership, making it a highly efficient use of resources.

Attracting Talent

A strong employee advocacy program can also serve as a powerful recruitment tool.

When employees share positive experiences and insights about their workplace, it showcases the company’s culture and values to potential candidates.

In today’s competitive job market, top talent is looking for more than just a paycheck—they want to work for companies that align with their values and offer a supportive, engaging environment.

By highlighting the company’s culture through employee advocacy, you can attract like-minded individuals who are more likely to thrive within your organization.

Additionally, prospective candidates often research companies on social media before applying for jobs, and seeing authentic content from current employees can make a lasting impression.

The Need for Alternatives to LinkedIn Elevate

With LinkedIn Elevate no longer available, companies must find alternative tools to maintain and grow their employee advocacy programs.

The discontinuation of Elevate left a gap in the market, but it also opened the door for other platforms to step up and offer innovative solutions.

These alternatives not only replicate the features of LinkedIn Elevate but also bring new capabilities to the table, such as advanced analytics, seamless integrations, and enhanced user experiences.

By adopting one of these tools, companies can continue to harness the power of employee advocacy and achieve their marketing and engagement goals.

3 LinkedIn Elevate Alternatives

Now that LinkedIn Elevate is gone, several other tools have emerged as strong contenders in the employee advocacy space.

Here are three of the best alternatives to consider:

1. Hootsuite Amplify

Hootsuite Amplify is a popular employee advocacy platform that enables companies to empower their employees to share curated content on social media.

It’s part of the Hootsuite suite of tools, which is widely used for social media management.

Key Features:

• Content Library: Hootsuite Amplify provides a centralized content library where employees can access pre-approved posts to share on their social media profiles.
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• Scheduling: Employees can schedule posts in advance, ensuring consistent sharing without requiring daily effort.
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• Analytics: The platform offers detailed analytics to track the performance of shared content, including reach, engagement, and clicks.
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• Mobile App: Hootsuite Amplify has a user-friendly mobile app, making it easy for employees to share content on the go.
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• Integration: It integrates seamlessly with Hootsuite’s social media management tools, allowing for a cohesive social media strategy.
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Why Choose Hootsuite Amplify?

Hootsuite Amplify is an excellent choice for companies already using Hootsuite for social media management.

Its intuitive interface and robust features make it a strong alternative to LinkedIn Elevate.

2. Smarp (formerly known as Dynamic Signal)

Smarp is a comprehensive employee advocacy and internal communications platform designed to help companies engage their employees and amplify their brand on social media.

Key Features:

• Content Curation: Smarp offers a content library with pre-approved posts, as well as the ability to curate content from external sources.
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• Personalization: Employees can personalize posts before sharing them, adding their own voice and perspective.
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• Gamification: The platform includes gamification features, such as leaderboards and rewards, to motivate employees to participate.
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• Analytics: Smarp provides detailed analytics to measure the impact of employee advocacy efforts.
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• Internal Communications: In addition to employee advocacy, Smarp offers tools for internal communications, making it a versatile platform for employee engagement.
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Why Choose Smarp?

Smarp is ideal for companies looking for a platform that combines employee advocacy with internal communications.

Its focus on personalization and gamification makes it a great choice for fostering employee engagement.

3. EveryoneSocial

EveryoneSocial is a modern employee advocacy platform that helps companies turn their employees into brand advocates.

It’s designed to be user-friendly and highly customizable.

Key Features:

• Content Library: EveryoneSocial provides a content library where employees can find pre-approved posts to share on their social media profiles.
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• Customizable Feeds: Employees can customize their content feeds based on their interests and preferences.
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• Scheduling: The platform allows employees to schedule posts in advance, ensuring consistent sharing.
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• Analytics: EveryoneSocial offers detailed analytics to track the performance of shared content, including engagement and reach.
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• Integration: It integrates with popular tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Salesforce, making it easy to incorporate into existing workflows.
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Why Choose EveryoneSocial?

EveryoneSocial is a great choice for companies looking for a highly customizable and user-friendly employee advocacy platform.

Its integration capabilities make it easy to fit into existing workflows.

How to Choose the Right Employee Advocacy Tool

With several alternatives to LinkedIn Elevate available, choosing the right tool for your organization can be challenging.

Here are some factors to consider:

1. Ease of Use: The platform should be easy for employees to use, with a user-friendly interface and mobile app.
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2. Content Curation: Look for a tool that offers a robust content library and the ability to curate content from external sources.
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3. Analytics: Detailed analytics are essential for measuring the success of your employee advocacy program.
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4. Integration: Choose a platform that integrates with your existing tools and workflows.
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5. Gamification: Gamification features can help motivate employees to participate in the program.
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6. Cost: Consider your budget and choose a tool that offers the best value for your investment.
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Conclusion

LinkedIn Elevate may be gone, but the importance of employee advocacy remains as strong as ever.

By empowering your employees to share curated content on their social media profiles, you can amplify your brand’s reach, build credibility, and drive engagement.

Fortunately, there are several robust alternatives to LinkedIn Elevate, including Hootsuite Amplify, Smarp, and EveryoneSocial.

Each of these platforms offers unique features and benefits, making it easier for companies to continue their employee advocacy efforts.

When choosing a tool, consider factors such as ease of use, content curation, analytics, integration, gamification, and cost.

By selecting the right platform for your organization, you can ensure the success of your employee advocacy program and continue to reap the benefits of this powerful marketing strategy.

In a world where authenticity and trust are more important than ever, employee advocacy is a key component of any successful social media strategy.

Don’t let the discontinuation of LinkedIn Elevate slow you down—explore these alternatives and keep your employee advocacy program thriving.