On July 2nd, 2025, the epi Editorial Committee met to discuss how European patent attorneys and IP professionals can strategically use LinkedIn as a catalyst for systematic business development. In this meeting, Prof. Dr. Alexander J. Wurzer and Dr. Tobias Denk, explored fresh insights, up-to-date figures, and clear action points to transform how IP experts connect, communicate, and create value through LinkedIn.

The Scale of LinkedIn Today

LinkedIn has surpassed 1.2 billion registered members worldwide (as of January 2025) with a robust annual growth rate of 8%. Among these, roughly 43% are monthly active users, yet astonishingly, only 1% of users regularly publish content. This means there’s an enormous opportunity for IP professionals to stand out by simply becoming active contributors.

For perspective:

  • WIPO has 249,000 followers.
  • EPO counts 151,000.
  • USPTO has over 103,000.
  • Professional societies like LESI (6,000 followers) and CIPA UK (7,000 followers) highlight how patent attorneys gather around trusted networks.

Within this ecosystem, LinkedIn Sales Navigator shows over 60,000 profiles for “Patent Attorney” and 9,000+ for “European Patent Attorney”, with content publishing by boutique firms growing at 5–10% annually and engagement up by 10%.

Why LinkedIn Matters for IP Experts

The core functions of LinkedIn align naturally with the daily business of patent attorneys. It is more than just a digital CV; it is a living, breathing stage for:

  • Gaining thought leadership in specific technical or legal niches.
    By consistently sharing insights on a well-defined topic, IP experts can position themselves as trusted voices in their field. This builds recognition not only among peers but also with clients and journalists seeking expert commentary. Over time, search algorithms and LinkedIn’s feed will amplify their visibility, making their expertise easier to find.
  • Building business contacts — from startups to large corporations — and other IP experts worldwide.
    LinkedIn’s network effect makes it possible to connect quickly with decision-makers across industries and countries. By engaging with other professionals’ posts and sharing valuable content, IP experts can attract new leads. These new contacts can evolve into clients, partners, or sources of referrals within the IP ecosystem.
  • Career development, whether transitioning in-house, founding a boutique, or hiring new talent.
    A strong LinkedIn presence helps IP professionals communicate their career goals and showcase their expertise to potential employers or partners. It can make a crucial difference when moving from private practice to an in-house role or starting a specialist firm. For firms, it’s also an effective way to attract top talent and demonstrate a dynamic, modern culture.
  • Continuous professional learning, exchanging insights about legal trends, case law, and industry movements.
    LinkedIn allows patent attorneys to stay up to date on evolving case law, new technologies, and regulatory changes. By following other thought leaders and participating in discussions, they benefit from collective intelligence and peer review. This knowledge exchange helps maintain high professional standards and fosters a stronger IP community.
  • Raising IP awareness, especially among startups and SMEs that often overlook the strategic importance of IP.
    Many smaller companies underestimate how patents, trademarks, and know-how protection can safeguard their innovations. Through LinkedIn, IP experts can educate these businesses with real-life examples, practical tips, and success stories. This awareness-building not only protects more ideas but also generates new mandates for the profession.

Thought Leadership Works

Becoming a visible thought leader starts with thematic focus and consistent communication. By repeatedly posting about a niche topic, the LinkedIn algorithm and even Google’s search index start amplifying that expert’s presence. This creates a flywheel: the more content, the greater the visibility, the more authority is perceived, attracting more engagement and new contacts.

The Power of Networking

LinkedIn is also an efficient filter. By observing who posts, likes, comments, and shares, patent attorneys can quickly identify high-value connections — potential clients, cooperation partners, or other experts. Tools like LinkedIn Sales Navigator and Linked Helper 2 streamline this process, enabling targeted outreach and nurturing campaigns without the inefficiency of broad, unfocused networking.

Career Development and Employer Branding

LinkedIn is equally powerful for personal career paths. Whether an IP professional wants to switch from private practice to industry, launch a new boutique firm, or simply highlight the career paths within the patent attorney profession to STEM graduates, LinkedIn is the prime channel to tell these stories and attract new talent.

Continuous Learning and Industry Exchange

A profession rooted in ever-evolving case law and technological frontiers demands constant knowledge exchange. LinkedIn enables this in real time: posts, articles, comments, and live discussions become an accessible hub for insights that would otherwise remain locked in conference rooms or journals. This helps strengthen the community and lifts the profession as a whole.

Spreading IP Awareness

Startups and SMEs often misunderstand or underestimate the power of IP. For regions with limited professional in-house IP expertise, LinkedIn is a low-barrier stage to raise awareness, build trust, and seed future mandates. By showcasing practical success stories and real-world impact, patent attorneys can proactively educate the next generation of innovators.

The IP Business Academy: A Proven Platform

Since its founding in 2019, the IP Business Academy (IPBA) has been building exactly this kind of impact infrastructure. Operated by IPBA Portal, the academy’s channels include a blog, LinkedIn feed, live interviews, and an ambassador partner network spanning multiple countries. Today:

  • Followers: 10,000+
  • Monthly Impressions: 7,500+
  • Engagement Rate: over 4%
  • Newsletter Subscribers: 1,300+
  • IP Business Academy Ambassador Partners: 400k+ followers combined
  • I3PM Community: 460+ followers combined

Regular posts, live expert interviews, regional showcases, and case studies keep the audience engaged while building the IP profession’s visibility and credibility.

How do corporate influencer programs work? – The IPBA ambassador partner program

The meeting made one fact clear: People follow people. Institutions struggle with reach and engagement if they communicate as faceless brands. A well-designed corporate influencer program empowers individuals to share authentic insights under a consistent, supportive umbrella.

For implementation you need:

  • Defining clear objectives for what each message should achieve.
  • Selecting authentic voices within the community.
  • Providing practical guidelines and enablement, so these voices have the confidence and tools to post.
  • Fostering motivation and community spirit, making members proud to be ambassadors.
  • Measuring success and adjusting tactics as needed.

Success comes from real people sharing genuine perspectives, not from polished but soulless posts.

Technical and Operational Principles

Publishing on LinkedIn is more than just hitting ‘Post.’ The meeting emphasized that:

  • Consistency beats volume: Better to post regularly than in unpredictable bursts.
  • First-hour engagement (the Golden Hour) is crucial for algorithmic visibility.
  • Meaningful comments (>11 words) drive more value than passive likes.
  • Visuals, headlines, and clear hooks increase stop-scrolling power.
  • Community interaction outside one’s own posts helps broaden reach and deepen trust.

The Big Opportunity: Only 1% Are Posting

Perhaps the strongest takeaway is this: while LinkedIn is massive and growing fast, the competition for thought leadership and visibility is surprisingly low. With just 1% of users actively posting, the stage is wide open for any patent attorney willing to step up and share insights.

This imbalance is an open invitation for IP experts to punch above their weight, build a reputation, and systematically develop business opportunities by simply communicating regularly and authentically.