That’s exactly what teachers, software developers, graphic designers and many ordinary workers are doing, according to LinkedIn CEO Daniel Shapero—and they’re being dubbed “workfluencers.”

“They have a day job, but they’re using LinkedIn to share expertise around what they’ve learned, and about how to be great at their work and about what’s going on in their industry,” Shapero told Fortune exclusively. “And those people are not only building followings, but they’re starting to earn real, real money on the side.”

“We’re seeing those professionals that have day jobs, starting to secure brand deals that, in some cases, are worth hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars.”

And it’s only getting more common. Creators on LinkedIn are up 60% since 2024, and 83% of them are building content alongside a day job.

‘Workfluencers’ are on the rise—and they’re even holding day jobs in software and sports

So who are the “workfluencers”? According to LinkedIn, most hold 9-to-5s in advertising, media, higher education, and software development. Their most common day job titles include creative director, teacher, editor, coach, researcher, professor, graphic designer, photographer and video editor. 

But the fastest growth is in less obvious corners: the number of workfluencers in computer and network security is up 128% over the past two years, with software development (117%), sports (115%) and capital markets (112%) not far behind.

Most of them are sharing behind-the-scenes of their industry or their expertise, Shapero explained; “Here’s my interpretation of the news that came out this week, or here’s my take on the best way to build a model if you’re in finance, or to work with a customer if you’re in sales.” 

But even the quirkiest day jobs make good content. LinkedIn pointed to a Kraft Heinz researcher who posts about her job tasting food past its sell-by date as an example of the kind of job-in-action content people are hooked on.

And perhaps against common assumption, it’s not just Gen Z cashing in on this trend: Although entry-level employees make up the largest cohort of “workinfluencers” at 36%, senior professionals are close behind at 31%.

Side hustle boom: a stale job market has workers looking for another way to earn

For many workers, posting is a way to stand out, expand their horizons, and potentially even land a promotion while the job market remains stagnant.

“People are leaving jobs at a much lower rate than they have in the past, and so unemployment has not changed much,” Shapero said. “But the turnover in jobs has reduced. And so I do think for some people, it’s a way to keep work interesting and to learn new things, even if they’re not moving between jobs.”

The entry-level job market is the worst it’s been in 37 years. The International Monetary Fund’s chief Kristalina Georgieva just warned that an AI “tsunami” is coming—and it could leave Gen Z graduates stuck making lattes at Starbucks. Nearly 60% of fresh-faced grads are frozen out of the workforce. And even for those who are holding down jobs, raises and promotions have become like gold dust. 

That’s fueling demand for advice. Because if you feel stuck, chances are your peers do too—and they’re looking for someone to turn to.

“You’re in a time where so much is changing. We’re finding that these ‘workfluencers’ are the people that people trust,” Shapero said. “They’re taking what’s going on in the world of work, and they’re breaking it down, and they’re helping people be better at their jobs and navigate the changes that are happening.”

And with the economy so uncertain, it’s also a way for workers to build another revenue stream. 

“This idea of a portfolio career is becoming a lot more popular, where I have a main thing that I do to earn, but I also have other things that I’m working on,” Shapero said.

LinkedIn’s data backs him up. The share of members reporting more than one ongoing position has jumped 26% since 2019, and “founder” is now one of the fastest-growing job titles on the platform, up 70% year on year.

“For some folks, it becomes so lucrative that they set aside their day job and they become full-time professional creators,” Shapero added. 

Today, creators are earning six times what they did last year from advertisers through LinkedIn’s programs, Shapero said, and the platform has launched more new features to keep up, like “advice sessions,” where members can book paid time with “workfluencers”. “There are people charging hundreds of dollars an hour based on their content,” Shapero said.

Most ‘workfluencers’ aren’t quitting—they’re just making their day jobs more interesting

Don’t worry, bosses: a mass resignation of workers who’ve decided to talk about their jobs full time on LinkedIn—instead of actually doing their jobs—probably isn’t on the cards. 

Shapero said the “vast majority” aren’t turning posting into a full-time job. “For most people, it’s not a replacement for a day job. It’s a way to expand how they build their career.”

Instead of panic, Shapero said employers should see their staff’s posts as free advertising. “I think that it is brand accretive when your employees are on LinkedIn sharing really valuable knowledge.” 

And he’d hire a prolific poster, not see them as a flight risk. “It’s a great way to see someone’s voice, someone’s insight, someone’s personality, and you can start to understand if that would be really valuable to your company.”