LinkedIn is making strides to be more than just a professional networking service.

(LinkedIn, Creative Commons)

According to the Los Angeles Times, the site is introducing a new publishing tool that will allow anyone to post about their revelations, experiences, and opinions, as they pertain to the business world. These pieces are meant to be longer than the traditional status update.

USA Today explains how the latest feature comes as an extension of LinkedIn's "Influencers" program, which has featured compelling essays from such prominent figures as Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, Hewlett-Packard CEO Meg Whitman, Virgin Group founder Richard Branson and Martha Stewart.

Now, anyone has the power to be an influencer.

Initially, these pieces will only be made available to the individual user's contacts. However, depending their success, they have the potential to reach a far broader audience on LinkedIn.

LinkedIn is looking for a way to encourage people to use its site on a daily basis, much like Facebook and Twitter.

With reports that LinkedIn's overall success is on the decline, the site is seeking to reinvent itself in an attempt to spur user's attention.

Contact Executive Producer Jackie Giordano here.