8 LinkedIn Influencers Sharing Real Growth Advice

LinkedIn influencers are becoming a more trusted source of advice as traditional digital ads continue to lose credibility. Nielsen data from 2025 shows that people are less likely to trust banner ads or sponsored posts, and more likely to trust people they follow or interact with.

So, who’s actually worth following on LinkedIn?

You’ll find people like Shane Barker, who shares digital marketing strategies that help businesses grow. Goldie Chan brings clarity to personal branding. Chris Brogan talks about leadership and relationship-building from real-world experience. These are voices that offer consistent, practical insight, not empty engagement.

Despite being the largest professional platform in the world, LinkedIn still limits organic reach. On average, your content only reaches about 10% of your followers. That’s why following the right people isn’t optional — it’s part of how you stay competitive and informed.

And there are real examples. April Little started posting about layoffs and recruitment services just a few years ago. Today, she has a highly engaged audience of over 100,000. LinkedIn also runs an official influencer program, but it's limited to around 500 handpicked professionals globally. The good news? You don’t need to be on that list to create meaningful impact, and many of the most helpful creators aren’t.

This list highlights 8 LinkedIn influencers who share focused, proven business advice. No recycled quotes. Just daily insights worth paying attention to.

Gary Vaynerchuk

Gary Vaynerchuk, the Chairman of VaynerX and CEO of VaynerMedia, stands out among business voices with his raw authenticity and practical advice. His path from immigrant roots to business titan provides great lessons to professionals in a variety of industries.

“I attract a crowd, not because I'm an extrovert or I'm over the top or I'm oozing with charisma. It's because I care.”
— Gary Vaynerchuk

Gary Vaynerchuk's Expertise

Gary Vaynerchuk's business skills emerged when he grew his family's wine shop from $3 million to a $60 million empire. His expertise covers entrepreneurship, digital marketing, and strategic investments in companies like Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Venmo, Snapchat, Coinbase, and Uber. He leads as the creator and CEO of VeeFriends and has written six New York Times bestselling books. His business philosophy builds on market trends, consumer attention, and brand relevance. These principles guide VaynerMedia, his full-service advertising agency that serves Fortune 1000 brands from 15 global offices.

Gary Vaynerchuk's Content Style

Gary's content stands out through his "document, don't create" philosophy. He shares his entrepreneurial experiences authentically through:

• Daily vlogs, keynotes, and Q&A shows that serve as "pillar content"
• A reverse pyramid content model that turns one video into dozens of platform-specific pieces
• Live business insights shared on YouTube, Facebook, IGTV, podcasts, and social channels

His LinkedIn content emphasizes tactical business strategies, leadership insights, and practical marketing advice. Gary combines blunt authenticity with genuine empathy, making complex business concepts available to people at every career stage.

Why Follow Gary Vaynerchuk

Gary creates exceptional value through his "Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook" approach—giving value multiple times before asking anything in return. His content mixes entertainment with education and provides applicable information about LinkedIn marketing, audience building, and business growth. His long-term thinking and steadfast dedication to hustle (working 16-18 hours daily) show his genuine commitment to others' success. Gary shows both his wins and failures openly, giving a transparent view of entrepreneurship.

Gary Vaynerchuk's Follower Count

Gary ranks among LinkedIn's most influential voices with over 5.4 million followers. His social media presence reaches more than 50 million followers across all channels, generating over 2 billion impressions yearly. His LinkedIn following grows steadily at 0.6% monthly, adding about 33,800 new followers every 30 days. This massive reach helps his practical business advice affect millions of professionals worldwide.

Ann Handley

Ann Handley blazed the trail as the first Chief Content Officer. She's a digital marketing pioneer who transformed how businesses think about online marketing. Her practical, empathy-driven approach makes her one of the most valuable top LinkedIn influencers you should follow.

“Empathy for the customer experience should be at the root of all of your content.”
— Ann Handley

Ann Handley's Expertise

Ann became the world's first Chief Content Officer and now guides content development at MarketingProfs, a training company that strengthens marketers with essential skills. She wrote the Wall Street Journal bestseller "Everybody Writes" and co-authored "Content Rules" - both are the foundations of content marketing. Her journalism background shaped her clear communication style. She started by founding ClickZ.com in 1997, one of the earliest digital marketing news sources. Forbes named her "the most influential woman in Social Media," and ForbesWoman ranked her among the top 20 women bloggers.

Ann Handley's Content Style

Ann's content strikes a chord through its authentic, personal touch with these features:

• A friendly approach that involves readers directly with "you" and "your" (30-45 times per newsletter)
• White space—"oxygen" that lets words breathe
• Questions that encourage reader replies and feedback
• Creative subject lines with an upbeat tone

She believes "the best marketing doesn't feel like marketing". Her focus remains on creating value that readers appreciate.

Why Follow Ann Handley

Ann's content marketing philosophy builds on "pathological empathy"—stepping completely into her audience's shoes. She promotes quality over quantity and tells marketers to "regard publishing as a privilege". On top of that, she simplifies complex marketing strategies into practical advice while keeping her signature wit. Her newsletter "Total Annarchy" delivers Sunday insights about writing, marketing, and "high-spirited shenanigans".

Ann Handley's Follower Count

Ann's influence spans across platforms with 488K LinkedIn followers. MarketingProfs daily newsletter reaches over 600,000 marketers who seek practical insights. Her newsletter "Total Annarchy" has grown to 42,000+ subscribers through word-of-mouth, public speaking, and mentions in other newsletters.

Neil Patel

Neil Patel stands out as a marketing authority worldwide. He ranks among the top LinkedIn influencers thanks to his proven expertise and practical advice that helps businesses of all sizes grow.

“Create content that teaches. You can’t give up. You need to be consistently awesome.”
— Neil Patel

Neil Patel's Expertise

Neil has co-founded Neil Patel Digital, Crazy Egg, and Kissmetrics. He excels at digital strategy, SEO, and content marketing. The Wall Street Journal considers him a top web influencer. Forbes places him among their top 10 marketers. President Obama recognized him as a top entrepreneur under 30, and the United Nations did the same for under 35. His client list includes giants like Amazon, Microsoft, Airbnb, Google, and SalesForce. He helped these companies grow through strategic collaborations. Neil's business strategy targets fragmented markets where no single company leads. He creates better products at competitive prices.

Neil Patel's Content Style

Quality matters more than quantity in Neil's content. He believes engagement beats follower numbers. His approach focuses on:

• Content that drives interaction through watch time, likes, comments, and shares
• Real-life experience turned into practical advice
• Solutions to common problems
• Direct audience connection through Q&A formats

Why Follow Neil Patel

Neil's posts offer real value with practical advice about SEO, content creation, and digital strategy. A survey of 5,920 influencers revealed their average monthly income was $323.19. Yes, it is surprising that influencers with 1,000,000+ followers earned only $6,109.83 monthly. Neil earned $100,000 for single videos because his followers are mostly qualified business decision-makers.

Neil Patel's Follower Count

Neil's influence extends to over 646,000 LinkedIn followers. His social media presence reaches 3.8 million followers: 1.2 million on YouTube, 1 million on Facebook, 571,821 on LinkedIn, 495,000 on Instagram, 465,500 on X, and 138,000 on TikTok. In spite of that, he reminds everyone that engagement matters more than follower numbers to deliver true value.

Goldie Chan

The Huffington Post dubbed her the "Oprah of LinkedIn." Goldie Chan has become one of the most prominent top linkedin influencers through her groundbreaking video content and personal branding expertise.

“Developing a personal brand is something that needs to be done with strategy, thoughtfulness, and attention to detail.”
— Goldie Chan

Goldie Chan's Expertise

Her signature green hair makes her instantly recognizable. Goldie has become a personal branding virtuoso and digital strategist. She authored "Personal Branding for Introverts" (forthcoming October 2025, Hachette Book Group) that helps professionals build their presence despite introversion. She runs Warm Robots, her Los Angeles-based social media strategy agency, where she works as a Branding Expert and Keynote Speaker. Her past work includes writing for Forbes about "Personal Branding and Storytelling in the Digital Age". She graduated from Stanford University and belongs to the Producer's Guild of America, New Media Council.

Goldie Chan's Content Style

Goldie's unique approach sets her apart from other influencers on linkedin:

• She created LinkedIn's longest-running daily show with over 4 million views
• She pioneered vlogging on LinkedIn through her #dailygoldie series
• She built community by launching the popular #LinkedInCreators hashtag

Her storytelling philosophy revolves around the "storyteller triangle" that connects the storyteller, audience, and subject meaningfully. She brings fresh perspectives by incorporating Dungeons & Dragons into B2B marketing discussions.

Why Follow Goldie Chan

Goldie creates value through authentic community building. She emphasizes empathy over empty virtue signaling and shares practical advice on personal branding. Her strategic collaborations with global brands like Adobe and WeWork help her learn about effective brand storytelling that resonates with audiences. She believes consistency is vital to personal growth.

Goldie Chan's Follower Count

Goldie's influence reaches 96,000 LinkedIn followers and 17,000 newsletter subscribers. She partners with trusted brands for sponsored content, and her engaged audience proves her impact. Her LinkedIn video channel has amassed over 4 million views, cementing her position among linkedin influencers.

Chris Brogan

Trust serves as the life-blood of successful digital relationships. This philosophy shapes bestselling author Chris Brogan's approach among linkedin influencers. His role as Chief of Staff at Appfire and an executive-level strategist gives him fresh views on building business relationships through authenticity.

“We exist to serve our community. That’s the most important mind-set to maintain.”
— Chris Brogan

Chris Brogan's Expertise

Chris Brogan has been a 15-year old authority in multiple domains since his New York Times bestseller "Trust Agents." He stands out in brand and digital content strategy. His work with C-level executives covers everything from strategic decision-making to reorganization efforts. His professional journey weaves through executive coaching, leadership development, and content strategy. He has written ten books including "Social Media 101" and "Google+ for Business". The international stage has seen him deliver over 1,000 keynote speeches. He knows how to build influence and improve reputation in digital spaces, especially when it comes to businesses creating trust-based relationships.

Chris Brogan's Content Style

"Words are software," Brogan often states. This reflects his direct, practical approach to communication. Three core questions drive his writing: "Wouldn't it be cool if...?", "Why hasn't anyone...?", and "This thing really bugs me". Business stories need emotional connection, so he makes "the reader the hero" of each narrative. His content reminds us that belonging means finding where you're accepted for who you are, not just fitting in. His writing aims to stay "top of mind" with readers while delivering genuine value.

Why Follow Chris Brogan

Chris Brogan stands apart from typical influencers on linkedin. His Sunday newsletter becomes the first read of the week for many subscribers. He spots patterns across different subjects and synthesizes valuable insights for business leaders. Testimonials show his trust-building insights have been "game-changers" for professionals building global communities. His content makes complex business concepts available without losing authenticity.

Chris Brogan's Follower Count

Chris nurtures a dedicated community of about 9,000 followers and over 500 connections on LinkedIn. Though smaller than other top linkedin influencers, his following remains highly engaged.

Shane Barker

Digital marketing veteran Shane Barker has spent 25 years becoming skilled at growing businesses through innovative digital strategies. He has established himself as one of the most trustworthy linkedin influencers in the marketing space.

“The goal of social media is to turn customers into your personal evangelist.”
— Shane Barker

Shane Barker's Expertise

Shane serves as the founder and CEO of TraceFuse with over two decades in digital marketing. His exceptional trip has sections about founding Content Solutions and Gifographics. He also established a Sacramento-based digital marketing agency. He has consulted with Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and many A-list celebrities. His expertise covers multiple domains:

• Digital marketing and SEO specialization
• Influencer marketing strategy
• Content marketing development
• Business development

PROskore Power Rankings recognized him as the #1 social media consultant nationally. He later expanded his influence by teaching at UCLA, where he teaches courses on personal branding and influencer marketing.

Shane Barker's Content Style

We focused on practical applications of marketing principles in Shane's content. He breaks down complex strategies into steps that businesses can implement right away. His signature approach emphasizes the "less is more" philosophy when designing accessible experiences. His content avoids technical jargon, making advanced marketing concepts available to professionals at all levels.

Why Follow Shane Barker

Shane ranks among the top 100 most influential people in influencer marketing since 2018. He shares this difference with Kim Kardashian and Gary Vaynerchuk. His articles in Inc., Forbes, Entrepreneur, and Huffington Post are a great way to get insights into content marketing, influencer partnerships, and SEO. His work has helped countless businesses increase their revenue beyond $5 million.

Shane Barker's Follower Count

Shane's influence goes beyond numbers with 31,000 followers and over 500 connections on LinkedIn. He continues to make substantial contributions to the marketing community.

Melonie Dodaro

Melonie Dodaro, a renowned B2B LinkedIn and social selling specialist, has strengthened over 32,000 professionals worldwide. Her expertise helps them boost their visibility, find new clients, and increase revenue through strategic LinkedIn usage.

“People don’t care about your business. They care about their problems. Be the solution that they’re looking for.”
— Melonie Dodaro

Melonie Dodaro's Expertise

This 15-year old veteran stands as a leading authority on social selling and LinkedIn strategies. She founded Top Dog Social Media, where she helps B2B businesses build authority, credibility, and trust. Her knowledge shines through her two #1 bestselling books: "LinkedIn Unlocked" and "The LinkedIn Code", along with her online program "Cracking The LinkedIn Code 3.0". The industry recognizes her among the Top 50 Trustworthy Digital Marketing Experts, Top 100 Marketing Influencers, and Top 50 Sales Influencers.

Melonie Dodaro's Content Style

Melonie's content centers on her signature "LINK Method"—a five-step approach that moves conversations offline. Her content style shows these distinct features:

• Client-focused profiles that build authority and credibility
• Educational content that solves specific problems for target audiences
• Strategic sharing that positions users as authorities
• Ground applications of AI tools while keeping personal connections strong

She stresses the importance of creating profiles that make ideal prospects accept connection requests. Her approach supports consistent, valuable content sharing to stay visible with network connections.

Why Follow Melonie Dodaro

Melonie's trust-based, authority-building approach helps professionals land more clients and bigger contracts consistently. She stays away from hard-sell tactics and focuses on building genuine connections. Her practical advice sets specific outreach targets like "5 new prospects daily" and zeroes in on high-impact LinkedIn activities. She also gives stellar guidance about optimizing Sales Navigator to identify, research, and engage key buyers.

Melonie Dodaro's Follower Count

Melonie guides about 49,000 LinkedIn followers and holds substantial influence in the LinkedIn strategy space. Her targeted approach proves that follower quality matters more than quantity. She recently purged connections to target specific prospects, which brought +1000 impressions per post with highly targeted visibility.

Ross Simmonds

Ross Simmonds is a content distribution powerhouse. As the CEO of Foundation Marketing, he helps B2B brands scale with data-backed, creative content strategies. His playbooks on content repurposing and distribution have become essential reading for modern marketers.

“Spend twice as much time promoting your content as you do creating it.”
— Ross Simmonds

Ross Simmonds' Expertise

Ross specializes in B2B SaaS growth. He’s worked with companies like Canva, Shopify, and Unbounce to scale visibility and reach. Known for simplifying complex strategies, Ross educates marketers on building processes that make content travel further — beyond just hitting “publish.”

He’s a regular contributor to industry-leading publications and keynote speaker at global marketing events. His book Create Once, Distribute Forever is a mantra for content marketers aiming to get more value from their work.

Ross Simmonds' Content Style

Ross brings a tactical, tweet-like precision to LinkedIn. His posts often include:

• Swipeable frameworks
• Step-by-step strategies
• Real analytics behind B2B content wins
• Threads breaking down what’s working (and what’s not) in content marketing

He often includes screenshots, charts, or templates and always provides next steps marketers can act on right away.

Why Follow Ross Simmonds

If you want to scale content that actually drives ROI, Ross is the guy to follow. His no-fluff approach helps marketers, founders, and content teams focus on what matters: strategy, distribution, and repeatable growth systems.

Ross Simmonds' Follower Count

Ross commands a strong presence with over 48,000 LinkedIn followers, consistently engaging with professionals in SaaS, content, and demand gen. His posts often receive 100+ comments and shares, showing how deeply his insights resonate.

Final Thoughts: Why These LinkedIn Influencers Matter

In a sea of thought leaders and "growth hacks," these 8 influencers rise above with clarity, consistency, and credibility. They don’t just share motivation — they share systems, numbers, insights, and real wins that help other professionals grow.

Whether you’re building a personal brand, scaling a startup, leading a team, or just trying to learn smart — LinkedIn is more valuable when your feed is full of people who actually teach.

Follow these voices. Save their posts. Take notes!
And remember: The smartest people on LinkedIn aren't trying to impress. They’re here to help.

FAQs: LinkedIn Influencers