Top LinkedIn Influencers for Personal Branding and Thought Leadership

LinkedIn has become a go-to platform for professionals to build a personal brand and establish themselves as thought leaders. In the sea of content on LinkedIn, a handful of influencers consistently stand out with engaging posts about personal branding, influence building, and leadership. Below, we highlight some active U.S.-based LinkedIn influencers – a mix of high-profile names and rising stars – who offer valuable insights, inspiration, and practical advice. Follow these individuals for a masterclass in building your professional influence.

Justin Welsh

Who he is

Justin Welsh is a former SaaS executive turned solopreneur and one of LinkedIn’s most prolific content creators. He has grown his audience to over 650,000 followers and was named Favikon’s #1 Global LinkedIn Thought Leader five times. Justin built a multi-million dollar one-man business by sharing his expertise online.

What he posts

Justin shares straightforward tips on growing an online presence and business as a solo professional. His content demystifies LinkedIn strategy with simple frameworks: post consistently, provide value, and build trust. He often breaks down complex growth strategies into actionable steps – from optimizing your profile to turning followers into clients. His posts about content creation systems and audience engagement are gold for anyone looking to leverage LinkedIn.

Why follow

Justin’s practical, no-nonsense advice has helped thousands of people scale their influence organically. He champions consistency over shortcuts and emphasizes delivering value to your audience. If you want to learn how to monetize your expertise and build a personal brand from scratch, Justin’s feed is a treasure trove of clear, actionable guidance. His own journey – 900+ million content views since 2019 – proves he knows what works on LinkedIn.

Ann Handley

Who she is

Ann Handley is a best-selling author (every marketer swears by her book Everybody Writes) and a pioneer in content marketing. As Chief Content Officer of MarketingProfs, Ann was one of the first executives to hold that title. She’s a LinkedIn Top Voice recognized for her expertise in content creation and has hundreds of thousands of followers eager for her writing wisdom.

What she posts

Ann’s LinkedIn content centers on storytelling, writing better, and humanizing your communication. She offers witty, insightful tips on crafting content that truly connects – whether it’s a LinkedIn post, blog, or email. Her mantra is clarity and empathy in writing. Ann often shares real-world examples, writing prompts, and encouragement for creators. Following her feels like having a personal writing coach in your feed, helping you find your voice and tell your story effectively.

Why follow

If you believe “good writing is good business,” Ann Handley is the mentor you need. She makes the case that strong writing and storytelling are cornerstones of personal branding. Ann’s warm, relatable style proves that you don’t need to be overly formal to be professional. By learning from her, you’ll improve your content quality and, in turn, strengthen your personal brand’s credibility. She’s an established thought leader who still engages daily with her community – a must-follow for content creators and professionals alike.

Neal Schaffer

Who he is

Neal Schaffer is a social media strategist and author of The Age of Influence, known for empowering professionals to leverage LinkedIn. Based in the U.S., Neal has carved out a reputation as a LinkedIn expert who coaches businesses and individuals on digital branding. He might not have millions of followers, but his impact as a teacher and consultant is widely recognized in the marketing community.

What he posts

Neal shares no-nonsense advice on making LinkedIn work for you. His posts often read like mini-guides: how to optimize your profile, grow your network, increase post engagement, or use LinkedIn’s features effectively. He breaks down LinkedIn’s nuances one practical step at a time. Neal also discusses social media trends and personal branding strategies beyond LinkedIn (like influencer marketing and content planning), but always with an eye toward actionable takeaways.

Why follow

For anyone feeling overwhelmed by LinkedIn, Neal Schaffer is a grounding voice. He provides clear frameworks and “roadmaps” for building your influence on the platform. Neal emphasizes authenticity and engagement over vanity metrics – he’ll remind you that 500 quality connections beat 5,000 disengaged followers. Following Neal is like having a LinkedIn coach in your feed, helping you turn this professional network into a real personal branding asset.

Gary Vaynerchuk

Who he is

Better known as Gary Vee, Gary Vaynerchuk is one of the most high-profile entrepreneurs on social media. He’s the CEO of VaynerMedia, a best-selling author, and an early internet personality. Gary is U.S.-based (NYC) and boasts millions of LinkedIn followers. He’s been a pioneering voice in personal branding and social media marketing for over a decade.

What he posts

Gary’s content is high-energy and motivational. On LinkedIn, he shares short videos and posts encouraging people to create content, be authentic, and “just start”. He often talks about consistency, patience, and documenting your journey. Expect candid advice about business and branding, sprinkled with personal anecdotes. His no-excuses attitude urges professionals to put themselves out there regularly – whether through posts, videos, or engagement – and to not fear imperfection.

Why follow

Gary Vee is the voice of action in personal branding. If you need a push to overcome self-doubt or procrastination, Gary provides it in spades. He preaches that building a brand is a marathon, not a sprint, built on grit and honest storytelling. By following him, you’ll be reminded to stop overthinking and start executing your ideas. His content isn’t about detailed “how-tos” but about mindset – consistency, authenticity, and work ethic – which is hugely valuable when establishing yourself as a thought leader.

Melanie Deziel

Who she is

Melanie Deziel is a content strategist and keynote speaker who made her name as the author of The Content Fuel Framework. Based in the U.S., she’s an authority on helping brands and individuals generate better content ideas without burning out. Melanie may not have the largest following on this list, but she’s highly respected in marketing circles and was the first editor of branded content at The New York Times.

What she posts

Melanie’s LinkedIn posts often provide tips for content creation and storytelling. She’s the master of frameworks – her Content Fuel Framework, for example, gives you systematic ways to brainstorm engaging content topics. On LinkedIn, she shares advice on maintaining consistency, boosting creativity, and finding inspiration for your personal or company brand. She might post a quick tip on repurposing content one day, and a deeper dive into storytelling strategy the next. All her content is approachable and geared toward sparking ideas.

Why follow

If you ever struggle with “What should I post?”, Melanie is the antidote. Her insights are invaluable for staying inspired and consistent. She shows that you don’t have to reinvent the wheel every day to have great content – you just need the right process. Following Melanie will equip you with practical tools to brainstorm and structure content that aligns with your brand message. For professionals building a thought leadership presence, her advice can help you avoid creative ruts and engage your audience week after week.

Chris Do

Who he is

Chris Do is a brand strategist, designer, and educator who founded The Futur, an online education platform for creative entrepreneurs. Based in California, Chris has a strong LinkedIn presence where he shares insights on branding, content, and creative business. He’s known for demystifying the creative process and has been an advocate of personal branding for creatives.

What he posts

Chris’s content simplifies the art of branding and visual storytelling. On LinkedIn he shares tips on things like defining your brand’s core message, improving your design and video content, and positioning yourself in the market. He often uses analogies and visuals (as a designer at heart) to make complex concepts clear. Chris emphasizes being consistent, authentic, and memorable in how you present yourself. He might post quick design tips for better LinkedIn images one day, and a thought-provoking question about what your brand stands for the next.

Why follow

Chris Do provides a unique blend of creative and business advice. For anyone building a personal brand, he’ll remind you that your visual identity and messaging need to align. His lessons on clarity and consistency can help you develop a brand presence that is unmistakably you. Also, if you’re an entrepreneur or creative professional, Chris’s content on pricing, client communication, and community-building will resonate. He’s a great follow for learning how to communicate your value through both words and visuals.

Dorie Clark

Who she is

Dorie Clark is a marketing strategist, executive coach, and author of renowned books like Reinventing You and Stand Out. Based in the U.S., Dorie has been recognized as a Top Voice on LinkedIn in the realm of marketing. She teaches at Duke University and writes for Harvard Business Review, and has helped professionals at big companies refine their personal brands. If there’s one word for Dorie, it’s reinvention – she’s all about evolving your career and brand over time.

What she posts

Dorie’s LinkedIn content is rich with strategic career and branding advice. She talks about staying relevant in a fast-changing world – whether that means learning new skills, building your network, or adjusting your public narrative. She shares insights on thought leadership, often referencing research or lessons from her own career shifts. Her posts encourage professionals to think long-term: how to build credibility, visibility, and a legacy rather than chasing overnight fame. You’ll also find Dorie sharing her Forbes and HBR articles, LinkedIn Learning course tidbits, and examples of people who successfully reinvented themselves.

Why follow

Dorie Clark is the “queen of staying relevant”. If you are looking to future-proof your career and brand, her guidance is priceless. She emphasizes strategy and patience – showing you how to build a thought leadership platform that stands the test of time. Her own career journey (from nonprofit executive to marketing guru) demonstrates the power of personal branding done right. Follow Dorie to learn about pivoting your brand, growing your influence deliberately, and making sure your professional reputation evolves as you do.

Shay Rowbottom

Who she is

Shay Rowbottom is a self-made LinkedIn video influencer and personal branding coach, based in the U.S. She skyrocketed to fame by posting viral videos on LinkedIn and later co-founded a video marketing agency. With over 600,000 LinkedIn followers engaging with her content, Shay has been recognized as a top business influencer (Forbes named her the #1 business influencer of 2020). Now she focuses on teaching others how to turn their LinkedIn presence into a magnet for opportunities.

What she posts

Shay’s content is a mix of bold personal videos, marketing tips, and candid stories. She often shares LinkedIn video marketing secrets – how to hook viewers, tell your story on camera, and generate leads through content. She’s big on authenticity and even vulnerability in posts (speaking openly about challenges). Shay also posts motivational content to encourage professionals to share their truth and be consistent. Underpinning all her posts is her expertise in using LinkedIn strategically: she frequently demonstrates how a strong personal brand on LinkedIn can drive real business results (clients, leads, sales).

Why follow

Shay embodies the idea that your LinkedIn profile can transform into a powerful personal brand. If you want to learn how to use video and storytelling to stand out, Shay’s feed is a must-follow. She offers a blueprint for turning content into an engine for growth – her own success (10x follower growth and generating $50M+ in revenue for clients) showcases that. Beyond tips and tricks, Shay’s fearless style will inspire you to show more personality in your professional posts. Follow her for a mix of practical LinkedIn tactics and the inspiration to be bolder and more creative online.

Goldie Chan

Who she is

Goldie Chan is a personal branding expert and agency founder based in Los Angeles. Dubbed the “Oprah of LinkedIn” by Huffington Post, Goldie gained fame through a LinkedIn video series that ran for 365 consecutive days. She’s a LinkedIn Top Voice whose Forbes column on personal branding and storytelling garnered nearly 10 million views. Goldie now runs Warm Robots, a social media strategy agency, and is a sought-after keynote speaker on brand strategy.

What she posts

Goldie’s content focuses on personal branding, career development, and storytelling in the digital age. She often shares bite-sized personal branding tips, like how to improve your LinkedIn profile or develop your brand message. Goldie also posts about LinkedIn features or trends, helping followers navigate new ways to share their voice (for example, advice on LinkedIn newsletters or creator mode). Her style is very positive and inclusive – she encourages professionals of all backgrounds (including introverts, as per her upcoming book Personal Branding for Introverts) to put themselves out there. Occasionally, she’ll share Comic-Con or pop culture insights, tying it back to branding lessons, reflecting her fun and creative approach.

Why follow

Goldie Chan offers a masterclass in vibrant personal branding. She’s a living example of how consistency and authenticity on LinkedIn can propel your career – her daily video project made her a platform superstar (and LinkedIn Top Voice winner in the video category). Following Goldie will teach you how to craft your own narrative and share it in a way that’s engaging. She’s especially great for those who think “I’m not a natural influencer” – Goldie shows that by being genuine and telling your unique story, you can build a strong brand no matter your personality type. Plus, she keeps you inspired with her creative flair and supportive tone.

Morgan J. Ingram

Who he is

Morgan Ingram is a sales coach, speaker, and content creator based in the U.S. He first gained recognition with his YouTube series “The SDR Chronicles” and later became a prominent voice on LinkedIn for sales professionals. Morgan has about 160,000+ LinkedIn followers and was featured in LinkedIn’s Top Voices in Sales. He’s notable for seamlessly blending sales development advice with personal branding tips for young professionals.

What he posts

Morgan’s LinkedIn posts are high-energy and motivational, often addressing both sales tactics and personal growth. He provides practical tips on building your personal brand while hitting your sales goals. For example, he might share how a salesperson can create valuable content to attract prospects, or how to network effectively on LinkedIn. Morgan also talks about mindset – resilience, consistency, and creativity – drawing from his own journey in sales. His content is dynamic (lots of short videos, anecdotes, and even rap occasionally) and always actionable, geared to help you stand out in a crowded market.

Why follow

Morgan Ingram brings a fresh perspective that your personal brand is your career differentiator, even in fields like sales. If you’re early in your career or in a competitive industry, Morgan’s content will show you how to use LinkedIn and content creation to rise above the noise. He is an “emerging” influencer who has real on-the-ground tips for professionals hustling to make a name for themselves. Follow Morgan for a jolt of inspiration and a playbook on balancing professional expertise with personal branding – he proves you can do both at once to accelerate your success.

Conclusion to Top LinkedIn Influencers for Personal Branding and Thought Leadership

LinkedIn is bustling with voices, but these influencers consistently deliver value. From marketing veterans to new-age creators, each person above demonstrates how sharing knowledge and personality on LinkedIn can translate into real influence. By following them, you’ll not only get actionable advice on personal branding and thought leadership, but also a daily reminder that building your brand is a continuous journey of learning and giving.

Start engaging with their content, observe how they do it, and apply those lessons to your own LinkedIn activity. In time, you might find your own posts sparking conversations and your network growing with the right people. After all, the key to becoming a thought leader is to learn from the best and then lead in your own way. These influencers are definitely some of the best – and they’re worth having in your feed as you craft your own professional brand story.