LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network with over 800 million members. It is a powerful platform for establishing connections, building a personal brand, and influencing others. LinkedIn officially launched its Influencer program in 2014 to highlight thought leaders who create and share compelling content. There are several main categories of LinkedIn influencers.
Industry Experts
Industry experts are leaders in their respective fields who provide unique insights, information, and thought leadership. They have deep knowledge and experience in their industries and are considered trusted voices. Some examples of industry experts on LinkedIn include:
- Brian Honigman – Digital Marketing Consultant and Author
- Bernard Marr – Business Performance Expert
- Dr. Arthur Langer – Professor and Director of Center for Technology Management
- Ash Read – HR Thought Leader
- Greg Satell – Innovation Advisor and Author
These influencers regularly create content related to their domains like marketing, HR, leadership, etc. They aim to educate others by providing tips, best practices, analysis, and commentary.
Company Insiders
Company insiders are senior leaders, founders, executives, and spokespeople of major companies who provide insights into their organizations. They give a unique perspective from inside a well-known brand. Some top company insiders on LinkedIn include:
- Satya Nadella – CEO of Microsoft
- Sundar Pichai – CEO of Google
- Marc Benioff – Founder, Chairman & CEO of Salesforce
- Arianna Huffington – Founder of The Huffington Post, Thrive Global
- Tim Ryan – US Chairman and Senior Partner of PwC
These influencers discuss leadership strategies, company culture, product announcements, workplace trends, and more. Their insider status allows them to provide exclusive insights.
Thought Leaders
Thought leaders are big thinkers who shape conversations on important topics and inspire people with innovative ideas and wisdom. They take an intellectual approach and tackle subjects like technology, society, government, environment, etc. Some prominent thought leaders on LinkedIn include:
- Richard Branson – Founder of Virgin Group
- Malcolm Gladwell – Author of bestselling books like Outliers and David vs Goliath
- Daniel Pink – Behavioral Science Expert and Bestselling Author
- Simon Sinek – Author on Leadership and Motivation
- Sheryl Sandberg – COO of Facebook, Founder of LeanIn.org
These individuals aim to provide original perspectives, challenge conventions, and present big ideas that make people rethink topics.
Celebrity Influencers
Celebrity influencers are famous personalities like actors, musicians, athletes, TV personalities who have huge followings. They leverage their existing popularity to connect with fans, build their brands, and partner with companies. Some top celebrities on LinkedIn include:
- LL COOL J – Musician, Actor, Entrepreneur
- Venus Williams – Professional Tennis Player
- Deepak Chopra – New Age Guru, Alternative Medicine Advocate
- Serena Williams – Professional Tennis Champion
- Bill Gates – Microsoft Founder and Philanthropist
These public figures tend to post about inspirational topics, social causes, entertainment projects, entrepreneurship and share behind-the-scenes content.
Social Media Influencers
Social media influencers are individuals who have built a large following on sites like Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, TikTok etc by creating engaging content. Many leverage their social media presence to expand their reach and influence on LinkedIn. Examples include:
- Caspar Lee – YouTuber
- Lilly Singh – YouTuber, Author, Actress
- Gary Vaynerchuk – Entrepreneur, Author, Public Speaker
- Michelle Phan – YouTuber, Make-Up Artist
- Kara Swisher – Tech Journalist, Podcast Host
These influencers attract audiences from their existing social media channels and continue building their personal brand on LinkedIn through lifestyle, career and entertainment content.
Business Leaders
Business leaders refer to founders, CEOs, executives and managers running companies, startups or organizations. They provide their perspectives on industries, leadership, business growth, organizational culture, and more. Some examples are:
- Reid Hoffman – Co-founder of LinkedIn
- Mark Cuban – Entrepreneur, Investor, Owner of Dallas Mavericks
- Guy Kawasaki – Chief Evangelist at Canva, Author
- Melinda Gates – Co-chair of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
- Laszlo Bock – CEO of Humu, Former SVP of People Operations at Google
Their content covers a range of business strategy, management, innovation, company building, and workplace topics that provide valuable lessons.
Motivational Figures
Motivational figures are authors, speakers, coaches, and trainers focused on inspiration, self-improvement, productivity, and similar topics. They aim to empower audiences with positive mindsets and practical advice. For instance:
- Mel Robbins – Motivational Speaker, Author of “The 5 Second Rule”
- Simon Sinek – Leadership Expert, Author of “Start With Why” and “Leaders Eat Last”
- Tim Ferriss – Podcast Host, Author of “The 4-Hour Workweek”
- Marie Forleo – Entrepreneur, Host of “MarieTV”
- Tony Robbins – Motivational Speaker, Author of “Awaken the Giant Within”
These influencers create uplifting and educational content to help people maximize their potential personally and professionally.
Academics
Academics such as professors, researchers, authors, and scholars provide insights from their extensive subject matter expertise. They analyze and explain complex concepts and new developments in their fields. Some top academics on LinkedIn are:
- Michael Porter – Professor at Harvard Business School, Leading Authority on Strategy
- Brené Brown – Research Professor, Speaker on Vulnerability, Courage, and Shame
- Cal Newport – Computer Science Professor, Author of “Deep Work” and “Digital Minimalism”
- Angela Duckworth – Professor of Psychology, Author of “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance”
- Adam Grant – Organizational Psychologist, Wharton Professor, Host of WorkLife Podcast
Their scholarly approach lends credibility and helps apply research-backed concepts to real world practices.
Consultants
Consultants are subject matter specialists who advise companies and leaders. They provide expert guidance on strategy, operations, management, technology implementation, and other business needs. Top consultants on LinkedIn include:
- Marshall Goldsmith – Executive Leadership Coach
- Ram Charan – Business Advisor, Author
- Karin Hurt & David Dye – Workplace Culture Experts
- Dorie Clark – Marketing Strategy Consultant, Duke Faculty
- Horst Schulze – Founding President & COO of Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co.
These seasoned consultants share best practices, case studies and advice to help companies tackle challenges.
Venture Capitalists
Venture capitalists or VCs provide financing to startups and emerging companies in exchange for an equity stake. LinkedIn is home to many prominent investors who look for new opportunities and share investment insights. Examples include:
- Marc Andreessen – Co-founder & General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz
- Reid Hoffman – Partner at Greylock Partners, LinkedIn Co-Founder
- Ben Horowitz – Co-founder & General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz
- Naval Ravikant – Co-founder & Chairman at AngelList
- Fred Wilson – Co-founder of Union Square Ventures
Their posts cover emerging technologies, entrepreneurship, startups to watch, and advice for founders looking to get funded.
Journalists
Journalists and reporters inform and educate audiences by creating news stories, features, interviews, explainers, and analysis. Top journalists active on LinkedIn are:
- Andrew Ross Sorkin – Financial Journalist, Creator of DealBook
- Kara Swisher – Technology Journalist, Co-Founder of Recode
- Richard Quest – Anchor, CNN’s QMB show
- Tammy Tibbetts – Founder & CEO of She’s the First
- Carmine Gallo – Columnist, Author, Communications Coach
Their content provides added context, insights and discussion on trending news across industries and topics.
Activists
Activists and advocates focus on social justice, environmental, political and other causes. They aim to drive change on important issues. For example:
- Greta Thunberg – Climate Activist
- Stacey Abrams – Voting Rights Activist, Politician
- Van Jones – CNN Political Contributor, Environmental Advocate
- John Legend – Musician, Criminal Justice Reform Advocate
- Malala Yousafzai – Education Activist, Nobel Prize Laureate
Their posts bring attention to these causes and inspire people to get involved.
Comedians
Comedians provide entertainment and humor through jokes, sketches, stories, commentary and other funny content. Top comedians on LinkedIn include:
- Ellen DeGeneres – TV Host, Comedian
- Kevin Hart – Comedian, Actor
- Hasan Minhaj – Comedian, Host of Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj
- Mindy Kaling – Actress, Comedian, Producer & Director
- Trevor Noah – Host of The Daily Show
Their humorous content helps audiences decompress while also highlighting social commentary and personal stories.
Conclusion
LinkedIn influencers represent diverse professional backgrounds and areas of expertise. But they all create engaging insights that educate and inspire audiences. The platform provides a way for them to build their personal brands while sharing knowledge. It allows professionals at all stages of their careers to learn from the best. Following relevant influencers helps users stay up-to-date on industry news, expand their skills, find motivation and think big.