Social media experts are professionals and authority figures who are highly knowledgeable about the intricacies of social networking sites. From developing strategies to creating content, these experts leverage their in-depth knowledge of social media sites to help you achieve your specific goals on these platforms.
Whether you are a business owner looking to utilize social media in your marketing strategy or a creator who wants to grow their presence online, you can benefit from the skills and experience of social media experts.
In todayβs article, we have compiled a list of the most influential figures you should follow in 2024 to help you succeed on social media.
Letβs see who made the list!
15+ Most Notable Social Media Experts
If youβre planning to venture into the constantly evolving landscape of social networking sites, you need social media experts to guide your marketing efforts. These professionals stay updated on the latest social media best practices and trends to help people shape their strategy and ensure the best results.
We chose and ranked these professionals based on their influence, expertise, and contributions to the field of social media marketing.
So, without further ado, here are the top 17 social media experts to follow in 2024:
#1. Rachel Karten
Rachel Karten is a social media expert known for her skill and success in driving growth on various social networking platforms. In fact, her efforts as the social media associate director at Bon AppΓ©tit helped the team win the Webby Award three times and the National Magazine Award for best social.
She is also the author of Link in Bio, a popular business newsletter on Substack that explains how to create content that converts and nearly everything you need to know about social media. In addition to her personal newsletter, she has been featured in several other publications, including Embedded and ICYMI by Lia Haberman.
She currently works as a social media consultant and helps brands succeed through value-driven strategies.
You can find Rachel on:
#2. Brock Johnson
If you want to boost engagement and gain more followers on Instagram, Brock Johnson is a social media expert you should follow. As an Instagram growth coach, he provides 1:1 coaching and profile reviews to help his clients grow and benefit from the various Instagram monetization opportunities on the platform.
Brockβs regular posts cover a wide range of topics, from decoding the Instagram algorithm to various Instagram hacks that can boost your discoverability. He also frequently shares tips to help his audience elevate their Instagram Reels, Stories, and posts and achieve higher views and engagement.
Even if you donβt end up following him, you can learn a thing or two about his approach to content creation, as his posts are not only informative but highly entertaining as well.
You can find Brock on:
#3. Jay Baer
Jay Baer is a highly respected social media expert known for his deep understanding of customer experience. While most brands that use social media for business do so primarily to increase brand awareness, Jay sees these platforms as an opportunity for brands to strengthen relationships with their existing audiences.
He devises strategies centered around quality content and customer service to help businesses convert followers into customers and gain higher brand loyalty.
Meanwhile, his YouTube channel and newsletter, The Baer Facts, offer excellent insights into content marketing, customer service, and social media.
In addition to his social media expertise, Jay is an established Hall of Fame keynote speaker, a New York Times best-selling author, and the founder of the digital marketing consulting firm Convince & Convert.
You can follow Jay on these platforms:
#4. Kim Garst
Artificial intelligence (AI) is shaping the future of the social media landscape, and expert consultant Kim Garst is one of the best voices to listen to if you want to keep up. Sheβs an accomplished digital strategist who specializes in leveraging AI tools in social media to help her clients achieve their goals.
Before AI was on the scene, Kim was already known for cutting-edge social media strategies that drove growth, engagement, and sales for over a million clients. She is also one of the industry’s most accomplished social media experts and was part of Forbes‘ Top 20 Women Social Media Influencers in 2013.
You can find Kim on the following channels:
#5. Mari Smith
Mari Smith isnβt called the βQueen of Facebookβ for nothing. Sheβs a Facebook marketing expert renowned for her unparalleled expertise and experience on the platform. In fact, both Forbes and IBM have recognized her as one of the top social media experts for her knowledge of Facebook trends, marketing, and advertising.
That said, Facebook knowledge isnβt all Mari has in her arsenal. She is also a keynote speaker and consultant, widely regarded as a social media thought leader. Her content largely revolves around marketing strategies, social media trends, and inspirational quotes, so even if you arenβt on Facebook, sheβs definitely still worth following.
Youβll find Mari on these social media sites:
#6. Neal Schaffer
Neal Schaffer specializes in leveraging influencer marketing to boost growth on social networking sites, making him one of the best social media experts for businesses. His blog has hundreds of posts covering a wide range of topics, including B2B social media marketing, content creation, and AI, among others.
He has also written several books on sales and marketing, where he demonstrates how you can utilize social media to elevate marketing campaigns. In addition to his social media influence, Neal is an educator and teaches several courses at Rutgers Business School and UCLA Extension.
You can follow Neal on these social media platforms:
#7. Rachel Pedersen
If youβre planning to use TikTok for business, Rachel Pedersen is a social media expert you shouldnβt miss. As a TikTok guru, social media strategist, and coach, Rachel has helped numerous clients grow their businesses or become successful social media managers.
While Rachel frequently cross-posts content, the main topic of her posts varies per social media site. For instance, youβll find most of her content marketing tips and posts on TikTok and YouTube, while her Twitter/X and Instagram profiles have a mix of informative content and more fun trends.
You can find Rachel on these platforms:
#8. Gary Vaynerchuk
Gary Vaynerchuk, more commonly known as GaryVee, is one of the most widely recognized social media experts on this list. He started VaynerMedia in 2009 and has since used his comprehensive knowledge of the industry to help Fortune 500 companies succeed through clever social media strategies and tactics.
Garyβs expertise extends beyond social media and into marketing, and he is regarded by many as an innovative thought leader in the industry. He has also written several New York Times best-selling books and was recognized by Forbes as one of the Top Social Influencers in Technology/Business in 2017.
You can follow Gary on these channels:
#9. Ann Handley
Ann Handley is a seasoned content marketing expert who has continuously demonstrated her expertise on and off social media. With over two decades of experience, sheβs a social media expert you shouldnβt miss out on if youβre looking to elevate your content strategy.
In addition to her content marketing experience, Ann is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author and a keynote speaker. Through her work, she empowers her audience to supercharge their marketing strategies with quality and compelling content.
Ann has also been recognized by IBM as one of the leaders shaping modern marketing. She is currently in charge of all professional education and training content at MarketingProfs, a marketing education company trusted by thousands of marketers and corporations.
You can find Ann on these social media channels:
#10. Neil Patel
Neil Patel is arguably one of the most recognizable social media experts on this list. He is a prolific strategist who became a household name due to his comprehensive marketing knowledge, including content, SEO, and social media. In fact, even former President Obama recognized him as one of the top 100 entrepreneurs under the age of 30.
Neilβs blog is a goldmine of information for creators, businesses, and marketers in different stages of their social media journey. In his posts, he simplifies complex topics and presents them in easily digestible formats for readers.
You can follow Neil on these platforms:
#11. Amy Porterfield
If youβre new to social media, you should definitely follow Amy Porterfield. Her friendly style and highly engaging content can help you grasp different social media concepts easily and leverage them in your strategy.
With her practical approach to social media, Amy has helped multiple businesses build and grow their online presence. Meanwhile, her podcast, Online Marketing Made Easy, covers a wide range of marketing topics and features insights from other social media experts, making it a valuable resource for creators and brands alike.
You can find Amy on these channels:
#12. Rand Fishkin
Rand Fishkin is the founder of Moz, a world-renowned SEO software company. As if that werenβt enough to cement his status as a marketing and social media expert, he also co-founded SparkToro, a digital marketing data insights tool.
Randβs approach to social media is ideal for startups looking to boost their online presence and engagement. With his in-depth knowledge of marketing topics and experience as an entrepreneur, he crafts SEO strategies that deliver results.
In addition to his social media prowess, Rand is also a content marketer, an established keynote speaker and is regarded as one of the most influential figures in the industry. He even authored a book about the startup industry, Lost and Founder, that provides excellent insights for new business owners.
You can follow Rand on:
#13. Jade Warne
Jade Warne is one of the top social media experts on Instagram you can count on for growth strategies and personal branding tips. Her content mostly focuses on strategies for getting followers on Instagram, improving engagement, monetizing content, and more.
Aside from the free content that she posts on her social media, Jade also offers mini-courses, templates, and 1:1 coaching for those who want to take their Instagram journey to the next level. Sheβs also a professional photographer, and her well-curated Instagram feed is both eye-catching and educational.
You can find Jade on:
#14. Larry Kim
If youβre planning to venture into social media advertising, you may want to follow Larry Kim. He specializes in Google Ads, conversion rate optimization, and Facebook Ads and can help you generate leads and drive sales. He also founded WordStream, a pay-per-click management company, and Customers.ai, a sales outreach automation software.
Larry is one of the leading social media marketing experts, recognized for his marketing and entrepreneurial skills. Heβs been previously named Search Marketer of the Year by the US Search Awards, Search Engine Land, and PPC Hero.
Outside of social media, he often participates in international conferences and contributes to publications such as Inc. Magazine and Business Insider.
You can follow Larry on:
#15. Purna Virji
Purna Virji is an established content strategist renowned for her expertise in social media and pay-per-click advertising. Her consumer-focused approach to marketing strategies has helped multiple businesses achieve significant growth online. She also often shares useful marketing insights on her LinkedIn profile and relevant industry events on her Twitter/X feed.
Purnaβs extensive knowledge of marketing has led her to be recognized by multiple companies and publications, including Adweek, US Search Awards, and PPC Hero. She is also an acclaimed international keynote speaker and currently serves as the principal consultant for content solutions at LinkedIn.
You can find Purna on the following social media platforms:
#16. Vanessa Lau
Vanessa Lau is a successful content creator and one of the most recognizable social media experts on YouTube. After quitting her corporate job at a Fortune 500 company, she focused her efforts on creating content marketing tips and has since helped multiple businesses achieve social media success.
In addition to her YouTube channel, Vanessa also uses Instagram to share content creation tips and strategies on how to make money on social media. While she is not as active as she was before, her content is still extremely valuable for those who are just starting out on their social media journey.
You can follow Vanessa on these platforms:
4 Crucial Benefits of Following Social Media Experts
Following the different social media experts we mentioned in this article can provide you with several crucial benefits, such as:
#1. Proven Strategies
Social media experts often follow the tried and tested strategies they have perfected and that you can also use in your social media ventures. There is no need to waste time experimenting with different approaches; you can simply incorporate these proven tactics into your strategy and modify them to fit your specific goals.
Social media experts, also called social media specialists, have extensive knowledge in their specific field. This means they have a thorough understanding of what works and what doesnβt on different platforms, and by following their guide, you can greatly improve your chances of success.
#2. The Latest Trends
By following social media experts, you can gain access to the latest trends, topics, and algorithm changes on social networking platforms. Moreover, you can use this data to adjust your strategy for the best results.
Doing so will also allow you to leverage the newest platform features in your content strategy and gain a competitive edge.
For instance, when Instagram first released Stories, the addition of a new element to the feed immediately caught the attention of social media users. Being one of the first people to utilize this new content format will likely result in a considerable number of likes and interactions.
#3. Networking Opportunities
Following social media experts can present potential networking opportunities, as it will connect you with like-minded individuals and businesses in similar situations.
Some experts even create Facebook groups dedicated to their audience, where you can engage in conversations and exchange ideas with each other. Participating in these groups is an excellent way to gain more insights into the industry and build relationships that can lead to future collaborations.
#4. Better Content Quality
Social media experts who specialize in a specific social networking site often share innovative content ideas, tips, and techniques that can help you create content thatβs optimized for that platform. By leveraging their tips in your strategy, you can create more compelling content that encourages likes, engagement, and follows.
Boost Your Social Media Efforts With Publer
While social media experts can help steer you in the right direction, you need a powerful tool like Publer if you want to boost your efforts and see results.
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Our platform also allows you to manage multiple social media accounts from 12 different platforms and websites, so you can monitor each siteβs performance and adjust your strategy as needed.
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Key Takeaways
- Social media experts are people who are extremely knowledgeable about various social media channels, trends, and best practices.
- Jay Baer, Mari Smith, Gary Vaynerchuk, and Neil Patel are some notable social media experts you should consider following in 2024.
- By following social media experts, you can improve content quality and gain access to the latest trends, proven strategies, and potential networking opportunities.
Ervin Kalemi
