Social media is now an influencer’s arena where top social media marketers set trends and shape brand visibility. Smart platform use separates average marketers from the best social media marketers.
For agencies and small businesses, social media marketing experts fuel growth, expand brand reach, and build customer connections that convert into measurable sales.
Famous social media marketing professionals like Gary Vaynerchuk and Mari Smith top digital marketing influencers on Instagram, stay current with features and trends, guiding social media marketers who want stronger results.
With thousands claiming expert status, the real question is: who are the top social media marketers to follow for trusted digital marketing advice?
Why Social Media Agencies Need to Follow Social Leaders
Top social media marketers set trends, share insights, and shape how brands connect with B2B buyers and B2B companies. Agencies that track social media leaders sharpen their social marketing plans and stay competitive in the fast-moving digital space.
Why agencies track social media leaders:
1. Valuable Content
Social media marketers share insights that guide agencies toward stronger content. By learning from top social media marketers, agencies boost visibility and maintain steady traffic for client websites.
2. Competitive Advantage
Tracking top social media marketers gives agencies an advantage. They spot trends early and design campaigns that stand out across social platforms. This visibility raises brand awareness while keeping agencies relevant.
3. Networking Opportunities
Building ties with social media marketers creates collaboration chances. Influencers bring authentic content and trusted mentions. These relationships deliver feedback, audience insights, and fresh ways to strengthen campaigns.
4. Improve Marketing Impact
Agencies build stronger campaigns by studying social media marketing experts and influencer success stories. Their tactics inspire content that attracts new followers, sparks recognition, and builds a stronger brand identity.
5. Boost Engagement
Top social media marketers design content that sparks engagement. Agencies study their methods to refine affordable marketing for small businesses, gaining leads, traffic, and stronger visibility across platforms.
All the information shared in this blog is prepared with the best knowledge and research conducted by the RecurPost team. While we strive to provide up-to-date and accurate information, it may not always reflect the latest industry changes. Readers are advised to verify the current trend and make decisions based on their discretion.
Top Social Media Marketers to Follow
Top social media marketers set trends and share insights that guide campaigns. These top 10 digital marketing experts in the world help agencies and brands grow online visibility across platforms.
The top 10 social media marketers ranked by expertise across different specializations are listed below:
1. Neil Patel
Co-founder of Neil Patel Digital, Neil ranks among the top social media marketers and SEO leaders worldwide. His blog attracts more than 4M monthly visitors, and he has authored multiple bestsellers, including Hustle. Neil specializes in content marketing, SEO, and digital analytics. He consistently shares performance marketing insights that show businesses how to track ROI and grow with data-backed campaigns.
Best for
- Paid campaigns
- Search engine optimization (SEO)
- Content marketing
- Analytics
Where to follow
2. Gary Vaynerchuk
As CEO of VaynerMedia, Gary Vaynerchuk has become one of the best social media marketers to follow. His company has scaled to serve global brands, while his personal accounts reach millions across LinkedIn, X, TikTok, and Instagram. Gary focuses on storytelling, culture-driven marketing, and brand positioning. His work in performance marketing shows how creative content mixed with data can boost recognition and drive sales.
Best for
- Social Media Marketing
- Paid media
- Branding
- eCommerce
Where to follow
3. Zaria Parvez
Known for her work as the voice behind the Duolingo owl, Zaria Parvez transformed the company’s online presence from 50K to over 5M followers. She built brand loyalty through humor, memes, and audience-first content. Zaria represents a new generation of social media marketing experts, proving that creativity and authenticity can fuel viral campaigns that resonate across platforms.
Best for
- Social media management
- Social media marketing
- social media strategy
- Gen Z campaigns
Where to follow
4. Rand Fishkin
Founder of Moz and co-founder of SparkToro, Rand Fishkin stands among the leading social media marketers with deep roots in SEO and audience intelligence. His book Lost and Founder details his startup journey, offering lessons on transparency and building trust in digital marketing. Rand is widely respected for his commitment to open-source thinking and his ability to explain SEO and audience behavior in practical ways that agencies can apply.
Best for
- SEO
- Data-driven marketing analytics
- Startup growth
- Entrepreneurship
Where to follow
5. Mari Smith
Known as the “Queen of Facebook,” Mari Smith is one of the top social media marketers and a trusted voice in Facebook marketing. Forbes named her a global leader in social media, and even Facebook has partnered with her for expertise. Beyond Facebook, Mari is among the top social media thought leaders worldwide, sharing insights on Instagram and influencer marketing.
Best for
- Facebook marketing/Facebook advertising
- Influencer collaboration
- Instagram campaign
- Paid social ads
Where to follow (digital marketing influencers on Instagram)
6. Steven Bartlett
Founder of Social Chain and host of The Diary of a CEO, Steven Bartlett is one of the leading social media marketing experts shaping conversations around entrepreneurship and digital influence. His channels reach millions, and he’s widely followed by young entrepreneurs seeking actionable insights. Today, he invests in startups while driving conversations on branding, influencer partnerships, and digital growth.
Best for
- Social media events
- Podcasting
- Funds and Investments
Where to follow
7. Ann Handley
As Chief Content Officer at MarketingProfs, Ann Handley is one of the most recognized content marketing influencers and a trusted name in B2B marketing. With more than two decades in the field, she combines writing, teaching, and speaking to guide businesses in building better connections through content. Ann continues to inspire marketers with her books, keynote sessions, and practical insights.
Best for
- B2B marketing
- Content marketing (B2B marketing statistics)
- Brand storytelling
Where to follow
8. Amy Porterfield
Founder of Digital Course Academy, Amy Porterfield, is one of the top social media marketing experts focused on business growth through online education. She began her career with Tony Robbins before launching a platform that has taught thousands to turn knowledge into income. Amy blends performance marketing campaigns with digital courses, showing how social media, email, and webinars drive sustainable business growth.
Best for
- Email marketing
- Performance marketing campaigns
- Digital courses
- Webinars
- Social media marketing
- Content creation
- Online courses
Where to follow
9. Kim Garst
CEO of KG Enterprises, Kim Garst is a social media strategist known for her expertise in Facebook advertising and content marketing. She teaches businesses how to train AI so that their unique brand message is reflected and they can engage more authentically with their target audiences. Kim specializes in data-focused social media marketing, helping brands leverage analytics to create more targeted and effective campaigns.
Best for
- AI
- Social selling
- Social media strategy and marketing
- Content creation
Where to follow
LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Instagram
10. Rachel Karten
Rachel Karten is a top Instagram marketing expert and seasoned consultant with a proven record of building award-winning brand communities. As Associate Director at Bon Appétit, she guided her team to win both the Webby and National Magazine Awards for social content. Today, Rachel works with brands on engagement-driven campaigns and shares insights through her newsletter and social chats.
Best for
- Engagement-driven social media marketing(top social media managers on Instagram)
- Marketing strategy tips
- Social chats
- Interviews
Where to follow
Key Points
- Curate Smartly: Share content that fits client needs and strengthens brand presence. Learn from top social media marketers to shape campaigns that connect.
- Network Naturally: Build genuine ties with social media marketing experts without pushing for instant results. Authentic connections open doors for collaborations.
- Stay Updated: Track social media trends and follow top social media marketers to keep campaigns current. Ongoing learning keeps agencies competitive.
- Partner for Success: Work with influencers and leading social media marketers to expand reach and amplify impact across platforms.
- Take Action: Apply insights, test campaigns, and adapt methods. Growth comes from steady action guided by social media leaders.
To Conclude
Social media marketing is a key part of any business strategy, but keeping up with industry trends can be challenging. For this purpose, there is a need for social media marketing influencers or digital marketing experts. One thing all these famous marketing experts have in common is their genuine desire to help marketing professionals like us (marketers worldwide).
The best social media experts excel in areas that shape lasting impact:
• Strengthening social media presence across platforms
• Reading consumer behavior and applying insights
• Spotting audience needs through real-time engagement
• Delivering fast and reliable customer service online
• Tracking updates to new social media tools and features
FAQs on Top Social Media Marketers
1. How can agencies effectively engage with these influencers?
Agencies connect with top social media marketers by sharing content, commenting meaningfully, and resharing posts. Stronger ties grow through collaborations, guest features, and joining live events.
2. Do these strategies work across all social networks?
Yes, though results differ by channel. Content marketing and engagement work everywhere, but each social media platform has unique practices worth following.
3. What’s the best way to stay updated with their content?
Follow their active channels, subscribe to blogs or newsletters, and turn on post alerts. Platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Twitter provide their latest insights.
4. How can social media management companies help social experts in their day-to-day work?
Tools like RecurPost help social media marketing experts by scheduling posts, tracking analytics, and managing multiple accounts. This saves time and leaves room for creative work.
5. Are there any marketing costs involved in following their social media profiles for the purpose of marketing?
No, following is free. Some famous social media marketers sell courses, premium blogs, or tools, but these are optional extras for deeper insights. Investing in these resources is optional but can provide deeper knowledge and a competitive edge, especially when considering social media management pricing factors in your strategy.
6. How to utilize the expertise of these marketers to gain an edge in the space of social marketing?
Learn from digital marketing influencers by applying their insights to content creation, brand campaigns, and audience engagement. Partnerships with them boost awareness and reach.
7. Which platforms are these marketers most active on?
Most top social media marketers post on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. TikTok is popular for short content, while Facebook supports communities. Blogs and podcasts give deeper insights.
Debbie Moran is a Digital marketing strategist with 5+ years of experience producing advertising for brands and helping leaders showcase their brand to the correct audience. She has been a part of RecurPost since 2019 and handles all the activities required to grow our brand’s online presence.
