LinkedIn Top Voices in Sales: The top 10 creators to follow
The 2021 LinkedIn Top Voices in Sales highlights 10 thought leaders who are sharing their tips and expertise to help today’s sales professionals stay informed and get ahead.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that over 13 million, or 9%, of the United States’ professionals work in sales-related occupations. That’s the second largest occupational group that it recognizes — second only behind office and administrative support — and larger than health care, education and transportation.
As entrepreneur and famous “Shark Tank” host Mark Cuban has said, “sales is the most important aspect of a company,” and most people would likely agree that the art of selling is one of the most vital business skills one can have — applicable to a wide range of roles, even if you don’t directly work in sales.?
Today, LinkedIn News is debuting our fourth annual LinkedIn Top Voices in Sales. With so many of the world’s professionals working in sales, there is no shortage of related content on LinkedIn. In fact, salespeople have created one of the most active communities on the platform, constantly giving and getting help from those in the field (just search #salestips and you’ll find a slew of posts from people sharing their advice and learnings).?
To shed more light on all the people contributing to this community, we’ve decided to feature an all-new list this year. Last year's Top Voices in Sales are still must-follow contributors in this space — if you haven’t seen the 2020 list or aren’t following them already, we highly recommend checking them out in addition to this year’s honorees: Morgan Ingram, Kevin “KD” Dorsey, Amy Volas, Sarah Brazier, Marcus Chan, Josh Braun, Nikki Ivey, Alex Alleyne, Ashley Kelly Mealy and Catie Ivey Coutinho.
Top Voices is a series of lists that have been editorially curated by the LinkedIn News team, which highlight the creators to follow who are writing and sharing about today’s important workplace, career and industry topics. To compile each list, editors consider each individual’s content on LinkedIn. Specifically: Are they covering the topic at hand on a regular basis? Are their contributions insightful, conversational and timely? Have they built up and engaged with their communities? Do they seek to give and get help vs. being self-promotional? We aim to highlight a diverse set of voices, so that the list reflects the world we live and work in today. You can find more about who is eligible to be a Top Voice at the bottom of this article.
Check out this year’s #LinkedInTopVoices in Sales — and follow them to stay plugged into the conversation.
Reporting by Ali McPherson and Ashley Peterson.
What he talks about: Allred shares tips and tricks on sending effective sales emails. These include topics like the ‘I:You' ratio in email writing, the importance of a value-add follow up email and the 'Challenger model.' He also discusses what not to do when sending cold outbound emails and making cold calls.?
What she talks about: Ajikawo shares content ranging from the importance of productive feedback as a sales manager to what those in sales can learn from restaurant service workers. She also engages with her audience through quick videos on a variety of topics, such as how to be more deliberate in outreach to C-level executives and what she’s learned from her past mistakes.??
What she talks about: Barnes regularly posts videos with advice for followers in the field, such as how to deal with gendered ageism and tips for using a wide range of channels when building a customer base. On her page, you’ll also find content on topics like the lack of diversity in tech and how saleswomen can develop a strong mindset.
What she talks about: Blackwell covers content ranging from cold calling tips and the importance of following up to how to build your brand. She also reshares fun TikTok videos on her experiences working in sales, such as how she prepares for calls and how she copes when hitting a dry spell.?
What he talks about: Coleman shares practical advice like how to boost email reply rates, prepare for calls to high-ranking executives and communicate effectively with prospects who have chosen your competitor. He also discusses topics like the importance of 1:1s with your manager and how to deal with rejection.?
What he talks about: ‘Hey Salespeople’ is the name of Donovan’s podcast — and also how he opens his posts sharing a variety of quick tips and tricks for those in sales roles. These range from grammar tips to effective cold call openers. He also regularly highlights other voices in sales, engages his audience through different conversation topics and shares trends he’s observing in the field.
What she talks about: Early advocates for a range of issues within the sales community, such as preventing discrimination and harassment, improving diversity and inclusion and providing paid maternity leave for saleswomen. She also highlights other women in sales who are making an impact.
What he talks about: Kapur covers topics like how to upsell to clients and effective habits to common mistakes salespeople make and the importance of knowing when to walk away from a client. On his page, you’ll also find personal anecdotes (including takeaways from watching his dad making cold calls at 77 years old) and his recommended reading and podcasts.?
What he talks about: Michael regularly engages his audience through polls, which range from whether you should cold call a CEO's cell phone to the top challenges salespeople are facing in their jobs. He also covers topics like the importance of researching your prospect thoroughly, cold calling myths and more.
What she talks about: Mudwar sparks conversations around relationship building, whether it’s with one’s potential clients, competition or mentors. She also shares advice on things like when to walk away from a deal, how to prepare for a sales interview and how to respond to rejection from a client.
How we compile the list
Top Voices is a series of lists that have been editorially curated by the LinkedIn News team, with the goal of highlighting creators to follow who are covering the chosen segments and/or topics. To compile each list, editors consider each individual’s content on LinkedIn. Specifically: Are they covering the topic at hand on a regular basis? Are their contributions insightful, conversational and timely? Have they built up and engaged with their communities? Do they seek to give and get help vs. being self-promotional? We aim to highlight a diverse set of voices, so that the list reflects the world we live and work in today.?
Who is eligible
Any LinkedIn member who shares content and drives professional conversations on the platform is eligible to be a Top Voice, with the exception of LinkedIn and Microsoft employees, members who have violated LinkedIn’s User Agreement, including our Professional Community Policies, or individuals currently running in an election for an executive, legislative or judicial position.
Top Voices may include individuals who are a part of the LinkedIn Influencer (invite-only) or the Creator Accelerator (application-based) programs. However, being a part of either does not automatically boost a member’s chance of being a Top Voice, nor is it a requirement or prerequisite for success on the platform.?
Interested in building your audience on LinkedIn??
New voices emerge every year — and there’s nothing stopping you from turning your own ideas into powerful conversations. Try creating a post to share your expertise or thoughts on the latest trending news, and you may be surprised at the community you find. If you’re struggling with where to start, follow our LinkedIn for Creators page for content inspiration, tips, news, education and more. And if you’d like to recommend someone for a future Top Voices list, let us know in the comments (just be sure to tag them and let us know why you love following them). We’re always looking for new individuals to highlight.?
Recently I posted a job looking for a new sales person and the post contained this paragraph: "Are you a solo performer who likes being on their own??Great - Don't Apply.??Do you want to sit in your office and wait for the phone to ring???Great - Don't Apply.?Think you know it all??Great - Don't Apply.?Sales is tough.??But when it all works it makes it worth it professionally and financially.?" I've used other non-conformist way to hire a sales person because I don't want average. I don't require a superstar, but I don't want someone who isn't hungry financially. Sales is tough. We provide the training and resources for success. I look forward to LinkedIn #TopTen for more information to assist the team.
You can count on me to be there when you need me
2 年Sales on straight commission is one of the few ways one gets paid equally to their effort.
GPS Alaska
3 年Justin Michael well deserved, your advice has helped leaps and bounds in no time
Guiding Leaders to Innovate & Thrive with AI | CMO & Co-Founder at iSUMMIT | International Speaker & AI Implementation Expert | HRDC Certified Trainer
3 年?? Hanzo Ng is one of the leading voices in B2B sales and lead generation in Malaysia and the surrounding region since 2009 =) sharing daily practical insights on sales and how sales professionals and business owners can adapt to the constantly shifting environment. Highly recommended to add to your diversity of voices.
General Partner at AgileGTM Capital: investing in B2B use cases of blockchain | LinkedIn Top Voice
3 年Congrats to you all! Amazing ??