12 Best Social Media Content Strategists and Their Winning Tips

Updated: Jan 31, 2025

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Have you ever wondered why, in a world where anyone can go viral, some people manage to do it while others don’t? The secret lies in the strategies.

We’ll spotlight the 12 best social media content strategists and dive into their insights on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn to uncover what it is that hooks viewers and keeps them engaged.

Let’s take a closer look!

Table of Contents

Instagram’s strengths lie in its visual content. Reels, “photo dumps,” and carousel posts dominate the platform, but a variety of other content types also perform well.

Here are three social media strategists on Instagram to learn from:

Caroline Flett (@misscarolineflett) – 1M+ Followers

Caroline Flett is a well-known expert in Instagram strategy, gaining 1 million followers in just 15 months. She helps her audience grow by sharing tips on viral reels, trending music, and personal growth.

Her success began when she started studying viral content. She made it a habit to post 14 times a week and carefully analyze which posts performed the best. She now has more than 1M Instagram followers - and a thriving business coaching others on how to grow their own accounts.

Caroline Flett’s Tips for Success

Research successful accounts in your niche; this is a key shortcut to growth.
Use "dog whistle" messaging: speak directly to your ideal audience's needs, so they tune in while others pass by.
Provide tangible, bingeable value in the form of reels.

Evelien Langeveld (@evelongfield) – 193K+ Followers

The best way to describe Evelien Langeveld as an Instagram strategist would be humorous, motivational, and informative. Her videos always offer a creative spin once you click inside, whether that means explaining how to re-create viral effects, showing trending ideas, or sharing personal anecdotes.

It works. Evelien has grown her following to more than 193,000 followers. And it isn’t just a fluke - she has another thriving account with more than 225,000 followers. She uses her following to promote a masterclass on how others can build the perfect Instagram bio.

Evelien Langeveld’s Tips for Success

Don’t create content about you - create content for your audience. Make your posts about them and ensure you’re providing value.
Stay engaged with your audience. Try to respond to every comment within 24 hours.
Success doesn’t come easy on Instagram. Those who don’t give up, win.

"My #1 tip for building a successful Instagram strategy starts with getting crystal clear on 'who' your ideal follower is and how your content/account will help them. Every piece of content you post needs to benefit your ideal follower. Always ask yourself: 'What’s in it for them?' And make sure this is reflected in your bio as well. "

Evelien Langeveld, Content Creator and Digital Marketing Specialist

Emma Cleary (@embrace_socials) – 434K+ Followers

Emma Cleary set out to prove that her ability to grow followers wasn't just luck. She restarted her Instagram page from scratch and documented her journey in a series of Stories where she showed how she grew her account from 0 to 430k followers. In just one month, she gained 20k followers, and within eleven months, she reached nearly half a million.

She now teaches others her strategies for boosting their own follower growth.

Emma Cleary’s Tips for Success

Instagram’s No.1 goal is building community; let this guide your content.
Create hooks with a toddler's mindset: keep asking "Why?" to understand why someone would watch.
Make sure your Instagram bio clearly communicates your value.

Get more tips for succeeding on Instagram in Expert Strategies to Reach 100k Instagram Followers.

TikTok is the go-to place for short-form, viral video content shot in a vertical format.

Let’s take a look at the top three social media strategists on TikTok:

Jera Bean (@jera.bean) – 1.5M+ Followers

Jera Bean (aka Jera Foster-Fell) creates entertaining, lighthearted videos for her 1.5M followers. She teaches them how to make professional-grade content by demonstrating the process in real time. Known as “YOUR TIKTOK BFF,” she feels like a friend you’ve known forever. Her relatable and approachable style makes her incredibly easy to listen to.

Jera’s social media journey began on Instagram in 2015. She is now considered a leading expert on TikTok, and has taught her strategies to individuals at large organizations like Adbobe, Estee Lauder, and AT&T.

Jera Bean’s Tips for Success

Create unique content that others can't copy and claim as their own.
Use the text tools native to the social media platform you’re using.
Don’t think of each post as a one-hit wonder. See them as songs in a concert, coming together to create a complete experience.

Wave Wyld (@wavewyld) – 400K+ Followers

Wave Wyld’s name fits her perfectly, as she is a TikTok strategist known for going with the flow. She identifies the top sounds and trends and shares them with her audience. This approach is especially valuable in the TikTok world, where success often depends on capitalizing on current trends - and music!

Her ability to captivate and engage an audience of more than 400k followers has led to a career as a TikTok strategy expert, including a subscription list of TikTok trends, 1:1 coaching, and speaking engagements for major brands.

Wave Wyld’s Tips for Success

Stay ahead on TikTok by keeping up with trending music, effects, and actions that capture attention across the platform.
Add your own unique twist to these trends to make them entertaining and stand out from the crowd.
Build trust with your audience by creating original, evergreen content that remains valuable and relevant over time.

"One of the best ways to grow an engaged audience on TikTok is to use other TikTok features. Most creators only post videos for the FYP. You can also post daily stories (similar to Instagram) that are pushed to your followers and live-streaming is the best way to build community and strengthen relationships with your audience. Leveraging different forms of content is going to help you stay top of mind, engage your audience, and boost your personal brand as a creator or business."

Wave Wyld, TikTok and Social Video Expert

Lauren Webb (@laurennrwebb) – 233K+ Followers

Lauren Webb is a captivating TikTok strategist who uses the same social media marketing techniques she teaches her followers: hooking viewers within the first three seconds. If you’re looking for practical advice that works - without all the frills and crazy editing techniques - she's a strategist you need to follow.

Lauren leverages her social media success by providing social media audits, courses, and more.

Lauren Webb’s Tips for Success

Use the Creator Search Insights tool on TikTok to identify content gaps and discover opportunities for unique ideas that resonate with your audience.
Engage with other creators in your niche by posting thoughtful, relevant comments on their accounts.
If you find yourself stuck or unsure of the next step, don’t hesitate to seek professional advice.

YouTube is the king of long-form video content and the second-largest search engine after Google. One of its primary strengths is the ability to find whatever video you might be searching for. This also makes it a great place to build an audience.

Here are the top three YouTube social media strategists you might want to check out:

Paddy Galloway (@paddygalloway8780) – 523K+ Subscribers

When you think of the word “viral,” Paddy Galloway should come to mind. This YouTube strategist has built a reputation by analyzing the success of major YouTube stars like Mr. Beast, Ryan Trahan, and Logan Paul. Not only has he broken down their strategies, but he has also applied those same techniques to his own channel. As a result, he grew his channel to half a million subscribers with just 33 videos. He now works as a consultant, helping other social YouTubers grow their channels.

Paddy Galloway’s Tips for Success

Experiment with combining different video styles, such as money tips, drama, pranks, reaction videos, challenges, or collaborations to broaden your appeal.
Make videos that react to trending topics or popular events to remain relevant over time while keeping production costs low.
Film videos featuring or collaborating with well-known creators in your niche to leverage their existing audience.

Sean Cannell (@ThinkMediaTV, @videoinfluencers, @seanTHINKs) – 111K+ Subscribers

Sean Cannell is one of the original YouTube strategists. He has created countless videos covering topics like camera hardware, editing software, and overall YouTube strategy. If you’re looking to learn from someone who has been excelling in this space since the beginning, he’s the expert to follow.

Sean Cannell’s Tips for Success

Define who your channel is for and the specific problem your content solves to attract the right viewers.
Research your video’s title, thumbnail, and content to ensure it’s optimized for engagement and relevance.
Review analytics after each video to identify what worked and make adjustments for future content.

"Having a focused niche is a lot more powerful than having a general channel."

Sean Cannell, Top YouTuber, Speaker, and Coach

Ali Abdaal (@aliabdaal) – 5.5M+ Subscribers

Ali Abdaal is a bit of a unique entry into this list, as he's more known for being a YouTuber than a YouTube content strategist. But that’s what makes his insight so valuable. In addition to his channel, where he gives productivity hacks, he offers courses called “Part-Time YouTuber Academy” and “Part-Time YouTuber Accelerator,” where he breaks down the nitty-gritty of how to succeed on the platform.

Ali Abdaal’s Tips for Success

Optimize for clicks, watch time, and satisfaction by using compelling titles, engaging content, and providing value to viewers.
Commit to making at least one video per week. Consistent uploads help keep your audience engaged and show the algorithm your channel is active.
Outsource your editing to free up time for content creation and audience engagement.

With more than 800 million users across more than 200 countries, LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network. It’s also an excellent platform for building professional influence.

Here are the top three social media strategists on LinkedIn:

Justin Welsh – 656K+ Followers

Justin Welsh is the expert who literally wrote the book on growing a following on LinkedIn. More than 25,000 people have taken his course, The LinkedIn Operating System, where he outlines exactly how to succeed on the platform. Ranked the number one global LinkedIn creator five times, he’s a voice well worth listening to.

Justin Welsh’s Tips for Success

Make sure your profile reflects what you do and how you help others. Make it easy for people to understand your value.
Share posts that address one specific challenge you solve to keep your audience engaged and informed.
Respond to questions in your comments or follow up with direct messages to build stronger connections.

"Do what other people are afraid to do. Then keep doing it for decades."

Justin Welsh, LinkedIn Influencer

Shay Rowbottom – 613K+ Followers

Don’t let the sunshine vibes fool you. Shay Rowbottom has generated more than $4 million from selling on LinkedIn. In the process, she has established herself as a trusted and influential figure for business, news, and entertainment content on the platform.

Shay Rowbottom’s Tips for Success

Focus on what your target market doesn’t know but needs to. Create content that educates and makes their lives easier.
Turn common audience questions into informative posts. This builds trust and keeps your content relevant.
Create a manageable schedule and framework to stay consistent without sacrificing quality.

"Be real on a platform where everyone is always so fake."

Shay Rowbottom, LinkedIn Influencer

Andy Foote – 54K+ Followers

Andy Foote has cultivated an aura that makes him highly sought after. Everything about him is intriguing and unique. From his email address to his LinkedIn post carousels, he exudes an authenticity rarely seen on social media today - and it works. If you want to grow your presence on LinkedIn, Andy is a must-follow.

Andy Foote’s Tips for Success

Create polls to interact with your followers and encourage participation to spark meaningful discussions.
Add relevant hashtags in the comments to increase reach without overcrowding your posts.
Instead of only highlighting problems, use your posts to offer practical and actionable solutions.

In today’s world, social media can seem oversaturated. However, as our 12 best social media strategists and their top tips show that it’s entirely possible to grow with the right strategy.

Whether you’re a content creator, a growing brand, or someone interested in social media marketing for small businesses, these insights can help you craft a plan tailored to your goals. Start by identifying your audience, optimizing your content for engagement, and using the best tools to manage your platforms effectively.

When thinking about how you’re going to plan and execute your social media strategy, start out with the right tools. We tested and compared more than 40 social media management tools to come up with our top picks for the best social media management software. Alternatively, you can use our Finder Tool to compare social media management software and find the right fit for your needs.

Discover the Best Social Media Management Tools

40+ providers evaluated & tested by industry experts

FAQ

What is the difference between a content strategist and a social media manager?

There's often a lot of overlap between the roles of a content strategist and a social media manager, but there are key differences.

A content strategist focuses on the high-level vision of the social media content strategy. They are responsible for tracking trends, creating strategies, and monitoring performance, all while highlighting social media marketing benefits, such as increased visibility, audience engagement, and brand growth.

A social media manager focuses on the day-to-day activities of social media accounts, often publishing posts, managing the community, and executing plans set out by the content strategist.

What is the difference between a content creator and a content strategist?

A content creator is someone who creates the actual content for a social media platform. This may be performed with or without a content strategy.

A content strategist outlines and executes a specific plan for growth. Sometimes, the content strategist will not create the content themselves but will work with producers, editors, and creators to execute the final vision.

How to find a social media strategist?

You can find social media strategists by searching directly on social media platforms or asking for recommendations from colleagues. Other options include exploring freelance platforms or consulting agencies that specialize in social media strategy.

Taylor R.

Taylor is a Harvard graduate with a strong entrepreneurial background in social media, digital marketing, and content creation. She successfully built a YouTube channel with more than 180,000 subscribers and 16 million views. She also launched an online course, "How to Get Into the Ivy League," which has enrolled more than 500 students.