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Top LinkedIn Trends 2025: Authentic Branding, Storytelling & Influence

Chenny Jul 1, 2025 9:00:00 AM
LinkedIn personal branding, human storytelling, and micro-influencer strategies for professional growth and audience engagement

When LinkedIn feeds are overflowing and algorithms chase every trend, the real winners in 2025 are those who show up human, original, and intentional.

This week’s Top Voices Unite lineup delivered a powerful reminder: imperfect stories, personal quirks, and micro-communities drive more impact than mass marketing ever could.

Dive in below to see how thought leaders are building brands people trust, content that resonates, and creative careers that can’t be replaced.  

Courageous Personal Branding for Coaches & Creators: Standing Out in the Scroll

If you’re a coach, solopreneur, or thought leader trying to build a community online, you’ve probably faced the same fear: What if no one likes what I post?

Michael Lopez and Matt Biggar LinkedIn livestream interview about personal branding, authentic storytelling, and creator confidence for business growth

On Top Voices Tuesday, Michael Lopez hosted Matthew Biggar, LinkedIn Top Voice and business coach, who shared how being vulnerable—and unapologetically yourself—is the secret to sustainable visibility and connection.

“I grew up as a bit of a chameleon... and when I became an adult, I didn’t really know who I was. Content creation has been a huge part of that self-expression.” — Matthew Biggar

How a Matthew Biggar Built Visibility

Matthew Biggar personal brand photo with his Biggar family highlighting authentic storytelling and human connection for online business coaching

Matthew’s journey to visibility wasn’t about viral moments—it was about small, consistent actions that made his personality and expertise impossible to ignore.

  • Posting Three Times Weekly
    Matthew posts every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7:15 AM PT. He shared how sticking to this schedule helped him overcome fear and gave his audience regular touchpoints to connect.

  • Leaning into Personal Storytelling
    Matthew weaves elements of his life—like his Star Wars Yoda figure and personal struggles—into his videos and posts. These details make his brand more than just “business advice.” 

  • Running a 30-Day Video Challenge
    To push himself—and others—past the fear of being visible, Matthew created a 30-day video challenge. Participants posted daily videos, imperfect and authentic, which strengthened their confidence and honed their messages.

💡 Stat to Know:

Authentic content shared by individuals earns 2x the engagement of brand promotions. (CommonMind)


Steps to Stand Out and Own Your Voice

Showing up as yourself isn’t always easy, but these steps from Matthew make it a practical, achievable path—even for creators who feel intimidated.

  1. Find your own way – Treat content creation as exploration, not performance.
  2. Turn imperfections into assets – Leverage your quirks, passions, even fears.
  3. Use feedback, not fear, to grow – Seek input from safe, professional spaces.

“We put... a lot of performative messaging online. And what would it look like if we put the messy stuff online? It makes other people... gives them permission to do the same.” — Michael Lopez 

Replay + Resources

📺Replay in YouTube:


📺Replay In LinkedIn: 

Top Voice Tuesday: The Courage to Stand Out and Be Different


📬 Subscribe these Insightful Weekly Newsletters

  • Learn from Michael’s latest thinking on change and transformation, along with current topics discussed on the Top Voice Podcast in his newsletter.

 

Let’s Talk

What’s the quirk or imperfection you’ve turned into your personal brand superpower?

Share your stories in the comments!



Humanizing Tech Brands: Authentic Storytelling for LinkedIn Leaders

Polished marketing alone can’t break through on LinkedIn anymore. Tech leaders and founders are discovering that human stories outperform slick slogans.

Denise Murtha Bachmann and Robin Daniels LinkedIn Blue TV livestream 

On this week’s Blue TV,  LinkedIn Top Voice and Sellovatorz Inc. founder Denise Murtha Bachmann hosted global tech exec, storytelling advocate, and the Chief business Officer of Zensai, Robin Daniels (He’s a Top Voice too!) to discuss why vulnerability is the ultimate competitive advantage.

“Show up on LinkedIn like you would show up to an office.” — Robin Daniels

Robin’s Rules for Authentic Branding

Robin believes that the future of professional success on LinkedIn belongs to those willing to show up imperfectly and connect through genuine storytelling.

Types of Human Centered Branding

  • Just Start, Even Imperfectly
    Robin built a 40,000+ following by sharing both wins and mistakes. His vulnerable stories about leadership struggles drew audiences closer than any perfect case study.

  • Consistency Without Conformity
    Robin  stresses the difference between consistency and conformity. Regular posting is good—but only if your voice remains unique and authentic.

  • Emotions Are a Competitive Edge
    Denise emphasized that human nuance and emotion are irreplaceable. Stories that resonate deeply create lasting loyalty and trust.

“It is amazing to humanize yourself... you really do attract the people that you want to engage with.” — Denise Murtha Bachmann


💡 Stat to Know:

80% of people trust companies whose leaders share personal stories.  (Raconteur)


What You Can Do Now

Robin’s advice isn’t just for big-name executives—it’s for anyone wanting to build genuine influence on LinkedIn.

  • Audit Your Last 10 Posts
    Look at your recent content and ask yourself: “Would I share this story in a real-life conversation?”

  • Follow the 90-9-1 Rule. This ratio ensures you stay helpful and human rather than salesy.
    • 90% of your posts should share value-driven content that helps others.
    • 9% should spotlight and celebrate people in your network.
    • 1% can directly promote your products or services

  • Lean Into Your Story
    Think of a pivotal moment in your career—perhaps a mistake, a lesson learned, or a moment of courage. These posts are often the most engaging and memorable.

“You don’t have to be perfect. Nobody expects perfection.” — Robin Daniels

Replay + Resources

📺 Watch the Full Episode!

Catch Denise and Robin’s full conversation:

The Power of Humanizing Your Tech Brand on LinkedIn

 

🔷 Explore More from Robin Daniels:

Website + Podcast Archive 

 

🔷 Learn from Denise Murtha Bachmann:

Let’s Talk

What was your most “human” post on LinkedIn—and what did it unlock for you?

Let's make a throwback and share it in the comments!


Leadership That Resonates on LinkedIn: Voices of the Week Spotlight

Why Human-Centered Leadership Wins on LinkedIn?

Amid the flood of automation and attention-hacking posts, audiences are tuning in to a different signal—honest leadership.

Nikki Estes livestream commentary featuring creators on LinkedIn

Last Thursday, the CEO of Market Me More Nikki Estes hosted Live with Top Voices Unite, spotlighting the most resonant posts of the week. These weren’t just viral—they were vulnerable, visionary, and values-driven.

"I want to give a broad exposure for each one of the voices that are actively participating in our challenges that we're doing with the Top Voices Unite and the Emerging Voices Unite Communities." - Nikki Estes


Voices Making Waves in the LinkedIn Community

Nikki’s reflections brought forward leaders whose content drove reflection, not just reactions.

From our Emerging Voices Unite community:

From our Top Voices Unite community:


💡 Stat to Know:

Nielsen found that 84% of people trust recommendations from people they know, compared to just 15% who trust messages directly from brands—proving real people drive real influence.


Key Events Fueling Conversation Across LinkedIn Communities

Nikki also highlighted incredible events that are driving conversations across the Emerging Voices Unite  and Top Voices Unite  communities:

🎤 How Data Shapes High-Impact Content That Connects on LinkedInDenise Murtha Bachmann and Ravit Jain explored how data fuels content that resonates deeply with the right audience.

🎤 Humanize or Be IgnoredDenise Murtha Bachmann and Robin Daniels discussed how storytelling can make tech brands more relatable and visible.

🎤 Standing Out Starts With CourageMichael Lopez and Matthew Biggar talked about why true distinction comes from authenticity and building a voice, not just strategic tactics.

🎤 When Mistakes Go to CourtHarvey Castro, Anthony Chang, and Brooks Wood launched the MedLegal Voices podcast, tackling how clinical errors intersect with legal risk in the age of AI.

🎤 The Future of Money Is NowNick Larson hosted CA State Treasurer Fiona Ma and Paystand CEO Jeremy Almond in Silicon Zombies to explore how real-time payments and AI-driven finance are reshaping financial systems.

🎤 Real-Time Coaching for Real ConflictHarvey Castro showcased an AI-driven conflict coaching tool that gives real-time feedback and guidance during challenging conversations.


How to Become a Standout Voice in LinkedIn’s Creator Economy

Want to be featured in our next livestream? Here’s what Nikki encourages:

  • Post with purpose—your story can teach, guide, or uplift.

  • Focus on impact—what’s one transformation your audience will take away?

  • Celebrate others—use your platform to elevate, not just broadcast.

LinkedIn community highlights and human-centered storytelling visual

Send your posts or events you want spotlighted on or before every Friday at 6 PM ET to Nikki Estes or to her executive secretaries handling Emerging Voices Unite (Analie Derequito) and Top Voices Unite (Chenny Marie Cantano)!

 

Replay & Resources: Stay Connected to LinkedIn’s Leading Voices

📺 Catch the full Live with Top Voices Unite episode here:

Voices of the Week (Burnout, Boldness, and the Data That Drives Us Forward)

🤝 Connect with Nikki Estes and explore her growing communities:

✅ Follow the Featured Voices from This Week:

Top Voices:
Harvey Castro | Bobby Umar | Jenny Fernandez | Bartolomé Ferreira | Denise Murtha Bachmann | Ravit Jain | Robin Daniels | Michael Lopez  | Matthew Biggar | Nick Larson | Krystal Speed | Nikki Estes

Emerging Voices:
Anna Rooney | Kenneth Lang | Chris Colt | Josh Broward | Justin Oberman | Jerry Mogyorody | Devinder Sodhi


Let’s Talk

Which post resonated with you most from this week’s roundup? Have you shared something meaningful recently that sparked unexpected engagement?

Share in the comments or tag someone who deserves a spotlight.


Stay Connected to What Matters Most

Get the inside edge on influence, storytelling, and career visibility!

Build your voice. 

Expand your reach. 

Lead with substance.