**Day 27 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge for July!**

Write a post that lists a couple industry leaders and why you follow them.

Who to Follow: Elevating Your Business and Vision This Year

By:  Carolyn Wright

When you are growing a business, the voices you let into your head matter. It is easy to get overwhelmed by all the conflicting advice online. To cut through the noise and truly advance your knowledge, business, and expertise, you need to follow people who prioritize actionable substance over empty hype.

Beyond our community here, these are the top industry leaders you should follow right now—and exactly why their insights are essential for your growth.

💡 The Content and Storytelling Authority: Ann Handley

• Who she is: A digital marketing pioneer, Wall Street Journal best-selling author of Everybody Writes, and Chief Content Officer at MarketingProfs [MarketingProfs].
• Why you should follow her: She is the master of showing, not just telling. Her work teaches you how to write with true empathy, clarity, and personality so you can connect deeply with your audience. If you want your social media posts or emails to feel like a warm conversation rather than a cold sales pitch, her weekly newsletter is a masterclass in modern communication [MarketingProfs].

🏗️ The Audience-Building Strategist: Joe Pulizzi

• Who he is: Author, entrepreneur, and the legendary founder of the Content Marketing Institute [Content Marketing Institute].
• Why you should follow him: He completely reshaped how modern businesses think about marketing. Instead of chasing temporary social media algorithms, he teaches business owners how to build loyal, independent audiences that they actually own. His insights are vital if you want to create a sustainable business model that generates predictable, ongoing income.

📊 The Practical Web and SEO Expert: Andy Crestodina

• Who he is: Co-founder of Orbit Media Studios and author of Content Chemistry [Orbit Media Studios].
• Why you should follow him: He removes all the mystery from digital strategy, analytics, and search engine visibility. He breaks down incredibly complex tech and web design concepts into simple, visual frameworks that anyone can understand. His data-driven guides provide clear roadmaps to help you optimize your website and get found by the exact people looking for your services.

🚀 The Takeaway for Your Business

Advancing your business requires a blend of authentic storytelling, strategic audience building, and smart digital tools. By following these three leaders, you will stop guessing what works and start implementing proven strategies to scale your brand.