One in three (30%) CEOs have built up such a following that they now see themselves as influencers, according to new research from BT which finds execs view their social media presence as critical to their business strategy.

Chief executives and entrepreneurs alike have increasingly stepped into the digital limelight due to the lure of new revenue, the low barriers to entry, as well as the pressure to keep pace with competitors—and it’s having a tangible impact.

Four in five execs (79%) say that their social media activity has directly boosted their revenue in the last year, while over half of businesses (52%) now bring in more customers via social media than any other channel.

Considering the pay-offs, nearly three quarters (73%) of CEOs say that effective social media use will be critical for growth in the future. Two in three (66%) also believe it’s an essential part of being a good leader in 2025.

However, a third (34%) of respondents note they’ve had no training on how to use it in the workplace, and 40% still feel uneasy about representing their company online. Further, nearly a third (30%) also admit their confidence has been dented by negative responses.

Despite any feelings of uneasiness and any knocked confidence, British bosses aren’t forgoing the opportunities it brings, now spending 28 days per year promoting their business on social media with personal posts. One in six executives (16%) create content as soon as they wake up, 12% do so last thing at night.

Digital infrastructure is of course playing a key role in supporting these “InfluenCEOs.” More than half (52%) say better broadband has helped them monetise their business, while nearly 9 out of 10 (89%) believe they couldn’t keep their business running without reliable mobile and broadband connectivity.

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Speaking on the findings, Caroline Southall, who’s director of small and medium enterprise at BT, commented: “Building a public profile can be a game changer for business leaders, unlocking new business opportunities, and showing a more engaging and human side to a company. No wonder then that 85% of FTSE bosses have a personal LinkedIn profile, up from just 12% in 20231.

“Better digital connectivity is underpinning their social media push, enabling them to use data-intensive technology like TikTok Live and Instagram while on the move.”

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