Before the advent of the internet, marketing seemed to be a more tamable beast – now, every week the fundamental best practices of online and content marketing seem to grow, shift, and alter completely with no warning. Staying one step ahead of the current marketing trends isn’t a luxury; knowing the best method of reaching your audience tomorrow is an imperative for success today.
Luckily, the difficulty of dealing with an organic industry has been met with a steady increase in resources and professionals who are one “follow” away from your news feed and inbox. Don’t spend your time tracking down the latest updates in the marketing world when you can have them delivered to you on a silver platter. If you follow these 50 marketing gurus in 2017 you’ll be able to communicate to your demographics and top the results of any search.
Andy Crestodina
The web design and content marketing expert who co-founded Orbit Media Studios, Andy Crestodina’s Twitter posts provide invaluable insight into the ever-shifting requirements needed to succeed online. Chock-full of actionable information and details, his posts are illuminating resources for marketers who want to cut through the noise. Crestodina is a featured speaker at national marketing conferences on a regular basis, and is a dedicated environmentalist.
Avinash Kaushik
A titan in the field, Avinash Kaushik has a resume of impressive accomplishments and titles too lengthy to list (among them: bestselling author, sought-after keynote speaker, co-founder of Market Motive Inc., and Google’s own Digital Marketing Evangelist). A huge proponent of simplifying complexity others perceive in data analytics, Kaushik writes concise and revelatory posts on his renowned blog.
Bookmark Occam’s Razor, his terrific blog, then follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.
Ann Smarty
The appropriately-named Ann Smarty runs SEOsmarty.com, and is one of the leading SEO and digital marketing consultants in the business (not to mention the brand manager at Internet Marketing Ninjas). Her combination of free and paid content courses are innovate and in depth, regarded by some prominent peers as “revolutionary.” If Barack Obama himself follows Smarty on Twitter, you can bet she’s full of good ideas.
Neil Patel
If you’ve never heard of Neil Patel, you’ve never heard of marketing. The definitive face of marketing influence and entrepreneurship, Patel is a bestselling author and has been featured on a top list of current marketers in nearly every major publication, including Forbes and the Wall Street Journal. His legendary blog, accessible webinars, and informative podcasts ensure his expertise is just a click away.
Oli Gardner
Seizing the opportunity to see Oli Gardner speak at a marketing event is a religious experience for industry professionals. Andy Crestidona raves, “he is one of those rare people who has the ability to change how you look at the internet.” When he’s not blowing mind delivering actionable keynotes, Gardner works at Unbounce(which he co-founded) where he ensures conversion is up and your UX is seamless.
Danny Sullivan
A journalist and analyst whose expertise in search marketing simply can’t be topped, Danny Sullivan serves as the Chief Content Officer of Third Door Media, his own company. Through Third Door Media Sullivan writes and edits winning content on Marketing Land, Search Engine Land, and MarTech Today. His writings are both personal and professional, showcasing his knowledge across industries and mediums. Did we mention his half a million Twitter followers?
Check out Sullivan’s website, and bookmark his personal blog and numerous professional author pages. Don’t forget to head over to his Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Tim Ferriss
Tim Ferriss isn’t strictly a marketer as much as a personal improvement guru, doling out life advice and tips that landed him on Mashable’s list of “5 Must-Follow Twitter Accounts for Entrepreneurs.” Famed author of “The 4-Hour Workweek,” Ferriss regularly writes entrepreneurial blogs and hosts a top-ranked podcast in which he breaks down the methods of world-class performers.
Rand Fishkin
Co-founder of Moz and Inbound.org, Rand Fishkin is a juggernaut when it comes to SEO. His passion and transparency in his writing has become his calling card; his blogs and Whiteboard Friday series should be considered scripture for marketers that want to grow and remain competitive. Moz Pro is a landmark SEO Tool, and Fishkin is a landmark marketing professional with wisdom and honesty to spare.
Bookmark Fishkin’s blog, and see what’s he up to on Twitter and Facebook.
Wil Reynolds
Fortune 500 companies have been trusting Wil Reynolds to develop their SEO strategies since 1999. The Founder and current Director of Digital Strategy at Seer Interactive, Reynolds is an in-demand speaker for marketing events and is constantly searching for ways to make brands more human and relatable. A few years ago, Reynolds and Rand Fishkin actually swapped CEO roles to gain fresh perspectives on the industry.
Ann Handley
In short, Ann Handley helps businesses rethink and redirect the way that they market. The author (and co-author) of multiple bestselling books on writing great content, Handley’s enthusiasm for content marketing is only matched by her professionalism. Self-billed as an “exacting writer,” Handley generates engaging, engrossing, and typo-free content. Handley is the Chief Content Officer for MarketingProfs, a transcendent speaker, and a LinkedIn influencer to boot.
Michael Brenner
A huge believer in cultures of innovation, Michael Brenner champions the customer-centric business approach in his acclaimed keynote addresses. Specializing in leadership and marketing, this CEO of Marketing Insider Group is reputed for his innovative workshops. If you don’t have the chance to hear Brenner at an event, you can still gain plenty of insight from Marketing Insider Group’s social media accounts and web presence.
Heidi Cohen
As the Chief Content Officer of her eponymous Heidi Cohen’s Actionable Marketing Guide, Cohen delivers what the title promises: easily understandable and practical marketing advice for social media, mobile, content marketing, and more. Drop what you’re doing and sign up for her newsletter: Cohen formats even the most complex concepts in a digestible framework for professionals and newbies alike.
Jay Baer
Jay Baer demonstrates how to use technology as a customer service and marketing advantage in his thrilling keynote addresses he delivers at events throughout the year. The author of 5 New York Times bestselling books, Baer also happens to be the most retweeted person in the world by digital marketers. He founded ConvinceAndConvert.com, a great online resource for marketers, and co-hosts the riveting Social Pros podcast.
Andrew Davis
As his Twitter bio so aptly states, Andrew Davis teaches “leaders how to grow their businesses and leave their legacy.” A truly gifted marketing speaker and bestselling author, Davis has marketed for small businesses and Fortune 500 companies with aplomb (not to mention produced for The Today Show and worked for The Muppets). Davis founded Monumental Shift, the first talent agency in the world for marketing thought leaders.
Sarah Lewis
Marketing isn’t merely about branding; at its heart, marketing can’t succeed with storytelling and creativity. Sarah Lewis’s bestselling book “The Rise” delves into the creative process and “the gift of failure,” and her writing and tweets should be considered nuggets of gold by any marketer looking for inspiration. As demonstrated by her arresting TED Talk, this Harvard Professor knows how to inspire across fields and mediums.
John Maeda
He lives at the intersection of art and technology; he strives to bridge the gap between business and design. John Maeda, former president of the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), has made a career out of completely transforming and reshaping entire industries. An expert on design as it relates to tech, Maeda currently serves as the Head of Computational Design and Inclusion at Automattic, working to address the diversity gap in tech.
Jay Acunzo
A brand-builder for Google, VC, and HubSpot, Acunzo doesn’t put much stock in metrics or “best practices.” On his award-winning podcast he advocates cutting through the noise and using marketing in an extraordinary, revolutionary manner. A celebrated keynote speaker and regular blogger, Acunzo is a mover and shaker who will help you examine how you approach creativity in the workplace.
Lars Silberbauer
The Holmes Report named Lars Silberbauer as one of the 25 most innovative and influential marketers in Europe because Silberbauer understands how to connect big brands to a global audience, plain and simple. The Senior Global Director of Social Media & Video at LEGO, Silberbauer is a digital strategist who has a knack for understanding and mapping the future before it happens.
Mari Smith
A thought leader and undisputed expert in social media marketing (particularly Facebook), Mari Smith is the author of “The New Relationship Marketing” and co-author of “Facebook Marketing: An Hour A Day.” Smith is so adept at Facebook marketing that Facebook hired her to facilitate and teach at their Boost Your Business live training events in 2015. Known as the “Queen of Facebook,” Smith dependably tops lists of social media power influencers each year.
Joe Pulizzi
Speaker, podcaster, entrepreneur – Joe Pulizzi does it all. Founder of the esteemed and influential Content Marketing Institute, Pulizzi also produces Content Marketing World, the largest content marketing event on the planet. Pulizzi has written four content marketing books to date, including “Epic Content Marketing,” which was named one of the “Five Must Read Business Books of 2013.” He really, really loves the color orange.
Lee Odden
A digital marketing aficionado, Lee Odden currently serves as the CEO of TopRank Marketing, where he’s worked for nearly 20 years. Odden publishes on TopRank’s Online Marketing Blog, and regularly contributes to numerous industry publications and websites. Through consultation and collaboration he has innovated digital marketing strategies for several top brands, including McKesson, HP, LinkedIn, and Microsoft.
Robert Rose
Robert Rose wants to transform marketers into storytellers. In his frequent keynote speeches and multiple must-own books, Rose chronicles the transformation of marketing and emphasizes the necessity of a narrative, of an experience the customer can grasp. Chief Strategy Advisor for the Content Marketing Institute, Rose has counseled more than 500 brands in the realm of digital media.
Angie Schottmuller
A notable inbound marketing thought leader, Angie Schottmuller currently heads up strategic planning for Three Deep Marketing. An asset for countless brands, Schottmuller utilizes her skills as a growth marketing advisor to deliver thoughtful and invigorating keynotes at prominent events around the country. Schottmuller was named one of Forbes’ top 10 online marketers. In her own words, Schottmuller “help[s] organizations catapult ROI.”
Check out Three Deep Marketing’s website, and follow Schottmuller on Twitter.
Bryan Eisenberg
A pioneer in the online marketing world, Bryan Eisenberg co-founded BuyerLegends with his brother Jeffrey to help companies optimize conversion, improve analytics, and provide a smooth customer experience. Eisenberg co-authored multiple influential marketing books, including “Call to Action” and “Always Be Testing.” He is a brilliant keynote speaker and has been a featured expert in publications like The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.
Shama Hyder
Anyone with a resume as impressive as Shama Hyder’s simply demands your attention. Forbes and Entrepreneurs of America have recently included her in their “30 Under 30,” and if that weren’t enough, she was honored at the White House as one of the top 100 young entrepreneurs nationwide. Hyder is the CEO of The Marketing Zen Group, and has been dubbed the “Zen Master of Marketing.” Hyder authored the acclaimed “The Zen of Social Media Marketing.”
Pam Moore – The Founder and CEO of Marketing Nutz, Pam Moore is a true renaissance woman. An electrifying social media and marketing speaker, Moore also trains at workshops and is a master consultant. Named one of the top 10 social media influencers by Forbes, Moore has helped budding entrepreneurs and Fortune 50 brands develop their digital, social media, and content marketing programs.
Aleyda Solís
One of the most captivating SEO consultants and speakers on the planet, Aleyda Solís helps hundreds of brands reach their full SEO potential through her company Orainti. A regular blog contributor for Search Engine Land, State of Digital, and Moz, she also authored the Spanish-language SEO book “SEO. Las Claves Esenciales.” It’s no wonder Forbes listed her as one of the 10 digital marketing specialists to follow in 2015.
John Rampton
One of the best writers of no-nonsense, actionable blogs online, John Rampton is a regularly featured writer at Mashable, Entrepreneur, and TechCrunch. Having taught himself online marketing after a debilitating accident, Rampton has hustled his way to the top of the industry, now a star speaker helping startups chase their dreams. Rampton was recently named #3 in Entrepreneur Magazine’s list of the top 50 most influential marketers.
Once you’ve been to his website, be sure to follow Rampton on Twitter and Facebook.
Gary Vaynerchuk
The CEO of VaynerMedia Gary Vaynerchuk always seems to know where customers will flock before they do. A prominent YouTube entrepreneurial vlogger, Vaynerchuk is a skilled angel investor and a seasoned venture capitalist, having invested in Snapchat, Venmo, Uber, and Facebook before they exploded. To get to know him more, listen to his podcast or check out his profile in the New York Times.
Richard Lorenzen
At 24 years old, Richard Lorenzen has already accumulated a staggeringly impressive resume. The Founder and CEO of one of New York City’s leading PR firms, Fifth Avenue Brands, Lorenzo is already hailed as one of the most important online influencers in the industry. Lorenzen is a member of the Young Entrepreneur Council, and speaks to CEOs and high school students alike to help them unlock their full entrepreneurial potential.
Juntae DeLane
As a digital branding evangelist, DeLane helps brands convert their target audience through innovative and honest digital branding. DeLane founded the Digital Branding Institute, and currently serves as the Senior Digital Brand Manager for the University of Southern California. DeLane is a prolific blogger, passionate keynote speaker, and a thoroughly entertaining and insightful podcaster.
Josh Steimle
A prominent marketing speaker, entrepreneur, and writer, Josh Steimle trains executives and entrepreneurs how to be thought leaders. Currently the CEO of MWI, Steimle writes countless sensational articles for Forbes, Time, Mashable, TechCrunch, and other publications. His book “Chief Marketing Officers at Work” was recognized as one of the 5 Best Business Books of 2016 by Success Magazine.
Murray Newlands
1.5 million followers on Twitter agree – Newlands’ appeal speaks for itself. He created his own creative marketing and PR agency at 23, and went on to found Sighted.com. Newlands often contributes to Forbes and Entrepreneur Magazine, where his inspirational writing style shines. He is the author or co-author of three books, including “Online Marketing: A User’s Manual.” A social media king, Newlands racked up 29.7 million loops on Vine in its heyday.
Matthew Barby
If you want to attract more customers and experience substantial growth, turn to the expert advice of Matthew Barby. The Global Head of Growth and SEO at HubSpot, Barby publishes some of the absolute best marketing blogs online (they have won awards, after all). When he’s not blogging or helping companies grow their revenue, Barby travels the world giving keynote speeches and lectures.
Pam Didner
One of the finest global content marketing strategists around, Pam Didner makes excellence look easy. Didner’s keynotes and presentations are always highlights at their respective conferences, and her articles in the Guardian, the Huffington Post, Content Marketing Institute, and other publications are always must-reads. Grab a copy of her book “Global Content Marketing” to learn an entire process for scaling content across regions.
Michelle Killebrew
A data-driven marketing executive, Michelle Killebrew focuses on delivering an enjoyable brand experience through every step of the process for customers. Previously holding several key strategic roles at IBM, Killebrew has expanded her global marketing resume by leading a marketing team for a multi-billion dollar investment management firm. Her digital marketing expertise has made her a popular speaker at conferences and events like TEDx.
Catch Killebrew on her website, on Facebook, and on Twitter.
Larry Kim
The Founder and Chief Technology Officer of WordStream and Mobile Monkey, Larry Kim’s PPC prowess knows no bounds. Named the most influential PPC expert three years running by the popular PPC Hero Blog, Kim speaks at dozens of search marketing industry conferences per year. He is a frequent blogger for publications like Moz, Search Engine Land, Search Engine Journal, Marketing Profs, and more. Kim authored the most shared PPC article ever.
Carla Johnson
The Chief Experience Officer at Type A Communications, Carla Johnson knows precisely how to tap into brand storytelling to inspire customer action. Johnson shares her expert tips on content marketing in her superb book “Experiences: The 7th Era of Marketing.” Johnson is an instructor at Rutgers University, the Content Marketing Institute, the ANA, and the Online Marketing Institute. She speaks frequently at marketing conferences to discuss the future of the industry.
David Szetela
An undisputed online advertising authority, David Szetela published numerous PPC articles per month on Search Engine Watch, MediaPost, Search Engine Land, and other go-to industry blogs. The Owner and CEO of FMB Media, Szetela is one of the top minds when it comes to Google Adwords. He’s published two books on Adwords and PPC: “Customers Now” and “PPC Advertising on One Hour a Day.” Szetela runs the LinkedIn group “PPC Pro People.”
Ginny Marvin
If you really want to know what’s new in the digital marketing landscape, get every Ginny Marvin article delivered straight to your inbox. A star writer and contributor at Marketing Land and and Search Engine Land, Marvin serves as Third Door Media’s paid media reporter. Whether you’re looking for best practices in paid search, display, mobile, or targeting, Marvin is your ace in the hole.
Chad Pollitt
Few professionals in any field can boast an output as steady as that of Chad Pollitt. Author of three crucial online marketing books including “The Native Advertising Manifesto,” Pollitt also finds time to contribute to dozens of industry media outlets like Huffington Post, The Guardian, and Relevance. A decorated veteran of Operation of Iraqi Freedom, Pollitt is now the VP of Audience at the Native Advertising Institute. He is an adjunct marketing professor at both Rutgers University and Indiana University.
John Jantsch
One of the most practical small business marketing experts in the game, John Jantsch is perhaps best known as the author of “Duct Tape Marketing,” a perennial small business marketing classic. Jantsch has written over 4,000 blog posts on every aspect of Marketing. A savant small business consultant and dependably actionable conference speaker, Jantsch is the complete marketing package.
Brian Carter
NBC Universal raved that Brian Carter is a “phenomenal speaker,” and Carter himself describes his marketing insight as “honest, scientific,” and “sometimes funny.” Carter is the author of multiple bestsellers, including “The Like Economy,” “Facebook Marketing,” and “The Cowbell Principle.” Carter is the CEO of The Carter Group, a digital advertising and marketing agency. You can find his articles on top marketing blogs like Convince & Convert, Mashable, and Social Media Examiner.
Jeff Bullas
Ranked as the #1 content marketing and digital marketing influencer by multiple publications, Jeff Bullas is one of the kings of social media and digital marketing. Renowned for its innumerable blog posts, Jeff Bullas’ website is a cornucopia of helpful marketing tips. Bullas recently authored his first book, “Blogging The Smart Way,” and speaks at many conferences about branding in relation to emerging technologies, content, and social media.
Bryan Kramer
Forbes dubbed Bryan Kramer the “Zen Master of Marketing” for good reason: Kramer understands why people share content online, and has instigated his own human-to-human business marketing movement. Kramer is the CEO of PureMatter, and regularly speaks to social and marketing audiences around the world about his human business movement. He is the author of the juggernaut book “There is No B2B or B2C: It’s Human to Human, #H2H.”
Tami Cannizzaro
A huge proponent of transforming digital, social, and mobile marketing to be customer-centric, Tami Cannizzaro knows how to create authentic moments and connections with customers. Cannizzaro is currently the Vice President and Head of Marketing at Oracle North America, and used to be the Vice President of Marketing at IBM. Cannizzaro speaks internationally on the role of digital technology and social media in marketing.
Travis Wright
This marketing powerhouse brands himself as an “interactive smartass” and refers to the internet as “the interwebs,” which shouldn’t be surprising – Travis Wright got his start in standup comedy before transforming into one of the most influential digital marketing strategists. Wright is the CMO of CCP.Digital, and authored the slam dunk new marketing book “Digital Sense.” Absorb his marketing wisdom at conferences or by listening to his podcast.
Dr. Pete Meyers
A doctor, you say? Dr. Pete Meyers earned his Ph.D. in cognitive psychology, and uses what he learned as a marketing scientist/wizard for Moz. Meyers has researched and built multiple tools to monitor Google, including the MozCast Project. If you want to find out everything new about Google, SEO, or any kind of search-related marketing, simply scroll through Dr. Pete’s Twitter feed.
John Hall
Forbes recognized John Hall as a “must-see” speaker because, as they astutely surmised, he’s one of the most authentic, passionate speakers in the business. Hall is the co-founder and CEO of Influence & Co., which was recently described as the #1 company dominating content marketing by Inc. Halls finds time to write weekly columns in Inc. and Forbes, as well as contribute articles to the Washington Post, Harvard Business Review, and Fast Company.
Mitch Joel
Digital marketing visionary Mitch Joel runs the Six Pixels of Separation blog, which is one of the most connected and essential digital marketing blogs that exist. The President of Mirium, Joel has authored two authoritative books, “CTRL ALT Delete” and “Six Pixels of Separation.” One of the most esteemed marketing speakers out there, Joel has shared the stage with former President of the United States Bill Clinton, Sir Richard Branson, and Anthony Robbins. Don’t miss the Six Pixels podcast, which Joel hosts.
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