How are you going to stay on top?
More has happened in the last 12 months than anyone we could have predicted, and the next year sounds like it’s going to move just as fast.
There are a lot of challenges to a executing a successful content marketing strategy. So, I put together a collection of the best resources for you to reference on each aspect of creating a world class content campaign.
Here are the top 7 content marketing blogs to read in 2014 to get more customers and boost your sales online.
On Blogging
This blog is written by Jon Morrow, former chief editor of Copy Blogger.
If you haven’t read Jon’s posts, you’re missing out.
He’s one of my favourite bloggers – funny, accurate and always keeps you wanting more. While Jon covers a range of topics, his golden egg is blogging. He also has a good roster of guest bloggers, who constantly add fresh content to an already rockin’ blog.
My 3 Favourites…
On Executing World Class Marketing Strategies
This blog is written by serial entrepreneur and online marketer, Neil Patel.
Neil’s blog is the golden standard I would love to measure up to. His posts are based on marketing tests, are highly researched and while they go into depth to show you exactly how to do everything, they’re always relevant and concise.
His blog is one of the few that I would pay to read.
My Top Picks…
On Getting People To Notice You. And Buy From You.
This blog is written by psychology and marketing professional, Derek Halpern.
Derek’s blog always brings something new to the table. He focuses on the intersection between psychology and marketing, bringing the best of both together to showcase how you can get customers to notice you. And pay more for what you’re selling.
He also touches on customer service, productivity and the social web.
Plus, Derek does a video with every post. Perfect for those days you just want to sit back, relax and enjoy.
Check Out…
On Writing Emails Your Customers Love
This blog is written by Vero’s co-founder, Chris Hexton.
Chris writes indepth how to posts on everything you need to know (and more) to send successful email campaigns. It’s original, well researched and filled with diagrams to speed up the learning process.
He’s also a popular guest blogger – you may have read his thoughts on KISSmetrics, Unbounce or moz – and his blog on vero is a great additional resource for upping the anti to your email campaigns.
Top 3 Picks…
On Generating Sticky Ideas
Okay, this isn’t a blog.
But all content marketing starts with great ideas. And Portent’s Idea Generator gives you great ideas in any industry. Just plug in a few keywords and I promise, you’ll never run out of ideas again.
I’ve used it to come up with titles for some of my favourite posts on Spokal, including:
Enjoy!
On Everything About The Social Web
This blog is written by the popular social media blogger, Jeff Bullas.
If I could only read one blog to cover the entire social web, it would be Jeff’s.
He writes about almost everything you can think of with respect to social media and business. The variety is welcome – without being too sparse – and his posts are shorter than others on this list, making Jeff’s blog perfect for when you need some quick advice.
Check Out…
On Making Your Customers Happy…
This blog is written by the infamous Blog Tyrant, now known as Ramsay Taplin.
Ramsay’s blog is awesome.
He writes about almost everything you could think about when it comes to making your customers happy, whether that’s through better blogging, marketing, emailing or customer service. I always learn something from him.
Plus, his ideas are original, which is hard to find, even among the best marketing blogs.
The Best Ones…
On The Nuts + Bolts Of Online Marketing
This blog is written by some of the top online marketing experts.
I had to include it because I love it, and it should definitely be on your list of top content marketing blogs to read in 2014.
KISSmetrics is the perfect place to learn about the tactics of executing online marketing campaigns. Most successful content campaigns are paired with other marketing strategies, and this blog does a good job of combining them. Similar to Quick Sprout, there’s a healthy amount of first-hand tests, research and images to show you exactly how to do what you need to do to get ahead.
Couldn’t say enough good things about this one!
My Top Picks…
Final Thoughts: Top Content Marketing Blogs To Read In 2014
I use feedly to catch up on all of the blogs I follow in one place.
But I don’t read them every day – or even every week. The biggest misconception many of us feel is that we should read the blogs we follow on a regular basis.
I was giving a content marketing talk last year and someone told me they spend over 2 hours a day “staying caught up.”
That’s ridiculous.
Focus your efforts on your customers, and use learning tools – like blogs, videos, webinars – when you need to learn something to provide even better products and services to your customers.
That’s why I to take a different approach.
I know the blogs I read when I want to brush up on certain areas. So, when I need help or want to check out the latest trends, I know who I trust and where to go. Sure, I don’t read them all the time, but they’re there when I need them. And that’s what I think the best business blogs should be.
So, what’s your strategy for staying caught up on content marketing trends in 2014?