Join with Trent: LinkedIn: 31 Sophisticated Content Marketing Thought Leaders to Follow

31 Sophisticated Content Marketers - LinkedIn

The team at LinkedIn Marketing Solutions (client) recently published a fantastic resource for content marketing called The Sophisticated Marketers Guide to Content Marketing for 2016.

At Content Marketing World 2014, LinkedIn’s Jonathan Lister proclaimed that LinkedIn was “All in with content marketing”. While that reference was mostly about the ability for users to publish content on LinkedIn, the content marketing efforts from the team at LinkedIn over the past 2 years has been nothing short of impressive.

This most recent eBook is a great example of depth, design, and utility that also serves as a case study for “big rock” content. Along with smart advice from marketing rock stars Jason Miller and his team (Sean, Alex, and Megan pictured on the cover below), industry thought leaders and influencers are included as well. Bringing in outside expertise to co-create content adds credibility, subject matter expertise and balance to what would otherwise be “brand content” – a smart move.

As a great source of information about content marketing (108 pages) you’ll find: how to develop a content marketing strategy, mapping the buyer’s journey, visual content, influencers, ROI and going global with content – 16 chapters in all. This new eBook for 2016 also includes a great list of content marketing industry experts you can connect with to learn even more.

While my team helped with the content in the ebook and I contributed myself, I first learned of the list after downloading it. There are many familiar content marketing faces included and a few that are new to me. To be counted among them is an honor and I am happy to share the full list below including my snarky bios for each.

31 Sophisticated Content Marketing Thought Leaders to Follow

Ann Handley – @annhandley

Chief Content Officer of MarketingProfs, Author

Ann is smart, funny and on vacation! And one of my all time favorite people.

Joe Pullizi – @JoePulizzi

Founder at Content Marketing Institute, Author

Joe is all about orange. And content marketing.

Michael Brenner – @BrennerMichael

CEO, Marketing Insider Group and Author

Family man Michael is way too good looking to be in marketing.

Doug Karr – @douglaskarr

Marketing Technology Entrepreneur, Consultant, Author

Doug walks the social media and content talk. Literally, on his podcast.

Andy Crestodina – @crestodina

Co-Founder / Strategic Director of Orbit Media Studios, Author

Andy is a unicorn of marketers that is equally social and nerdy smart.

Ardath Albee – @ardath421

B2B Marketing Strategist, Author

I tell my team to read everything Ardath writes. Everything.

Lee Odden – @leeodden

CEO at TopRank Marketing, Author

Accidental content marketer and beard enthusiast.

Barry Feldman – @FeldmanCreative

Content Marketing Consultant, Copywriter, Blogger & Podcaster

Barry has mad creative content skillz.

Doug Kessler – @dougkessler

Creative Director, Co-Founder, Velocity Partners Ltd

In this photo, Doug is the Banksy of B2B content marketing.

Heidi Cohen – @heidicohen

Chief Content Officer at Actionable Marketing Guide

Heidi is an actionable content producing machine.

Michael Stricker – @RadioMS

Lead Consultant at MSDesign

I have not met Michael, but he seems like a content marketing James Bond.

Pam Didner – @PamDidner

Global Content Marketing Strategist, Author, Adjunct Instructor

I once saw Pam speak where she thanked the A/V staff by name. Details, people!

Pawan Deshpande – @TweetsFromPawan

CEO of Curata

Pawan is pure SaaS company entrepreneur.

Robert Rose – @Robert_Rose

Content Marketing Strategist, Author

Robert is a multi-talented marketer, speaker and has a mean resting bitch face.

Jon Miller – @jonmiller

CEO and Co-Founder at Engagio

Rocket scientist? Meh, Jon is a serial entrepreneur: Epiphany, Marketo and now Engagio.

Alex Cheeseman – @mralexcheeseman

Head of International Strategy at NewsCred

I don’t know Alex, but he’s sporting an amazing beard. MwB FTW!

Todd Wheatland – @ToddWheatland

Global Head of Strategy at King Content

Todd, what happened to the top of your head, mate? Congrats Mr. Money.

Ekaterina Walter – @Ekaterina

Global Evangelist at Sprinklr, Author

One letter: E.

C.C. Chapman – @cc_chapman

Marketing Consultant, Author, Photographer

C.C. was on the front line when all the fun started – thank you Sir!

Brian Clark – @brianclark

Founder and CEO of Rainmaker Digital

Brian is a recovering attorney and digital media empire builder

Neal Patel – @neilpatel

Head of Human/Social Dynamics at Google

No not THAT Neil Patel, but the one who solves equations for his LI bio photo.

Chris Brogan – @chrisbrogan

CEO at Owner Media Group, Author

Chris is a pioneer of the social web, all around entrepreneur and helper of people.

Sonia Simone – @soniasimone

Founding Partner and Chief Content Officer Copyblogger Media

Sonia is a rocket science smart marketer with cool hair.

Darren Rowse – @problogger

Blogger, Speaker, Author, Podcaster and Online Entrepreneur

Darren is “the” professional blogger with no hair and an awesome accent.

Jonny Rose – @98rosjon

Head of Content at idio

What Jonny lacks in head hair, he makes up for in beard and marketing skills.

Shane Snow – @shanesnow

Journalist, geek, author and Co-Founder of Contently

Shane sports the most impressive ginger ‘fro I’ve ever seen.

Maria Pergolino – @InboundMarketer

Senior Vice President, Marketing at Apttus

Maria was “inbound” before Halligan and Shah knew what it was. Almost.

Kristi Hines – @kikolani

Freelance writer

Kristi writes the marketing web with style.

Matt Heinz – @HeinzMarketing

President at Heinz Marketing

Don’t let the boyish smile fool you, Matt has killer content capabilities.

Justin Gray – @Jgraymatter

CEO at LeadMD, CMO at PaidSuite and Partner at Greyson Organics

Justin is one of the few marketers on the list I don’t know and it looks like he does everything.

Chad Pollitt – @ChadPollitt

Co-Founder, VP of Audience at Relevance, Author, Adjunct Professor

What else is there to say but that Chad is an active member of the semi-secret society, Marketers with Beards.

Congratulations to this fine group of content marketers for being named by LinkedIn as “Sophisticated Content Marketing Thought Leaders to Follow”.

Of course this list could be 100+ by adding content marketing smarties like: Rebecca Lieb, Mark Schaefer, Carla Johnson, Jay Baer, Amanda Maksymiw, Carlos Abler, Amy Higgins, Tim Washer, Jeannine Rossignol, Ruth Stevens, Carlos Hidalgo, Albert Jan Huisman, Ahava Leibtag, David Beebe, Amanda Todorovich, Rand Fishkin, Marcus Sheridan, Arnie Kuenn, Scott Abel, Chris Moody, Adele Revella, Jesse Noyes, Julie Fleischer, Joe Chernov, Jeff Rohrs and Stephanie Losee to name just a few.

Which additional content marketers would you add to the list?

Be sure to check out the full 108 page ebook, Sophisticated Marketer’s Guide to Content Marketing for 2016 here:

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