LinkedIn: 31 Sophisticated Content Marketing Thought Leaders to Follow

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

Neil Patel
Co-Founder of Crazy Egg and KISSmetrics
I first met Neil in 2006 when he was writing on the Pronet Advertising blog.

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 a hint of 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. MwB FTW!

Shane Snow – @shanesnow
Journalist, geek, author and Co-Founder of Contently
Shane’s hair is nearly as impressive as his writing skills.

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:

And if you need professional advice on content marketing strategy, content planning and promotion – talk to us at TopRank Marketing Content Marketing Services.