When I started blogging in 2007, I looked to other established bloggers for guidance. I studied post after post and began to put together my own structure and workflow.
And it worked!
Years later my content gets tremendous traffic and reach.
So for bloggers starting out today, who should you follow and read? Certainly some of the folks I learned from back in the day have moved on.
These bloggers that I’m recommending below are here not just because they craft helpful and articulate articles about blogging. They’re also listed because they’re at the forefront of the industry.
Let’s be honest. Articles that I wrote 10 years ago are going to struggle to be relevant today. Every industry changes and evolves and grows.
How, where and even why we blog continues to ebb and flow with the marketing and technology tides.
So I’m specifically looking at bloggers who current and fresh. They don’t have to be publishing daily, but it’s clear that they’re keeping abreast of content marketing maturation. These aren’t ranked in any way (other than alpha by first name), nor have I used any algorithm or justification for including them other than my own sense of their brilliance (so if you want to recommend someone else to follow in the comments below, feel free).
I did use Buzzsumo to help identify some of the best-performing content from their archive and have included those articles with each blogger.
Follow them. Trust them. They can help you learn more about blogging, social media, email marketing, writing, shooting video, building an audience, and just overall making your blog amazing.
01. Adam Connell
Adam Connell has been creating excellent tutorials on blogging, email marketing and more for years. He’s a tremendous resource for any marketer.
MANDATORY READING: “The 5 Pillars Of Rapid Email List Growth” – While I do encourage businesses and bloggers to at least give their readers a place to sign up to “receive updates” – that’s really a poor way to grow an email list. In this article, Adam breaks down some more advanced methods and tactics to really ramp up the growth of your subscriber list.
“The idea is that you identify a problem your audience is facing, and put together some sort of free download to help them out.” – Adam Connell
02. Amy Lynn Andrews
Amy Lynn Andrews is an invaluable resource when it comes to the mechanics and monetization of blogging. She’ll help you wade through affiliate marketing while at the same time showing you wish tools you absolutely have to have in your blogging toolbox.
MANDATORY READING: “10 Tax Tips For Bloggers” – In this timely article, Amy walks through not just ten tips, but ten lessons she herself has learned over the years. There’s nothing better than learning from other people’s experiences, so take notes!
“My recommendation is, as you walk through to pay your taxes this year, take notes! Note categories, expenses, income sources, etc. Use those notes to get organized for the years ahead.” – Amy Lynn Andrews
03. Andy Crestodina
I teach students at the University of Missouri St. Louis (UMSL) how I approach blogging and one of the examples I regularly hold up is Andy Crestodina. Not only is Andy a brilliant writer and amazing at communicating analytics, his annual survey on blogging trends is a perfect case study on the importance and value of creating long-form content and original research.
MANDATORY READING: “Blogging Statistics and Trends: The 2018 Survey of 1000+ Bloggers” – This annual survey breaks down how over a thousand bloggers from around the world are currently approaching blogging and how they’re finding success. There’s no better guidepost to consider as we look toward the next month, quarter and year for our own blogs.
“The world is not waiting for another medium-quality blog post.” – Andy Crestondina
04. Ann Handley
When it comes to pure, unadulterated advice on writing, Ann Handley is da bomb. Just read one of her fortnightly newsletters and you’ll see what I mean. She has a Dickens-like knack for being able to describe the most subtle points in the grandest of detail, all the while teaching you how to do the same.
Ann is the Chief Content Officer at MarketingProfs – another blog and resource you should check out – as well as maintainer-of-the-things at AnnHandley.com.
MANDATORY READING: “Why Marketers Are Embracing Long-Form Storytelling” – Ann shares example after example of how big brands – not just long-winded bloggers like me – are creating long-form content and #winning. Check out those examples, and give yourself time to explore the nuanced points Ann makes and underlines with links to more reading. Learn what she means when she says, “As Slow As Possible” because that has nothing to do with my cousin eating Dim Sum.
“Slow content marketing is slowly conceived, well-executed, substantive work that tells a memorable story. It sustains both marketers and our audiences long-term. It doesn’t just stuff our bellies with pounds of fluff.” – Ann Handley
05. Christopher Penn
Christopher Penn never fails to impress when it comes to his understanding of data and extremely technical aspects of marketing like AI or conversion tracking. His insights and presentations are remarkable.
MANDATORY READING: “What’s the difference between social media and new media?” – In his typical style, Christopher breaks down the differences between different media that have developed over the years, helping to sort through the jargon and marketing-speak so that everyone can operate on the same page.
“New media offers a democratized way for reaching people at scale.” – Christopher Penn
06. Darren Rowse
Darren Rowse parlayed his experience blogging about photography into a tremendously successful business helping other bloggers. He’s now read around the world and speaks at premiere conferences. Darren’s blog is a treasure-trove of blogging information!
MANDATORY READING: “Four Realities of Blogging Every Blogger Should Know About” – Many new bloggers come into the business with their eye on the benefits blogging can bring: working from home, traveling, determining your own income, doing work that you love – and all of those things may be true, but that’s all there is to blogging. There are cons to the career as well, and Darren shares some from his own experience.
“Push yourself to make a start. Once you push through that initial resistance, you’ll feel a sense of creative energy and your ideas will start to flow.” – Darren Rowse
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07. Donna Moritz
Donna Moritz is a brilliant marketer and writer who has spent years helping others from posts and the podium to raise their game when it comes to social media.
MANDATORY READING: “9 Magic Social Media Marketing Tools To Transform Your Business” – In typical Donna fashion, she not only shares some terrific tools to help us improve our social media marketing, but she does so based on her own extensive experience, making the recommendations that much more relevant and insightful.
“What’s my criteria for “magic” social media marketing tools? It’s that they have some feature or result that literally transforms your business, either through content creation and sharing, productivity, results, engagement, growth.” – Donna Moritz
08. Dustin W. Stout
Dustin W. Stout has been a personal friend and colleague for more than 6 years, and throughout that time I’ve known no one else with as good an eye for design or UI. So when Dustin writes about social media imagery and design best practices, I listen.
MANDATORY READING: “The Ultimate Social Media Image Sizes + Templates” – Dustin easily demonstrates his expertise in this article, both with his understanding of graphics and design, and his ability to apply that to good social media activity, in an helpful and easy to follow way.
“Don’t waste time creating images for every possible social network size.” – Dustin W. Stout
09. Heidi Cohen
Heidi Cohen is one of my favorite fellow blogging-educators. And, like me, she also writes about and teaches social media marketing. She’s a dear friend and mentor that you’re sure to learn from.
MANDATORY READING: “Viral By Design: 3 Social Media Secrets” – Every CMO and social media manager in the world dreads the moment when their boss turns to them and asks, “How do we make this go viral?” As though there are a couple of levers to pull to make it work. Well, with Heidi’s post, you might just have a lever to pull.
“Understand that not every post is going to be a viral social media success. Luck and timing DO influence your social media results.” – Heidi Cohen
10. Jeff Bullas
At the top of virtually every Who’s Who list in marketing you’ll find Jeff Bullas, and for good reason. He’s a prolific writer who has been helping businesses and bloggers around the world understand social media and content marketing for years.
MANDATORY READING: “10 Content Marketing Mistakes That The Amateurs Make” – One of the greatest lessons you can take for someone more experienced than you is what not to do, and this is an excellent resource for you.
“One way of thinking about great content marketing is that you are building an audience before you need them. Content builds credibility, trust and followers over time.” – Jeff Bullas
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11. Jenn Herman
Jenn Herman is one of my closest friends and colleagues, and rightly so. Following my best practice of only surrounding myself with amazing people, Jenn fits right in. She’s a brilliant strategist and Instagram marketer who also cuts through the noise with a no-BS approach to, well, everything.
MANDATORY READING: “How Bloggers Can Use Instagram” – You’re no doubt familiar with the fact that Instagram is a 100% visual social network that only affords you the option of including 1 link – in your Bio, no less – making it extremely challenging to drive traffic to specific pieces of content. Jenn helps us to not only grasp how that can work, and work effectively, but also how to think about our overall Instagram strategy.
“Instagram posts allow you to showcase your brand to a bigger audience and develop your brand beyond your traditional audience.” – Jenn Herman
12. Mark Schaefer
Mark Schaefer is the quintessential thought leader in content marketing. He spends countless hours observing and considering how both marketers and businesses are using the mediums we’re afforded, and then postulating what’s to come.
MANDATORY READING: “10 Ideas Driving The Future Of Social Media Marketing” – Mark speaks every year at Social Media Marketing World because he constantly delivers well reasoned arguments and positions that can inform our future ideas and endeavors. This piece is his presentation from SMMW18.
“To win, you must build a competency in not just content, but content ignition. The economic value of content that is not seen and shared is zero. We need to gear our teams to creating content that moves.” – Mark Schaefer
13. Melyssa Griffin
Folks, Melyssa Griffin is legit. She went from teaching English to non-English speakers in Japan to running her own million dollar business helping others learn how to monetize their blogs. If you’re serious about turning your blogging passion into a profit, you’ve got to tune into Melyssa.
MANDATORY READING: “How To Earn Money As A Blogger” – Melyssa offers not only terrific ideas and resources, but she also shares some essential advice when it comes to trying to get an actual income going from a blog.
“With hard work and some research, I knew that blogging was a gateway and tool to reach many other things. One of those things simply being, income.” – Melyssa Griffin
14. Pat Flynn
There are many words one can use to describe Pat Flynn, but the one I think best serves is “Teacher.” Whether through his articles or his podcast or his speaking engagements, whether it’s with anonymous readers or personal friends, Pat is constantly helping and guiding and teaching others how to be amazing.
MANDATORY READING: “How to Grow Your Blog Audience By Building Relationships with Other Bloggers” – THIS is the article I wish I would have had and read when I first started blogging in 2007. It would have saved me years of missed opportunities.
“You must be actively building real relationships with other bloggers and entrepreneurs—online and off. In my opinion, there is no better way to grow your blog and business and create real life-changing opportunities for yourself. “ – Pat Flynn
15. Peg Fitzpatrick
Peg Fitzpatrick is one of those amazing bloggers and wonderful humans who took me under her wing years ago and has never failed to provide me with unswerving advice and direction. And she continues to deliver tremendous information to brands and bloggers alike through her articles and presentations.
MANDATORY READING: “Master New Skills: Social Media Power Tips to Be More Successful” – This article is packed with brilliant nuggets from both Peg and Guy Kawasaki, covering the different networks, tools, and an overall approach to social media marketing.
“If you’re ready to shine online, consider becoming a multi-faceted jewel. I think you’ll find that it helps you connect with the right kind of people and build an honest, transparent brand online.” – Peg Fitzpatrick
16. Rebekah Radice
Rebekah Radice consistently brings her brilliant insight and tremendous experience to bear in her articles and presentations. Whether she’s talking to bloggers or big brands, she delivers sound social strategy and tantalizing tactics that help businesses succeed.
MANDATORY READING: “10 Social Media Strategy Ideas that Generate Real Results” – This is perfect example of how Rebekah is able to easily navigate all of the social networks, tools and techniques to help us see what really works and what doesn’t.
“Research should be the backbone of any social media strategy. If you haven’t looked into your analytics, now is the time.” – Rebekah Radice
17. Regina Anaejionu
Regina Anaejionu is a must-follow for anyone who wants to get serious about their blog in the coming year. She concisely provides detailed resources that cover every aspect of building and blog and an online business.
MANDATORY READING: “How To Write A Blog Business Plan (the guide for champions)” – Blogging really is a business, and in this article Regina breaks down precisely how any blogger – new or old – can and should create a plan for their blog. In fact, she rightly recommends that once you’ve created your plan, you re-read it regularly to keep it top of mind! What a brilliant way to stay on track.
“Operating a blog and a business without a roadmap can hurt your growth potential or cause your reach to grow more slowly than it could have.” – Regina Anaejionu
18. Ryan Biddulph
When you think about the prototypical blogger – a guy and his laptop on the beach – you’re essentially visualizing Ryan Biddulph. He’s living the dream as he publishes and travels abroad, hence the name of his site: Blogging From Paradise.
MANDATORY READING: “11 Profitable Secrets for Confused Bloggers” – In his usual style, Ryan shares his own experiences – both in life and in blogging – and melds them together into actionable advice.
“The profitable secret: promoting others promotes you. Other bloggers become your buddies. Buddies promote you and hire you and buy your stuff.” – Ryan Biddulph
19. Stephanie Liu
Have I saved the best for last? Perhaps. Stephanie Liu is the best presenter I’ve ever met, and she’s translating that more and more into her blog. Watch for incredible content from her throughout 2019, specifically about how to leverage live video to build and broaden your brand.
MANDATORY READING: “Facebook F8 2018: What Marketers Need To Know” – In this timely piece, Stephanie breaks down all of the news and announcements out of Facebook during their developers conference, including how they’re reacting to the scandals that rocked the network earlier in the year. Not only is this a must-read for marketers in the coming months, it’s a great illustration of her approach to helping businesses & social media agencies.
“Facebook Live is one of the best ways to keep your brand top of mind and tip of tongue. ” – Stephanie Liu
All of these wonderful people are tremendously talented and brilliant, but they’re also terrific human beings and remarkably approachable. Most of them will be attending events like Social Media Marketing World or the Midwest Digital Marketing Conference, so I highly encourage you to attend one or both of those events if you can and meet & learn from these bloggers in person. (I’ll be there too! I’m leading a Blogging session and Content Marketing Workshop at MDMC.)
Follow them all at once with this Twitter List: Blogs To Follow In 2019
Let me know what you think! Were you already familiar with most or all of these bloggers? Hopefully at least one or two were new to you so you’ve got some new resources to dive into.
Who else do you think should be on this list? No Who’s Who list is perfect or complete. There are no doubt folks I’ve forgotten (sorry!) or who I just didn’t know, so please leave a comment with who you’d like to see added in the future.
If you’re thinking about starting a new blog of your own, this is your first step:
Take Your Blogging To The Next Level