5 Thought Leaders You Need to Follow on Twitter

Knowledge is power - especially when it comes to the fast-paced and ever-evolving world of digital marketing.

One of the best ways to keep up with digital marketing trends and emerging technologies is through social media, and in particular, Twitter. In fact, 88% of the world’s thought leaders are on Twitter.

But, to remain relevant and gain that all-important competitive edge, you can't just take note of any old person who claims they know the industry. No, to succeed, you need to follow the cream of the crop.

Not sure who to trust? Follow these thought leaders on Twitter, and you'll improve your digital marketing expertise in no time...

Rand Fishkin, Moz

Tell a story. Make it true. Make it compelling. And make it relevant.

As MOZ founder, digital wizard and longstanding marketer, Rand Fishkin is an expert when it comes to SEO and content marketing, especially when it comes to tech companies and emerging startup businesses. Rand sends out over 40 educational Tweets per week and boasts a 66% read rate.

Not only this but with over 370 thousand engaged followers, it's fair to say he knows a thing or two about the industry.

Area of digital strength: Rand Fishkin is a master of crafting concepts for content marketing campaigns in a clear, cohesive, and creative way. If you have a content marketing campaign you need to get off the ground, Rand’s Twitter feed is full of tips, insights, and practical advice to help you with your efforts. After all, as 78% of consumers will trust you your brand if you create more customised content, you can’t afford not to follow Fishkin.

Follow @randfish

Matt Heinz, Heinz Marketing

The real meat of the system comes in the prospect management tools.

As founder of Heinz Marketing, Matt has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to leadership in the digital world, and his broad range of interests within the field appeal to both B2B and B2C marketers looking expand their knowledge base.

If you're looking to keep up to date on the subjects of content marketing, marketing strategy, and demand generation, in particular, Matt's your man.

Area of digital strength: Often overlooked by digital marketers, demand generation is the focus of targeted promotional programs to drive awareness and wider interest in a company's products or services. This area of expertise is essential in today's digital landscape and if you're looking to drive growth and create awareness, this is the feed to follow.

Follow @HeinzMarketing

Ann Handley, best-selling author and digital pro

As content strategist Jonathon Colman, who works for Facebook, told me: “Start with empathy. Continue with utility. Improve with analysis. Optimise with love.

Prolific omni-channel content marketer, wordsmith, and best-selling author of 'Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content', Ann Handley is an oracle of digital knowledge. Almost every day, Ann wows her 20-plus thousand Twitter followers with practical tips on creating successful digital marketing campaigns, as well as hints on how to become an amazing copywriter. Ann knows what she's talking about and if you're looking to launch a content marketing campaign soon, you must follow her feed.

Area of digital strength: Content marketing leaders experience 7.8 times more site traffic than non-leaders. It's safe to say that content marketing skills are critical in today's commercial world - and if you want to brush up on your skills and enhance your career prospects, Ann's your woman.

Follow @MarketingProfs

Tabitha Naylor, Sales, social and marketing expert

Modern day marketing is defined by specific sets of activities, which fall into one of two categories:inbound marketing or outbound marketing.

A freelance sales and marketing expert with a flawless track record, Tabitha Naylor knows a thing or two about the art of digital.

Having worked with some of the biggest names in American eCommerce, plus a variety of medium sized startup businesses, Tabitha specialises in the design, user experience, and social media. Her feed is as eclectic as her portfolio and if you want to learn more about UX, design, inbound marketing, and building solid social media campaigns, joining her 58 thousand Twitter followers is a must.

Area of digital strength: 71% of consumers who have had a good social media service experience with a brand are likely to recommend it to others. That's huge. Social media is a pivotal part of any digital marketing strategy, and with Tabitha's expertise, you'll gain the abilities to provide a top notch social media experience, share engaging content, and improve your brand awareness ten-fold.

Follow @tabithanaylor

Duane Forrester, Bing Webmaster Tools

On a broad scale, I see SEO becoming a normalised marketing tactic, the same way TV, radio, and print are traditionally thought of as marketing tactics.

Now, as a search engine, Bing may often get eclipsed by Google, but it's an incredibly important resource for a business, nonetheless - one in five people use Bing search to find informative answers to their questions, after all.

Duane is the author of the best-selling book 'How To Make Money With Your Blog & Turn Clicks Into Customers'; he's also the force behind Bing Webmaster Tools. A thought leader in many digital disciplines, Duane offers his 17 thousand Twitter followers bundles of practical tips to enhance their marketing skills, plus his friendly tone of voice makes for a pleasant reading experience. One of Twitter's best digital marketing resources.

Area of digital strength: The ability to turn potential prospects into conversions is a digital marketer's bottom line. Did you know, The presence of bad reviews improves conversions by 67%? It's quite surprising isn't it, and certainly worth knowing. If you want to discover similar insights that will help you gain a competitive edge, this following this Twitter feed is a must.

Follow @DuaneForrester

Follow these industry thought leaders on Twitter and you’re guaranteed to stay one step ahead of the game while making those social media procrastination sessions all the more valuable.

Keeping your finger on the pulse is essential if you work in digital marketing - and these guys will steer you in the right direction.

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