My 5 Favorite Online Marketing Blogs

Ok. I’m going to date myself right here, right now. When I first started in customer service (way before online marketing existed), the instructions I was given is to always sell; and if possible, up-sell. Remember Glengarry Glen Ross? ABC – Always Be Closing. That was the gospel according to Blake played by Alec Baldwin. Now in 1984 when the Pulitzer Prize and Tony-winning play was written and even in 1992 when Alec graced the big screen with his added character in the movie adaptation, ABC was the way to sell. It was time-tested and true in its success. Remember, coffee’s for closers. And if you were good at ABC, you were most definitely a closer.

Please don’t yell at me, sir. I’m trying my best. And I really, REALLY would like some coffee.

But today, there’s online marketing. While telemarketers still exist and robo-call as many numbers as they can, the creation of the no-call lists, blocked calls, and the fantastic invention of caller ID, mean that cold calls just don’t cut it anymore. According to HubSpot’s State of Inbound 2015 report, “Salespeople’s credibility is at an all-time low.” 60% of Executives reply on word-of-mouth, friends, and social media referrals when making purchase decisions. Only 18% rely on salespeople. That’s bad news for Blake.

Well, I’m only as smart as the industry leaders I follow… But these guys are pretty darn smart.

In light of these numbers, instead of Always Be Closing, you must instead ABL or Always Be Learning. Potential customers and leads are searching for answers and solutions online through multiple online channels. The multifaceted and ever-changing scene of online marketing requires a good marketer to be aware and on top of current trends, dying strategies, and best practices. Only by doing this will they be able to reach, speak to, and convert their online audiences. Where can you find this precious knowledge? Online of course!

Without further ado, I give you my 5 favorite online marketing blogs.

1. QuickSprout

   SEO. Content marketing. Conversions. Landing pages. Copywriting. Even building your own personal brand. If there’s a question you have about online marketing, I bet you dollars to donuts Neil Patel has written a blog post, guide (beginners, advanced, or complete), cheat sheet, or video about it. His daily Quick Sprout blog and free video library (Quick Sprout University) delivers best practices, updated news on current trends and algorithms, and real-time case studies like his $100,000 Challenge. Neil responds to blog comments, too, helping his readers wade through their own issues (and I speak from experience on this).

2. KlientBoost

   The elusive and mythical world of PPC advertising is enough to drive any sane marketer a little nuts. By following the recommendations and advice of Johnathan Dane, my Google AdWords campaigns benefited from increased quality scores, first place positioning, CTRs of +12%, and decreased CPCs! While I can’t guarantee this will happen for you, I am confident that if you’re looking to maximize your PPC campaigns, KlientBoost’s blog will help you refine your ads, targeting, landing pages, optimization, and strategy.

3. Unbounce

   Landing pages are the bridges that can convert or dissuade your visitors. By understanding the psychology behind them and using A/B testing, you can craft landing pages with the potential to increase your conversion rates by double digits! The Unbounce blog, provides daily or weekly advice by online marketing experts in a multitude of categories including landing pages, A/B testing, copywriting, lead generation, and so much more.

4. HubSpot

   HubSpot’s blog is the Holy Bible of “inbound marketing”. CEO and co-founder Brian Halligan coined the phrase in 2005 after a “startlingly simple observation” that a tiny blog written by a grad student with no budget could receive “mass appeal and massive traffic”. This observation has become one of the most powerful changes in modern marketing. Their blog provides information, education, best practices, and new trends and tactics in all things inbound.

5. Hootsuite

   Hootsuite’s dashboard service was one of the first to collectively bring together all social media platforms under one login. No longer is it necessary to log in and out and in and out of yours and your clients’ accounts. With the time saved by using their platform, browse through their three blogs.

   1. Social: Social media strategy, advice, and tips you can use – baked fresh, several times a day.
   2. Innovation: Hatching the ideas and technology that will shape the future of the social web.
   3. Hootsuite Life: An owl’s -eye view of our people, products, and community.

I hope these blogs help you as much as they’ve helped and educated me. Did I miss your favorite? How do you keep on top of everything online-marketing wise? Let me know in the comments below!