By Mark Schaefer
This was a super-interesting year here on {grow} as new themes emerged and even a few controversies brewed.
In case you missed some of the most notable articles, I wanted to put together a list of the Top 10 Digital Marketing Articles of 2017 based on your votes (number of page views!)
Out of more than 200 posts, here’s the countdown of the ideas you loved the most:
Number 10
The 30 possible ways you can create customer value
A fine article in Harvard Business Review created an exhaustive list of customer value-creation strategies. I applied these ideas to digital marketing for a very popular post.
Number 9
The ultimate list of social media rants
This was my weirdest and funniest post of the year. Where else can you see a photo of bedhead Mark and read about my take on pubic speaking (that is not a typo!)
Number 8
10 Epic Shifts that are Re-Writing the Rules of Marketing
I’m often asked: “What is the next big thing in marketing?” This seems like a simple question, but I’m not sure I know any more. I started thinking about this and came up with 10 “big things” that will profoundly impact my career, and yours.
Number 7
Content Shock re-visited, the content marketing myths and realities
This was the fourth anniversary of a blog post I wrote that rocked the marketing world. It was time to re-evaluate and propose that Content Shock isn’t the problem, it’s the solution.
Number 6
The greatest B2B content marketing case study in history
Customers crying when they see their content in lights? What’s not to like about this charming and inspiring story about how GE delighted and amazed a group of scientists?
Number 5
Understanding Generational Social Media Practices
Long-time Contributing Columnist Brooke Sellas penned this surprising and provocative post that may challenge your views of who is on social media.
Number 4
Does corporate storytelling work? Some brands say no.
A controversial post … If content marketing works so well, why are so many big companies ending the practice? It’s a question that must be asked. And answered.
Number 3
How I make money: 18 sources of online revenue
This was definitely the most surprising post of the year. For fun I counted how many ways I make money and decided to write a post about it. I really didn’t think much about it, but the post went viral with some calling it “inspiring.” I’m glad it helped but its popularity took me by surprise.
Number 2
New Research Answers: Is Content Marketing Sustainable?
My friend Steve Rayson of BuzzSumo tested out some new capabilities to prove that as content saturation grows on a topic, social sharing declines. Important research with vital implications for content marketing strategy.
Number 1
An indispensable guide to 12 possible content marketing strategies
I was sitting at a marketing conference listening to a speaker pontificate about complicated strategies and it occurred to me that it doesn’t have to be so hard. I scribbled out a little diagram and the result was one of the most popular blog posts of all-time here on {grow}.
And the podcast!
Tom Webster and I continued to bring the thunder on The Marketing Companion podcast, which has been named to many lists of the best business shows around. If you’re new to my content, here are the top five episodes of the year … a great introduction to our quirky and essential show:
- Research provides new content marketing insights
- Smart speakers and the streamification of content
- What does digital transformation mean to your company?
- New media, new culture and how it’s confounding brands
- It’s time to put an end to lazy marketing
Thank you for reading, listening, commenting and sharing my content in 2017!
Illustration courtesy Flickr Creative Commons