Every year I chronicle the top 10 posts for the year based on your page views — the ultimate feedback! I have now had more than 13 million pages viewed on my blog and I thank you so much for your kind patronage!
As I look at what you regarded as my best work of the year, I tend to agree with you. I don’t always agree with these lists, but this year I think you nailed it. Good job readers!
Here are my best blog posts of 2019 with a little personal commentary.
Number 10
How to use Content Shock to win in business — This was among the first posts of 2019, an article to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the original Content Shock post (my most popular post ever). This is a practical view of content marketing that most people completely miss!The most powerful content marketing strategy is to create Content Shock!
Number 9
A Manifesto for Human-Centered Marketing — OK, this one was a little bit of a surprise for the list of best blog posts of 2019 because it’s among the shortest posts I’ve ever written — about 100 words! But it contained a cool infographic depicting some key takeaways from my new book Marketing Rebellion: The Most Human Company Wins
Number 8
Social media shakeout: Why the future of social media is hazy — A useful and honest post. I literally can’t foresee the future of social media right now and this post explains why. Just so many trends all coming together at the same time! I doubt we’ll have much more clarity in 2020.
Number 7
The future of branding your product is personal branding — This is another key idea drawn from the Marketing Rebellion book. It’s an important one, too. Great branding is about building an emotional connection with your customers. But it’s a lot easier connecting with a human than a piece of branded content and that points to a different marketing future.
Increasingly consumers want to know what’s going on behind the scenes at your brand. What’s going on and what you stand for. Maybe it’s time to show them.
Number 6, 5 and 4
I wanted to group these three posts together because there is an important blogging lesson here!
Three of the top 10 posts of the year were based on my commentary of controversial current events — Fyre Festival, and two provocative ads from Gillette and Peloton.
This is not surprising. We know through research that people love to share posts that explain current events — topics that are ripped from the headlines. I am usually among the first to provide commentary on marketing controversies because my mind starts to spin with ideas like the pedals of a Peloton machine!
All provide a strong business case for writing honest, timely posts:
- Is it time to regulate social media influencers?
- Is this the best a man can get?
- So what about that Peloton ad?
Number 3
What is the true business value of social media engagement? — I am so glad you liked this post and that it made the list of best blog posts of 2019 because I put a TON of work into this comprehensive piece of research.
It’s also an extremely relevant lesson and reference piece. Social media engagement is the Holy Grail of most social media marketing programs, but ironically, the true business value is almost non-existent. What sort of impact did this post have? If I had to guess, I’d say almost none. Most people just keep doing what they have been always doing, unfortunately! But … this had to be said and it did spark a conversation.
Number 2
Woke washing: How purpose-driven marketing is being hijacked — I don’t often rant in a blog post but on this one, I pontificated on a real concern.
Marketers tend to flock to whatever is new until they ruin it. The latest hop-on trend is “purpose.” Creating a marketing program based on “purpose” is trendy, but extremely difficult. The number of companies doing it poorly just to jump on a trend will further soil the reputation of our profession.
Said another way, no, your company DOES NOT have to take a political stand!
Number 1
Why I must politely disagree with Seth Godin — Maybe people loved this post because they were curious. Maybe they wanted to see if Seth responded (he did). But I’m proud of this post because it demonstrated that we can take a stand against leaders in our field and live to tell about it. We must do this to learn and grow.
Bonuses: Beyond the best blog posts of 2019
I wrote more than 100 posts this year so a lot of my favorites did not make top cut of best blog posts of 2019. Here are a few of my personal favorites that you might have missed:
- Audience or authenticity? How building an audience strains your soul. I just like the big idea behind this piece. Growing an audience changes you.
- The business case for belonging — This was a big topic in the Marketing Rebellion book. The more I think about it, the bigger it gets. I think this is going to be a future megatrend.
- The content arms race began February 01, 2013 — A perspective of how Content Shock is changing things in every media channel!
- So much social media community. So alone. — This made me very upset.
- How I am evolving into who I need to be — This post set the record for most emails sent to me by readers. It struck an emotional chord!
- Are you a human being or a grape lollipop? — In a serious world, this was a funny little post and I had fun writing it!
In 2019 I introduced Brooke Sellas of BSquared Media as my new co-host of The Marketing Companion and what a joy she has been to work with! Our most popular podcast episode of the year: What are the most in-demand marketing skills?
I love highlighting amazing people through guest posts and the most popular guest post of the year was: Why content creators need to ditch the ad revenue model by Mars Dorian. I’m so proud of Mars. He has been writing for this site since 2012 and he never fails to deliver unique insights in an entertaining way!
Thank you SO MUCH for your love and support of this blog through the years! I never take you for granted!
Mark Schaefer is the chief blogger for this site, executive director of Schaefer Marketing Solutions, and the author of several best-selling digital marketing books. He is an acclaimed keynote speaker, college educator, and business consultant. The Marketing Companion podcast is among the top business podcasts in the world. Contact Mark to have him speak to your company event or conference soon.
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