What were the most popular blog posts of 2024?
This is more difficult to answer today than a few years ago because my posts are read in so many different places today. I don’t spend the time curating social media views across all the various channels (like Medium, Substack, and LinkedIn) but certainly can see when a post goes “viral.”
Here at least is an estimate of the most popular posts of 2024 based on post views.
1. How to Reimagine Universities for the AI Era
Although this post appeared just a few weeks ago, it was “boosted” by Medium and appeared on the front page of the platform’s website. There is some wild thinking here, and most people agreed with my view that colleges need a radical new start.
2. In Defense of Jaguar (I think I’m the Only One)
A post that caused a rumble, earning 17,000 views on LinkedIn. I almost didn’t comment on this car controversy, but so many people wrote to me to ask what I thought about it that I took the plunge.
This is a good example of “spiky” content. I posed a contrarian view, not to be contrarian but to expose a defensible argument.
3. The Real Reason Marketing Content is Getting Worse
The idea is that a creative dependency on technology limits people’s ability to innovate because they don’t know the craft. This hit a chord with people, resulting in hundreds of reader comments across the web.
4. The Biggest Threat to Free Speech and Democracy Isn’t Speech. It’s Amplification
There are so many arguments about protecting free speech and the limits of free speech but most people are missing the point entirely. The opportunity for vast amplification of any view was something the Founding Fathers never anticipated.
5. It’s Time to Create a Creator Guild
One of the major limits on AI progress is a lack of access to high quality content. I would happily turn over almost 20 years of content to my AI overlords for fair compensation. Wouldn’t you? Solves so many problems.
6. Ten Non-Obvious Social Media Trends
In my early days as a blogger, I commented on social media almost exclusively. I thought it would be fun to return to my roots and point to some trends that seem to be passing many people by.
7. How Blogging Changed My Life
2024 marked the 15th anniversary of my blog. I normally don’t dwell on the past but this was an opportunity to reflect on how far I’ve come as a blogger. While blogging might seem like the OG social media content, it is still as vital as ever and still growing.
8. Why AI Will Not Doom Marketing
Open AI founder Sam Altman blurted out that AI will easily and rapidly eliminate 95% of all marketing jobs. I don’t know AI, but I do know marketing and I had to point out why this is view is simply wrong.
9. How to be the Best Fake Possible
If I hear the word “authentic” one more time I think I’ll hurl. Do we really want authentic? It never crosses my mind when I watch a spectacular action movie created almost entirely by CGI. If I value spectacular in the real world, why not in the business world. Should we embrace the Era of Spectacular?
10. The Biggest Mistake Content Creators Make Today
This might seem like a click-bait headline, but it’s not. I’ve done hundreds of personal coaching calls, and 90% of the people I speak to have grotesquely sub-optimized their content because of this one mistake.
So that’s a wrap. I’ll add that my top five podcast episodes of the year were:
1. Why it was time to burn this community to the ground
2. Beyond Imposter Syndrome
3. Creating your signature story
4. What business are you in — really?
5. The inescapable role of humans in an AI world
If you’re a fan of the blog, I think you will love The Marketing Companion podcast!
Thanks for being here, and here’s to a great 2025.
Need a keynote speaker about brand communities? Mark Schaefer is the most trusted voice in marketing. Your conference guests will buzz about his insights long after your event! Mark is the author of some of the world’s bestselling marketing books, a college educator, and an advisor to many of the world’s largest brands. Contact Mark to have him bring a fun, meaningful, and memorable presentation to your company event or conference.
Follow Mark on Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram
Illustrations courtesy MidJourney
