The internet has made it easier than ever for entrepreneurs to get their products and services out to the masses. As a result, more and more businesses are choosing to opt-in for online marketing, commonly known as ‘digital marketing’, rather than rely solely on traditional methods of marketing.
Traditional marketing, which ranges from radio ads to billboards and magazine spreads, simply adjusted to the new reality. Radio ads became podcast sponsorships, billboards became digital banners, and magazine spreads turned into online articles and social media posts.
So, if you’re looking to take the plunge into digital marketing and aren’t sure where to start, this article is for you. Here are 10 online marketing gurus that every entrepreneur should know.
1. Jason Silva
Jason Silva is the founder of BiggerPockets.com, an investment website aimed at helping people make the most out of their real estate holdings. He also runs a mortgage lender site, Finanity.com, and an affiliate marketing training program, VerticalResponse.com.
Silva began his career as a stockbroker, working with some of the biggest names in finance. After a few years, he got bored and decided to start his own firm. Today, he teaches others how to do the same. One of his best-known quotes is “create a passion for success”.
2. Gary Vaynerchuk
Named one of the top 20 online marketers of all time by HubSpot, Gary Vaynerchuk is the founder and chairman of VaynerMedia, an “authority on content and marketing strategy” that helps businesses grow through strategic communications and marketing.
When it comes to marketing, Vaynerchuk is a digital native. He grew up in the age of YouTube, started a blog at the age of 15, and became the face of Wine Library TV, starring in marketing campaigns for brands like Heineken and Bacardi, demonstrating how to pour and eat from different wines.
Vaynerchuk has been featured in major publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Wired, teaching others how to leverage influencers and podcasts for marketing purposes. His best-known quote is “your customers are the most important thing, and you need to always keep them at the center of everything you do.”
3. Michael Hyatt
Michael Hyatt founded and heads up Hyatt’s Platform, a customer data and engagement platform that helps businesses connect with customers wherever they are. This includes connecting businesses with customers who have a shared interest in a particular product or service, as well as providing tools for marketing and engagement, such as an engagement planner and CRM.
Prior to founding Hyatt’s Platform, Hyatt served as Senior Vice President of Global Marketing at HubSpot, where he was responsible for marketing channels including Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
He co-founded and co-led the marketing group at Google, where he was previously Senior Vice President of Global Marketing. He also worked as a marketing director at Apple, where he helped develop the marketing strategy for the Apple Watch.
In addition to his work in marketing, Hyatt is also the author of five books, including the New York Times best-seller, The Simplicity of Being Yourself.
4. Robert Rose
Robert Rose is the founder of Conversion Capital, a digital marketing agency that focuses on growing businesses online. Over the years, he has worked with some of the biggest names in technology, including Hewlett Packard, Symantec, and Microsoft. He also advises Fortune 500 companies on digital marketing and social media.
Rose has been cited by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and other reputable news outlets for his expertise in digital marketing and the internet. In 2019, he was appointed a Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, one of the highest honors a Canadian can receive for achievements in the arts and letters.
5. Sean Malone
Sean Malone is the co-founder of marketing agency The Future Partnership, which provides strategic marketing services to brands and advertisers alike.
Malone previously worked with notable names in sports and entertainment, including the Toronto Raptors and the Toronto Blue Jays. In addition, he has consulted for companies like Google, Uber, and TikTok, where he helped set up advertising and marketing operations.
He frequently speaks at marketing conferences and has penned some pretty interesting books, including The Tao of Social Media and What is Digital Marketing?. One of his best-known quotes is “you can’t measure the value of something you haven’t created.”
6. Brian Caspar
Brian Caspar is the co-founder of OneSpot, a digital marketing agency that provides full-service marketing campaigns for some of the biggest names in tech, music, and entertainment.
As a digital marketer, Caspar has worked with companies including Google, HP, and Salesforce, implementing strategies and overseeing the entire marketing process, from brand development to analytics and optimisation.
Caspar is also the author of Digital Marketing for Real Estate Professionals, a real estate marketing book that was named a 2019 Top 10 eBook by the International Society of Electronic Publishing (ISEPUB).
7. Mark Tauscher
Mark Tauscher is the founder of Taurus, a marketing technology company that provides SaaS products for marketing and sales teams.
Taurus was established in 2006 and provides products to more than 30,000 customers around the world, including major brands, multi-national companies, and academic institutions.
Taurus provides marketing automation, web traffic analysis, and advanced analytics to businesses of all sizes. Many of their products are popularly used by marketers in more than 20 countries, with some customers extending their usage to as many as 40 countries.
As a certified digital marketer, Taurus is well-equipped to provide services related to digital marketing, including strategy, performance, and automation.
8. Lisa Congdon
Lisa Congdon is the co-founder and CEO of Marketing Charts, an “authority on marketing analytics and measurement” that provides decision-making tools for marketers.
As a Charts Certified Customizer, she can help companies define their target audience and gain a better understanding of how different marketing channels influence each other. She has also worked with some of the biggest names in tech and finance, including Salesforce, Thomson Reuters, and BizEaze.
Her consulting work focuses on marketing analytics, digital marketing, and customer behavior and marketing.
She is also the co-author of Marketing Analytics: An Essential Guide for Businesses and Professionals, published by Wiley and co-authored by John Thomas.
9. Bruce Carter
Bruce Carter is the founder and CEO of HubSpot, a marketing automation company that was named one of the Inc. 5000’s fastest-growing companies in 2019.
Forbes has ranked HubSpot as one of the top 20 marketing automation platforms, and the company has been named one of the top 50 companies powering the Internet of Things.
Carter is a recognized thought leader in the field of marketing automation and was among the first to combine technology with marketing. In 2020, he was appointed a member of the Order of Ontario, a “personal and professional” honor awarded to not-for-profit entrepreneurs and business leaders who have made a “significant contribution to their community.”
10. Rand Fishkin
Rand Fishkin is the co-founder and CEO of MOCCA (Marketing Optimization and Competition Consulting Association).
Founded in 2005, MOCCA provides comprehensive marketing services to businesses and organizations, including web design, SEO, content creation, social media, and more.
Fishkin is the author of everything from bestselling books to numerous magazine articles, all of which are dedicated to teaching marketers and business owners how to succeed in their chosen fields. His articles have appeared in some of the most respected publications, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times, and The Harvard Business Review.