Thought Leader Highlights: Content Marketing

In every industry there are people of high importance, great relevance and or big controversy. These are the ones who make a scene and an impact and are commonly known as Thought Leaders. Yet, at times it can be easy to overlook the need for them. But, we do need them to keep the world moving, pressing on towards a better tomorrow. And that is why we are going to be taking a look at two thought leaders today that are really making a difference in the world of content marketing.

First up is Shane Snow. Snow is the co-founder of a company called Contently, an award winning journalist, entrepreneur, and an acclaimed author of three books all aiming to up the marketing game of companies and individuals. As Relevance.com says, he is known for being an advocate of authenticity and storytelling in content marketing.

Image from nativeadvertisinginstitue.com

When he started Contently back in 2010 his mission was to build a better media world and by sharing his ideas in some of the top sources in the world and making content marketing available to your every day business owner, we'd say he's done just that and more!

Nativeadvertisinginstitue.com says that, "Shane’s writing has appeared in Fast Company, Wired, The New Yorker, and dozens more top publications. He’s been called a “Wunderkind” by The New York Times, a “Digital Maverick” by Details, and his work “Insanely addicting” by GQ."

Shane speaks around the world at different conventions and company retreats about the importance of innovation, teamwork, and story telling. He teaches companies how to transition to a better way on online marketing and highlights the connections that today's generation clings to in advertising to optimize engagement and sales.

Yet, this well rounded individuals qualifications don't stop there. Shane is also a board member of a non-profit for investigative journalism called The Hatch Institute. Their website states, "the Hatch Institute provides a forum for the next generation of public-service journalists and mentors those new to investigative work. Our goal is clear: empower independent reporters by giving them the financial resources and guidance required to tell great stories, hold the powerful to account and uncover uncomfortable truths." and that they believe, "at a time when the traditional news business continues to struggle financially — and investigative units in particular face severely depleted funding — we believe that investment in truly independent journalism is one of the most powerful ways we can serve the common good."

If you are interested in learning more about Shane Snow you can follow him on Twitter or LinkedIn!

Next up in our content marketing thought leader highlight is Melanie Deziel a once New York Times journalist that now spends her time traveling around to give keynote address explaining how content doesn't have to be boring.

Image from storyfuel.co

Melanie has created her own consulting company called Story Fuel Co. Through this platform she encourages advertisers to think like journalist and tell better stories!

As her personal site says, "She is a member of the National Speakers Association, and has graced the stages of industry-leading events like Content Marketing World, Native Ad Days, Social Media Marketing World, SXSW, and more."

Throughout her journey in the world of media, Melanie has won some of the most prestigious awards in the industry including Best Native Advertising Execustion OMMA Award in both 2014 and 2015. To further her credibility, Melanie also served on the board of the Native Advertising Institute.

Currently, Melanie teaches at Fairleigh Dickinson University as an adjunct professor. A job she obtained after developing the Content Marketing Course in their Digital Marketing program.

If you are interested in learning more about Melanie and the ways she is better the marketing industry you can follow here on Twitter or LinkedIn.

As we wrap up this post, we want to encourage you to take your own steps toward becoming a thought leader. What interest you? What are you good at? What do you have to offer the world and better your work place? It is important to contribute to all the noise around you and speak up when you see an issue in a process that could easily be fixed. You never know, maybe you will become the next Shane Snow or Melanie Deziel!