Top 10 Digital Marketing Influencers you should know about

Avinash Kaushik

About: Avinash Kaushik is the co-Founder of Market Motive Inc. and the Digital Marketing Evangelist for Google and helping a host of other companies to reinvent their analytics game.
His style of looking at analytics with a philosophical angle makes for an interesting read and helps digital marketing experts worldwide to get more out of analytics with customer centricity in mind.
Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/avinash; 
Tools/Websites: Occam's Razor, Google, Market Motive
Specialization: Web Analytics
Best known for: His bestselling books namely Web Analytics 2.0 and Web Analytics: an hour a day
Quote: “Never let your campaigns write checks that your website can’t cash”

Brian Dean

About: Brian Dean is an internationally recognized SEO expert and founder of Backlinko. His SEO training is one of the most sought-after for practically amazing techniques that Digital Marketing experts rely on.
He strongly believes that today’s digital marketers MUST master the art of link building, user experience and content promotion. Backlinko, his successful blog, aims to help marketing strategists achieve just that.
Twitter:https://mobile.twitter.com/Backlinko
Tools/Website: BacklinkoSpecialization: SEO
Best known for: Skyscraper technique; Expert Link Building techniques
Quote: "SEO isn't about content creation. It's about content promotion"

Barry Schwartz

About: Barry Schwartz is referred to as the “pulse of the search marketing community”. He is the founder of Search Engine Rountable and is currently the CEO of RustyBrick, a web-service firm.
He is one of the most trusted voices when it comes to search. The digital marketing community keeps tabs on what he has to say about Google algorithmic updates. With an experience covering search for over 13 years, he is the one to look out for as far as SEO goes.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rustybrick
Tools/Website: RustyBrick, Search Engine Roundtable, Search Engine Land, Search Engine Watch
Specialization: SEO
Best known for:  First to update about any algorithm update by Google

Danny Sullivan

About: Danny Sullivan is widely cited as an authority on search engines and search marketing issues which he has covered since 1996. He started Search Engine Watch as well as Search Engine Land which are the go-to websites for all SEO professionals looking for tips and strategies.
Danny currently also acts as the Chief Content Officer at Third Door Media which now owns Search Engine Land and Marketing Land. Widely respected in search circles as an expert in search strategies and SEO content.
Twitter:https://mobile.twitter.com/dannysullivan
Tools/Website: Founding Editor: Search Engine Land & Marketing Land, SMX: Search Marketing Expo conference series
Specialization: SEO
Best Known for: Being a leader in Search Engine Marketing Updates via his blog
Quote: "SEO is only not seen as rocket science by those who know it."

Gary Vaynerchuk

About: Gary Vaynerchuk, is an American serial entrepreneur, four-time New York Times bestselling author, speaker, and internationally recognized internet personality.
From realizing the potential of Internet to transform his family business of Wine into an online venture of Wine Library with a jump in valuation to $60 million from just $3, he made his mark. But wait, that’s where he started. Post that he has successfully established himself as an Internet Celebrity. He is the perfect example of how one should carve out a personal brand for himself and then make use of it in multiple ventures.
Digital Marketing experts and budding entrepreneurs follow him for his inspirational talks where he doesn’t mince words when it comes to giving straight-to-the-point advice.
Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/garyvee
Tools/Website: VaynerMedia
Specialization: Content Marketing/Branding
Best Known for: Established one of the first e-commerce wine sites, WineLibrary to grow from 4 to 60MM in sales.
Quote: “Developing your personal brand is key to monetizing your passion online.”

Jeff Bullas

About: Jeff Bullas is a well-known content marketing influencer featuring in the Top 10 lists of most top magazines. He claims that his mission is to inspire and help educate people on, ‘How to win at business and life in a digital world’.
One of the early adopters of Social Media to propel business success, Jeff Bullas, was quick to realize that Social Media was going to be a game changer which will democratize how content is published. He’s an influential voice when it comes to Social Media, content and Branding.
Twitter:https://mobile.twitter.com/jeffbullas
Tools/Website:  JeffBullas.com
Specialization: Content Marketing
Best Known for: Pioneer of Social Media and corporate branding
Quote: "Never underestimate the vital importance of finding early in life the work that for you is play. This turns possible underachievers into happy warriors."

Larry Kim

About: Larry Kim has been voted as the most influential PPC expert and is an influential voice in Online Advertising. Founder of Wordstream, Larry Kim, now boasts of a multi-billion valuation with over 2000 clients.
He is currently serving as the CEO of MobileMonkey building the next generation of AI based mobile marketing Solutions. His experience in marketing automation, with Wordstream and now MobileMonkey, places him as an influential voice in marketing circles.
Twitter:https://mobile.twitter.com/larrykim
Tools/Website: Wordstream, MobileMonkey
Specialization:  PPC/Advertising
Best Known for: One of the earliest to venture into SEM automation tools
Quote:  "Be a unicorn in a crowd of donkeys"

Matt Cutts

About: Matthew "Matt" Cutts is the former head of the webspam team at Google, and is now working for the United States Digital Service as the director of engineering.
The Wall Street Journal said Cutts "is to search results what Alan Greenspan was to interest rates" and if you’ve been one of those who has tried to break the code of ‘what Matt Cutts actually meant by that quote’ then you’d agree to that statement as well.
Twitter:https://mobile.twitter.com/mattcutts
Tools/Website: Google
Specialization: SEO
Best Known for: SafeSearch, Google's family filter, Webspam Team
Quote: "The objective is not to 'make your links appear natural'; the objective is that your links are natural"

Neil Patel

About: Neil Patel WSJ calls him a top influencer on the web and he has been recognized as a top 100 entrepreneur under the age of 30 by Former US President Obama.
Apart from his ventures, what Digital Marketing experts really value him for, are his tips about SEO, Content Marketing and Analytics.
His entrepreneurial passion, visible through his biographical accounts are also a source of inspiration for making it big.
Twitter:https://mobile.twitter.com/neilpatel
Tools/Website: CrazzyEgg, Kissmetrics & HelloBar
Specialization: SEO
Best known for: Master of personal branding who commands an immense fan base of eager Digital Marketers learning from his blogs and tutorials
Quote: "Sometimes when you follow your dream; it opens the door for others to be able to follow theirs."

Rand Fishkin

About: Rand Fishkin goes by the ludicrous title, Wizard of Moz is a leader in the field of search engine optimization tools, resources & community. Apart from his distinctive style, and characteristic yellow Puma shoes, he is a celebrity in the SEO Circles for his insights on SEO.
If you’ve watched one of his trademark Whiteboard Friday videos then you’d know his style of decluttering complex SEO issues into easy-to-understand concepts to implement.
Twitter:https://mobile.twitter.com/randfish
Tools/Website: Moz, Inbound.org, Backstage Capital, Techstars Seattle
Specialization: SEO
Best Known for: Moz, Whiteboard Friday hosted by Moz
Quote: "Don't build links, build relationships"

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Who are your favorite digital marketing influencers and how have they inspired you? Share your stories in comments below!