Here at Tone, we read and bookmark more quality content than we have hot dinners (not literally, obviously). We do however go through so many that we could have listed over 100 from 2014 alone in this post. But, instead of over facing you with 100, we’ve single-handedly cherry-picked the most in-depth, insightful and actionable posts from 2014 for you to take in over the holiday period.
The posts we include in this 2014 round-up are authored by some of the most influential people in the digital marketing landscape, and published on some of the most popular blogs on the internet. Topics covered include: lead generation, seo, link building, content creation, content outreach, image sourcing, conversion rate optimisation, landing page optimisation, social media, PPC and more. There’s enough expert advice in these posts to make a comprehensive digital marketing guide out of!
Consider this post your go-to-resource of reading material to help push your business online in 2015!
1. 32 Clever Lead Generation Ideas For Your Next Marketing Campaign
By Josh Haynam via Unbounce. July 25th, 2014
If you’re stuck for ideas on how to generate more leads for your business, both online and offline, then check out this mammoth post. After reading this post you’ll never cold call again!
Readers comment
“This is a very insightful article, and one that every business owner with a website or online advertiser needs to read, thanks Josh.”
2. 53+ Free Image Sources for Your Blog and Social Media Posts
By Courtney Seiter via Buffer. May 14th, 2014
Studies have shown that images used in blog and social media posts increase engagement. Period. Bookmark this post for endless image sourcing to be used in your blog and social media posts.
Readers comment
“Thanks for sharing. I have been looking for pictures for my blog. So excited to add pictures to my blog!”
3. A 5-Step Framework for Conversion Rate Optimisation
By Paddy Moogan via Moz. May 5th, 2014
Conversion Rate Optimisation (CRO) can increase revenue, leads or whatever goals you want your website to achieve. “Where do I start and how do I do it right?” I hear you say… Well, this post will satisfy both of those questions (plus many more) for you.
Readers comment
“Thanks for the in-depth post and the resources you provided. I will definitely bookmark this as a resource for the near future!”
4. 20 Tips for Dramatically Better Emails
By Jimmy Daly via Vero. Date: 28th September, 2014
When it comes to email campaigns it can become all too easy to get stuck in the routine of sending the same mundane variation of email time and time again. It doesn’t have to be this way in 2015. Read this extensive post and learn how to add a bit of spice into your emails!
Readers comment
“Chalk full of excellent examples and actionable tips, this meaty post by Jimmy Daly on the Vero blog will help you perfect your email campaigns.”
5. How to Perform the Ultimate Local SEO Audit
By Casey Meraz via Moz. Novemeber 17th, 2014
If you’re struggling to understand why your business is failing to rank in the local listings in the SERPs. Or, why your business isn’t appearing on Google Maps for your target keywords, then you need to read (and perform) this method on how to to carry out a Local SEO audit.
Readers comment
“Amazingly awesome, ultimately complete. Wow Casey, great work! I’m sure this will be used over and over again by many.”
6. Link Building Case Study: How I Increased My Search Traffic by 110% in 14 Days
By Brian Dean via Backlinko. Last updated November 18th, 2014 [Image credit: CoSchedule]
If you want to learn how to “create great content” that attracts links, generates social engagement and drives a ton of traffic, you must check out Brian Dean’s Skyscraper Technique in this case study themed post. It’s pure gold.
Readers comment
“Hey Brian. Thanks for sharing it. I’ll definitely try this link building strategy. You’ve given us proofs and I think it is a truly link magnet for one’s site. Cool!”
7. The Landing Page Optimization Guide You Wish You’ve Always Had
By Tommy Walker via ConversionXL. January 31st, 2014
This post goes hand-in-hand with Paddy Moogan’s post mentioned earlier. It contains some great examples of landing pages and includes quality, highly recommended reading links to learn more about every aspect of creating the perfectly optimised landing page. Read this and you’ll be converting more website visitors than you ever thought possible… in a time frame much shorter than you ever… you get the gist.
Readers comment
“PERFECT!!!!!! Nothing more to say!”;
8. The Definitive Checklist For Effective Blog Post Promotion
By Adam Connell via Blogging Wizard. June 10th, 2014
It’s not enough to write a good post these days, you need to know how to promote it effectively too. Follow this thorough checklist and you’ll be well on your way to (disclaimer: not an exact multiplication) tripling your blog post visitor numbers!
Readers comment
“What a wonderful post, Adam. I was expecting that you would just talk about social media but you went a lot further. This post is definitely a keeper and a reminder that I need to turn more of my blog posts into eBooks and Slidshares. Thanks!
9. 26 Creative Ways to Publish Social Media Updates
By Ali Luke via Social Media Examiner. August 28th, 2014
Coming up with fresh ideas to keep your audience engaged on social media can be difficult at times. Thankfully for us, Ali Luke has put together 26 creative ways to publish social media updates. Be sure to try some of them out in 2015!
Readers comment
“Hey Ali – Going to bookmark this one to come back to every time I’m looking to fill up a Content Calendar! Thank you. :)”
10. The Top 10 Best PPC Hacks … Ever!
By Larry Kim via Wordstream. September 30th, 2014
Larry Kim has an impressive knowledge of AdWords. This list includes little-known PPC techniques, such as #8 which explains how to run ads that people see inside their Gmail.
So there you have it; Tone’s ten best posts of 2014 to help your business get off to a flying start online in 2015! We’d like to say a big thank you to all of the authors and publishers included in this round-up for creating such awe-inspiring content. We’re already looking forward to what 2015 brings in terms of both results from carrying out these tasks, but also in seeing what new, great content hits our screens/devices/other geeky tech in 2015!
Do you know of any epic posts that have helped you this year? Feel free to add your suggestions in the comments below.
The post 10 Unmissable Posts from 2014 to Kickstart your Business into 2015 appeared first on Tone Agency.
