Today, a lot of companies from every commercial industry are rising, putting more pressure on businesses. For this reason, companies have to use all the best strategies just to have an edge over others. They need to look for effective marketing ways that do not just convince consumers, but more importantly, will secure their profit and stability in the market. Surely, technology contributes much to this goal, and the Internet is one of its popular vehicles. Then, as business competition goes online, the content marketing industry is gaining more popularity—and competition within becomes stiffer as well.

There are many good content marketers out there. However, it takes more than creativity and good skills to be effective in content marketing. Knowledge is always power—and this is also an important key in this industry. As search engine and social algorithms change from time to time, content marketers have to be always alert so they will be updated of the latest changes. This is necessary, so that they can adapt their content to these new trends or else they would be left behind. Well, this could be daunting at times, so what every content marketer should do is look for reliable authority sites or blogs that they can tune into anytime.

To help marketers stay updated and gain more expertise in content marketing, here is a list of powerful blogs that they can read and study.

1. Content Marketing Institute Blog
Popular as Junta42 before becoming CMI, this site is definitely prominent when it comes to content marketing training. CMI offers the best online trainings and certifications to content marketers who want to be a master in this field. The institute offers practical insights and how-to guidance for both content marketing newbies and professionals. Their active community is also really helpful in finding out the latest news and information in the content marketing industry.

2. Coppyblogger
This site is a one-stop-shop for content marketers. Coppyblogger is known for their content marketing insights. This site relatively focuses on how to build business audience. Content marketers should take advantage of their free ebooks on content marketing. Moreover, Coppyblogger has courses on other Internet marketing aspects that can help content marketing becomes more effective. One of these courses is on copywriting, which what content marketers need to master.

3. Convince and Convert 
This site is known for their expertise in developing social media, content and conversational marketing strategies. They provide strategic plans, audits, workshops, and advice to known agencies and brands in North America. They are effective in helping companies come up with effective content marketing programs, audits, and strategic plans that result to memorable and great content. No wonder, their blogs, books, ebooks, and podcasts are really a hit to content marketers who want to improve their crafts.

4. Quicksprout
For those who are having a hard time increasing traffic to their sites, Quicksprout is their solution. This site focuses on helping companies grow their profit by providing content marketing strategies that will draw more visitors to their sites. Its founder, Neil Patel, is very well-known in the content marketing industry, and he has been recognized by big institutions. He is considered a top web influencer by the Wall Street Journal, and according to Forbes, he is among the top 10 Internet marketers. Moreover, President Barrack Obama put him as one of the top 100 entrepreneurs under 30.

5. Marketo Blog
Basically, Marketo is known for being an award-winning software for marketing automation. However, this brand is not just relied on by content marketers for this software. Marketo has informative and engaging blog posts on content marketing from which marketers can gain effective insights. Their tips are practical and are easy to follow.

6. Hubspot Blog
Inbound marketing is considered to be among the best Internet marketing strategies. This strategy needs awesome content to create high value, and magnetize target users and loyal consumers. This is the specialty of Hubspot Inbound, and that’s why this blog attracts a lot of content marketers who want to learn more about effective content marketing strategies, tactics, techniques and even automation.

7. Social Media Examiner
Social Media Examiner is mainly focused on social media. The reason why content marketers should visit this site is because social media plays an important role in content marketing. Therefore, they should also master this field, so that they can effectively integrate social media marketing with their content. Moreover, Social Media Examiner only publishes high-quality and comprehensive articles from expert authors. Thus, you can be assured that you only get the best and most useful content from this blog.

8. KISSmetrics Blog 
This blog provides an analytics platform that can be used not just by content marketers, but by the whole team. Moreover, KISSmetrics helps in content marketing optimization through the insights they share through their blogs. They have interesting topics such as how to start using podcast; using A/B testing and funnels for growing a business; and how to publish content on authoritative sites. KISSmetrics has podcasts and webinars from which interested visitors can also learn a lot.

9. Contently
There is no need for struggling content marketers to hire content strategists anymore. Contently has its content strategist feature, which provides healthy analysis on content and even brands. They tackle very important topic that marketers can really relate to such as brand name legality and improving social media usage in marketing. Contently has a Content Strategy Digest that content marketers can subscribed to for updates.

10. Heidi Cohen
Heidi Cohen’s Actionable Marketing Guide is known for providing brilliant tactics and insights on content marketing, social media, PR, branding, and blogging. Heidi, being the Chief Content Officer of Actionable Marketing Guide, is also the president of Riverside Marketing Strategies, which is an interactive marketing consultancy. She has more than 20 years of experience in this industry and has worked with big companies. From these experiences, Heidi created her blog, from which content marketers would gain knowledge of effective practices on creating engaging content and building audience.

11. Moz Blog
Moz is a place to be on the Internet when it comes to SEO. Therefore, its blog is among the most reliable sources not just for improving search engine rankings, but also for content marketing. It provides extensive and in-depth tips, tricks, and insights for better SEO, content marketing, and branding. Furthermore, what makes Moz a hotspot for content marketers is because its forums have become a hub for professional marketers, and its webinars and Whiteboard Friday series are cool and helpful.

12. ClickZ
For marketing news and updates, ClickZ is among the most trusted sites. This site is the biggest source of interactive information, news, commentary, opinion, research, and advice in the marketing industry. Moreover, this site provides webinars and expert advice regarding content, SEO, social media, and branding. This site can help content marketers gather latest information which they can incorporate into their own content strategy.

13. Brian Solis Blog
In the digital marketing world, Brian Solis is a big name. He has contributed much particularly in the social, content and conversational marketing field. Therefore, his stories and insights about content marketing are really considered valuable by marketers. He is also a renowned business motivator and author who has greatly influenced digital transformation.

14. JeffBullas Blog
When it comes to social media marketing, Jeff Bullas is definitely an expert. He was recognized by Forbes as the #14 of the Top 50 Social Media Power Influencers. Furthermore, he is known for growing his blog traffic to 4 million in a year. This is why content marketers are dying to know his secret. Good thing is Jeff is generous enough to share his knowledge through his blogs.

15. Econsultancy Blog
This site is focused on helping ecommerce professionals and marketers succeed online by providing them with a variety of trainings, research, consulting, marketing information, events, online resources, and other helpful materials that are relevant in digital marketing. Content marketers can find useful blog posts, whitepapers and other resources here that can really help them master their field.

16. Smart Insights Blog
This site will truly help content marketers, especially newbies, improve their marketing expertise. This encourages systematic planning, managing, and optimizing of marketing strategies. Led by Dr. Dave Chaffey, Smart Insights has a team of expert commentators in the content marketing field. They provide helpful advice and tips that can help marketers reach their marketing goals.

17. Top Rank Blog
Growing online sales and improving relationship with clients are what Top Rank Blog focuses on. This online marketing agency, which was founded by Susan Misukanis and Lee Odden, helps content marketers improve online brand visibility, increase sales, and establish relationships with customers. This site specializes in relationship programs and content-based client acquisition that concentrate on SEO, social media, email marketing, and content marketing.

18. Conversation Agent
Since 2006, Conversation Agent has always been part of the top 30 marketing blogs all over the world on AdAge Power150. This was founded by Valeria Maltoni, a digital strategist that is also a linguist and an author. This woman has a great influence in content marketing, and has been visible in important marketing engagements including Content Marketing World and CES International.

19. Duct Tape Marketing Blog
This site has been founded by John Jantsch who is considered to be the World’s Most Practical Small Business Expert. Therefore, this blog is popular for the practical, real-world content marketing strategies and ideas. John is known for working with small and medium sized enterprises to help them develop marketing plans and systems that can lead to business growth. Content marketers can apply these ideas into their work to attract target consumers for businesses.

20. Problogger
This site is where content marketers would find anything they want to learn about professional blogging. From blogging tips for beginners to how bloggers can earn through their blogs, Problogger has it all. Since the quality of content is a big deal in content marketing, this blog will help marketers improve their content.

The content marketing industry is tough, highly competitive and constantly evolving. Therefore, marketers should be knowledgeable and updated of the trends in each area of marketing. By visiting and reading these blogs, they will gain more expertise, and the competition becomes more fun, challenging and productive.