17 social media influencers and thought shapers

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 Butch Cassidy: “I couldn’t do that. Could you do that? Why can they do it? Who are those guys?”

I promised that I would follow up the top 30 social media experts post I did with a few more people who’s work I admire, who’s thinking is forward, and who’s ideas of what culture and technology should be, are wide open.  You have no idea how many bookmarks and sites I have saved that I try to read and digest and actually think about. No wonder my eyes are always bleeding on the way home from work? Easy..I’m kidding..

It’s these types of people that will provide the basis of how we will view our interactions in a technological environment as we go forward. If you are unfamiliar with some of these people, that’s ok. Pretty soon you won’t be. Of these 17, feel free to offer up your peers for review. We currently have a listing of 51 social media experts, luminaries and standouts! I’d love to add more and I know they’re out there. Beware though, if you email or tweet that you’re an expert, then you’re not.

Todd Defren

Neil Patel

Lee Odden

Richard Binhammer

John Cass

Maggie Fox

David Alston

Chris Heuer

Sam Lawrence

Mike Manuel

Steve Lubetkin

Dave Parmet

Pete Blackshaw

Kris Smith

Kami Watson Huyse

Joseph Thornley

Clay Shirkey

Stowe Boyd

I would suggest setting aside some time to really go through the list, as there is quite a bit to digest here, but it’s all good and so so very relevant today!

20 thoughts on “17 social media influencers and thought shapers”

  1. Hi Marc

    Thank you so much for the inclusion as a social media influencer and thought shaper. I am especially honored to be included given the c ompany I get keep. The folks on your list are top notch. Thornley was one of the first people I met in social media…through a blog comment. He and others on this list have taught me much.

    I must say http://richardatDELL.blogspot.com does not get the attention it deserves or I would like to give it, as my first priority is always listening, learning and engaging with Dell customers and others who care enough about our company to talk about us online. So, if Richardatdell’s blog is worth reading when it does “occassionally” publish, it is really all about others in social media who have taught me much and our customers/others who inform my perspective.

    Thanks to you and them

  2. Thanks! I am honored to be part of this crowd.

    You ought to also take a look at Jason Falls of Social Media Explorer, at the very least.

  5. @Richard, I couldn’t agree with you more, it’s the conversations; and I know that word might be getting a little frayed around the edges, but it’s true, it’s the conversations that I’m privy to here that make learning such a cool thing. I enjoy you and your peers immensely! Thank you so much.

  7. @Sam Thank you, it’s a work in progress, as is the space that we’re hurdling though right now as “thought participants”. Mind if I use that as a later post?

    -Marc

  9. Hi Marc,

    Thanks so much for reading my blog and including me on your list. The real payback for the time we invest in our blogs is to learn that someone else has read what we’ve written and found it useful.

    Now I’ve discovered your blog and subscribed. So, I’m looking forward to reading it and learning from your perspective on things.

  10. @Joseph, thankyou for the kind words. I agree the payback, for me occurs everyday when I’m provoked by our thought leaders to think about this multi-faceted object that we call social media, in ways that I never dreamed about. It’s Something new everyday, and for that I credit you and your peers.

    -Marc

  11. It’s always nice to be in such great company! Thanks for the kind words and for being a part of carrying forward all the important ideas and insights from all these great people. Link love is the ultimate form of currency in our newly social world 🙂

  13. @Chris, It’s exciting. For the tech/marketing/PR community, it has been a long time since we have had something like social media to reenergize a sometimes stale/status quo, go with the flo sector. Link love is a good thing, I’m paying it forward!

    -Marc

  14. @David You’re quite welcome, I am looking forward to the Twebinar as well, it should be interesting as well as gratifying. Plenty to learn, more to share, and lots to give.

    -Marc

  15. Wow, I was a little shocked to see myself among this company. There are a few others that I would recommend, Ike Pigott and Geoff Livingston are two that I learn from regularly.

  16. Hi Marc,

    Can you believe what happens to nice people when they join BIG analysts firms? They disown the little people they helped bring along :-). John, Congratulations on the new gig. You are the best

  17. Thanks Marc, much appreciated.

    And thanks Richard, I think you and the Dell example are one of the people and companies that helped me get the job because of all I’ve learned from you and the company. So I’m very appreciative. However, as you say, there’s always the danger of too much brand going to your head. 🙂

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