30 Killer Resources to Learn Content Marketing

Despite the fact that 86% of brands have adopted content marketing practices, 82% of marketers say they’re not receiving training. This fact has created an interesting playing field for content-minded professionals. The truth is the individuals and brands that succeed in the years to come will be those who are aggressive about self-education.

I’ve curated a list of resources that I can recommend without hesitation to anyone. Many of these eBooks were tools I’ve used myself for education and improvement. From idea generation to strategy and more, here are the best of the best:

1. Marcus Sheridan

Marcus Sheridan is a sought-after speaker and thought leader, thanks in large part to his straightforward approach. His 230-page, free eBook is among the best.

2. CMI Case Studies

From Eloqua to Dive Rite, Content Marketing Institute offers four diverse and thorough case studies of how content improved brand’s marketing metrics.

3. The Marketing Funnel: What It Is & How It Works

Every marketer should understand what a marketing funnel is and how it can help boost sales. In this article from Semrush, Rachel Handley explains each part of the marketing funnel, from top to bottom. Plus, you’ll find useful advice on how to make it more effective.

4. 29 Content Marketing Secrets

Featuring 29 industry leaders, Top Rank Blog’s free eBook isn’t afraid to share information you won’t find anywhere else.

5. A Field Guide to the 4 Types of Content Marketing Metrics

Jay Baer’s free eBook is friendly enough for even metrics-averse marketers to pick up and enjoy, and it’s written with his trademark conversational style.

6. Morgan Spurlock: The Greatest Ted Talk Ever Sold

Documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock, famous for the film Supersize Me, discusses the ideas of sponsored content and digital influencers in this Ted Talk.

7. The Grande Guide to B2B Content Marketing

This Eloqua resource is a whitepaper, that’s elegantly presented in presentation format. It’s positively filled with helpful stats, facts, graphs, and charts.

8. CMI Content Process Roundtable

While every video on Content Marketing Institute’s YouTube channel is worth your time, this interview with experts on how their organization approaches content is especially powerful.

9. 58 Social Media Tips for Content Marketing

Discover the latest and most advanced tactics for tailoring your brand’s messaging to fit major social media platforms in this eBook from Content Marketing Institute.

10. 11 Examples of B2B Content Marketing

Formatted as mini case studies, you can draw inspiration from Lee Odden’s list of powerful content marketing examples.

11. How to Get Your Ideas to Spread

Seth Godin’s Ted Talk was no disappointment! The legendary marketer and philosopher discusses virality and telling compelling stories.

12. Why Videos Go Viral

All kinds of content marketers can learn from YouTube’s trends manager Kevin Allocca, who discusses the science of viral content in this Ted Talk.

13. How to Build and Operate a Content Marketing Machine

Marketo’s manifesto is the perfect fit for experienced content marketers who are hoping to increase employee participation at their organizations.

14. 100 Content Marketing Examples

Discover examples of brands of all sizes that excel at creative content in this free eBook and quality resource from Content Marketing Institute.

15. Designing with Slogans

An entire Ted Talk about slogans? Yes, and Stefan Sagmeister’s speech might help you write the most important piece of content you craft this year.

16. A Guide to Building a Killer Content Strategy

You’ll be lost without a plan. However, HubSpot’s free eBook is the perfect guide to planning and organization for beginners.

17. 28 Indispensable Research Reports and Marketing Case Studies

This is a blog published by Writtent – but it’s still absolutely worth your time! It’s among the most comprehensive compilations of content marketing case studies to date.

18. 44 Must Read Resources on Content Marketing

Once you’ve exhausted the resources on this list and recovered a bit, I highly recommend this compilation, created by Kissmetrics’ team.

19. Make it Count: Content Marketing Analytics

Are you measuring enough? Or even measuring the right things to begin with? Kapost’s free eBook will get you on the right track.

20. Content Creation Kit

HubSpot’s all-in-one eBook “kit” includes some of their most valuable resources, including 100 content marketing ideas, a brainstorming guide, and much more!

21. The Ultimate Webinar Checklist

Running your first webinar? With this guide from HubSpot, you can ensure you’ll be completely prepared.

22. The Ultimate List of Content Marketing Tactics

There are dozens of fresh ideas to boost your strategy in this recent, outstanding blog from consultant Martha Spellman.

23. SEO: The Free Beginner’s Guide from Moz

Every content marketer needs to be pretty fluent in SEO, which is why this eBook from the leading industry resource is an absolute must-read.

24. 30 Quick Content Marketing Tips Every Marketer Needs to Know

The best ways to do content marketing don’t change much every year, but it’s smart to check up on them now and then. Using well-known tips and strategies will help you use your time and resources better and improve what you do – it’s worth spending 5 minutes reading about it.

Also, in this article, Jesse Sumrak has compiled all of these tips and strategies into one checklist you can download about the best practices in content marketing.

25. 5 Top Content Marketing Tips for Brands and Businesses

It’s always inspiring to learn a little more about successful brand’s content strategies, and Later’s guide is no exception.

26. Content Marketing: 97 Tips for Better Ideas, Strategies and Results

Talk about an ultimate guide! I recommend absorbing this blog from Moz’s Marcus Taylor slowly, because it’s dense with information.

27. The Advance Guide to Content Marketing

Think you know everything about the subject? I can almost guarantee you’ll find something new in this beautifully-illustrated guide from Neil Patel.

28. LinkedIn’s Content Score

Get an objective measure of your content’s performance with this all-new tool from LinkedIn.

29. Job Description Templates

Your hiring processes will be made drastically easier with these copy-and-paste descriptions from Workable. It’s also fun to see how your skill set stacks up!

30. The Business Case for Agile Content Marketing

How well are you managing your content team? Copyblogger’s eBook is radical, rational, and could save you loads of money.

Love this list? Check out another recent post in this series, 29+ Killer Resources to Learn Copywriting.