Top 10 Email Marketing Influencers to Follow in 2024

While email marketing boasts an unbeatable ROI of $36 for every dollar spent, crafting impactful campaigns can feel daunting. Staying ahead of the curve is crucial between overflowing inboxes and fierce competition.

But what if you could learn email marketing from the experts? What if the best minds inspired you to achieve better email marketing results? That’s the power of email marketing influencers! 

These certified email marketing specialists offer insights into top email marketing trends and tried-and-true tactics. You will stay informed and gain access to a wealth of knowledge that expensive industry reports often hide. 

The challenge? There’s a vast ocean of influencers vying for your attention. Who deserves a spot on your follow list? 

Stop struggling! We’ve handpicked the top 10 certified email marketing specialists. Follow them, explore their content, and implement their strategies to craft impactful email campaigns that resonate with your audience and drive results.

2024’s Top 10 Email Marketing Influencers You Need to Follow Now

A thriving community of email marketing influencers is ready to guide you. These aren’t just talking heads – they’re bonafide industry experts who go beyond informing you. They’ll inspire you with innovative ideas, equip you with actionable strategies, and even keep you entertained along the way.

No matter your specific needs, there’s an influencer out there who speaks your language. Whether you crave the nitty-gritty of email deliverability or wish to craft captivating copy, these gurus have you covered. We trust you’ll find them as valuable as we do.

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1. Ann Handley

Ann Hadley is a big name in the content marketing world. She’s a widely recognized expert currently serving as the Chief Content Officer of MarketingProfs. 

Hadley is also a sought-after keynote speaker and the author of several popular books on writing, including the Wall Street Journal bestsellers Everybody Writes and Content Rules.

Expertise:

A great storyteller and writer at heart, Hadley’s expertise lies in crafting fun, impersonable, yet insightful content that connects with audiences. She understands the ever-evolving marketing landscape and content’s crucial role in email marketing success.

Contributions:

Beyond her writing, Hadley leads MarketingProfs, a go-to resource for marketers seeking valuable and practical information. They curate high-quality content through research and analysis, empowering readers with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed. MarketingProfs acts as a filter, saving marketers time by weeding out trendy topics and focusing on what truly matters.

Insights:

Hadley’s insights are invaluable for email marketers. 

• The recipe for creating high-quality content: 

Utility x Inspiration x Empathy = High-Quality Content

Source: Everybody Writes

• Go beyond demographics! She advocates for “pathological empathy,” which means truly understanding your audience’s emotions and needs. She believes this is the key to crafting emails that connect.
• Email newsletters should offer value and connect to individual subscribers, not just broadcast company updates. They should be personal and conversational, ditching the formal, plural tone.

Our Recommendations:

Inspired by Ann Hadley’s work? Here are some recommendations:

• Dive into her books, “Everybody Writes” and “Content Rules,” for practical content creation advice.
• Explore MarketingProfs’ website for a wealth of resources on content marketing in email marketing.
• Learn from Hadley’s keynote speeches to gain further insights into her content marketing philosophy.

2. Ryan Phelan

Ryan Phelan isn’t your average email marketing guy. With two decades under his belt, he’s an email marketing guru who has helped industry giants turn email into a powerful growth engine. 

Recognized as a 2023 Thought Leader by the Association of National Advertisers, Ryan doesn’t just preach – he actively shares his knowledge. He’s a sought-after speaker and a mentor who inspires the next generation of digital marketing minds.

Expertise:

Ryan Phelan, a digital marketing leader passionate about innovation, focuses on driving high-impact email campaigns. He constantly pushes the boundaries of how data, technology, and customer engagement work together to make email marketing a powerhouse for growth. He is also the managing director of RPEOrigin, a boutique email agency.

Insights:

• Phelan emphasizes that email marketing’s true power is attracting qualified website traffic. He argues the most engaged and qualified traffic comes from existing customers.
• Leverage Transactional Emails. These emails reach customers who’ve recently purchased, making them highly receptive to relevant offers. Use these messages to suggest complementary products or highlight the “next logical products” they might need based on their purchase history.

Our Recommendations:

• Refine your email marketing strategy with Ryan Phelan’s insightful blogs on Martech.com. 

3. Andrew Kordek

With over 26 years of email marketing experience, Andrew Kordek is a seasoned expert in the field. Currently serving as VP of Customer Engagement at iPost, his track record in driving growth and overcoming digital marketing challenges speaks volumes.

Expertise:

Having made significant contributions as a writer, influencer, and founder of Trendline Interactive, Kordek is widely recognized as a thought leader. His expertise in crafting innovative strategies and delivering tangible results makes him a sought-after speaker in the industry.

Insights:

Kordek’s approach is characterized by a results-oriented mindset and a passion for optimizing the customer experience. His high-energy leadership style and knack for identifying opportunities consistently produce measurable outcomes.

Our Recommendation:

We strongly recommend tuning into Andrew Kordek’s podcast, “Email Never Sleeps,” where he shares valuable insights and expert recommendations on various email marketing strategies. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, Kordek’s podcast provides actionable advice to enhance your email marketing efforts.

With a strong presence on LinkedIn and Twitter, tracking and following his activities is both accessible and insightful.

4. Chad White

Chad White enjoys a stellar reputation in the world of email marketing. With an impressive background as the lead email marketing researcher at major players such as Responsys, ExactTarget, and Salesforce, White’s expertise is unmatched. Currently serving as the Head of Research at Oracle Digital Experience agency, he continues to leverage his vast knowledge to drive results.

Expertise:

White’s contributions extend beyond his professional roles. Over a decade of prolific writing, he has authored thousands of posts and articles brimming with valuable insights and best practices. His acclaimed book, “Email Marketing Rules,” solidifies his authority in the field. Additionally, his contributions as a columnist for Marketing Land and quotes featured in industry publications highlight his thought leadership.

Insights:

White’s insights are invaluable from years of dedicated research and analysis. 

• He emphasizes maximizing subscriber value over focusing solely on campaign performance. 
• By prioritizing subscriber management, personalization, and automation, White advocates for strategies that optimize subscriber lifetime value (SLV) and improve overall campaign effectiveness.
• His emphasis on refining subscriber acquisition practices and implementing segmentation, personalization, and automation techniques resonates deeply with contemporary email marketing strategies.

Our Recommendations:

For Chad White’s insightful tips and strategies, head over to his website, Email Marketing Rules, and explore the Oracle marketing blog.

5. Jeanne Jennings

Jeanne is a prominent figure in email marketing. As the Founder and CEO of Email Optimization Shop and General Manager of Only Influencers, she brings over 20 years of experience and thought leadership to the table.

Expertise:

As an expert email marketing consultant, Jeanne’s strength lies in her direct, results-oriented approach. Her proven track record includes optimizing email initiatives for profitability, serving on the DMA’s email marketing council board, and sharing her knowledge as a digital marketing instructor at Georgetown University’s graduate program.

Insights:

• Jeanne advocates for implementing email marketing automation at all stages, emphasizing its role in preparing relevant emails tailored to the audience’s needs. 
• She also encourages experimentation with AI to save time and enhance campaign effectiveness.
• She emphasizes the importance of A/B testing—even for established practices like personalization and gamification—to guarantee the best possible results.

Our Recommendation:

To gain invaluable insights and strategies from this email marketing guru, delve into Jeanne’s insightful blogs: The Email Optimization Shop, The Only Influencers, and The OI Metrics Project.

6. Dela Quist

As the founder and CEO of Alchemy Worx, a leading email marketing agency, Dela brings a fiery passion for the field backed by a wealth of research and statistics. His entertaining and persuasive writing style makes him a captivating speaker and a must-follow for anyone serious about email marketing success.

Expertise:

Dela is a result-oriented expert focused on driving ROI through effective email communication. He tailors solutions for businesses of all sizes, unlocking revenue potential by leveraging email execution, data analysis, strategic planning, testing, customer acquisition, and even social media integration. With his in-depth knowledge, Dela helps businesses navigate challenges and stay ahead of the curve, including recent changes like iOS 15 privacy updates.

Insights:

Dela’s expertise extends to researching new email marketing concepts. He’s explored the “nudge effect” of unopened emails and the surprising effectiveness of longer subject lines. His dedication is evident – he estimates he spent 20,000 hours pondering email marketing! And he doesn’t keep his findings to himself – Dela has penned numerous articles to share his insights with the world.

Our Recommendations:

Follow Dela on Twitter and LinkedIn for ongoing industry insights. Dive into his blog articles for in-depth knowledge.

7. Matthew Vernhout

Matthew Vernhout is a leading authority on email deliverability. He is known for his dedication to addressing deliverability issues and advocating for digital marketing and privacy.

Expertise:

As the Principal Email Advisor at Email Industries, Matthew specializes in deliverability consulting and remediation. With a sharp focus on ensuring clients’ messages reach their target audiences effectively, he leads initiatives to tackle deliverability challenges head-on.

Insights:

Matthew is deeply committed to fostering education and awareness within the email marketing community. Through public speaking engagements and educational outreach efforts, he shares actionable insights and best practices to empower professionals to navigate the complexities of mail deliverability confidently.

Our Recommendations:

We recommend following Matthew Vernhout on his blogs, videos, and social media platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter for comprehensive guidance on email deliverability and staying abreast of industry developments. By tapping into his insights, marketers can address deliverability issues effectively and optimize their email marketing efforts for success.

8. Laura Belgray

Laura Belgray is a renowned authority in the field of copywriting. She is the creative force behind Talking Shrimp, the go-to copywriting resource for marketers, and co-creator of The Copy Cure. Her expertise empowers marketers and entrepreneurs to communicate authentically and effortlessly to sell their products.

Expertise:

With an impressive client roster featuring industry heavyweights like Marie Forleo and Amy Porterfield, Laura has honed her craft and witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of injecting personality into copywriting. Through her work, she has become a master at crafting compelling messages that resonate with audiences and drive action.

Insights:

Laura’s website serves as a valuable resource hub, offering a diverse range of content, including a blog, free downloads, and an essential newsletter. Individuals can access her invaluable email copywriting tips and insights by subscribing to her email list or following her on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Our Recommendation:

For aspiring copywriters and entrepreneurs looking to enhance their messaging and boost sales, we highly recommend tapping into Laura Belgray’s expertise. Whether through her website, email list, or social media channels, her wealth of knowledge and practical advice are sure to inspire and empower.

9. Anne Tomlin

Anne founded Emails Y’all, a bespoke email coding company dedicated to crafting responsive and up-to-date emails. Her expertise extends to HTML email coding, and she’s also the mastermind behind Amazing Email, where she creates cutting-edge responsive email templates.

Expertise:

With a client roster that includes big names like Litmus, Homeaway, and Chipotle, Anne is recognized for her prowess in platforms like Mailchimp, Sailthru, and Pardot. She’s also deeply involved with Women of Email, which empowers women in the email marketing sector.

Insights:

Anne’s commitment to staying abreast of the latest email coding trends and best practices ensures her code exceeds industry benchmarks. Her knowledge extends to personalization, dynamic content, interactivity, and multi-language support, making her a go-to resource for email optimization.

Our Recommendations:

Connect with Anne on LinkedIn and Twitter to tap into her wealth of knowledge and stay updated on email optimization and responsive coding techniques. 

10. Neil Patel

Neil Patel is a prominent figure in the digital marketing industry, renowned for his impactful strategies and contributions. Recognized by Forbes and The Wall Street Journal, Patel’s expertise in email marketing is particularly noteworthy for businesses aiming to establish a strong online presence.

Expertise:

As the co-founder of NP Digital, Patel has played a pivotal role in transforming it into one of the world’s largest digital marketing agencies. With a track record of supporting over 100,000 businesses, Patel’s insights and strategies have helped numerous organizations enhance their online presence and boost revenues.

Insights:

Patel’s influence extends beyond entrepreneurship; he is also a prolific writer and sought-after speaker in digital marketing. With over ten books on digital marketing and contributions to respected publications like Forbes and Entrepreneur, Patel shares his wealth of knowledge at industry events and through various platforms.

Our Recommendations:

Marketers and entrepreneurs stand to gain invaluable insights by following Patel’s blogs, staying updated on his social media posts, and subscribing to his newsletter.

Conclusion

Following these email marketing influencers will give you a constant stream of fresh ideas, technical knowledge, and stunning design inspiration. But the benefits go beyond staying informed. Social media platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter allow you to participate actively in conversations. Engage with these creative influencers, ask questions, and share your thoughts. You’d be surprised by the valuable insights you can glean from this interactive community.

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