From content generation to customer service, social media managers are often stretched thin. Nonetheless, the digital world moves quickly. New trends overtake old ideas almost overnight, and strategists simply can’t afford to fall behind.

We’ve got your back. Here are twenty of the most amazing resources available to content marketers in 2019.

1. 50 User Generated Content Stats You Need to Know

The aptly-titled piece, published by Medium’s marketing professionals, looks at documented research. Who uses social media? How do consumers interact with brand influencers? Does incorporating UGC into e-commerce make a difference?  The answers are not speculation. Every bullet point links to a cited study, and that makes this listing a truly valuable resource.

For additional in-depth research, consider digging into market data reports at Statista.

2. The Definitive List of Social Media Acronyms and Abbreviations, Defined

Navigating the social media glossary just got easier. The list isn’t comprehensive, but it does cover some of the most common terms used in the industry. Hungry for more? Check out the FBI’s 83-page report on Twitter shorthand.

3. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion

Dr. Robert Cialdini’s research on social proof caught our attention last summer -- check out the blog post – and this classic book on persuasion is a must-read for any marketer.

4. How to Create an Easy Content Marketing Strategy You’ll Actually Use

So you’ve got a good handle on the marketing scene, and you’re ready to dive in. Where to start? This Forbes article lays out six essentials, the rationale behind them, and specific examples. Scroll to the bottom to catch the rest of this three-part series.

5. Buzzsumo

Work smarter, not harder, right? It ought to be the motto of the Buzzsumo platform, because the tool can help any marketer generate more traffic. By searching for topics and keywords that get the most shares on social media, brand managers can learn from what works and create better, more engaging content. BuzzSumo also allows you to view backlinks, and many brands use that information to reach out to potential influencers.

6. Mashable

Started in 2005 by a Scottish blogger, Mashable is worth millions – of dollars and followers. As the go-to news source for digital culture, social media, and technology, the site attracts newbies and seasoned professionals alike. Tune in daily.

7. TED Talks

Want to know what the most influential leaders have to say about social media, compelling content, and successful marketing? Browse the TED Talk library and learn from the best.

8. Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen

New York Times bestselling author Donald Miller gets to the core of effective marketing with his latest book. Too often brands push campaigns and promos without recognizing that what consumers crave is connection.  Make your customers the hero of the story, and prepare for mind-blowing results. 

9. TwineSocial

When it comes to telling a brand story, customers do it best. TwineSocial’s search and display platform  makes it easy for brands to build a library of fan content and showcase the very best UGC on e-commerce sites, live display boards, and even print and e-mail ads. A free trial is available to new users.

10. Hemingway Editor

To compete in a crowded marketplace, brand messaging needs to be concise and impactful. Enter the Hemingway Editor: a minimalist, but powerful tool designed to improve writing. The program identifies wordy, complex sentences, flags common errors, and even ranks readability. Nifty! 

11. How to Turn 1 Idea Into 2 Months of Content Marketing (and More)

Do some projects seem too daunting to accomplish? Are others done, but over-simplified? The experts at the Content Marketing Institute suggest a middle ground. When expanding a single idea into a long-term series, brand storytellers see a number of benefits unfold. Take a look at CMI’s step-by-step guide.

12.  Likable Social Media: How To Delight Your Customers, Create an Irresistible Brand, and Be Generally Amazing on All Social Networks That Matter

Serial entrepreneur Dave Kerpen found the secret to likeability. No jargon needed. The key to building brand popularity is in genuinely engaging with customers. Case studies and action items illustrate principles like learning to listen, being authentic, and nurturing loyalty –offering a  refreshing approach to social media! A new release is scheduled for February 22.

13. Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook: How to Tell Your Story in a Noisy Social World

When advertising CEO Gary Vaynerchuk isn’t working with Fortune 100 clients, he is authoring bestselling books. Short on time? Pull up the GaryVee Video Experience or #AskGaryVee Show to glean from Vaynerchuk’s social media marketing strategies.

14. Animoto

Social media users love visuals. The big winner is native video, earning significantly more engagement than links or photos. Can’t afford to hire a film crew, though? No problem. Animoto’s video creation tool makes it easy to create marketing videos using templates, themes, and stock music. And, since most video ads are watched with sound off, the tool’s text overlay feature is a big plus.

15. Automation Apps: Planoly, Buffer, and Hootsuite

There are several social media management platforms on the market to help brands stay visible at the best possible times. Planoly is often praised for Instagrammers wanting to source content, bulk upload, organize and schedule posts in a cohesive, appealing pattern. Buffer and Hootsuite also offer time-saving tools with post scheduling, conversation management, and content recommendations. Unless your social media manager is on-duty 24/7, an automation app is worth a look.

16. Venngage

Infographics are a hot commodity in social media. They’re perfect for making data more engaging. With Venngage, users become design wizards in just a few clicks. Simply select a professionally-designed template, add charts and visuals, and customize fonts and colors. For brands on a budget, this type of DIY tool is a must-have.

17. 22 Ways to Create Compelling Content When You Don’t Have a Clue

Speaking of infographics, check out Copyblogger’s fabulous content-creation tips. As Brian Clark describes, “This infographic demonstrates how to repurpose existing content in a different media format, get more bang from your archives, and reach new and different audiences in the process.”

18. Trello Editorial Calendar

If you do happen to have a wealth of ideas on the table, an organizational tool like Trello can help team members collaborate and work together efficiently. Daily and weekly checklists ensure content is published on time, and having a visual display of tasks helps teams stay focused.

19. How To Avoid a Social Media Disaster

Now, we know you’re going to rock social content marketing this year, but even the pros have a disaster prep plan in place. For starters, your team will need to know what constitutes a disaster. From there, Clay McDaniel provides several actionable strategies for quickly resolving issues.

20. Official Network Blogs

It’s important to stay informed about algorithm changes, best practices, product launches, and really anything involving the social media networks themselves. Get the latest news straight from the source. The networks publish frequently on their own blogs: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, among others. You can also peruse our blog archive for more about how smart marketers are telling brand stories with curated social media.