Ted Rubin
Ted Rubin is a leading Social Media Strategist, Keynote Speaker, Brand Evangelist, and Acting CMO for Brand Innovators. In March 2009, Ted started using and evangelizing the term ROR, Return on Relationship , hashtag #RonR, and released the book of the same name in 2013. Former Chief Social Marketing Officer at Collective Bias and Open Sky, and Chief Marketing Officer for e.l.f. Cosmetics, EyesLipsFace.com. Many people in the social media world know Ted for his enthusiastic, energetic, and undeniable personal connection to people. Ted is the most followed CMO on Twitter according to Social Media Marketing Magazine; one of the most interesting CMOs on Twitter according to Say Media, #13 on Forbes Top 50 Social Media Power Influencers list, 2013, and #2 on the Leadtail August 2013 list of Top 25 People Most Mentioned by digital marketers. Learn more here .
Articles by Ted Rubin
- Opinion
The Cost of Certainty: What We Lose When Curiosity Disappears
Why ask questions when we’re convinced we already know the answer? Why listen when our side feels morally or intellectually certain?
- Opinion
Is Your Pursuit of Wealth Costing You More Than Money?
Sadly, many people don’t seem to care because all they want to do is trade the stock and make money…
- Opinion
Relationships Are the True Currency of Life and Business
When we practice this kind of perspective-taking, and extend it to learning on our own, walls come down.
- Opinion
Digital Reach Means Nothing Without Real Human Connection
A post, a comment, a share, those are just sparks. What makes them meaningful is when they translate into genuine, human connection and engagement.
- Artificial Intelligence
Has Technology Quietly Stolen Our Sense of Adventure?
For a while I assumed the reason I’m not as adventurous as I used to be was simple… AGE.
- Opinion
Numbers Measure Campaigns, Relationships Create Long-Term Value
These are the intangible forces that drive long-term business success, and they’re rooted in something profoundly human… relationships.
- Business Growth
Done Beats Perfect: The New Rule for Marketing Momentum
It’s not about how well you forecast the future. It’s about how well you handle what’s in front of you right now.
- Business Growth
Employer Branding Is Built on Belief… Recruitment Marketing Is Built on Motion
It is performance-oriented and campaign-driven, and when executed well, it can produce meaningful short-term results.
- Artificial Intelligence
Algorithmic Gatekeeping Is Silencing More Voices Than You Think
If your message doesn’t align with the interests of platform partners or advertisers, it doesn’t get reach.
- Business Growth
Why Hope Can Hurt—and Why You Should Never Let Go
Loud and relentless, refusing to let you give up even when you’re exhausted even when you don’t want to keep going anymore.
- Opinion
When Silence Feels Safe: The Hidden Signal of Deep Connection
Silence isn’t empty, it’s alive, it’s the space where presence settles in, where connection feels natural rather than forced.
- Opinion
Bold Ideas Don’t Come From Pressure — They Come From Permission
Most organizations don’t suffer from a lack of creativity. They suffer from a lack of permission.
- Business Growth
Grow Fast, Connect Deeper: The Hidden ROI of Relationships
When people trust you, they refer you to others. When they feel seen by you, they support you.
- Opinion
The Ambition Critics Call ‘Unrealistic’: How Mamdani Challenges NYC’s Broken System
All impossible… UNTIL someone pushed past the boundaries of conventional thinking. Mamdani’s platform is no different.
- Opinion
Attention Is Easy. Influence Is Earned.
All in the hope that if they yell loud enough, they’ll finally stumble into influence. There’s a growing breed of attention merchants online… confusing visibility with value, and missing the real meaning of the “attention economy.
- Business Growth
Forget Metrics—Start Conversations: The New Currency of Connection
At the intersection of presence and connection, where online moments ripple outward into real-world trust, collaboration, and shared experiences.
- Opinion
Chasing Success? Don’t Lose Yourself in the Speed of It All
Making sure that as you move forward, you don’t disconnect from the very things that make the journey worthwhile, and deeply personal.
- Business Growth
Why Strong Relationships Matter More Than Ever in Today’s Uncertain World
hese are the intangible forces that drive long-term business success, and they’re rooted in something profoundly human… relationships.
- Business Growth
Why It’s Time to Rethink Everything About Sales and Marketing
It’s time to move beyond the outdated, impersonal mindset of targeting and start thinking like matchmakers instead. #advisors
- Business Growth
Why Mindset Matters: The Secret Ingredients of Marketing Team Success
Marketing isn’t just about strategies, data, and campaigns—it’s about how you think, adapt, and approach challenges. #marketing
- Business Growth
What It Really Takes to Deliver Quality Customer Service
Quality customer service requires a strong plan and a system built to resolve issues efficiently. #CX #advisors
- Opinion
Why I Wish Social Media Would Shut Down for Good
Let's reclaim the time and space to connect in ways that build trust, inspire collaboration and create a foundation for something deeper.
- Business Growth
Is the Paradox of Choice and Spam Killing E-Commerce?
Are running headlong into brand equity destruction through incessant overuse of their email list and permission, and incessant digital spamming. #advisors
- Opinion
Instituting a Required Two Gap Years of Service After High School
Here’s an idea to help our young adults mature and learn after High School and before college, or entering the workforce independently #views
- Opinion
Go Where the Love Is
And in any relationship, there are bound to be ups and downs, disagreements and misunderstandings. #relationships #love
- Business Growth
How Do We Find Out What’s Important to Our Audiences?
There is a conversation happening on social platforms every day so start paying attention. #audience #listening #business
- Business Growth
Beware The Risks of Arrogance and Pride in Business
Buzzing off those results you secured for your company?
- Business Growth
Closing Time: 20 Major Retailers That Likely Won't Exist In 10 Years
Visit your favorite shopping mall – if you still have a favorite – and you can already see the seismic shift in retail taking place across the country.
- Business Growth
Personal Influence Is the Most Powerful Marketing Force in Existence
My business partner Ted Rubin deftly points out in his book The Age of Influence that “ everyone influences someone ”.
- Business Growth
How to Make It Easy for Customers to Do Business With You
If you make something easy to do, people are more likely to do it.
- Business Growth
Build Your Brand Reputation With Kindness
What does it mean to build a reputation? I’m not talking about brand recognition, or even the quality of the products or services you offer.
