Be More Social
There’s no question that social media marketers are creating some of the most compelling content today. Even though I wasn’t able to attend the recent Social Media Marketing World 2013 conference in San Diego, I’ve been living vicariously in the incredible videos, blog articles, and other media produced in the weeks since. As a result, I’ve gotten plugged into a whole bunch more social media strategy blogs than I ever knew I needed in my RSS reader. Here are a few more of our favorites, following the recent success of 15 of our favorites. Buckle your seatbelts, because these picks are more engaging and brainier than ever:
1. Convince and Convert
I’m embarrassed to admit that I wasn’t religiously reading Jay Baer’s brilliant blog on social media and content marketing until recently, but it’s since become one of my favorites. I’m pretty sure when Matt Cutts says “quality content,” he’s thinking about Convince and Convert. Baer tells it like it is, compiles some of the freshest data on the web, and is never, ever boring.
2. Mari Smith
Once called the Pied Piper of the social media realm, Mari is a Facebook specialist, and listed among the top 10 social media influencers by Forbes. Really, my only complaint about her blog is that she doesn’t produce more content! Subscribe by email, and you’ll be among the first to hear her expert insight on real applications of Facebook updates.
3. Windmill Networking
A social media expert who’s all about the ROI? This is definitely a strategy blog that even your CEO will love. Keynote speaker and author Neil Schaffer delivers hip information without hype, and is an expert at diving deep into real-life problems when he isn’t busy newsjacking.
4. Social Triggers
There’s always room in my day to dive deep into the murky and fascinating ways that psychology affects marketing, and Derek Halpern has one of the best resources on the web in this niche. The content here offers a decidedly scientific approach to improving everything from your social media plan to your products.
5. Kyle Lacy
Kyle means business, and his blog dives deep into topics that are defining the future of marketing, including the intersection of customer relationship management and social media. The author of Twitter Marketing for Dummies, Branding Yourself, and Social CRM, Kyle’s blog entries span the range of everything you need to take your company’s strategy up a notch.
6. Brands With Fans
Honestly, your brand doesn’t just want prospects, leads, and customers. You want die-hard promoters; people who are so deeply in love with your products, customer service, and brand personality, that they can’t help being a part of your unofficial street team. Brands With Fans could help you boost your roster of cheerleaders, but that’s not all they cover. It’s a fabulous resource for tips on boosting engagement, and examples of brands doing everything right.
7. Twist Image
This blog really isn’t for the faint of heart. And to be perfectly honest, I’m okay with that. I’m of the opinion that what many marketers need is more content that really pushes the limits, asks scary questions, and demonstrates broad expertise in providing answers. This agency blog, written by author and president of Twist Image Mitch Joel, definitely fits the bill. Tune in often to hear Joel’s thoughts on the future.
8. LinkedIn to Business
LinkedIn needs love, attention, and its own distinct strategy, and expert Viveka Von Rosen has you covered. Known internationally as “The LinkedIn Marketing expert,” she’s a specialist in helping B2B brands prospect, nurture, and convert leads. She might not cover Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest, but she definitely doesn’t miss a beat when it comes to LinkedIn.
9. Stay N’Alive
This really isn’t strictly a social media strategy blog, but I don’t mind at all. Jesse Stay, author of Google+ for Dummies and several other books, writes broadly about the topics that matter to tech-savvy businesses, which range from Google+ to Marissa Mayer’s strategy at the helm of Yahoo. It’s a mecca for the tech-savvy.
10. {grow}
I really didn’t want to like {grow}. The fact that it’s been described as one of “the most unique blogs in the world” made me think it couldn’t possibly be as good as the hype. I was wrong, and now I’m hooked. Really, the only way to describe what Rutgers professor and award-winning author Mark Schaefer does here is that he’s the Malcolm Gladwell of social content. His articles suck you in, and lead you on journeys that involve conversations with brands and individuals doing everything right. For the love of Facebook, don’t click through if you’re on a deadline.
11. Britopian
It’s been said that 2011 was the year of social media, 2012 was the year of content marketing, and 2013 will be the time when these two factors converge into a single, seamless strategy. If you’re looking to integrate your channels into a more seamless inbound marketing plan, Michael Brito is your guy.
12. PodCast Answer Man
Multimedia content needs love, too, and this is basically an encyclopedia of sound bytes on anything you ever wanted to know about technology, social media, or really anything else. If you’re hoping to incorporate podcasting into your social strategy in the months to come, take Cliff Ravenscraft’s work as an example of what to do.
13. Brian Carter
The reason Brian is a sought-after keynote speaker, well-known author, and frequently cited expert is that he’s really smart, and he knows his stuff. He understands how the pieces fit, and he’s a master at putting things into context in a way almost anyone can grasp. His blog isn’t the most prolific resource, but it’s certainly outstanding.
Is there anyone we missed? Share your favorite social blogs in the comments, and we’ll be sure to check them out!
