Most Awesomely Awesome of 2010

One thing I’ve learned this year is that a good idea is a good idea no matter where it comes from.  Sadly, this idea is not my own (I’m kind of Bogart-ing it from Jay Baer and Gini Dietrich) but I’m making it work for my own purposes.

I had wanted to do a Top 10 Posts of 2010 but didn’t really know how to format it.  Should I list my favorites or focus on reader favorites?  If I did reader favorites, how do I calculate it: by comments, page views, unique visits or by shares?  So many questions.  Gini ranked hers by comments, Jay ranked his by page views.  I’m going to rank mine by a combination of comments and social media shares.

But first I want to thank you.  This year has seen the creation and growth of this blog and it couldn’t have happened without you, faithful reader.  You give my words eyes and minds to impress (or depress) and I truly hold each and every one of you in a special place in my heart.

Thank you.

Now, without further adieu, the Top 10 Awesomely Awesome Posts of 2010:

1. How Your Audience Is Like The Mogwai – By far the most popular post I wrote all year.  I know that was due in part to it getting shared on WordPress.com‘s Freshly Picked page, but I’ve gotten continual comments and shares on it throughout the year.  This post proves the appeal and love for great 80′s movies.  It’s also still one of my favorites as well.

2. Social Media “UnRules” (How to Avoid Hacking People Off Online) – A guest post from my friend Laura Click that took off not only in the comments section but across StumbleUpon and Twitter.  Laura has a keen sense for how to act online and this post brought a lot of great things to light.  I’m gonna have to have her back writing on the site.

3. Crush It! UnReview – It’s no surprise to me that all three main UnReviews ended up on here.  They have become a monthly staple on JoeyStrawn.com and always garner great comments and a lot of sharing.  I will be continuing them through 2011.  This one actualyl got a nod or two from Gary Vaynerchuk on Twitter, really helping boost the traffic.

4. Trust Agents UnReview – The UnReview of the book by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith got a lot of attention because of the shout-outs from both Chris and Julien online.  Oh yeah, also because it’s awesome.

5. UnTitled UnMarketing UnBook UnReview – The very first UnReview.  The one that started it all.  I wrote it in honor of Scott Stratten‘s visit to Nashville on his UnBook Tour.  The idea took off and is now a staple on the blog (Thanks Scott!) and I also gave him the original comics which I like to imagine are framed in his Canadian house somewhere.

6. The Four Truths of Self Discovery – Another guest post.  This time by my friend Frank Dickinson.  He tackles four ways to truly learn yourself because the best communicators truly know who they are.  This was a great post and it was fueled by Frank’s great community that jumped over for the conversation.  A lot of which have become friends of mine and are now part of my community too.  Ah, the joys of guest posts.

7. No-Suck November Part 1 & Part 2 – I joined these together because they are one idea.  It’s not so much that they were a series, but rather the resolutions of the same points put forth on Nov. 1, 2010.  I had vowed to have a No-Suck November in a number of areas in my life and business and challenged my community to do the same.  Then I honestly opened up about how it all came out.  Who says failing in some areas can’t be a success in others.

8. How To Build An Awesome Social Media Support Structure – A spur of the moment post influenced by a mailbox I saw while running was the basis for this How To post on building strong social networks.  I’ve found that How To posts can be some of the most helpful and traffic-ed ones that I write.  This was just happened to be in the top tier.  Check it out if you happened to miss it.

9. The Chameleon and the Coalmine – A relative newcomer to the race, The Chameleon and the Coalmine was written just a few days ago and has already soared into the ranks of the Top 10 Awesomely Awesome of 2010.  The parable of the vain lizard in New Mexico really showed how much a story can connect with people.  There will be more of these posts in 2010.

10. What I’m Thankful For – Bringing up the end of the list was my Thanksgiving post simply stating people I am thankful for this year.  No bells, no whistles, just a guy being honest and thankful for the help he has received along the way.  I still hold true to everything I wrote in this post and look forward to building more relationships through 2011.  I wonder who all will show up on that list.  Maybe it’s you…

Honorary Awesome – What Drug Dealers Can Teach You About Branding – I had to put this one on the list because it came so close to being in the Top 10 and I really love this guest post by the always amazing John Morgan.  John has become a close, personal friend throughout this year and I was honored when he wanted to write about drug dealers on my site.  The title pretty much speaks for itself, but if you missed this one, definitely read it now.

Honorary Awesome – 12 Blogs of Christmas: Day 2 – Passion –  Another post that was not only a newcomer, but only 1 or 2 points from making it into the list.  The 12 Blogs of Christmas series was a 12-day blog series examining aspects of what I have come to name Digital Personality.  It’s what I focus on through my consulting at Empty Jar Marketing.  The day exploring how to let your Passions drive everything else skyrocketed to the top and stayed there pretty much through the whole series.  Be sure to keep your eyes peeled soon for the ebook version of the 12 Blogs of Christmas. Coming soon!

The End?

Alright, that pretty much wraps up the most popular for this year.  Although I do have one more post for tomorrow, so we’ll see.  From the data collected I will definitely be including more great guest posts next year and will continue with the UnReview monthly series (BTW – If you have a book you’ve written that you’d like an UnReview done for, Contact Me and we can work something out).  I also think I’m going to throw in more fiction posts as well.

Who knows.  2011 is a blank slate and I plan on coloring it with many different colors and palates throughout the year.  I hope you’ll join me on the journey. : )

Were there any posts that you think should have been included on the list that weren’t?  Any you think shouldn’t be there?  Why or why not?