The Top Twenty Social Media Blogs Finalists

2012 is the 3rd year for Social Media Examiner to pick up 10 social media blogs among all nominations. The top 10 blogs will be announced in its newsletter and also on their blog. 

Here are the 20 finalists with a brief introduction (in alphabetical order) - written by Kate - thanks to http://evanhugh.com/2012/01/22/the-top-10-social-media-blogs-in-2012/

1. Bundle Post: It is founded by Robert M. Caruso with passion in tech and social media. It takes the first step to automate and schedule the social media contents in one place.
2. Digital Brand Marketing Education: It holds continuing learning philosophy to educate empowered professionals in using digital to brand and market their businesses.
3. Heidi Cohen: She brings you into the world of digital and direct marketing through her established experiences so that readers can easily apply to their current social situation.
4. Hubze: Social media marketers and lovers share how to start the social media engine to engage with customers and manage social media accounts like an elite.
5. inBlurbs: It shows you how to get found on the Internet and convert the traffic into physical customers to bring up your own brand and prospects.
6. Inbound Marketing Spot: It belongs to Trust eMedia and provides inbound marketing strategies to build a loyal social media community to support brands and businesses.
7. Jeff Korhan: He is an inspiring speaker who can help and present the closer connection between social media and small businesses to grow through Internet and social media.
8. Jeff Bullas: The blog, which is being ranked #87 in AdAge Power 150, offers public some useful hints and advices on how to make advantage of social media tools.
9. Likeable Media: It purposes on leveraging social media to build up marketing castle that supports brand, value and services.
10. Marketing Tech blog: There are media marketing experts to analysis the current development and provide technology and marketing tips for social marketers.
11. Media First: A blog from a public relations agency to help clients to win new market share and grow revenues and profits with unique marketing tactics.
12. Media Tapper: The purpose is to discuss day-to-day developments in the social and online media world and share the piece of information globally.
13. My Social Agency: Provide a series of expert advices and solutions in social media management to keep in touch with the current racing world pace.
14. Pushing Social: It tells you to do what to publicize and market around through Stanford Smith’s words. He is an online marketing strategist who loves amplifying social tools.
15. Sales Lion: Read “Why Subscribe” in its site and realize that it is an experience sharing and writing to help people who are involved in sales hardcore and marketing mistakes.
16. Social Mouths: “I help people be successful online” brings readers to meet Francisco Rosales who determines to help every potential reader creating their brand and expertise.
17. Social Strand Media: Provide marketing solutions, from social media to marketing campaigns, at free consultation to accelerate your brand beyond the borders.
18. Spiderworking: Teaching small to medium business how to promote brand and drag online traffic using social media, Amamda Webb shares her knowledge after her first business, Feelgood Organic Hampers.
19. Splash Media: Contains opinion and analysis from a group of social media, marketing and video professionals. Specifically tailor solution and monitor progress for their clients.
20. ViralBlog: Ranked #71 in the AdAge Power 150 as well as collects the daily viral and social media cases over the global, in order to inspire people and create the best social strategies.

All these blogs provide businesses up to date  information regarding social media, case studies, success stories and great marketing tips.

I love reading  weekly mashups from We are Social  - http://wearesocial.net/blog/2012/01/we-are-socials-monday-mashup-103/ and Jeffrey Thomas's weekly EdTech Resources Treasure Chest - http://jeffthomastech.com/blog/?p=11829

Alltop covers news from everywhere about social media - http://social-media.alltop.com/ - so this is another great resource to use, share and provide you with inspiration to write your own blog posts, Tweets and updates.

Social Media keeps growing, so it means we have to keep learning! So there has to be a lot reading, reviewing, researching and staying up to date.

Being aware ...

Social Media is brilliant for raising awareness. Of your business and your business profile. Of events and industry events in the city.

Of coffee meetups where you can meet people who love working in the same industry as you do. And who can recommend a great graphic designer, or painter or shop fitter or blogger and talk about their own experiences.

Social Media makes you aware of how quickly this has become part of our lives. It's been maybe 3 years that social media has become so huge on the Internet and most people view Facebook regularly, Tweet at least once a day and check out social media sites for all sorts of information, facts and insight.

I learn about events in Sydney, get social media advice, read blog posts, connect to writers, read the latest book reviews and get so much information the second I switch on my laptop in the mornings. I follow people I love hearing about and I look up to people who are genuine and seem to be constantly on the go.

Social Media also helps build community awareness, you can find charity events and foundations to support. It's a business tool especially LinkedIn which is used by proffessionals who have connections with other proffessionals and used LinkedIn to keep up with their own industry and employ people who they feel have the know how and experience.

If anyone asks if social media is a good business tool, my answer is a rather loud and excited, yes. I learn everyday, I am in touch with the book industry and the social media industry. I know which coffee meetings would benefit me and I am building up my knowledge of networking events to attend.

It builds and raises industry awareness. And it is far from a time waster, everything I am curious about and learn about on social media sites; I put it into practice in my own business and follow, connect with and find people who have similar interests and experience.

It is a tool. It will help in a job interview. It will help with your business. It can be free marketing if used authentically. It can raise awareness.

Social media is all about what you can learn and gain by having the knowledge and ability to find out what works for you, what benefits your business and how you can use social media sites wisely and effectively.