15 Blogs You May Have Missed
I read a ton of blogs, and my reading list varies from time to time. I have some standbys, but I also love coming across blogs that aren’t yet discovered by the masses. I find smart people everywhere (thanks to things like Google Shared Items or Twitter or Facebook), and every once in a while, I’d like to make sure you find some of them, too. So here, in no particular order, are some of the blogs I’ve been reading that I hope you’ll check out.
Gavin Heaton is decidedly one of my favorites. He always has a fresh voice and a new take on something, and I never get tired of hearing what he’s got to say. The only thing keeping me from stalking him and hanging out on his doorstep is the very long plane ride to Australia. Connect with Gavin on Twitter at @servantofchaos.
Danny Brown has come blazing onto the social media stage with a rock-solid blog that’s always thought provoking and interesting. He’s also a favorite Twitter peep of mine at @PressReleasePR, and I’m particularly excited about his 12 for 12K initiative for 2009.
Always a sure bet for great conversation in the comments as well as the blog itself, David has put together one heck of a pile of good thinking here. Mostly trending toward social media and PR, David clearly digs beyond the surface of issues floating around the fishbowl and makes them into sage discussions about the topics that are really at issue. Good stuff. (Find David on Twitter at @dmullen)
Tim Jackson is the brand manager for Masi bikes, and he’s a living, breathing case study for the power of social media for small business. Tim is a passionate cyclist and a smart marketing mind, and he smashes both together in this very warm and welcoming blog. He shares his travels, his love for Masi bikes, and has built an amazing brand and community by being a great conversationalist. I admire the heck out of Tim. (Tim’s on Twitter, too, at @TimJackson)
You can tell that Ken is one of those guys that chews long and hard on a post before he writes it, and lucky for him he’s got a knack for picking apart some meaty topics. He’s one of the blogs that I often have to read and then sit and think about a comment that’s worthy of the effort he put into the post itself. It’s one part social stuff, one part web technology, and all sorts of smart. (Find him on Twitter at @KenBurbary)
Media Emerging by Scott Hepburn
You want it told like it is? Scott’s your guy. He’s a PR pro by trade but he writes about a little bit of anything new media related. His posts are always insightful, thought provoking, and articulate. And if you haven’t met Scott on Twitter (@ScottHepburn), he’s a riot and a half.
Insights and Ingenuity – Heather Rast
Heather is another new (to me, anyway) voice on the scene, and I met her through Twitter, which led me to her blog. Heather’s writing style is punchy, succinct, and vocal, and she’s got pithy things to say about the worlds of branding and communication in today’s world. Check her out on Twitter, too, at @HeatherRast.
New Media Lisa – Lisa Hoffmann
Another PR wizard, Lisa is emphatically about the human connections behind social media technologies. I’m always refreshed by her common-sense perspective, and she never follows the crowd just because. I love the fact that Lisa posts about what’s on her mind, not just what’s floating around the collective blogosphere. Lisa is on Twitter at @LisaHoffmann (don’t forget the second ‘n’).
Kellye Crane is actually someone that I met first on Plurk, and she’s become a trusted friend and colleague. Kellye finally caved to the pressure to start her own blog, and it’s a great one at that. Kellye blogs from the perspective of a solo PR practitioner, and she’s got sage advice about the worlds of PR and entrepreneurship with a good dose of humor thrown in for good measure. Check out Kellye on Twitter at @KellyeCrane.
The Brand Builder by Olivier Blanchard
I don’t hold it against Olivier that he’s French. Really. And I wish he’d bring back the bad-ass mustache. But aside from those two things, Olivier is a brilliant mind to get inside, and his blog is the result of all that STUFF happening in his head. I love that Olivier doesn’t have any qualms about diving down a rabbit hole and exploring every corner. I leave each read with something new to chew on. You can find him on Twitter at @thebrandbuilder.
You probably know Ann Handley as @MarketingProfs, and as the chief content officer of the jam-packed site of the same name (for which I’m also a lucky contributor). But Ann is an amazingly talented writer in her own right, and when she posts on her personal blog, I literally drop everything and go read.
Sue is another one of my recent-ish Twitter connections (@SuzeMuse) and boy am I glad I found her. She’s not only incredibly personable and conversational, but I’m really liking what I’ve read from her blog thus far. You’ll find a little of everything at Sue’s blog, and her personable writing style makes you just want to hang out and chat for a while.
Adam is finally blogging, much to the relief of his Twitter community that have been dying to get into Adam’ brain beyond 140 characters. He’s got sharp insights about his work in social media and interactive stuff, and again I’m fond of his writing because it’s not “me too” blogging, not by a long shot. Meet Adam on Twitter if you haven’t already at @adamcohen.
And as bonuses from outside the fishbowl:
From outside the world of anything related to social media comes one of my new favorites for finding books to read. I’m an admitted bibliophile, and Books on the Nighstand is giving me fodder for my Amazon wish list in spades. Plus, they’ve got a kick butt podcast. It’s coauthored by @AnnKingman and @MKindness. Be prepared to stay a while.
Do you know Jon (@jnswanson)? I find his writing incredibly peaceful. Jon’s a pastor, and without getting too personal, suffice it to say that he’s a wonderful breath of fresh air to people like me whose spirituality is very personal and not necessarily traditional. I relish Jon’s writings on faith, relationships, community, understanding – his perspective is far beyond his faith and his writing is eloquent. He never ceases to open my eyes or encourage me to embrace a new perspective. Worth a read.
So then. What blogs have caught your attention lately? Shine the spotlight on someone that deserves it and let us all enjoy along side.
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Love this list. Thanks for posting. Been thinking about jumping into the world of start-ups (tinkering for a while now) but fear the entire marketing and PR side as I’m an engineer coming from a huge-corporate background (they have an entire marketing & PR staff in separate buildings). I’ve added all these folks.
One I like to read is the daily featured person by @SOML – life stories of average people doing cool things. I get a dose daily and find a lot of inspiration about reading about others they feature.
Thanks for this. I also finally started one due to so many asking and have a good following already so will keep it going. I appreciate your list and will check all of them out!
Thanks Amber – this is FANTASTIC! These guys are all amazing and I read most of their blogs but am glad to add a few to my reader that I didn’t have. In case you’re interested, I post a weekly list of 10 “must read” posts each week and many of these bloggers are on there and I’ll be adding this post to this weeks so more people know about these amazing resources.
Rebecca Roses last blog post..Weekly “Must Read” List – Volume 3 (a little EARLY!)
Well, what can I say? You’ve opened my eyes to some great blogs that I had been missing and some new people that I’ll no doubt learn more great insights from.
I’d include yours in this list too, but I guess that’d be cheating?
Thanks for including me in this list among so many cool people, feel suitable humbled and honored and I hope I can keep your interest in 2009.
Pleasure knowing you, Miss N.
Danny Browns last blog post..Sonic the Hedgehog and Adventures in Social Media
Thanks for sharing Amber. Can’t wait to read even more. My RSS just continues to grow.
Mj
Mark Juleens last blog post..Is Social Media Marketing Just the Evolution of Word of Mouth Marketing?
Amber – I said you didn’t need to get me anything for Christmas…
Thank you so much for the kind words. You’ve made my day. I have no idea what to say when tossed into the conversation among such amazing folks as Danny, Kellye, Gavin and the rest.
This is a great post idea and I think I may borrow it for my space, with all due attribution, of course.
David Mullens last blog post..PR Remix – The 12 Days of Christmas
Amber, thank you so much for including me in this list and your encouragement, that means a lot. It’s feedback like that which keeps me going and wanting to improve. Your blog has been a continual resource for me in my pursuit of learning, and thanks for sharing a number of other passionate folks I haven’t heard of yet. I’m looking forward to the connections and exchanging of more ideas. Thanks again and happy holidays!
Amber,
Great list. Thanks for pointing me to some interesting folks and including their Twitter handles too.
And you call yourself Altitude Branding. More like Attitude Branding, if you ask me, for you command the right mix of respect and bravado for others that is worthy of a special Ambertude.
Ari Herzogs last blog post..Guest Interview with Dave Ruller: How Blogging Facilitates Civic Engagement
What a nice treat Google Alerts had for me today when I returned from lunch…the best dessert ever!
You have great timing with this topic as we head into the new year and have a fresh opportunity to learn and grow from others we encounter. Several on this list I already enjoy, but am excited to have other interesting people bubbled to the top for me (by someone with a good filter) –so thanks!
And of course, I thank you for the recognition, Amber. I get such pleasure from your writing and observations, and it’s thrilling as well as humbling to be called out by you. I’ll do my best to prepare good content that may be useful to others.
Heather Rasts last blog post..When It’s Viral: Marketing’s In The Hands Of The People
Oh wow! Thank you!!!
Big smiles.
olivier blanchards last blog post..Premium Brands have always been recession-proof. Until now.
Hi Amber – thank you SO much for calling out my personal blog here. It’s truly been a labor of love for me, coming up on one year, and I’m at that point: Should I keep doing this? To what end? You know… those kinds of questions of doubt and reassessment. So thank you. Your words mean a lot to me.
You also happened to call out a number of blogs I already know — and sometimes forget about. So double thanks all rolled up into one, right here, right now.
It’s been such a gift to get to know you this year — you are truly a rock star. Well, in 2009 you will be. Mark my words….
Hugs from Boston (where I’m NOT wearing a Snuggie, despite the friggid temps).
Ann Handleys last blog post..Innocents At Home
Hey Amber … thanks for including me on your special list! You know, you are welcome to stalk/hang out with me any time
Gavin Heatons last blog post..Content Marketing Predictions for 2009
Jeesh, I didn’t get you anything for Christmas at all. Now I feel like an ass.
What a wonderful list to be on. Well, except for that Handley lady… she’s always trying to one-up me with her near perfect writing style and warm insights. She really stinks.
Any time I can get on a list with Beth, Gavin and even Ann… I’m happy. The other listees are great as well. Some I’ve never read until today, but I will be reading more.
Thank you for this. SIncerely.
Tim Jacksons last blog post..Tis the season…
Ha! If I “Caved to the pressure” — I wonder what outrageously smart blogger was doing much of the pressuring?
I’m truly humbled that you’ve seen fit to include my relatively new blog among so many fabulous thinkers (some of which I didn’t know about, and I’m adding to my RSS reader right now). I’ll be doing my best to be worthy of your support in ‘09.
Of course, The Brand Box is on everyone’s list of favorites for a reason — you’re a never-ending supply of insights *and* generosity, epitomizing what’s best about social media. Thanks again for all you do!
Kellye Cranes last blog post..Don’t Forget to Take a Holiday
Still can’t believe that less than a year ago I wasn’t blogging or twittering. Since then I’ve “met” so many smart, generous people online including you, Amber.
I am humbled and honored to be in such great company here. Thank you for including me.
Happy holidays to you and yours!
Lisa Hoffmanns last blog post..8 ways to be extraordinary online
You’re at the top of my list Amber! You provide such an inspiration and I’m humbled to be included with these talented and amazing people. Thank you so much for the acknowledgement and encouragement. You’ve even opened me up to a couple new people that were not previously on my radar before.
Of all the incredible people I’ve met and established relationships with in 2008, yours is one of the ones I value most. I look forward to working together to make 2009 even better. And I’m going to work on shortening the time I “chew on a post”
Thanks again and Happy holidays!
Ken Burbarys last blog post..You are a Celebrity
Hey, what’s the big idea including me with all these smart people?!
Thank you, Amber. You continue to amaze and surprise me.
Scott Hepburns last blog post..ScottHepburn: @3rddeadline My thoughts exactly…
Amber – great list. Nice to see several of my friends here (whom I read regularly).
Best,
Aaron | @astrout
Aaron Strouts last blog post..Hubspot Keeps Delivering the Value
Great list, Amber. I’m making it a point to find new voices, and there are a bunch here. Thank you!
Kelli Matthewss last blog post..My "Social" Resolutions
You are so kind to include me in your list. I’m glad to know you, and look forward to many more invigorating conversations with you! Cheers!
Susan Murphys last blog post..How Small Towns Are Social Networks
I’ve got a lot to learn. With this list maybe I can figure out what the hell I should do.
Fae Yamaguchis last blog post..The Universe
Wow! Thanks Amber for the road-sign to some stunning blogs.
I look forward to getting my teeth into the gems of wisdom they all share…
Smiles,
Stuart
The guy who stops parents and teens from fighting about money.
http://www.StuartFlemingBlog.com
Stuart Flemings last blog post..Parenting Teens Money Tips- Financial Inequality for Girls
Amazing list. Not only some great blogs to follow but also some awesome people to follow on twitter.
Jared O’Tooles last blog post..Here Comes 2009
Discovered a few in here I haven’t been following, but probably should. Thanks for the tips.
Arik Hansons last blog post..Cast your vote for the best Twitter avatar
That is a nice list you have put together. Im sure though you missed out http://crenk.com, not really sure why though.
Steven Finchs last blog post..Are Mac Users Ready for A 3D Experience?