4 minutes
Are you tweeting, posting to Facebook, or Instagramming about your brand? If not, you’re missing out.
The Internet has become the primary means for prospective buyers to evaluate products or services. Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest can take your marketing to the next level. However, many businesses aren’t using social media at all — they aren’t aware of what’s being said about them online and they don’t know how to start conversations with their target audience.
Of the brands that *are* using social media marketing, many don’t do much planning regarding their social media activities. They use what I call the Shotgun-Blast Approach — they have profiles on every social network under the sun, aimlessly push out links to their content in hopes that it will be discovered by thousands of people, and never engage with their followers.
Sharing endless streams of promotional content isn’t marketing – it’s spamming.
It turns off people in droves and it isn’t a viable way to get results.
This is an unordered list — all of these blogs are packed with helpful information.
1. Buffer
Buffer’s content library is one of the best in the social media space. Its comprehensive articles are helpful to beginners as well as advanced social media marketers.
2. Rebekah Radice’s Blog
Rebekah Radice’s award-winning blog helps small business owners and entrepreneurs make radical shifts within social media and online marketing.
3. Sprout Social
The Sprout Social blog contains lots of well-written content, useful data, and many case studies that will help you succeed.
4. Social Pro Daily
Adweek’s social media marketing blog covers Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Snapchat, YouTube and other social platforms.
5. Ignite Social Media Marketing Blog
Ignite Social has helped some of the world’s top brands develop effective social media marketing campaigns and programs. Their blog covers current ideas and tried-and-true approaches you can add to your toolbox.
6. Gary Vaynerchuck’s Blog
Gary Vaynerchuk, CEO and co-founder of Vayner Media, shares what has worked for himself and others when it comes to social media marketing and how you can put social media to work for you.
7. Social Media Examiner
Social Media Examiner, the world’s largest social media source, helps millions of businesses discover how to best use social media, blogs, and podcasts to connect with customers, drive traffic, generate awareness, and increase sales.
8. Social Media Explorer
Social Media Explorer is a leading source for insights, opinion, and learning in the world of digital and social media marketing. Primarily authored by founder Jason Falls and his team, it also features articles by thought leaders in the space.
9. Convince and Convert
Convince and Convert by Jay Baer has been named the #1 content marketing blog in the world by the Content Marketing Institute. It offers a wealth of information about social media marketing, from novice to more advanced topics.
10. Hubspot Marketing Blog
Hubspot’s Marketing Blog is a first-rate source for information about inbound and social media marketing, with thousands of tips and strategies for attracting visitors to your content.
11. Top Rank Marketing Blog
A recognized thought leader, TopRank Marketing publishes the Online Marketing Blog, ranked one of the leading and most influential marketing blogs on the web by Content Marketing Institute, Advertising Age, Edelman’s Social Media Index, Onalytica’s List of Most Influential PR Blogs, and many others.
12. Brand24
Brand24’s blog contains a wealth of information about social listening, digital marketing, branding, and more, as well as best practices and industry news.
13. Facebook Business Blog
This official blog from Facebook offers the latest news, announcements, and tips for leveraging Facebook and Instagram for social media marketing.
14. Hot in Social Media
Social media, marketing, SEO, PR, and advertising news and tips plus tutorials make this blog a valuable resource.
15. Jeff Bullas’ Blog
The goal of Jeff’s blog is to educate and inspire business and personal brands to develop, grow, and increase their sales on the social web. His vast number of posts help readers make their brands visible online.
16. Meltwater Social Media Blog
PR and marketing strategy with the latest insights and trends on media intelligence, media monitoring, analytics, influencer outreach, and social listening.
17. Problogger
Everything you need to know about art and science of blogging by Darren Rowse, a thought leader in the space.
18. Socialnomics
Erik Qualman’s long running thought leadership blog explores digital and social media marketing trends.
19. Social Media Today
A community blog offering a comprehensive view of social media marketing news, trends, and tips.
20. The Social Media Hat
Mike Allton’s blog is an award-winning social media marketing resource for businesses around the world. Here you’ll find stories about the latest developments, reviews of the best tools, and in-depth articles on social media strategies and tactics.