Ten Blogs You should be Reading

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Ten Blogs You should be Reading

March 20, 2009 by Olivier Blanchard

In the spirit of Twitter’s Follow Friday, here is a list of blogs you should absolutely be reading if you enjoy what I write about here. All of these blogs touch on the topics of real marketing, smart business and inspired design.

1. Bloghound

Beeline Labs’ Lois Kelly has a blog, and it rocks. Not as flashy as some of the other A and B+ listers you probably already follow, but Lois is just brilliant. (And she keeps her posts short, which is something I always find awe-inspiring.)

2. A Clear Eye

Tom Asacker needs to get more face time withyou guys. The guy is brilliant and his book (A Little Less Conversation) is a must-read. If you aren’t familiar with Tom’s work, get acquainted. (And add his book to your library.)

3. Marenated

Yeah, I know Maren Hogan is a recruiter and not a marketing blogger. I don’t care. And maybe that’s the point: Here is a blogger (a vlogger, even) who uses blogs, Twitter, Seesmic and a pretty impressive toolbox of social media tools, refreshing honesty and fantastic insights to turn her industry upside down – for the greater good. Start reading her blog, follow her on Twitter, and connect with her via video on Seesmic.

4. The Altimeter

While everyone else is talking about where Social Media is today, Charlene Li already has her eye on the medium’s next evolution (or two). If you are getting a little tired of the same old discussions, check out Charlene’s take on where this is all going and what companies in the enterprise space are doing to engage with their customers. This is Social Media for grown ups. You know… with real data and stuff. (Yeah, your boss may actually like what she has to say.)

5. Change This!

These guys basically put together manifestos, all worth printing and leaving on people’s desks after hours, when no one is around. Shhhhh… Be vewy quiet. Changing the world one cubicle prisoner at a time can be dangerous business.

6. Piaras Kelly PR

If you’re a PR professional working in the US, up your game by seeing how the PR game is played in Europe. I have two words for you: Edelman Ireland. Need I say more? Seriously. Add Piaras’ blog to your daily read and I guarantee your PR game will go from zero to hero in just a few months.

7. Sonny Gill

If you aren’t already following Sonny, I’m worried about you. (Sonny is one of the freshest and sharpest minds in the Marketing and Social Media strategery worlds today.) And by the way, Sonny may be interviewing new employers soon, so if you want t have a shot at him, get in line while he is still considering his options.

8. Conversation Agent

Valeria Maltoni isn’t just cool, brilliant and obsessed about this stuff, she also has gravitas. (Inside joke.) Seriously though, Conversation Agent is a must read.

9. Altitude Branding

Amber Naslund may not be as much of a household name as Dave Armano, John Moore, Beth Harte, Francois Gossieaux, Jackie Huba, Mack Collier or Chris Brogan (yet) but her insights are no less indispensible to your professional growth. Look… If I had to put together a marketing advisory board, Amber would be one of the first people I would try to recruit for it. Read her stuff.

10. Living Brands

Okay, this one is kind of a wild card… but that’s the point. I wanted to mix some important but predictable choices with a few blogs that might be completely off your radar. Living Brands should be the latter. It’s good stuff. Check it out.

Okay, I am still sick today, so I’ll leave it at that. Have a terrific Friday, everyone.

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Posted in blogs | Tagged brandbuilder, marketing, social media | 10 Comments

10 Responses

on March 20, 2009 at 13:10 | Reply Tom Asacker

Thanks for the kind words Olivier. And get well soon! We need your voice.
on March 20, 2009 at 13:30 | Reply Lois Kelly

Hey Olivier, thanks so much — and for a great list. All marketers could take lessons from the “Change This!” manifestos.This is the type of content that companies need to be developing if they want to “social mediafy” their content.
on March 20, 2009 at 20:44 | Reply Amber Naslund

Ah Olivier, you’re so kind. And the admiration is mutual. I’m still waiting for that magical project we get to work on together. It’s so refreshing to run into people that consistently inspire me to shout “YES!”, and I’m really glad we’re connected.

Thanks for the kind words.
on March 21, 2009 at 10:13 | Reply Sonny Gill

Olivier! Honestly honored to be on this list of great blogs. I’ve told you before, but I think you have one of the smartest blogs out there that everyone should be reading.

Much appreciated!
on March 21, 2009 at 23:20 | Reply Valeria Maltoni

If only I knew French well enough! I’d show you gravitas. Thank you for the shout, Olivier. You’re very kind. I’m with you on all the blogs you mention and agree with Sonny’s recommendation. We should touch base soon.
on March 22, 2009 at 16:01 | Reply jon howard

Olivier. Thanks for the mention. Most kind! And I’ll check out the other guys I don’t know.
on March 22, 2009 at 17:54 | Reply Sunday Potpourri « Right Brain Planner

[...] To jumpstart my mind (and ever-so gently realign my thoughts …) I clicked over to Posts by Olivier Blanchard (@thebrandbuilder) … Particulary enjoyed his most recent, Ten Blogs You should be Reading. [...]
on March 23, 2009 at 02:22 | Reply Gavin Heaton

I aspire to keep my posts as short as Lois

Thanks, there are a couple here that I don’t have on my reader, but that is easily fixed!
on March 23, 2009 at 17:04 | Reply Social Media Blog Carnival Winners | Social Media Training Camp

[...] The Brand Builder’s Ten Blogs You Should be Reading A collection of resources for those interested in Social Media [...]
on March 23, 2009 at 22:58 | Reply Chaz

Olivier,

thanks for the list of highly tallented people & their excellent blogs. I am grateful for the opportunity to review other’s work and lean from people who are doing it right!

Cheers!