Social media is constantly changing, updating and developing. It continues to change how we receive information and it’s revolutionizing the way we work. There is an abundant amount of information in cyberspace about social media, but the question remains: where is the best place to look for social media help? Which blogs are the best social media blogs?

At SocialNicole we read a wide variety of resources to stay up to date on the trends and happening in social media marketing. The list is long and is more than most people have time to read or need to read to stay in the social media know. We have pared our list down to a group of 10 blogs that we recommend for those wanting to stay up to date with what’s happening in social media marketing without making their heads spin. These blogs are presented in no particular order and include a mix of social media only blogs and general business blogs as well.

1. Social Media Examiner

This blog has great content to introduce new users to all the different social media sites. Social Media Examiner helps with staying on top of trends and the latest news on any changes in social media channels.

2. Buffer Social

I am an avid fan of the Buffer app and we use it religiously as part of our social media tool arsenal at SocialNicole Digital. And this company practices what they preach with their content marketing. Their blog is packed full of great advice, useful tips and strategies to help any business succeed at social media marketing.

3. Marketing Tech Blog

This blog combines the ever-changing technology and the world of social media. Learn how technology and social media work together to be most effective in marketing.

4. Sprout Social

This is another tool we use at SocialNicole Digital every single day and their blog provides an abundance of advice and updates on social media, brand building and more. What I like about this blog is that they research the topics extensively and their advice is sound. I typically read more than one source when I am trying to validate my own theories and Sprout Social is never wrong.

5. Hubspot

Hubspot is known far and wide for their all-in-one marketing software that will make your marketing automation dreams come true. And while their product is not for everyone, they do an excellent job showcasing what they do with their own content marketing. They provide some of the most relevant, cutting edge social media and content marketing advice you can find both on their blog and through their many white papers, guides and resources that they happily provide you for free. If you want to see a content marketing program that works, this is the company and blog to follow.

6. Mashable 

Mashable is a very popular blog that provides a wide variety of news, ranging from social media to celebrity gossip. It has a mix of content that provides information about trends in technology, science, entertainment and more. While the content is more varied than some others on this list, it is the place to be if you want to keep your finger on the pulse of what is happening in the technology world (including social media marketing).

7. Socialnomics 

From their about page:

Socialnomics.com spawned from Erik Qualman’s #1 bestselling book of the same title. Our mission is to keep you in-the-know on the latest biz and buzz of tech. Think statistics, studies, stories, and surprises. Because of your efforts we have been able to reach over 25 million and growing.

Enough said. This is a must read blog.

8. TechCrunch

This is a large international news site, with topics ranging from startups to apps and everything in between. They have a social media category that is kept updated multiple times each day with all the latest social media news and advice.

9. Social Media Today

Social Media Today offers a wide mix of help for any social media confusion you may have! They offer details on content marketing, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, etc. and strategic ways to use social media. The authors’ backgrounds are diverse which gives this blog an advantage as they are able to bring many expertise and perspectives into one central location. If you are going to read just one blog on social media this would be a great choice.

10. Inc.com

This is another blog with a magazine approach similar to TechCrunch that offers a diverse range of business-focused topics, I really like their entrepreneur advice and of course they have a stellar social media category that is both useful and sometimes quite entertaining. For an-all around great business blog that also focuses on social media marketing – Inc.com is an excellent choice!

Social Media has gone way past tweeting what you had for lunch, or poking your ex on Facebook. Now marketers all over the world have an integrated social media plan and every brand its own digital strategy. Blogging is now an essential part of an integrated social media strategy and there are a whole host of social media savvy blogs out there giving hints, tips, reviews as well as practical hands-on advice for those working in the industry or just with a passing interest in all things digital.

We’ve come up with a list of the 12 best social media blogs that everyone should read. Put them on your favorite RSS feed reader, sit back and enjoy!

1. Social Media Today-Social Media Today – “The world’s best thinkers on social media” is their tagline and a pretty fair one too. This is a collection of bloggers who form part of the online community for professionals in PR, marketing, advertising, or any other discipline where a thorough understanding of social media is mission-critical. So basically: Social media experts talking about social media.
2. Socialnomics-Socialnomics – The blog spawned from the #1 Best Selling Book Socialnomics/ by Erik Qualman or Equalman as he is known on twitter. Erik also made the awesome Youtube video Social Media Revolution which became a hit back in 2009 for its social media facts & insights, but has been updated several times to keep it current.  Socialnomics tells the story of social success, statistics and amusing insights. Qualman is a great resource for those interested in everything “social”social Media Examiner Social Media Examiner – All the latest social media news, tips, hints as well as reviews and lists of apps and services. Social Media Examiner also features case-studies of real life social media success stories.
3. Tech Crunch-Tech Crunch – Personally I’m not a massive fan of the layout of this site – but as content goes, it’s right up there with the very best of them. You’ll find over 20 different social media & tech posts here every single day.
4. Jeff Bullas-Jeff Bullas – Jeff is a digital consultant who works with companies and executives to optimize their online personal and company presence and brand with digital marketing and social media through the use of social media channels and other web and mobile technologies. His site is a very practical, hand-on guide for businesses with lots of tips on all kinds of social media usage. Especially useful for small businesses.
5. Scott Monty-Scott Monty – Only updated every 2-3 weeks, Scott Monty is not only the global head of social media for Ford Motor Company but also the guy who coined the term “tweetup”. Scott blogs some interesting insights into his world from a marketing/advertising/PR perspective.
6. Convince & Convert-Convince & Convert – Run by Jay Baer the tequila-loving, hype-free social media strategy consultant, speaker, and author that helps leading companies and PR firms harness the awesome power of the social Web.
7. Soshable-Soshable – is all about analyzing innovative applications and offering fresh insights into the world of social media. It wants to do more than offer just news & announcements, and try to offer opinions and to present the social internet on a golden platter for everyone to enjoy.
8. Edelman Digital-Edelman Digital – This blog is from the “world’s first and largest global social agency”. The Edelman digital blog has a broad scope of social media, PR and marketing. They also publish a very detailed Edelman quarterly which is also not to be missed.
9. Heidi Cohen-Heidi Cohen‘s blog is full of intelligent insights and digital marketing tips from her 20 years’ plus experience as a marketing executive. It offers hands-on advice for small & large businesses..
10. Likeable Media-Likeable – quite simply, provides tips and ideas on how to make your brand more likeable on the digital landscape.
11. Mashable-Last but certainly not least is Mashable, one of the most retweeted sites on Twitter. Scottish founder Pete Cashmore is definitely one of the ‘twitterarti’ with close to 3 million followers and a Klout score of 89. This blog brings together a plethora or information on topics such as social media, tech, business, entertainment and much more.