Here’s a short list of my favorite blogs and web sites where I hang out to keep up to date with social media for small business:

1. Duct Tape Marketing: Simple, effective and affordable small business marketing.
According to Seth Godin, author of Linchpin, John Jantsch is the Peter Drucker of small business marketing tactics. John Jantsch is a business consultant and author of Duct Tape Marketing blog. John and his blog have quite a following amongst entrepreneurs and marketing types.

This site is for you, specifically, if you are a small business owner or independent professional.

Tips, strategies and tactics to help small business owners grow their businesses. Visit Duct Tape Marketing…

2. Social Media Examiner: Your guide to the social media jungle.
Founded by Michael Stelzner with a vision to bring together the brightest minds in social media. “Mari Smith, Chris Garrett, Denise Wakeman, Cindy King, Casey Hibbard and Jason Falls answered the call as founding contributors. More than 50 social media experts regularly contribute…”

Visit Social Media Examiner…

3. Mari Smith: first place to look to keep up with Facebook.

If you have a Facebook account, follow Mari Smith at her web site AND her Facebook page. Mari keeps up with Facebook and writes about how to network at Facebook, combining high tech and high touch with her easy to follow, easy to implement strategies, tips and “how-to” steps.

4. HubSpot: amazing free guides and webinars!

There’s no need to say much more. Pick up free guides written by experts (in plain English), no obligation. So much information and step-by-step guidance and training available at HubSpot. Visit HubSpot’s Social Media section…

5. Mashable/Social Media: Keep up to date with breaking social media news. (More technical stuff here.)

From Mashable’s own About page:

Founded in 2005, Mashable is the top source for news in social and digital media, technology and web culture. With more than 30 million monthly pageviews, Mashable is the most prolific news site reporting breaking web news, providing analysis of trends, reviewing new websites and services, and offering social media resources and guides. Mashable’s audience includes early adopters, social media enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, influencers, brands and corporations, marketing, PR and advertising agencies, Web 2.0 aficionados and technology journalists. Mashable is also popular with bloggers, Twitter and Facebook users — an increasingly influential demographic.

Visit Mashable’s Social Media section…

What are your favorite places to send friends and colleagues for social media advice and know-how?

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