The pace of news about social media is quickening by the day, with more and more startups redefining the way we connect online, and an increasing number of brands and agencies that truly understand how to implement effective social media strategies. This top 10 list is a glimpse into what resources we use to get the best and latest information on social media, and what we recommend to our partners, clients and friends on a regular basis.

1. TechMeme

• The technology marketer’s one-stop website for all the latest news and information on all things tech, including social media. TechMeme aggregates the news to give the reader a real-time view of what the blogosphere and tech journalists are currently buzzing about.

2. Smartbrief on Social Media

• This daily newsletter offers bite-sized round ups of the best news and opinions on social media, with a great wealth of surveys and data. Written mostly for an audience of senior-level marketing managers.

3. Mashable

• One of the top social media blogs, Mashable is now the best resource on introducing new social media platforms and tools. It also provides a great forum for discussing the “process” behind using these tools for effective social media marketing, while maintaining a strong focus on social media use in the enterprise.

4. PaidContent

• The definitive resource on the world of digital content, with breaking news on how the large publishing and delivery networks are connecting with consumers through traditional and social media.

5. CE blogs (Gizmodo, Engadget, MAKE)

• Aside from satisfying our geek lust, these sites cover the latest on consumer electronics that utilize social media, i.e. the crossover of social media into hardware. It provides the marketing manager with a good forward-looking perspective on what opportunities lie ahead for targeting users outside of the computer.

6. FierceOnlineVideo

• Part of the FierceOnline network of newsletters, FOV is a weekly newsletter providing news on movers and shakers in the online video industry, and great insight into how today’s marketers use video to connect with consumers.

7. TechCrunch

• The first, if not most popular, mainstream blog about Web 2.0 and social media, offering strong opinions and analysis from industry heavyweight Michael Arrington and exclusive news on the latest tech startups.

8. TopRankBlog

• From Minneapolis-based TopRank, Lee Odden and team discuss integration of social media into SEO and other online marketing activities.

9. O’Reilly

• From the new media tycoon who is reputed to have invented (and trademarked) the phrase “Web 2.0.” In addition to publishing a vast array of instructional books, this team of writers provides expert opinion on the latest web technologies, while providing round-ups of various conferences related to social media (Web 2.0 Expo, Where 2.0, MAKE, etc)

10. Social Media Today

• With a high frequency of posts and moderate signal-to-noise ratio, this site occasionally offers the great “how to” on effective social media marketing campaigns from mid-level practitioners.

Do you have any web site or resources you use?  Let us know!

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