Corporate Web StrategyWeb Marketing ideas, tactics, trends and more….

Social Media is THE hot topic today. There are hundreds and thousands of sites offering tips on social media usage and trends. However, if you are creating a web strategy you probably need more information on trends, ideas, and a great deal of substance.

Here’s a review of 10 of the most social media sites I have found most useful in helping me craft my corporate web strategies:

1)   Jeremiah Owyang

With roots originating from Forrester, Jeremiah Owyang’s blog is a wealth of knowledge from the viewpoint of an analyst. Read his blog, and you’ll find deep insights on the impact of social media on the marketplace or your marketplace. If you are seeking for social media research, you’ll sure to find lots here. With Jeremiah being part of Altimeter now, the current focus of the site right now seems to be on the concept of Social CRM.

2) Social Media Today

This site is probably more of a collection of blog posts contributed by a string of guest authors. Thus, you could probably find lots of social media tips and tricks here, but probably as in depth as you would like. Nevertheless, Social Media Today is a great news site for lighter reading. You’d probably also find some excellent reference documents and webcasts here as well, especially if you are just learning the ropes on social media.

3) Mashable.com

Mashable calls itself the Social Media Blog. Look closer, and you’ll find that it really is a mash up of Tech, Mobile, Social Media and Entertainment news. This could be because such topics do appeal to the typical social media junkie.

Mashable’s social media section consists mostly of the latest social media news, buzz and typically what the tech-savvy would find interesting and amusing. Perhaps what you could really learn here would be to get ideas on how Twitter, Facebook or Twitter can be used creatively for YOUR business.

4) 360 Digital Influence by Ogilvy

If you are seeking for some “agency advice”, 360 Digital Influence would be the place. Get some insights on how one of the top agencies get their digital marketing strategy done, and maybe you can get some free advice in the process.

The only drawback that I see from this site is that some of the posts could have been better if they were backed up with research data, rather than just being an agency’s opinions.

5) Augie Ray’s Blog on Forrester

Augie Ray became a social media researcher on Forrester some months ago, and has recently been named one of Forrester’s top 20 most influential analysts on Twitter (http://technobabble2dot0.wordpress.com/2010/01/19/top-analyst-tweeters-via-tweetlevel-2/) . With his great insights found here – http://blogs.forrester.com/augie_ray – you can go through his blog and find lots of fresh ideas and recent research concepts on how the power of social media may be harness. You may also want to take a peek at his previous blog (http://www.experiencetheblog.com/) , which he had to abandon due to Forrester’s latest policy requiring their analsts to host their blogs solely on the Forrester domain.

6) BrandSavant

While www.brandsavant.com is on social media research and functions also to promote Edison Research, the content here offers some pretty good insights and ideas. It may seem that the content may not lean towards the concept of free research, but posts such as http://brandsavant.com/the-first-step-in-a-social-media-campaign/ or http://brandsavant.com/the-most-painful-social-media-metric/ do help you jumpstart your thinking process towards your social media strategy.

7) Online Marketing Blog

This is not entirely a social media blog. However, I like the posts and coverage this site has on its social media section (http://www.toprankblog.com/category/social-media/page/2/) You’ll learn something from them, and are able to take back some step-by-step tips and tricks on starting up your social media agenda. Don’t expect in depth research from this site though.

8 ) Social Media Examiner

The interesting earth tone motive and cute explorer graphics could make you wonder for a split second if you are on a Social Media site. Yes, you are. Don’t let the ironic theme full you – this site has a lot of tactical how-tos that you can put to good use. There are lots of lists here, things you never knew but were helpful in implementing a web marketing strategy. Have fun exploring!

9) Chris Brogan

Chris Brogan recently launched Trust Agents, a New York Times Bestseller essentially on how to become influencers on the web, and how anyone can build relationships and trust. Over time, these influencers have cultivated a strong following, and thus are able to influence buying decisions, and move market attention in their favor.

If you read Chris Brogan’s blog, you’ll finally realize that his posts are relatively short and sweet. With this, you can get some perspective and tips on some angles in social media marketing, but don’t expect to get the depth like you would from an analyst’s blog.

10) Thirty Day Challenge

Now, this is more of an Internet marketing resource site than a social media strategy site. However, I really like the approach of the Thirty Day Challenge, and the education here will be useful in building your foundation for marketing on the web. It’s practical step-by-step videos (although at times a tad too draggy) will help you understand concepts of generating web traffic, marketing via social media and creating web content tactfully.