Nate Riggs: Social Business Strategies; communication, social web strategies, & passion in Columbus, Ohio.

While I was finishing up at BMA Engage, Chris Stone sent me a tweet asking:  “What are the 10 blogs you read every day?”

It’s a great question, but one that is in no way answerable in 140 characters or less.  That being said, it is a great idea for a blog post.  Thank you, Chris.

It’s important to keep in mind that not every one of these bloggers post every day, but I do read them when there’s something new up.  I read a crazy amount of blogs.  It’s my job to stay up on the conversations; but I also read because bloggers and blogging fascinate me.  I truly enjoy reading what people have to say.

Most of my everyday blogs get delivered to my inbox via email.  It’s easy, and it makes sure that I don’t skip or miss anything without a look.  For other blogs that I read (but not all the time), I’ll typically subscribe to via Google Reader.  Brogan would probably say that reader is a great tool for leveraging the convenience of Anywhen.  Click that last link to figure out he means by that term.

The 10 Blogs I Read Every Day (And Why)

These blogs are listed in no particular order.  This list is not a ranking, as each blogger delivers a different type of conversation starter.  All are good at what they deliver.

Chris Brogan – I found Chris’s blog by chance, sometime around 2004.  Chris and his content first piqued my interest by using social media for more than just fun.  Even today, I still get tons of value and entertainment from his posts .

HubSpot – Brian Halligan and his team of contributors at HubSpot are, by far, one of the most valuable blogs on the web today.  Want to learn how marketing is changing and how to change with it?  Read this blog.  HubSpot is one of the very few blogs that deliver multiple posts each day on a consistent basis.  And it’s not all business.  They have some fun too.

Michael Hyatt – Hyatt is the CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers and writes on values and leadership, just cranking out some damned good content.  In my mind, Michael has really cracked the code in terms of the balance between personal branding and company branding.  He and his content are inspirations to me on so many levels.

Convince & Convert (Jason Baer) – Aside from being an uber-cool guy, Baer sits at the top of the list of interactive agency marketers in business today.  He’s an amazing influencer and his style sits somewhere in between Brogan and Solis, in terms of charisma and analysis of trends.  His content is also entertaining as hell.

Brainzooming – Mike Brown is one of the best business strategists in the game, in my humble opinion.  I’m privileged to have many opportunities to work with him.  Mike brings an actionable take on strategy that is rooted in his more than 25 years of experience in the corporate world.  His content is creative, innovative and always gets my gears turning.

Seth Godin – Seth’s blog, like many of yours out there, has become a staple in my life.  What I really dig about Seth is his ability to name concepts and make them memorable.  A lot of the stuff he writes on is not new information, but I think Seth has the ability to say it better than just about anyone else out there.

Shel Holtz - Shel is my organizational communication influencer.  He’s an ABC (Accredited Business Communicator) and an IABC Fellow, which is the highest honor you can receive in that organization.  Shel always calls it really like it is.

All Facebook (Nick O’Neill) – This is the unofficial authority on just about everything that is happening with Facebook.  I have no idea how Nick gets his insider information on the world’s biggest social network, but he does.  And he shares it with everyone.  All Facebook is simply an amazing resource.

Darren Rowse – A.K.A Problogger, Darren is my favorite blogger who blogs about blogging.  He’s truly a master of all things content and just a really cool guy.  He’s also a expert on photography, which is something I’m getting into on the personal side.  I love this blog.

Brian Solis – Solis is defining things like SMO, Social CRM and just about every trend that’s worth looking at in the online space.  Here’s a tip: If you want to get all the latest research without paying thousands of dollars for subscriptions to big name research companies, read Brian’s blog.  It’s always excellent and his analysis is worth your time.  He shoots a good photo too.

Blogs I Read Anywhen

• Artie Isaac - Artie started me on the path of being a blogger.  His style, content and perspective are so valuable.
• Chris Penn – Chris is brilliant and understands the true meaning of ROI (real Return on Investment) and how to get there.
• C.C. Chapman – C.C. is one of the most creative guys I’ve ever met and currently works with Campfire NYC.
• Jeremiah Owyang – Jeremiah is probably the most respected Internet strategist in the game today.  Read his blog and you’ll know why.
• Paul Gillin – Paul is another marketer who I highly respect.  He’s written a few good books as well.
• Linda Stone – Linda is simply on a different level in terms of her experience and take on technology.
• KD Paine – KD is the best in the business at measurement.
• Jacob Morgan – Jacob’s perspective on social media and people is uncanny.
• Dan Schwabel – Dan is one of the pioneers of personal branding.
• Jason Falls – Jason is a killer social media strategist and does amazing work.
• David Meerman Scott – Read his blog now.  David’s newest work is centered around the idea of real time.
• Brian Clark – A.K.A Copyblogger, Brian has one of the most widely subscribed to blogs on the web today.
• Mashable – An aggregate of just about everything that is happening in online business.
• Cheryl Harrison – Cheryl is a friend and Columbus native.  She’s snarky, funny and always pushing the envelope.
• Lindsey Nobels – Lindsey works with Michael at Thomas Nelson.  Her content is fun, values driven and just good stuff.
• Justin Kownacki – Justin is a smart dude with contrary opinions and a rather interesting take on sociology.
• Dad-o-Matic – This is a blog that I love reading.  (I’m a dad.  What can I say?)  When I have something of value to add, maybe I’ll even submit a few posts.

Phew, those are mine.  What blogs do you read?

(Photo credit: The incredibly talented Becky Johns.)