20 Small Business Blogs That Have The Right Stuff

                                                                                           

Small business. Blogs. Which blogs offer terrific and timely content that current and future small business owners can learn from? And once you learn from them, will you share them with others?

Here are The Top 20 Business Blogs That Have The Right Stuff...

1. Small Business Trends- {Full disclosure coming} Just because I happen to be the "Franchise Expert In Residence" and a columnist for Anita Campbell's award winning blog, doesn't mean that I have to name this gem #1. But it is number #1. The content is top-notch.
2. The Entrepreneurial Mind- Dr. Jeff Cornwall teaches entrepreneurship at Belmont University. The good doctor always has great tips for entrepreneurs, and even throws in some op-ed pieces on issues that affect small business.
3. You're The Boss- This New York Times blog features different authors providing a plethora of small business related information. This blog has no problem sharing information and opinion on how US politics affect small business as a whole. 
4. BizBox- One of Slate's blogs, they are a clearinghouse for all the small business news that's important to small business owners. OPEN by American Express is involved in this one, and features some great writers like Rohit Bhargava.
5. Online Marketing Blog- Lee Odden and his contributors do a stellar job discussing the intersection of digital PR, plus social and search engine marketing. Every small business owner should school themselves on these important topics.
6. Entrepreneur.com Daily Dose- A daily dose of pertinent information for small business owners, and would-be owners. Several authors contribute to this fast paced blog, and it's never boring. Hot topics. Daily.
7. Duct Tape Marketing Blog- John Jantsch does a fine job keeping his readers tuned in to all things related to the marketing side of small business. He's built a large community of followers by providing helpful tips and quality content on a daily basis.
8. OPEN FORUM By American Express- Recently given a total makeover, this small business blog has some highly influential columnists who provide advice and commentary to the small business community, delivered with an edge.{Full disclosure; I'm the franchise columnist.} 
9. Business Know How Blog- This blog features a number of articles on how to run a small business. Recent topics include identity theft protection, marketing tips, and how to get interest- free loans from the US Government.
10. Dane Carlson's Business Opportunities Weblog- Dane Carlson was blogging long before the word "blog" was even known. Dane and his group of writers deliver daily news about the world of small business start-ups, and the innovators behind them. Figure on getting 8-10 fresh articles every day,  Monday-Friday.
11. Small Biz Survival- If you happen to be, or want to be, a small business owner, and you happen to live in a smaller-sized town, Becky McCray feels that you must do things a little differently. This blog offers ways to do just that.
12. Business Pundit- Drea Knufken writes about various small business topics on this energetic blog. Recent topics include green businesses, recession proof industries, and 5 cool office "stretches." A very entertaining blog.
13. Small Business Labs- Covering "The key social, technology, and business trends affecting small business," this terrific blog gives it's readers lots of data. Facts. Figures. Graphs, and such. Excellent links to other great blogs can be found in the posts. Nice work! 
14. CNN/Money.com- This blog and small business news site is very professional looking. It is a multi-media feast of articles, videos, and it even has a nice Q & A section. And it's CNN. 
15. AllBusiness.com Small Business Blog- Small business expert Rieva Lesonsky delivers small business insights on this Dun & Bradstreet owned business site. Rieva's tips are plentiful, and if you own a small business, this one's for you.
16. Tim Berry's Blog- Tim Berry of Palo Alto Software fame is the guy when it comes to small business start-ups. Tim encourges all of us to not only work real hard, but to set some time aside for ourselves. *
17. Small Biz Bee- This blog is filled to capacity with tips on how to run, grow, and market your small business. Recent topics included Twitter and small business, and 5 things you didn't learn about being an entrepreneur while going to college.
18. StartUpNation Blogs- Rich Sloan speaks to his community on this blog. This popular small business start-up site has a lot of different areas to explore. There are several other good writers that contribute to this popular blog.
19. Small Business Branding- Don't let the title of this blog influence your choice of whether to check it out or not. It's not just about branding, but rather it's about marketing your business to make it a brand, someday. 
20. Marc Gunther's Blog- This Fortune magazine contributor is an environmentalist, and discusses sustainability and small business. If you would like to stay up to date on all the environmental issues, and how businesses are adapting to all things green, it's worth a look.

Are there any other small business blogs that you feel have the "Right Stuff?" Please share them below in the comment section. Thank you!

 * Tim's blog replaces a major newspaper's small business blog. It was pointed out that I did not look closely enough at the date of their last posting.{March} I apologize.

Comments

[suvie]

Great post, I often feel like many of the tasks
I do online are like grunt work, and like you I agree
it was not the way I wanted to run an online business,
I wanted everything more easy and automated.
The 2 out 3 rule sounds good to me, I will be implementing that now,
I was never sure what ratio to use for mailings.
I have tried, failed and gave up, but now I am back to try again,
with a new passion so hopefully I can find the way that works for me this time,
thanks for this post, it really helped me

[Sell My Business]

This list is just what I have been waiting for...

thanks for the source.

[The Franchise King]

Paul,

Thank you so much for that compliment my friend!

Let's just stay on the mission...

The Franchise King
Joel Libava

[Paul Segreto]

Great list Joel but you missed one very important blog that I believe can be accessed anytime at www.TheFranchiseKingBlog.com.

Keep up the great work my friend!

[The Franchise King]

Thank you for the compliment, dissertation!

The Franchise king
Joel Libava

[dissertation writing help]

Thanks a lot for a bunch of good tips. I look forward to reading more on the topic in the future. Keep up the good work! This blog is going to be great resource. Love reading it

[Yacht S Man]

Thanks 4 the cool list. Kip the gud work :)

[Jerry Bowles]

Great list, Joel. Happy to note that many of your top bloggers also syndicate their posts at our community for growing companies MyVenturepad http://myventurepad.com Jeff Cornwall, John Jantsch, Steve King, Becky McCray, Tim Berry, Small Biz Bee are all there and Marc Gunther is one of the stars of our Energy Collective community http://theenergycollective.com

[The Franchise King]

Shashi,

You do a great job over at network Solutions.

I enjoyed the webinar you did with my friend, Anita Campbell a while back.

I'll add you to my "Franchise/Small Business Resources" page.

The Franchise King
Joel Libava

[Shashi Bellamkonda]

Hi Joel,

This is a good list and no:2 , 10 and 12 are new for me and will make it a point to check them out. We will work hard for http://growsmartbusiness.com/small-business-news/ to make the list in future.

Thanks,

Shashi

[R.]

Nice, thanks for sharing these links. I'd also recommend AdWido for online marketing, especially if you have a video you want to get promoted.

[The Franchise King]

Thank you John.

Colombian coffee is an amazing beverage.

The Franchise King
Joel Libava

[John]

And apparently can't discern between "to" and "too" at 6:30 in the morning. I'll stop now.

[John]

Whoops, that would be Tim "Berry", not "Barry". Seems I don't read to carefully either!

[John]

Joel,

Tim Barry's blog is a great choice to replace the Washington Post's.

Keep up the good work!

[The Franchise King]

Carl,

You do run one helluva blog.

Its-http://mainebusiness.mainetoday.com/blogs.html

"The Takeaway"

the Franchise King
Joel Libava

[Carl Natale]

If there's now room in that list I'm going to pitch shameless self promotion for my blog The Takeaway - updated each workday.

[The Franchise King]

John,

You are correct. A big Whoops there.

I remember seeing Sharon's stuff a coupe of months back, and enjoyed her writing. A lot. More than a few people pointed me in her direction.

I guess I kind of skimmed over the date of her last post.

I apologize.

I am replacing it with Tim Berry's wonderful blog, Planning Start-up Stories.

Tim writes often, and I might add, wonderfully.

Again, Thank you for pointing out my error.

The Franchise King
Joel Libava

[John]

Why would you include the Washington Post Small Business Blog? It hasn't had any new content posted since March 31, 2009. I'd think one of the criteria for a 'top 20' blog would recent content.

[The Franchise King]

Thank you for chiming in, Vinny

Caron, you are right. Business.Gov just keeps getting better..

Anita, You do work really hard. And you do a superb job. Thank you for putting your faith in me!

The Franchise King
Joel Libava

[Anita Campbell]

Thanks, Joel, for the excellent list. I would echo Caron Beesley's comment about the business.gov blogs.

Oh, and thanks for making us #1. What people often don't realize is that I've been at this for almost 6 years, and have plowed countless hours and a good chunk of my personal money into getting to where we are today.

It started out as "my" blog but now it's become the "community's" blog -- and is a richer place for it. My appreciation for all you contribute.

-- Anita

[Caron Beesley]

Joel - I'd also recommend Business.gov's range of blogs on it's Small Business Community: http://community.business.gov/.

"Small Business Matters" - http://community2.business.gov/t5/Small-Business-Matters/bg-p/GovernmentResources - is one blog on the site that provides helpful information about a broad range of small and home business issues, taking a deeper dive into topics on the minds of entrepreneurs, and including direct links to resources that every business owner looks for when navigating the government maze.

Also "The industry Word" - http://community2.business.gov/t5/The-Industry-Word/bg-p/IndustryWord - brings together notable small biz experts including yourself :-), Rieva Lesonsky, Anita Campbell, and many others to share their small biz expertise with the community.

[Vinny]

Although somewhat newer, this is a fantastic online resource for business owners looking to learn more about marketing their business online.

www.businessmarketingblog.org

Thanks!