This past Monday morning, when I started my day with the usual routine checking of my TweetCaster mention alerts, I was greeted with the following tweet from @LorenBaker:
Talk about a great start to the day. In just a few hours, I had the Search and Social Awards banner in my sidebar and had sent out a tweet asking readers for support.
Since then, I have gotten a few messages from people mentioning that they were not familiar with many of the nominees. So I would like to take a moment to introduce you to some of my favorites in the nominee list, plus a sampling of some of their recent top posts.
Nominees for Best SEO Blog of 2010
Here are my favorite SEO (Search Engine Optimization) blogs out of the 22 nominees listed.
Daily SEO Tip
Daily SEO Tip is a blog that covers everything from SEO, link building, social media, blogging, and keyword tools. It is run by Loren Baker of Search Engine Journal and Ann Smarty, which many bloggers will recognize as the founder of My Blog Guest and author of many great guest blogs across the web, including on Famous Bloggers.
A Sampling from Daily SEO Tip
- 4 Link Building Tips You Should Integrate into Your SMM
- 10 SEO Tools Every Blogger Must Use
- How to Name Your Website Files
SEM Group Blog
SEM Group Blog is run by Gerald Weber, also known as @the_gman on Twitter. He is definitely one of the friendliest SEO’s out there, always sharing great articles and tips. His blog focuses on many topics including blogging, copywriting, social media, SEO, technology, and much more. He also contributes to Famous Bloggers.
A Sampling from SEM Group Blog
- How to Write Better Press Release Headlines
- How to Get More Comments on Your Blog
- 9 Specific Ways Your Business Can Use Twitter
Stay on Search
Stay on Search is a search and social media marketing focused blog that also covers tools, design & development, and e-commerce. Owner Mark Thompson‘s recent product launch is the Link Builder’s Toolkit – a spreadsheet full of resources to help you build links, from blog directories to forums to classifieds plus a section on search operators and how to use them to find link opportunities.
A Sampling from Stay on Search
- Huge List of 150 Compelling Headlines for Your Blog
- Effective Link Bait Examples and Techniques
- 9 Professional Social Media Monitoring Tools
Nominee for Best Search News Blog of 2010
Here is my pick for the best search news blog out of the 11 nominees listed.
Search Engine Journal
Search Engine Journal covers the latest in search engine marketing news including SEO, social media, link building, PPC, and tools. I was reading this site long before I became a contributing author, and many of their informative posts have appeared in the weekly roundups on Friday.
A Sampling from Search Engine Journal
- 2 Great WordPress Plugins to Find Your Blog’s Most Powerful Pages
- Local Business Marketing – The Known Future
- Why Buzz Beats Twitter, Facebook, and FriendFeed
Nominee for Best CRO/Conversion Blog of 2010
Here is my pick for the best CRO (Conversion Rate Optimization) blog out of the 7 nominees listed.
GrokDotCom
GrokDotCom makes my favorites list simply because they are a one of the strongest dofollow blogs out there. They have a huge section of archives covering conversion and marketing topics.
A Sampling from GrokDotCom
- Your Website is Unique – Don’t Settle for Best Practices
- Credibility – Yours to Loose
- What Makes a Product Review Great – Seven Tips that Count
Nominee for Best Social Media Blog of 2010
Here is my pick for the best social media blog out of the 10 nominees listed.
Techipedia
Techipedia by Tamar Weinberg covers all things social media, with a list of categories that focus on all of the major social networking sites.
A Sampling from Techipedia
- How to Get an Influencer’s Attention
- 7 Social Media Marketing Truths
- 11 Characteristics of Highly Influential Bloggers
Nominees for Best Blog for Bloggers of 2010
Here are my pics for best blog for bloggers out of the 7 nominees listed.
Kikolani
Yes, this is the category that Kikolani is nominated for. I’m not going to toot my own horn, but just say that I hope that my readers find this site valuable enough to vote for it. Some posts that I would like to toss in to help weigh in on that decision include:
A Sampling from Kikolani
- HootSuite for Blogging – A Blogger’s Guide to Twitter Management
- The Fetching Friday Series
- Reasons to Love CommentLuv Blogs
ProBlogger
ProBlogger is definitely worth a vote in this category. Why do I give them a vote? Darren Rowse‘s 31 Days to Building a Better Blog course, which I took for free a year ago (and later bought the workbook), changed my blog on the first day’s task – creating an elevator pitch. That exercise helped me define my site’s purpose for the first time which has led to it’s success today in blogging and social media topics.
A Sampling from ProBlogger
- Feeling Blogged Out – 10 Pro Bloggers Share Their Advice on What to Do
- 4 Foundations of a Successful Blog
- 9 Tricks I Used to Triple My Adsense Earnings in 30 Days
Nominee for Best SMM Blog of 2010
Here is my pick for the best SMM (Social Media Marketing) blog out of the 9 nominees listed.
Chris Brogan
Chris Brogan‘s blog is about business oriented social media marketing. I must admit that it is usually a bit more business and PR than I usually get into, but some recent posts have been very interesting to me, and since some of my favorite social media sites are not in the mix of nominees, this is the one I choose as my favorite out of the bunch.
A Sampling from Chris Brogan
Your Vote
I wish I could have talked about everyone on the nominees list, as there are many great sites listed, but a post about 150 blogs would be a bit lengthy. So please add your comments below in praise of other nominees, who you would have liked to see on the list, and any other thoughts!
UPDATE: Voting has officially closed.
About Kristi Hines
Kikolani covers blog marketing and blogging tips for personal, professional, and business bloggers to succeed in search and social media marketing. Kristi Hines is a 
This is an awesome list. Congrats to Mark Thompson! OnSearch has really been picking up the steam.
.-= New from Lyndit 5 Step Mini Social Media Plan =-.
Yes it has, especially with that toolkit he just put out. I bought it, and it has some great resources!
Nice post!
I sow the banner yesterday on your blog, and I have done my votes already!
I am getting ready to post a nice fast and short post to spread the word out, I didn’t do it yesterday because it was almost 3 AM here
I really.. really I wish you good luck Kristi!
.-= New from Hesham Bloggers, Do You Value Yourself as a Human Being? =-.
Thanks… I really appreciate your vote and spreading the word for all of the Famous Bloggers on the list! I also expect to see your site on there next year!
Thanks a million for the nice mention. I’m honored.
It’s interesting most of these blogs are also top on my list. Just goes to show you that great minds think alike.
.-= New from Gerald Weber Link Building Pet Peeves That Drive Me Bananas =-.
You’re welcome.
Congrats Kristi.. your with some big talent. Good Luck!@
.-= New from John Paul@Make Money With A Blog There Is A New Blogging Star Born Everyday, Are You Next? =-.
Thanks… I am going to need it for just that reason. That’s some pretty awesome competition!
Congrats Kristi! You’re doing an excellent job! And these blogs deserve the nomination.
Very good luck and voting
Cheers,
Gera
Thanks! Yes, most everyone listed out of the 150 make an invaluable set of resources in their topics of focus.
Congratulations, you really deserve it!
And thanks for the list, there are some blogs that I’m not familiar with that I’ll definitely check out.
You’re welcome. If nothing else, I hope the ones here and on the full list will give readers some new sites to get valuable information.
Kristi, you got my vote every day of the week, but today we made it official.
.-= New from Jonathan – Advanced Life Skills Harness the Power of Decisions =-.
Kristie, you know you have my vote. You’re always a winner in my book. Congratulations!
.-= New from Ileane @ The Podcast Blog HootSuite’s Ow.ly Shortener Just Got Better =-.
That’s a really good summary Kristi. Thanks for taking time to put it together. Are you heading to SSSS?
Glad you enjoyed it. Unfortunately, no I won’t be attending. I am hoping to go to one of the conferences this year… just haven’t made it yet.
Thanks to info me about dailyseotip — It would be a great help for my SEO journey since I just start to optimize my SEO more.
.-= New from Dana @ Blogging Tips Blog How To Install WordPress Blog in HostGator cPanel by Using Fantastisco =-.
You’re welcome. Yes, if nothing else, the nominee list is a great place to find informative blogs!
Congratulations!! You and your blog are deserving of it!
More power! Good luck! You have my vote!
Thanks so much for the support… and the guest post!
Kristi,
I am pleased you like the guest post – looking forward to see what your visitors think!
Andrew
.-= New from Andrew @ Blogging Guide Improve Search Engine Optimization With LinkedIn =-.
This is the first time i heard about the Search and Social Award. I will vote for you Kristi! Best luck to you to win the award.
I thought the awards were bigger… but it is the first time a lot of people have heard of it. Thanks for the vote!
Thanks Kristi, some great analysis of the runners and riders there. I’d quite like Gerald to get some recognition for the great work he does, and your good self deserves an award too!
Yes, he is definitely a super informative blogger, not to mention awesome Twitter user as well!
Congrats and good luck Kristi, Being nominated to me is already a great achievement and everyone is already a winner. Keep it up
.-= New from DiTesco Google Releases Best SEO Tips Ever =-.
I agree… I’m really just excited to be in the running! Thanks!
Hey Kristi
and I have done my votes already!!
That’s awesome to hear !!
Congratulations
Thanks
.-= New from Dev | Technshare Unleash The Problogger Within You – Dare To Be Original! =-.
Thanks!
Do you receive something if you win (money, a hug, a free link exchange)? Is it about being selected or being included with others you admire?
.-= New from Ari Herzog 22 Questions You Asked Me — and My Answers =-.
Right now, it’s really about being included. With all of the blogs out there, it’s nice to know that people thought highly enough of this one to nominate it which tells me that my hard work into the site is really worth it because it is not only helpful but memorable.
Awesome, kristi this is a grea list andsome of favorites including your blog. I am heading on to the votes section and voting immediately and may the best one win
.-= New from Gautam Hans @ Blog Godown 9 Quick and Easy WordPress SEO Tips =-.
Thanks! I hope you found some new great blogs to read as well!
I am not ashamed to say Kristi that I only had eyes for you and so you’re the only one that got my vote, even though you were almost at the end.
.-= New from Sire Stand By Me And We Will Become Better Bloggers =-.
Thanks for sticking it out! I had a few people tell me I wasn’t on there, but they didn’t realize how massive the survey was. I appreciate it!
I think DailyBlogTips should win the blog for bloggers category as Daniel is churning out good content every dang day of the year!
.-= New from Jorgen Sundberg Personal Branding: the UK Experience =-.
I always forget to check out that site, but you’re right – they usually have great content every time I visit!
Yea, Dan’s totally on it.
It’s becoming one of my favorite sites and at the sharp end of my bookmarks.
Till then,
Jean
Kristi,
I just ran into your blog today by random. I’ve seen your name before on John Sullivan’s blog but never had a chance to check it out. There are so many great sites out there and not enough spare time to see them all.
Your Friday Mashup is great. I enjoy reading through it even if I will only have time to check out a tiny fraction of the recommendations. The fault of that darn pesky thing called working to pay the bills.
.-= New from Kim Luu Crackdown on Job Classification Coming Soon =-.
Thank you for the write up. I’ve been blogging for seven years and still didn’t know much about some of these. My reader feed list has grown!
Also think it’s mighty gracious of you to promote another blog in the same category. Kikolani and ProBlogger are two of my favorites as well.
Good luck!
.-= New from Alison Moore Smith@Make Your Dreams Reality Custom Front Doors – Exterior Door Specifications =-.
Kristi, I bumped into your site I found myself reading a few articles here this is starting to become one of my favorite site to visit now. Congrats on your nomination I am going to vote for you on Search and Social Award. I hope you win
.-= New from Mario@Halloween super affiliate Halloween Super Affiliate – How To Make Money With Halloween Niche =-.