Aw, shucks — I owe it to all of you out there, my valued, loyal readers….sigh, sniff. Seriously, I don’t do this for glory, and Lord knows not for dollars. But it’s fun getting recognized like this, and it’s at least my second time, so I guess I should blog about it. 
This rating system was devised by Jonny Bentwood, a really smart analyst relations exec with Edelman PR in the UK. [He must be smart if he keeps including me, right?] And I seriously do believe that Edelman is the leading PR firm in the world, because they keep showing that they "get" new media better than any other firm out there in my view.
I got a kick out of seeing my friend Jeremiah Owyang, out in the Bay Area, get the #1 ranking. His Web Strategy blog has always been great, and this is the first Top 100 ranking since he became a senior analyst at Forrester, focusing in social media. They were very lucky to snag Jeremiah, and his blog is now naturally seeing rapid new growth in readership and influence. He’s also one of my favorite "follows" on Twitter. The man is a social media maniac! And, yes, that is a good thing… 🙂 His research and analysis just keep getting better and better.
Jonny Bentwood (I love the way he spells Jonny) compiles his Top 100 Analyst Blogs ranking from an analyst blog directory published by Tekrati, run by Barbara French out in NorCal. That directory starts here (with the "A" listings), and is quite comprehensive. [My two blogs are listed under "G" for the name of my company.] Barbara has an accomplished background in analyst relations, and has built an impressive business over the years, with one heck of a great web presence. She blogs regularly, too — of course.
Having been a freelance analyst and writer for some time, and having done analyst relations for at least one of the startups where I’ve headed marketing, I have a great affinity towards this profession — actually, for both sides of the fence. And blogging, I believe, has been a real boon to it, especially benefiting the customers, the users, of the research and analysis. And I know Barbara agrees with me on that.
I just want to say thanks again to my readers, seriously. It makes all the effort worthwhile just to get the emails that float in, out of the blue, from time to time, thanking me for my blog. (Just got one yesterday, from a smart young guy in San Diego who’s a fellow surfer and Surfrider Foundation supporter and heads a cool, new online travel business called Travature.) I always welcome your thoughts about my blog, whether in the comments or by emailing me at graeme (at) thickins (dot) com. I really do appreciate hearing from you. Cheers!
Well done Graeme and thanks for the kind words.
I am still quote shocked at why there are so few analysts that take social media seriously as a way of promoting themselves. After all aren’t they trying to sell their opinion?
Keep up the great blog and look forward to seeing how you score next time I do this.
Jonny
thanks, Jonny — I agree! it’s really about believing that openly sharing your knowledge will come back to you
and I can honestly attest that it does
cheers,
Graeme
Graeme, I’m not at all surprised by the high rankng of your blog. Not many business bloggers — let alone analyst bloggers — were willing to mix up the personal and business sides of their lives right out of the gate. You “got” blogging early on and have evolved as it has evolved.
One of the reasons I’m delighted with Jonny’s Top 100 is that for me, blogs have become the stuff of the day to day. (I’ve been publishing that directory for 3 years – !!!) His Top 100 puts new energy and zip into watching the blogs. Plus, the Top 100 has stirred up a bit of competitive jockeying behind the magic curtain. Guilty pleasure, that.
Thank you for expressing confidence in me and the Tekrati directories.
Graeme, I’m not at all surprised by the high rankng of your blog. Not many business bloggers — let alone analyst bloggers — were willing to mix up the personal and business sides of their lives right out of the gate. You “got” blogging early on and have evolved as it has evolved.
One of the reasons I’m delighted with Jonny’s Top 100 is that for me, blogs have become the stuff of the day to day. (I’ve been publishing that directory for 3 years – !!!) His Top 100 puts new energy and zip into watching the blogs. Plus, the Top 100 has stirred up a bit of competitive jockeying behind the magic curtain. Guilty pleasure, that.
Thank you for expressing confidence in me and the Tekrati directories.
I’m really happy to make the list! But now to live up to the expectations.
Jeremiah, I have complete confidence in you… 🙂