The Internet is jam-packed with so much information that it can be difficult to find resources that are beneficial to running a small business. With Twitter, Facebook and hundreds of new blogs being published every day, where should small business owners begin?

A good starting point is this list of top blogs to follow this year. Some are business-run accounts, while others are by small business owners. All have a dedicated following and offer trusted information.

Without further ado… The three blogs that all business owners should follow this year:

• Xero Small Business Guides don’t exactly fall under the blog format, but are updated enough with crazy-valuable information that it had to be on this list.

Xero is a cloud-based accounting software company that aims to understand small business. The company’s guide is jam-packed with tips, tricks and accounting essentials that aim to make small business owners successful. The guides will at least educate business owners on some basics and make them look at some business topics from a different perspective.

Some of the most popular guides include, “Why cloud accounting is good for business,” and “Move from Excel to accounting software.” Each guide features more than just text – most include infographics, quizzes and more.

“The benefits of online invoicing,” for instance, tackles questions such as, “Why invoice online?” and “How can I track my invoicing more efficiently?”

Each guide can be consumed in anywhere from three to 15 minutes, offering a quick read for the person on-the-go and or for that casual read after hours. Did you follow any of these blogs? What are some of your favorite online resources for small business?

• Amy Porterfield knows Facebook almost too well. With a billion users on the world’s most popular social network, trying to grapple Facebook is more extensive than just posting pretty photos and humorous updates.

Porterfield understands Facebook ads, how to write compelling copy, the ins and outs of the updates Facebook rolls out and how to sell products.

How popular is Porterfield’s blog? She’s just shy of an eye-popping 100,000 followers who trust her tips and tricks.

For small business owners who have a commute and don’t care to sift through blogs, Porterfield offers pretty popular podcasts that are perfect for the ride into work or in bed before falling asleep.

• Damn I Wish is written and edited by Andy Sernovitz. It offers actionable advice in quick, easy-to-consume posts.

Sernovitz is a marketing guru who can offer advice that transforms boring to interesting, dull to stunning and delete-worthy to share-worthy.

He’s also down-to-earth and straight-forward. “How do you make a flowchart interesting?” He asked in a recent post, “You chart the lyrics to ‘Hey Jude’ and add some music to it.” He goes on to explain how some simple adjustments to newsletter and blog posts can make a world’s worth of difference.

The blog is filled with unusually useful ideas and proves that the smartest marketing doesn’t come by writing million dollar checks. It comes from smart ideas that any small business owner can execute.

So if you have any great ideas for small business owners’ resources, drop me a line! I’ll add them here!

When it comes to today’s job market, you might want to choose a field that has potential. Not only should your career be something you love, it needs to be viable. Being a practical person, you have to find a field where there is a high demand for employees, one where you will have opportunities for growth.

Opportunity Abounds in Finance

Business, especially in the area of finance, is one career field that is booming. In a world where entrepreneurs are striking while the iron is hot and large corporations continue to thrive, you are sure to have many advantages with a degree in business. Take it up a notch and earn an online mba in finance.

Acquire Essential Skills in Leadership

When you choose to take your education to the next level with an mba, you will gain valuable tools that will help you to be a leader. Become a guiding force in finance, taking the helm and accepting greater responsibility thanks to your education. When you are solidly grounded and thoroughly prepared, you will welcome new challenges that come your way. Your mba enables you to be more competitive, providing you with opportunities for job mobility.

Become an Expert in Your Field

When you choose to specialize in finances, you will become the expert. Employers will count on you as the go-to source due to your in-depth preparation. You’ll also find that you have the skills needed to branch out and take that leap into running a business for yourself. When you have the benefit of higher education to support you, you hold the future in your hands.

Make it Happen with Online Studies

In the past, you would have been restricted by a campus education and set schedules. Universities of today recognize the fact that students have busy lives, especially adult students who are already involved in a career. When you have a host of responsibilities, family, and work, finding time for college studies can be a stretch.

Why let your potential be unfulfilled

Choose online studies to make your life easier. You can choose your course load and when you are going to do your work. Whether you decide to do your studies first thing in the morning or at night, cram on the weekends, or have a certain day that works best for you, online courses can help you reach your goals. You can have the preparation you need to better yourself, further your career goals, and improve your financial situation.

Companies that are wholeheartedly dedicated to success understand the importance of cross-platform monitoring. The number of devices available that customers can use to view media is not only growing, but evolving as new technology arises. The days of simply watching TV programs without having opportunities to interact with other fans and the stars of the show are long since over.

One example of this growing trend is when new TV shows that fans have been anticipating for a long time premier. It is easy to measure interest based on visitors to the show’s website, which often features photo and video content. However, social media has also helped change how fans interact with a favorite show. Information from fans’ Facebook pages can help determine what other shows or networks fans watch, making it easier to determine which groups to target advertising towards.

Another way in which social media has changed fan interaction with shows is by allowing fans to ask questions during interviews in real time. Even if fans of a show or movie aren’t able to be part of a live studio audience or call in while a show is airing, they can submit their questions easily.

Interactive experiences related to TV shows and movies are just one small part of the picture. However, this is certainly one of the best examples of how monitoring audiences across platforms makes a difference using Kantar audience measurement software.