10 Small Business People to Follow on Twitter

My coworker Jason sent me this article from Social Media Today, which lists 10 PR people to follow on Twitter. Danny Brown assembled a very nice list and I thought, why can't we do the same thing but for small business and entrepreneurship? The answer is – because we're really, really small and I call the shots in these here digital parts – we can.

So without further ado, here's our list of 10 small business people to follow on Twitter...

1. Carla Moquin - Carla is the creator of Babies in the Workplace and more recently the Parenting in the Workplace Institute. She recently released two books that show how over 100 organizations across the country are using employee engagement best practices to bring babies and small children into the workplace – and how that can be structured so it's a boon to productivity while not detrimental to parents' coworkers.

2. Emily Stoddard - Views of a young leader of a small business – in this case a Michigan-based provider of non-toxic products for families, schools, non-profit organizations, and various facilities. A real front-line perspective on product ideation and marketing.

3. SmallBusiness.com - The tweet feed of Nashville-based Rex Hammock, who runs both SmallBusiness.com and Hammock Inc., a media and marketing firm. He disseminates highly relevant news from the likes of the National Federation of Independent Business and McKinsey.

4. Deb Dib - Why should you follow Deb? Maybe the better question is, how can you afford not to? Her work coaching leaders at companies throughout North America as well as C-level execs in Europe and Asia has gotten her ink in The Wall Street Journal, Newsday, and over 30 career books. Learn from her wisdom connecting employee engagement to branding and communication with customers.

5. Judy McLeish - I've plugged Judy's consultancy, McDaniel Partners, in the past for their enlightening Employee Factor blog, and her Twitter feed likewise does not disappoint. Recent tweets include "Would you want to work for Alan Mulally?" and "Are we talking ourselves into this mess?" (re: stock market dips).

6. Chris Brogan - Here's another blogger I've pointed to as one not to miss, and the Twitter feed by this Boston-based tech and social media expert is similarly great. Dig his page branding with "about me" snapshot in the background. With frequent call-outs to others to watch and their advice that shows why, is it any wonder Chris is now up to over 23,000 followers?

7. Donna Fenn - The author of Alpha Dogs, which I referred to yesterday, Donna writes the Entrepreneurial Generation blog on Inc.com and also contributes to the print magazine. Currently her tweets attest to her work on her new book on 20-something CEOs.

8. Becky McCray - Not only has Becky done a great job growing her SmallBizSurvival blog over the last few years, but she also runs two small family businesses in rural Oklahoma and has become the go-to expert on all things small biz in small towns. Get daily wisdom from her tweets that will introduce you to many more great people to follow.

9. Anita Campbell - "smallbiztrends" is the name of Anita's Twitter page and separate site, and that is indeed what you'll find her tweeting about. She gets the diversity award, leaping from community giving programs to branding to finances in a single day.

10. Lisa Hoffmann - One of the newest people I've started following – yes, Lisa made Danny Brown's list I mentioned above – as the lead copywriter for PRstore and a small business advocate, she's well poised to offer great advice and referrals when it comes to both traditional and new media marketing tips and strategies.

Do you follow any of these folks? What about others on Twitter you recommend we follow for their sage counsel when it comes to employee engagement activities and workplace team building to help small firms succeed? Please add your faves below.