Having a Facebook account in the 21st century is almost like having a landline in the 80s. An accepted, ordinary part of everyday life. There's even a phrase to describe those who have grown up in this wonderful, wired era: digital natives. But even though most people can craft a status update, few actually possess a detailed, intimate knowledge of how social media works.

Perhaps you've got a new job as a social media marketer which requires you to take the helm of the corporate Twitter account. You might be looking to get your feet wet in the world of community management. Or you might just want to learn more about how Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook work.

Whatever your circumstances, you need to check out these four blogs and websites. They'll turn you into a better social media user, guaranteed.

Copyblogger

I love Copyblogger. How much, you ask? I'm naming my firstborn Copyblogger Danger Hughes. That much.

Why have they earned my undying devotion? Part of it is due to their excellent daily pieces on how to develop as a writer and a content marketer. They also regularly write about how to master the use of Twitter and Facebook.

Take, for example, their Ultimate Guide to Twitter Marketing. This mammoth article aggregates the best guides to using Twitter, from creating an account to avoiding making the mistakes that lead to 'unfollows' and, in extreme cases, public shaming.

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They also offer a similar guide for Facebook, as well as one for LinkedIn, and regular updates on the state of social media as a whole. If you're getting started in social media marketing or community management, you need this site in your life.

The Write Life

The Write Life aims to be a community where writers can collaborate, share and learn together, whilst perfecting their craft.

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I've written about this site in the past. While their dedicated coverage of social media is pretty sparse — especially in comparison to Copyblogger — they make a point of reviewing social media courses, tutorials and e-books with some regularity. If you're shopping around for a professional package to teach you how to use Facebook and Twitter like a pro, check out The Write Life. You won't regret it.

When they do cover social media, you're guaranteed a captivating, engaging piece with huge amounts of detail and information. A great example of this is this earlier post: Twitter Tips for Writers That Will Help You Get the Most Out of the Network.

Guy Kawasaki

In a former life, Guy Kawasaki was the chief evangelist of a small company you've probably never heard of called Apple. He was brought in as an adviser when Google bought Motorola Mobility. And he wrote The Macintosh Way, which exposed the internal workings and culture of Apple to the wider world.

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These days, he works for Canva; the very awesome design startup we covered a few months back.

So, why are we talking about him in a post that is ostensibly about social media? Two reasons:

The first is that on his Twitter profile and blog, Guy drops lessons in communication and engagement that he learned from his time working with Apple. While not directly linked to social media, these strategies can be directly applied to how you engage with people on Twitter and Facebook.

Secondly, he wrote the Google Plus bible — What The Plus - Google Plus For The Rest Of Us — which is a thorough look at Mountain View's much maligned social network. While you can pay for it, he also gives it away for free. You can grab a copy here.

Even if you aren't using Google Plus as part of your social media strategy, the lessons taught by Kawasaki will make you a better communicator. And — let's face it — that's what social media is all about.

You should follow Guy Kawasaki on Twitter and check out his blog.

Social Media Examiner

If you want to know what it takes to become a thought leader in the field of social media, look no further than Social Media Examiner. They're huge.

socialmedia-examiner

Part of their success is due to how they cover everything a content marketer or community manager might find themselves coming into contact with. And I mean everything. Handling criticism and negative feedback? Yep. Video production? You betcha.

What's more, they bring it back to real-life practicalities, and how it relates to how ordinary social-media professionals work. You need to read this site.

Any More?

I'm willing to bet you a fiver I've missed some awesome sites and blogs. It's not intentional, I swear. There's just far too much awesomeness on this subject to cover in the space of one blog post. So, why don't you tell me about them? Just drop me a comment below.

Photo Credit: Old Grunge Book Via Shutterstock, Guy Kawasaki (Dave Sifry)