12 Most Celebrates its First 12 Months

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Pop the corks because 12 Most is already one year old!

To celebrate our one year anniversary, I thought it would be worth looking back over the last year and listing the milestones, tweaks, strategic moves and other things we’ve done to make 12 Most what it is today.

Here they are, in the only way we know how…

1. 50 Most becomes 12 Most

After originally flirting with the idea of a “50 Most” list concept, Founders Dan Newman and Sean McGinnis soon came to their senses and realized that lists of 50 would be an unrealistically tall order to fill. Abandoning the notion for lists of 12 instead, 12 Most was off and running!

Have to say the @12Most blog is highly highly recommended the more I read it the more I love it ... good smart people behind it #UsGuys

March 14, 2012 10:17 am via TweetDeckReplyRetweetFavorite

@esveegroup

Esvee Group

2. Guy Kawasaki joins 12 Most

Guy provided an early endorsement of 12 Most which soon helped propel our pageviews into the stratosphere and put us on the map. Did you also know that 12 Most is mentioned in Guy’s recent book called “What the Plus!” in a guest chapter written by my business partner, Peggy Fitzpatrick? It was her friendship with Guy that initially led him to 12 Most. We are now also listed on his Alltop site, confirming that 12 Most kicks ass (and we have the badge to prove it!).

(Sun01) The 12 most of 12 Most for 2011:http://t.co/TtBuUYg5 http://t.co/Pk1a1Ggt

January 8, 2012 1:25 pm via SGPlusReplyRetweetFavorite

@GuyKawasaki

Guy Kawasaki

3. Changing of the guard

We started off with a bang — but after a few months people’s schedules and circumstances changed and 12 Most hit a lag. Peggy and I had already been heavily involved and seeing the writing on the wall, Dan and Sean asked us to assume control. We became Managing Partners in November, 2011.

@12Most announces that @PegFitzpatrick & @PaulBiedermann are now leading #12Most as it moves into the future > http://t.co/BynC2hGU #usguys

November 16, 2011 6:22 pm via TweetDeckReplyRetweetFavorite

@12Most

12 Most

4. Quality not quantity

This core belief was the first thing we emphasized and it drove most of our subsequent moves. Putting content first, and figuring out how to best achieve that upped the 12 Most game and soon garnered the respect of our readership and online communities. Staying true to our focus on business, media and lifestyle topics, we served up a wide variety of interesting content that was second to none.

@12Most Thx much! Now its my turn :) Thx for all you do to enrich the lives & work of biz folk. You're a daily social media go-to gem! #FF

April 20, 2012 8:17 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@ExpertusONE

Expertus

5. Makeover

Developing a strong brand identity was instrumental in generating newfound enthusiasm for the 12 Most brand. A simple but powerful logo was designed, along with a website refresh and the tagline: “Savvy smartitude for busy professionals in easy-to-digest list posts that mean business.” We felt this summed us up nicely and established an air of professionalism together with a mix of fun and sass that aligns with our content and our personalities. Along with the sub-brands we created for each of our three main categories, 12 Most now pops in the busy social streams, continually reinforcing our presence and reminding people where some really great stuff resides.

Love @12Most: Check out the hot new #12Most: now our look is as sharp as our brains http://t.co/WzLnMYQj via @PaulBiedermann

December 30, 2011 8:40 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@DaveKerpen

Dave Kerpen

6. Dream team

A bigger team was necessary to manage all the writers and content that was soon rushing into 12 Most. The editorial team was revamped and expanded to include a bunch of all stars who are smart, well known and liked around the interwebs. From the team of three which included Peggy and myself before taking control, we expanded to a team of five editors, an editor-in-chief, an editorial advisor and a community manager, with Peggy and I overseeing it all and handling day-to-day operations.

I love that you guys are open, willing, friendly, supportive, positive....and produce amazing stuff!! @12most #mediachat

May 3, 2012 10:50 pm via TweetChatReplyRetweetFavorite

@BeckyGaylord

Becky Gaylord

7. Awesome talent

We have been fortunate to have attracted and worked with some of the brightest minds in business and media today. From Guy Kawasaki to Mari Smith to Jay Baer, Chris Brogan and others, they have all been involved with 12 Most at some point. But more than the big names, our continuous stream of brilliant writers from across the globe are a joy to work with. Each writer brings his or her own voice, experiences and inspiration together with the 12 Most style to make things hum.

Got to meet the awesome @pegfitzpatrick and @PaulBiedermann today!

May 15, 2012 10:10 am via HootSuiteReplyRetweetFavorite

@markwschaefer

Mark Schaefer

8. Respected media outlets take note

We are honored that Ragan’s PR Daily, Forbes, Huffington Post, and others think so highly about our content and regularly republish our posts, bringing even more exposure and notoriety to our deserving community of writers.

@PegFitzpatrick Writing for #12Most was a nice boost for media attention... saying a lot comin from a tv person. #Mediachat #bacon

May 3, 2012 10:37 pm via TweetDeckReplyRetweetFavorite

@judymartin8

Judy Martin

9. Community at heart

Many people within the 12 Most community of writers have become friends — several of whom now get together offline as well. We “12 Mosters” support each other in so many ways and this is really at the heart and soul of what it is we are doing. Many enthusiastic readers and fans have later turned into contributors, and what greater testament to 12 Most is there than that?

AEP and @12Most incredible case studies of community done right- passion-driven, purpose-driven, and successful! #IBFlive

January 3, 2012 12:45 pm via TweetChatReplyRetweetFavorite

@AngelaMaiers

Angela Maiers

@PaulBiedermann @PegFitzpatrick Thank you both so much for the inspiration and support! You 2 are a #dynamic team #12most

January 28, 2012 1:11 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@Tribe2point0

Kelly Lieberman

10. People like us — they really, really like us!

Seems wherever you go on the interwebs, people are saying nice things about 12 Most. Our awesome pageview and visitor numbers are a testament to the continued value of 12 Most across the globe, and our community keeps growing. Many have made 12 Most part of their everyday lives, as we supply a steady diet of first class content that people enjoy sharing throughout the interwebs. Some of our posts have even gone viral!

@12Most Love seeing where you are going these days. Props

January 5, 2012 8:19 pm via TweetDeckReplyRetweetFavorite

@MarshaCollier

Marsha Collier

11. Lively commenting and spirited debate

Oftentimes, the dialog in the comments section takes on a life of its own, perhaps even superseding the post itself. It is fun to see this happen and it makes 12 Most come alive. Interestingly enough, this has happened mostly around educational topics which our community is very passionate about — a reminder that yes, while we are mostly business and media people, we are also parents and concerned citizens who care deeply for our children and will desperately fight for their futures.

I'd give you #12Most reasons to see the work of 12 Most http://t.co/xIroLOwz but they've covered it! @12Most @PaulBiedermann @PegFitzpatrick

May 26, 2012 2:04 pm via TweetDeckReplyRetweetFavorite

@nowthink

Joseph Alcala

12. No signs of slowing down

The first year flew by and we at 12 Most are looking forward to another fabulous year ahead with lots of new ideas on the horizon!

Congrats @PegFitzpatrick and @PaulBiedermann on the 1yr of awesomeness for @12Most! Keep up the great work! #mediachat

May 3, 2012 11:00 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@fe_agency

FE Agency

Eventually, overseeing a virtual team of volunteers spanning different time zones became a bit overwhelming, so Peggy and I assumed the editing responsibilities as well. But I hope you can see from this post that many people helped 12 Most become what it is. And to you, we say thank you.

The last year has proved that a fantastic list of 12 is sustainable with the right balance of talent, content and strategy — and we continue to prove that daily. Peggy and I also run My Book Club, a live interview and online chat with leading authors in business and media (and many of the same people you see on 12 Most!). Both ventures fuel our passion for smart business talk and the specialized design/branding/social media/communications services we provide through our agency, re:DESIGN — for those who appreciate exquisite execution to power their businesses and stand above the rest.

Please join us and if you are interested in becoming part of the 12 Most community, please visit our How to Guest Post page which tells you everything you need to know.

Cheers to another wonderful year ahead!

Featured image courtesy of stock_xchng.

Design/photo illustration work: Paul Biedermann, re:DESIGN

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Article by Paul Biedermann

Paul Biedermann

http://www.redesign2.com/

Paul Biedermann is Creative Director/Owner of re:DESIGN and Managing Partner/Editor-in-Chief of 12 Most. re:DESIGN specializes in Strategic Design, Branding, Visual Content Marketing and Communications. Creating brands of distinction for profitable market advantage, he intersects smart design with visual business strategies that reach, engage, and inspire people to action. Paul is Co-Host of the popular online chat, My Book Club, hosting best-selling business authors and serves on the Board of Directors of the Social Media Association. He began his career at ABC Broadcasting before moving to a design agency that created innovative campaigns for ESPN and then becoming Art Director for NFL Properties. As Creative Director for The McGraw-Hill Companies, Paul spearheaded projects for such leading brands as Standard & Poor’s, BusinessWeek, J.D. Power and Associates, Architectural Record, and McGraw-Hill Education.