Choosing Your Blogging Master Minds
Blogging is a constant learning process. At some point, you may be asking yourself which niche topics you should focus your energy on, what columns to feature and whether or not you should embrace advertising. It’s nearly impossible to have an answer to every situation that arises, especially since many in blogging are highly subjective. So, how do you figure out what to do?
You could spend all of your free time conducting research, but there’s a much more efficient way to acquire the knowledge that you’re in search of. In Napoleon Hill’s classic self help & business book, Think and Grow Rich
The Master Mind is defined as:
The coordination of knowledge and effort, in spirit of harmony, between two or more people, for the attainment of a definite purpose.
How does this relate to blogging? If you want to be a successful blogger (measurable in your own terms), surround yourself with other successful bloggers that you admire and trust. Ask yourself: Who has a vast knowledge base in areas that you want to learn more about? Who has a writing style that you admire? Who do you think that you could get along with in real life? Who would be willing to help you succeed, no matter what?
There are two characteristics of the Master Mind principle, as outlined in Think & Grow Rich:
a. Economic: Economic advantages can be created by any blogger who surrounds themselves with others who are willing to lend advice and contribute to their ventures.
b. Psychic: This principle is harder to comprehend, but Hill says: “No two minds ever come together without, thereby, creating a third, invisible, intangible force which may be likened to a third mind.” When a group of individuals combine for a definite purpose, their increased energy becomes available to everyone that is a part of that group. When the minds of compatible bloggers connect in harmony, the sky’s the limit!
Choosing your group of Master Minds is of great importance, so do so carefully and with much consideration. I’m lucky that mine formed very organically. My three blogging Master Minds are:
1. Star St. Germain: I have this blog thanks to Star! When we met up in LA during the summer of 2007, she encouraged me to trade in my standard website for a blog. I wasn’t so sure that it was a good idea to be so public about what I was doing. Don’t some of the best graphic designers retain a bit of mystery?! But, when it comes to online trends, Star is usually right on. I’m so glad that I took her advice. It pays to have tech-savvy friends!
2. Dave Allen: When I first started interning at Nemo in the fall of 2007, one of my school assignments was to interview someone in the design industry. I knew that Dave ran a popular blog and since mine was fairly new, it made sense to get some tips and feedback. That initial interview taught me a lot (Dave knows a ton about technology and social media) and eventually, I began writing for one of the Nemo blogs, Social Cache. Blogging is now a part of my job, thanks to Dave!
3. Gala Darling: Gala loves blogging (it’s her full-time job) and she’s a Virgo (major extra bonus points). It’s nice to have a friend who’s just as comfortable attending blogging conventions as she is cruising through the Balenciaga boutique. We travel well together and she always answers my barrage of blogging-related questions. Blogging soul mates? Most likely!
Do you already have a group of Master Minds that are helping you to reach your blogging goals? In a perfect world, who would you add to your group?
Tags: Blogging, Business & Marketing, strategy
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14 People have left comments on this post
One of my real life master minds and blogging master minds is Mallory over at Miss Malaprop. She’s been so encouraging, helpful, informative, and honest about all things blogging! She’s really encourages me so much along the way.
To be honest, I find a lot of the “Lady Bloggers” are ones I would add to my dream additions! Through our conversations on Twitter, reading your blogs, I find lots of inspiration, friendship, laughter, and joy! Now if I could bring it in to my real life, I’d be in heaven.
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Darren Rowse at http://www.ProBlogger.net is definitely my main blogging master mind! I’ve learned so much from him!
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You’re definitely one of my Master Minds…. your blog is always well-written and personal to your life and the images are always professional.
Style Bubble is another one. Susie’s take on fashion inspires me to step outside of my fashion (and blogging) box.
I agree with Ashe Mischief- the Lady Bloggers are amazing and a joy to follow.
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There are tons of blogs that I read everyday to be inspired — some of them I even read last in my reader to savour their fabulousness!
I’ll have to to think more about who my ‘core group’ of masterminds are ^_^
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Aww lady! You’re sweet.
I am so glad I got you on the blog bandwagon.
You make the web a better place one post at a time!
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I am still gathering my masterminds. On Twitter and comments I definitely interact with more bloggers. I think in real life I sadly only know two. Guess it’s time for some blogger meet ups eh?
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Erin Doland at Unclutterer was one of the first bloggers whose posts I looked forward to every day. I love the fact that she’s sensible without being boring…and that she thinks like I do regarding the care and keeping of physical possessions.
Also, I know this is a pretty common one, but I really like Heather Armstrong. I’m seriously thinking of adding a Daily Dog picture to my blog as an homage to her Daily Chuck/Coco. I like, also, that she’s able to be baldly honest about uncomfortable topics–pregnancy and depression come to mind.
I really like how you post your graphic design work as it’s completed or as you’re going to display it in a show. Star does the same thing on her blog, too, and I really enjoy it. I’m trying to do that more often with my sewn/knitted stuff so I can use my blog as an online portfolio.
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Ashe Mischief: I’ve never seen Miss Malaprop’s site! Must go check out! And thanks for the sweet comment! Awwww!
Mallory: Right on! Go straight to the top!!
Stylish Thought: Thanks so much!
star: You’re usually right about what the ‘next big thing’ is!
amanda lee: Heather Armstrong has definitely created a unique voice that stands out. And, i love seeing people’s finished work, no matter what the style of art it is…
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I also read quite a few different blogs everyday. It depends what I’m after to what inspires me on any given day – from professional (PR, writing, blogging – too many to name) to the personal (I also love Gala and Dooce) to ad hoc interest (architectural, irreverent male humour, book industry, fashion).
Strong women inspire me the most. Of those not mentioned, I love Jezebel and Aussie blog Mamma Mia.
I also have a love/unsure regard for Penelope Trunk’s Brazen Careerist blog.
Anyone with an open, giving generosity about their writing is pretty attractive to me!
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I am a virgo as well;-) 16 th of September!
And I am going to be a graphic designer soooonnn!
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Gala is also one of my favorite bloggers. I’ve been following her for a very long time. Now I’m surfing for more blogs with related content and find yours. I’ll be so following your posts!
I also found Kao-Ani as a very cute blog. Sometimes, when I need a daily dose of cuteness, her blog helps a lot. It’s cutely inspirational.
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Dear Nubby, Will you be my blogging mastermind? I’m officially trying my hand at it, and I think I could use some guidance from the best of the best
Oh and on a sidenote- when are you next in LA?? Because we must meet up 
Hope all is well love.. xoDf
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