Every community has its leaders. Some have authority through their appointed positions while others have people volunteering to follow their lead.
Today I wanted to share some of the leaders I follow and consider my online mentors. I strongly recommend you follow them too regardless of whether they are in your industry or not as you will pick up fantastic ideas, lessons and inspirations.
Michelle Schaeffer
Michelle’s tagline says it all. “Websites. Blogging. Marketing. Simplified.” And she doesn’t break her promise. I adore Michelle’s posts because they break down complex ideas and are to the point. No random waffle.
Michelle is also behind the Ultimate Blogging Challenge that sees bloggers from all over the world blog every day for a month, each quarter. I recently participated and while I didn’t achieve the challenge goal, I came away with new friends, inspirations and so much more. You can follow the Ultimate Blogging Challenge on Twitter using #blogboost. The next challenge will be April 2012.
Seth Godin
Known as America’s greatest marketer and the best selling author of thirteen marketing books, Seth sure has a lot to teach us. His blog is the most read, single author blog in the world while his website squidoo.com ranks 125th for website traffic in the US.
Seth’s blog posts are generally short (by so-called expert standards) but chockful of wisdom. He can take a complex issue and break it down to one simple sentence. If you want to improve your marketing, you can’t afford not to subscribe.
Mars Dorian
Not for the faint hearted, Mars is determined to get you crafting your own charging brand and dominating your digital destiny. He loves to make a rukus and does it using the most awesome cartoons.
Mars has taught me the importance of brilliant images and emotive words in marketing. He has made a BIG splash in the online world in a short time and will definitely make waves in 2012.
Victoria McGinley
Victoria is a 20-something life lover who has recently given up her day job to focus on her blog Vmac+Cheese full time. Having started blogging in 2008 as a creative outlet, Victoria is proof that hardwork, passion and flair will lead you to success.
To create her amazing posts Victoria uses Adobe Photoshop Elements. She says “It’s an infinitely helpful tool if you’re interested in creating photo and text graphics for your website, and also want to perform photo correction.” Definitely worth checking out.
It doesn’t matter what you love or what business you are in Vmac+Cheese will leave you inspired and wanting more from life.
Tara Gentile
www.taragentile.com & www.scoutiegirl.com
Wow, Tara is one special lady. Owner of the Tara Gentile and Scoutie Girl brands she says:
“I am on a quest to redefine commerce as the creation & distribution of meaning, relationship, and experience. And I am more-than-okay making money doing it.
Business should reflect what we value in life. What we treasure and hold most dear. I am challenging the assumptions we hold around work/life balance, the starving artist mythos, and true personal success to create a new paradigm for the 21st century & beyond.”
Admittedly I find some of posts on TaraGentile.com a bit heavy going at times. They aren’t the type of posts that you can’t read in a rush. You need to sit with them a while but they do contain very valuable questions and lessons.
ScoutieGirl.com on the other hand is a brilliant collaboration between Tara and a number of guest bloggers. It offers a mix of crafty projects and indie business advice including fascinating case studies from business owners who have reached their definition of success.
How Will You Keep Up With These Mentors?
Each of these mentors have vast blog archives on their websites containing a wealth of information just waiting for your visit.
To keep up to date with new posts I recommend subscribing to the mentors’ RSS feeds in Google Reader. If you are wondering why Google Reader review my post about it.
Who Are Your Online Mentors?
Who inspires you? Who has the success you aspire to? Please do tell in the comments!
March 1, 2012
We all need to find people who have been where we are and are at a higher success route. Love some of your mentors.
Shawn recently posted..Secrets to a Happy Marriage
March 1, 2012
Hi Shawn,
Thank you for reading and leaving a comment!
It’s perhaps the one true shortcut – learn from those who have gone before you so that you can avoid and learn from their mistakes.
Do you have a particular favourite mentor?
Cheers,
Caylie
March 1, 2012
I do have an online mentor, Sandi Kerkowski. She is crazy and will blow your mind in a good way. Michelle has become one because of how selfless she gives. This blogging challenge has helped me so much. I also love the group called NAMS, nitche affiliate marketing system.
Have a great day,
Shawn
Shawn recently posted..Secrets to a Happy Marriage
March 1, 2012
Thanks for sharing Shawn!
I will have to check out Sandi and NAMS work.
Cheers,
Caylie
March 1, 2012
nice article
love it.
one of my favorite online mentor.s is michelle schaeffer for sure and a very good friend ruth seba of sebasilver.
why?
michelle for her wonderful blog and technical skills
ruth: because i can talk to her about each and any idea and even about the probs that sometimes occur.
to both a big thank you!
helen recently posted..Commenting or not commenting?
March 1, 2012
Hi Helen,
Thank you for reading and sharing your mentors.
Isn’t it fantastic to have bloggers you can share anything with and know they will have really valuable input.
Cheers,
Caylie
March 2, 2012
you are quite right caylie
and some of those bloggers become friends during the journey – i love it so much 
)
thanks again for the post!
(gimme checkbox baby
love helen
helen recently posted..Commenting or not commenting?
March 2, 2012
Hi Caylie,
Several of your mentors were mine as well, especially Tara Gentile. I also love following Tara Mohr and Emily Wapnick (Puttylike.com). Oh, and Jonathan Fields. Great people! I followed all of your mentors in my revived Google Reader and I am loving it. Thanks!!
Kim
Kimberly Creagan recently posted..Onward and Upward, A.K.A. The Big Migration
March 3, 2012
Hi Kim,
Just followed Tara on Twitter and can’t wait to check out the April challenge she mentions. I will have a look at Emily soon – anyone with the URL PuttyLike.com sounds intriguing. Like most people I’ve heard of Jonathon Fields although I have truly looked into his work. Sounds like I need to.
Thanks again for your readership and comment!
Caylie
March 5, 2012
Hey Caylie — So happy to see Michelle Shaeffer in this group! Without hesitation, I would definitely deem her a “leader”.
And now I have two new people to scope out thanks to your efforts in shining the light on some way cool people.
GREAT idea for a post!
March 6, 2012
Hi Melanie,
Thanks for your kind comment. I loved and left a comment on your post today too!
Glad to hear you have two new potential mentors to check out – is there anyone you would suggest?
I appreciate your readership and hope you’ll be back.
Cheers, Caylie
March 6, 2012
Fantastic resource; thanks for sharing your favourite mentors. I like Carole Tice; her posts are fantastic for freelance writers; packed full of wisdom and honesty,
March 6, 2012
Hi Mrs Green!
Thank you for reading and commenting on my post. I love your suggestion of Carole – I have read and implemented her ideas previously and have some of her key posts bookmarked to refer back to.
I hope you will be back to visit again ;o)
Caylie
March 6, 2012
Caylie, thank you so much for including me in your list. I’m honored!
I’m also a big fan of Seth Godin. I follow everything the Copyblogger team creates. Some of my personal mentors are Therese Skelly, Jill Hart, and Adam Urbanski.
And I am inspired by all the awesome bloggers and entrepreneurs out there, every day putting their hearts into creating what they care about.
Michelle Shaeffer recently posted..Key to Success? Give More.
March 6, 2012
Hi Michelle,
You are a champion in my world!
The Copyblogger team and their work is amazing. They seem to always cause the “oh duh why didn’t I think of that” moments with their content. Of course the business is so much more than the blog and all terrific.
I must admit I haven’t heard of your mentors – perhaps I’ve been living under a rock?!? I will definitely be tracking down their work.
Thank you so much for commenting!
Caylie
March 6, 2012
Hi Caylie,
Love this list – I follow many of them already, but will check out what they all have to say!
I follow so many people, it’s hard to actually name names…
I would also add Pat Flynn over at smartpassiveincome.com – great for making money online!!!
Thanks for sharing!
Christine Brady recently posted..How to Start a Blog in 7 Easy Steps
March 6, 2012
Hi Christine,
Thanks for reading and leaving a comment!
I am in the same boat as you – I really need to sort my RSS feeds by topic to gain a bit of control ;o)
Pat Flynn is a favourite of mine too. I asked him a few questions here: http://www.betterbusinessbetterlife.com.au/the-man-behind-the-smart-passive-income-brand-pat-flynn/
Cheers,
Caylie