photo by Jelle Vermeiren
“Where do you draw your inspiration from?”
Learning to be conscience of what you’re reading both on/offline may help you improve your own blog and writing.
If you’re like me, you have essential blogs you follow for the following reasons (among others):
- Informative. This blog consists of new, unique and refreshing content about apps, gadgets and so on. For example, Gina at Smarterware is a resourceful blogger to learn when it comes to lifehacks, simplicity and productivity. Also take a look at Ramit who has quickly become an authority on personal finances.
- Frequently Updated. Every time I return to the lifehacker home page, there’s always something new. Sites like this, for me, builds anticipation because you’re always expecting some fresh, new and exciting.
- Authority. Bloggers like Yaro Shark, Darren Rowse
- Friends/Partners. This doesn’t mean that these sites don’t fit into the above categories. Only that you visit, support and enjoy these blogs out of established relationships with the actual blogger in some sense or another.
- Celebrities status. These are the types of bloggers that blog but are known for other offline social status: wealth, authority, author and so on. For example, Mark Cuban or Tim Ferris (both seem to be pretty solid bloggers).
5 Blogs To Help Jump Start Your Blogging
It was hard to narrow the list down to five, and easily could be 10 or more worthy mentions. I believe the following sites will help stir up the creativity and energy needed to jump start your blogging.
- The Four Hour Work Week- Tim Ferris. Tim is known for deconstructing challenges and finding hacks to master feats like swimming, to language learning to adding and removing muscle and so forth. His work is bound to bring up some fresh ideas.
- Joanna at Confident Writing. There’s always useful, dazzling and energizing things happening: from monthly writing themes to group writing projects. It goes without saying, Joanna’s sense of community and awareness is second to none.
- Skellie at Skelliewag. I’ve been really impressed with her site. She even took the time to reply to a personal email. Her site’s pitch is “Blogging that different.” I agree, one of my favorite blogs in the blogosphere. If you haven’t read her guide on how to use and find flickr pictures, you’re must be lost! Also, see Pocket Size Guide to Blogging and How to Get 1,100 Subscribers in Five Days The quality posts are therein, and I encourage you to review site archives.
- The Simple Dollar. This site been around since Oct 0f 2006 and offers practical advice, money saving tips, not to mention the wealth of knowledge and experience the blogger brings to the table.
- Lifehacker. For me, being a reader helps every aspect of my blogging, learning (tutorials: like learning photoshop in one week), productivity: online and offline, to software and downloads. Whatever you interests, you’ll find something at Lifehacker to match your tastes and needs.
Notable Mentions
Blogging
- Marko from How to Make My Blog.
- Daily Blog Tips
- Darren from Problogger.
Productivity/Gadgets
Note: My list was based on blogs I tend to follow closer than others.
Your Turn, Ask the Reader!
What site belongs on this list? What blogs capture and hold your attention? Take notice, put together a list of blogs you read more than others. Some points to remember:
- Notice what those sites do well
- Determine their target audience
- Where are the gaps?
- What could you learn from monitoring these sites?
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{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
Awesome list. Skelliewag is one of my favorite blogs because it is so informative.
Blog Expert’s last blog post..Thesis Tutorial: Banner Ad in Header
Hey Franklin,
Thanks bro, yes, Skellie is impressive, informative and refreshing. What’s up with you man? I see, you’ve implemented “the Thesis theme” on your site.
-Mig
Mig, thanks so much for including me in this list, and in such great company! What a wonderful way to start the week, thank you.
Joanna Young’s last blog post..Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre: Changing Pace on Your Blog
Joanna,
Anytime, you and the community deserve it- excellent work at Confident writing. I agree, this is a pleasant way to kick off the week!
Thanks for visiting,
-Mig
thanks for the list, im an avid reader of Problogger too
Uberlib,
You’re Welcome, thanks for visiting and commenting. Looks like you’ve got some fun topics going on at your blog. All the best,
-Mig
Thanks for including my newish blog along with all those established guys out there Miguel! I appreciate your support!
Marko Saric’s last blog post..How Gary Vaynerchuk built a multi-million dollar empire around a video blog
Marko,
Anytime, I respect and appreciate your advice, work and consistency. You bet, thanks for your help, support and of course the visit!
Cheers,
-Mig
Hehe… Well, it looks like I read all of the ones that you mentioned! But in addition, the following are part of my daily reads as well:
- Chris Brogan: http://www.chrisbrogan.com
- Valeria Maltoni: http://www.conversationagent.com
- Seth Godin: http://www.sethgodin.typepad.com (though I’ve subscribed to his blog via email)
There are several more that I read as well. I mean heck, I’m subscribed to well over 300. But I don’t read them all daily. I read certain ones on certain days… I like to mix it up ya know. I guess I find that I pull my inspiration from different places in most cases.
Ricardo Bueno’s last blog post..My Social Media System
Ricardo,
Hey hey, nice… thanks for sharing some of your reads. Pulling from multiple places is a good thing. I hear ya man, we have to mix it up. Keeps things fresh, exciting and challenging. Thanks for swinging by, you’re social media system is smooth. Keep it up and keep on visiting as well.
-Mig
The 4 hour Work Week Is A Fantastic Blog!
Tom – StandOutBlogger.com’s last blog post..Free Niche Blog Idea: CAKES (Traffic & Search Stats Inc)
Hey Tom,
I’m with ya man!
Tim is something else… Thanks for visiting.
-Mig
I would also add ZenHabits.net. That blog is so inspiring!
Tom – StandOutBlogger.com’s last blog post..Twitter Marketing: Branding With Unique Backgrounds
Hey Tom,
Thanks for coming by… I agree my friend. Leo and guest writers at zen habits do an excellent job with inspiring people. I see you’ve done some writing on Twitter branding. I’ve seen some Twitter backgrounds that try to hard, push me further way which hurts ones chances at branding an image or perception that sticks in the person’s mind.
-Mig
I totally agree. Especially with Twitter Backgrounds they have to be clean but effective. some just try to add to much, or they just look unprofessional.
Tom – Twitter Marketing’s last blog post..Twitter Marketing: Branding With Unique Backgrounds
Tom,
In striving for professionalism, there come a time when less is more and simplicity means confidence. People need to realize when they’re trying to hard. Thanks for following up,
-Mig
I love your blog, awesome information and suggestions!!!
Charlie’s last blog post..Flickr
Hey Charlie,
Appreciate your kind words. Comments like your are always comforting and encouraging. Bloggers like to know others find their work useful.
Cheers!
-Mig
Great list you got here Miguel. Thesimpledollar.com is a great blog. I almost visit it everyday.
Salwa’s last blog post..Traffic Monday: Ways to Increase Traffic
Salwa,
Thanks, yes… the simple dollar is legit but so is blogriffic!
Good to see ya,
-Mig
Thank you so much for the great tips. I have bookmarked these sites so I can visit them later. Great information, thank you for sharing.
spindiva’s last blog post..Re-evaluating fitness and setting goals
Hey Spindiva,
Yes, glad I could help. This is what it’s about, us sharing, helping, inspiring and encouraging one another.
Thanks for visiting and welcome to SB! Cheers,
-Mig
Great list! You have great taste in blogs.
-Dustin
Dustin,
Thanks man, what’s new with you? What’s going on at happiness is better?
Thanks for for links, I will be viewing the sites you mentioned over the next week or two and get myself into gear.
George Serradinho’s last blog post..Serradinho reaches 1000 Comments Milestone
Hi Miguel,
Will be grateful if you could tell me which plugin are you using for threaded comments?
Regards
Pramit