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{Smaller Bloggers} Don’t Do This Alone

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Finding your voice, building your platform and learning all the different aspects of blogging is challenging work. Feedback and encouragement are valid needs as we craft a vision and carve out our niche. You may not be getting that feedback from your readers yet–what you need is a mastermind group!

“But mastermind groups are for bigger, professional bloggers!” Yeah? How do you think they got there? Ask any successful blogger and they will probably name 5 or 6 close, online relationships that supported and encouraged them back when they were small. A small group of like-minded bloggers can give us the support and companionship that will enable us to thrive and enjoy this adventure.

“A Mastermind Group has given me a place where I’m comfortable bouncing off even ‘wild ideas’ and knowing I’ll get good, honest feed back and encouragement. I’ve made new friends who understand and support me in my need to write and my desire to do it well and that is a beautiful thing.” –Chantel

Starting Your Own Mastermind Group
Begin with identifying some of your close online friends who share similar goals as yourself. They need not be bigger or more savvy than yourself—you will all grow together in the fertile ground of accountability and the combined talents of the group. Share your vision for creating a mastermind group, and invite them to each invite a few more friends. This should give you the variety essential to a productive team–but keep it small (12-15 people max.). The power of these groups is in the closeness of everyone knowing each other well – it’s not just a discussion board.

“Anyone can think – but only in a group of more than one, can ideas be processed and refined…a mastermind group is the same feel as a Bible study–but for blogging.”- Katie

Next, choose a place to gather. My team uses a private Facebook group for discussions and sharing links. If your friends are within driving distance, you could get together in person on a monthly basis. Conference calls, Skype-ing, or group email are great ways to share and connect. On our Facebook page we’ve created documents containing all the team member’s contact info so we can email, snail mail, or call each other with questions or encouragement.

Let the fun begin!
Once you have your group, you can begin enjoy the benefits–it’s like having your own cheerleading team and board of directors for your blog! Use the group to bounce ideas around, challenge growth, share what you’ve learned, and post all those great techy links that your blog readers or Facebook friends just don’t get. ☺

  • Introduce a topic of discussion each week, like ‘Using Twitter’, ‘Creating a Media Kit’, and ‘Comment Policies’
  • Trade services and share skills
  • Critique each other’s writing, blog, or guest post submissions
  • Support team members by liking their Facebook page, retweeting them, and promoting their projects.

“As I start to recreate my blog to bring in readers for my upcoming book, I am excited to know that I have a wealth of information, help, and support from the women in my mastermind group! Blogging seems less overwhelming now that there is someone coming alongside me in the journey.” –Ginger

The Benefits of a Team
Many of us are intimidated by the many aspects of blogging and social media. In a group with various talents we can learn from and help each other grow. My friend Natasha says, “it’s just like another body of believers, one where each member has their own niche and everyone brings something of value to the table.”  Jessica  has enjoyed the transition from trying to figure it all out on her own to being part of a team that continually inspire and push her to new heights. Surrounding yourself with a close group of like minded, intentional bloggers can help you gain vision and make steady progress toward your blogging goals.

We know we can’t do this blogging thing alone, but often we small bloggers fight the feelings of insecurity and isolation by trying to elbow our way into the ‘in crowd’. We spend time and tweets, energy and stress trying to get noticed. But this energy is often wasted and our impact is weakened trying to ‘fit in’. Success will come from pursuing excellence, not acceptance. (<-Tweet This!) I challenge you to build a team where you’re at and then together grow toward excellence.

Your Challenge

  • Read Amy‘s Post “Why You Should Be Part of a Mastermind Group”
  • Create a private Facebook group (be sure to choose the setting for a Secret Group-so only members can see who belongs and what’s posted)
  • Invite 2 or 3 intentional bloggers you already have a personal connection with, and ask them to invite a few more.
  • Once you have a team, begin to get to know each other and seek how you can support your new team members.

Many thanks to the ‘Ladder Blogger’ gals–my mastermind group: Kateri, Chantel, Diane, Ginger, Katie, Cynthia, Jessica, Kristina, Mandy, Natasha, Gretchen, Rachel, and September. Thanks for the quotes for this post and all your support–I couldn’t do this without you!

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Comments

  1. hmm…You have given me something to consider. Deep in though here. Mastermind group, (stroking my chin);I will ponder this!

  4. YES. I never even knew what a master mind group was until you invited me. It has been such a rich experience.

    • Stacey – you may not feel like the one to start a group, but perhaps you could just take the initiative to share this post with someone you know who loves to lead stuff, and tell her you’ll back her up if she will start it!

  8. This is such a fabulous idea. I am thinking of who to invite to be in a group. I’m excited about being in relationship with people in the same place as me. Thanks so much for this. 

  9. a very interesting idea…you have me thinking for sure…most of the women I would consider are in different parts of the country, but I do like your idea of a private FB page…hmmmmm…I could use some support/encouragement for sure…

    • Lisa,
      I thought you’d like to know – our group is about half within an hour
      or two of me (too far to see each other on a regular basis) and the
      other half of the group is spread around the country!

  10. Lisa, I thought you’d like to know – our group is about half withing an hour or two of me (too far to see each other on a regular basis) and the other half of the group is spread around the country!

  11. Ok, I have a question. Most of the people I interact with are not small bloggers. But I am definitely a small blogger just starting out. I’ve only been blogging for 3 months, so I’m having a bit of trouble finding other small bloggers to connect with. I’m not sure who to approach because I don’t know how to tell if someone else is a small blogger. It seems like everyone I could ask would be further along than me. What is the best way to find other like minded bloggers at the same point in their journey? 

    • I am a much “smaller” blogger than all of the other girls that in my group. My blog was only a few months old and I didn’t have a clue what I was doing (still don’t, really. 🙂 I just write and hope that someone else promotes because I don’t really know how…) 

      But my point is simply: don’t let the “size” of your blog determine too much. If you have contact with other bloggers, then just start asking! You really don’t have to be at the same exact place in your journey- being new to blogging might give you perspective that others need! 

  12. Hey again, friends! Grateful to read all these follow-up comments today. 

    Inspired by all of you, I’ll be bold: I’ve been blogging for just under a year, but seriously for five months. And I would just love to create a blogging Mastermind group! I participate in a Mastermind group for my writing business and it has benefitted me so much. 

    Ladies, you all seem just fantastic and I’d love to connect with you and see how a Mastermind group could work. if you are interested, send me an email (sarahkoci at gmail dot com) and we’ll see how we can support each other in this blogging journey.
    My blog, Inspiration-Driven Life, is at sarahkocischeilz.wordpress.com if you are curious 🙂

  13. Trina,  I really like this idea!  It’s like ironing sharpening iron.  I am an intentional blogger because this is the ministry that the Lord has called me to, however, connecting on-line seems so odd to me.  Perhaps it is a fear of mine or just the unknown.  Whatever it is, I could certainly see the value of an on-line or in real life mastermind group (if you’re close enough).  If there is anyone blogs solely for the sake of ministry and you’re interested in connecting in a unique way, shoot me an email and we’ll see where the Lord leads us!  respectyourhusband@joleneengle.org

    •  Jolene – I applaud your initiative. Thanks for being willing to start something wonderful! I’m praying for the group you are forming. 🙂

  14. I only have one personal blogging friend and we have talked about the idea of networking with other bloggers.  We’re both kind of newbies and not sure how to find other bloggers that want to network together. How do you find those bloggers to network with? Another question about networking with other bloggers I have is would “big” bloggers mentor “small” blogs? Or do you think there just isn’t enough time to add one more thing? Maybe you get enough mentoring through the mastermind group? Sorry so many questions just trying to figure this all out and this was a thought provoking post!

    •  Paula, it’s great when someone more experienced has time to mentor us one-on-one, but you don’t have to wait for that golden opportunity in order to grow. My online mentors have been a few select blogs by gals who are further along than me. I read faithfully and this is the beauty of the internet – they have mentored me without even knowing me! But we also need the accountability to experience growth, so that’s where a mastermind group–even of bloggers more inexperienced than yourself–can be so helpful.

  15. Wow what a wonderful idea! I am sure with the constant support/encouragement of a “mastermind group” I would be inspired to make the time to grow my blog. So many times, life gets in the way! I love my blog but don’t really have a niche ~ if anyone wants to visit it & see if you’d like to be in a group with me, that’d be so wonderful!!

    http://www.sneakersoffaith.blogspot.com

    Blessings!

  16. Wonderfully done, Trina! This is such a great concept for smaller bloggers to connect with. It really does change how you view blogging and your place in it. <3

  17. Love this idea.  Nothing like getting online-media gals together to support and critique each others efforts.  The same principle applies to life coaching — even a life coach ought to have a life coach. 

    If anyone is interested in joining me (or having me join them), send an email to lisa (at) moretobe (.) com.  I’m open to the idea of a mastermind group and all the benefits it has to offer.

  18. Fantastic idea! I will e-mail some of you who are wanting to get a group together. I don’t know if your groups are already full or not. Hope there’s room for one more!

  19. Thank you Thank you Thank you, Trina for writing about this. I had never HEARD of such before, and was scared to death to connect, but I have with 4 other women so far and I can’t wait for us to really get started as a group. But I wanted to thank you for this post for pointing us in the right direction.

  20. Absolutely love this idea and find it so important. I’ve been blessed to be a part of a mastermind type group — and those lovely ladies encourage me, push me, advise me, pray for me, and more. Such an incredible blessing to be able to network and form bonds with other bloggers.
    Fabulous post!

  22. What a great idea!!!! I love my online blogging friends but I don’t think we are quite there… lots of great ideas! =)

    •  Alyssa, try tweeting with the #allume hashtag to find some like minded ladies to connect with. I know several groups have been started from people who connected in the comments from this post!

  24. What a great idea!  Somehow, I always had the idea that a “mastermind” group was so called because of one thoroughly knowledgeable member that sort of guided all the others.  This makes so much more sense.  It’s a “mastermind” because of the collaboration of minds!  Definite “aha” moment for me. 🙂  Thanks!

  25. This sounds like such a great idea. I’d love to start a group or be a part of one, but I’m not really sure about where to start as far as inviting others. I have one friend that I think would do it. Not sure about anything further than that. Hmm. Gives me something to think about.

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