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The Benefit of a Blogging Mentor

By

allume

 

Do you have a life mentor? Do you have someone who pours their heart, wisdom, prayers, and love into your life?

Mentors have played a tremendous role in my life as a Christian. Over the course of my new life in Christ I’ve had a couple of different mentors. Each of these mentors has breathed life into my soul, showered me with their wisdom and loved me in a way I never could have expected.

After I began blogging I began to see that, just as in life, I had a lot to learn. I not only needed a deeper understanding of the technical aspects of blogs, but my writing required greater depth and insight. I wanted feedback and I craved constructive criticism that would help me progress toward my writing goals.

At first I started to “stalk” some of my favorite bloggers. I would look at the format of their blogs, watch how they hosted guests, ran giveaways, and shared their heart. Closely following these amazing bloggers taught me a lot, but I was unable to receive the personal one-on-one help I was craving.  

And that’s when I decided to step out.

I am blessed that I have an in-real-life friend who is already several steps ahead of me in the blogging world. I admire her writing, her passion, and her professionalism. I wanted to learn everything I could from her, and so I took a chance and asked her to be my blogging mentor. Although she is a close friend, I was nervous about asking her. She has numerous kiddos, multiple writing projects on her plate, and many professional business projects in the works. I was worried she would see me as another addition to her already highly committed schedule.

But after a few days of praying about it, she agreed to be my mentor.

This new phase of our relationship has been a huge support to me. Although we don’t talk about blogging on a weekly or sometimes even monthly schedule, I am grateful to her for the time and feedback she gives me. I have learned a tremendous amount from my seasoned blogging mentor, and I know I wouldn’t have grown as much as I have over the last year without her.

It was easy in the begining to “stalk” different bloggers, trying to learn what they were doing and why they were making the writing/blogging decisions that they were. As my blog grew, and as my dreams came into greater focus, I realized the importance of running my blogging/professional world just as I run my life – with intentionality.

Having a mentor who is willing to pour their wisdom and insight into me has allowed for me to become more intentional in all aspects of my life, and so I am grateful to have found a blogging mentor to help me find that same focus and intentionality in my writing and professional pursuits.

And so I wonder, sweet blogging friend, do you have a blogging mentor?

Sure, maybe you “stalk” other blogs like so many of us do, but do you have someone who you can boldly ask for their guidance? Maybe this person doesn’t yet know you exist, and that’s ok. Take some time to pray about whether or not this person is worth pursuing as a blogging mentor, and if the Lord is fine with it, I encourage you to humbly reach out to them about it.

You may not be able to find someone who can commit to mentoring you right away, but don’t get discouraged! Just continue to pray that the Lord may reveal someone who would fill that role. If you’re anything like me, this relationship is sure to help you grow.

By, Mandy Scarr

 

 

 

Comments

  1. I do have a wonderful, experienced blogging friend who has become a wonderful sounding board. She just flat out told me when we met that she wanted to help me. Hurray! I’m going to go thank her right now…

  2. I’ve never had a blogging mentor but have been praying about whom to ask…it’s difficult to take the plunge and know the right person to ask. Thank you for this, I’d put it on the shelf for a while but this has reminded me that I really do need to pursue it 🙂

  3. Funny, I was just thinking about this yesterday! I even went so far as to practically beg on Twitter. But, your much more deliberate, prayerful approach seems the better path…. 🙂

    • I would definitely pray about it. I guess it wouldn’t be quite as awkward online if you decide a mentor isn’t a good fit for you {as opposed to in person where it can get very uncomfortable}, but taking time to really pray about it and select a person who you line up with is key. That builds a good foundation to a long-term relationship. Begging on twitter will get you someone–but it may not be the someone who fits you in all the right areas 🙂

  4. Love this post Mandy! I am very much one of those blog “stalkers” and I’ve never actually thought of having someone mentor me in that way. Will definitely give that some thought and prayer. 🙂

  5. i too have many blogs i follow and watch…but i don’t know anyone personally who would fit the role as blogging mentor. is it “customary” to ask someone you don’t know? a blogger whom you admire? how do you go about forming that relationship?

    • Tammy,
      You could ask someone you don’t know, but it might be helpful to begin to build a relationship with them through comments and emails. If the blogger is interactive with their community, they will begin to build a relationship with you. Over time you can see if this person would be a good fit for you or not.

  6. I have definitely “stalked” some of my favorite bloggers, but never thought about finding a blogging mentor. This idea definitely resonated with me but I do not know any other bloggers personally. I will definitely start praying about finding one, but do not have a clue about how to go about it. Thanks for sharing.

    • Heather,
      Thank you for sharing! I would encourage you to pray about who you could ask, making sure to pay close attention to the other blogger’s style and theology {a KEY piece if you’re a faith blogger}. Don’t rush it, just take your time, and begin to build a relationship with a blogger you admire by commenting on their stuff, asking questions, and maybe even emailing them. Just like a mentor we meet with in person, we don’t want to rush the relationship–make sure they are who their blog shows that they are 🙂 I pray you find someone who is a perfect fit!

  7. Blogging has introduced me to an incredible group of women who I am blessed to call friends. An “official” mentor is on my ‘to find’ list but if anyone needs a word of encouragement, maybe this? Every blogger I’ve reached out to, the ones who seem so “big” and intimidating? They’ve all been gracious, kind, authentic & so happy to get to know the readers they write to…and if you get to meet them in real life (like at Allume..hint..hint..) you might be surprised that those bloggers you stalk recognize you before you recognize them 😉

  8. I was just thinking about this very thing a few weeks ago, how I wish I had someone who would take me under their wing and bring me farther long in my journey. I will definately be praying into this!

  10. I’ve actually sought out and also expressed to 2 individual bloggers that I felt God has put them in my life as mentors and I should follow and learn from them. But the thing about it is, I want to serve and encourage them more than I seek from them. I believe I’ve been lead of God’s Spirit, and it’s like God saying, “Pay attention to these women. I have something I want you to learn from them. They have something to teach you.” So, I’ve communicated that and they’ve mentored me with their words and wisdom, and I believe the relationship aspect is growing organically. Does that make sense?

    Anyway, you’ve just encouraged my heart to seek more about it, because it can be a fearsome thing and I feel a little bit crazy sometimes in saying, “I call you mentor.” 🙂

  11. Gulp. I will spend time praying into this for sure. It is way out of my comfort zone, but is something I really want AND need! Thanks for the encouragement

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