12 Blogs Entrepreneurs Should Follow in 2012
Charlie “Tremendous” Jones once said, “You are the same today as you’ll be in five years except for two things: the books you read and the people you meet.” Now that we live in an “online” world… I’m sure that Charlie would agree that it is not only the books you read but also the blogs you read.
If you’re looking to make 2012 your best year ever, you need to study and learn from both the successes and failures of others. So here are 12 blogs you can learn from in 2012:
Seth Godin
– was ranked the #1 marketing blog on AdAge Power 150 in 2009 and is still going strong. He has written thirteen bestselling books and has been called “America’s Greatest Marketer” by American Way Magazine. Why wouldn’t you want to read his weekly posts and apply his wisdom to your business plan?
Quick Sprout
– Neil Patel is a self-made SEO expert with advice on many aspects of business and marketing. He is the co-founder of two successful internet companies, has helped corporations like Amazon and AOL, and was named a top blogger by Technorati by the time he was 21! Ask Neil a question on a post in his blog, and he’ll respond to you personally!
Copyblogger
– provides invaluable information about how to successfully market your business online. CEO Brian Clark has perfected his online marketing model which culminated into this blog, offering advice and solutions to growing businesses through social media and online marketing. With multiple “top blog” or “top blogger” awards over the six years Copyblogger has been online, you can’t go wrong following these nuggets of wisdom.
Dan Ariely
– Dan’s demonstration of behavioral economics offers life lessons that teach you not only how people think, but also how you can apply this to successful marketing. In following his quirky blog, you can begin to understand the incomprehensible behaviors that make us human, and how they can be used in economics and business as well as day-to-day life.
The Art of Non-Conformity
– Chris Guillebeau chronicles his unconventional ideas about life, travel, and entrepreneurship, and reveals how the work you are doing can be enjoyable and meaningful. His lessons on development and planning are taken from real-world experiences and can be applied to your personal and professional life.
Marie Forleo
– tells it like it is, with humor and high heels. She has helped women all over the world with their businesses and lives. Although she is dedicated to empowering women to succeed in all aspects of success and well-being, her advice can be useful to anyone looking for some down-to-earth insights.
Derek Sivers
– fills his blog with interesting tidbits from the life lessons he has learned as an international entrepreneur. His 2011 book, Anything You Want, chronicles his “accidental” success and failures and teaches every entrepreneur how to succeed by following your passion. His past experiences as a musician and clown have translated to success as an entrepreneur and programmer, demonstrating that you never know how the past will affect your future, or how your choices in the present moment can lead to the lessons you will later apply to something you never even dreamed of.
Four Hour Workweek
– Tim Ferriss is the best-selling author of The Four Hour Workweek and The Four Hour Body and is a self-made entrepreneur. People all over the world follow his advice for a healthier, happier, and more successful life. He was one of Forbes Magazine’s “Names You Need to Know in 2011.” His philosophies have provided a guide for entrepreneurs worldwide and show how to maximize output without overdoing yourself.
WorkShifting
– is a concept that has become increasingly popular as the world has become dominated by mobile technology. With businesses honing their international skills and technology becoming more efficient for travel with each updated version released, it seems clear that the work one could only accomplish behind the office desk 20 years ago can now be accomplished practically anywhere. Today, an entrepreneur can track his business and send emails from coffee shops, home, airports, even at the beach or in a car. This blog explores the shift of the typical “workplace” perspective to how entrepreneurs everywhere can maximize their time wherever they find themselves.
Zen Habits
– Written by Leo Babauta, this blog contains articles on simplicity, motivation, living in the moment, goals, happiness, and many other topics that everyone can appreciate improving in their own lives. For entrepreneurs, life can be driven by many things at once and it can be difficult to find balance and serenity within that. “Zen Habits is about finding simplicity in the daily chaos of our lives. It’s about clearing the clutter so we can focus on what’s important, create something amazing, and find happiness.”
Productivity 501
– regularly posts tips and tricks to help you increase your personal productivity. Whether at work, at home, or in between, would it not be helpful to be more effective and efficient at completing tasks and projects? Mark Shead has dedicated himself to a blog that is designed to help you do exactly that.
GTD Times
– is a blog dedicated to Getting Things Done! David Allen and his company publish their latest tips, strategies, and reviews of ways to make GTD work for you. The ultimate goal of the GTD work-life management system is to help everyone live “happier, healthier, and more successful lives.”
Bonus!!!
Because we’re still celebrating the New Year at Ugly Mug with hopes of getting more accomplished than ever before, I’m giving you one more great blog to follow. Have a Happy and Productive 2012!
Duct Tape Marketing
– does just what you’re thinking. Like duct tape, it delivers simple, real-world strategies that are cost effective. Its author John Jantsch has been called “The World’s Most Practical Small Business Expert” and offers simple, solid advice for all your marketing needs.
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Thanks Wayne for this post, nice reading list.
On suggestion though, instead of linking the images to themselves, it would have been better, if you had linked them to the respective blogs. That way I wouldn’t have had to Google them up.
Thanks Yogesh.
Working on the links now.
Thanks Wayne for prompt reply and action, now lazy people like me, need not fear 😀
Great list! Would be nice to also get a list of Twitter id’s.
Cheers
Andrew
Thanks. Appreciate the suggestion for twitter id’s. I’ll work on adding them.
Nice list, think:
http://www.EntrepreneursKorner.com
should be added to the list.
🙂
Thanks Lee.
You have some great information on your blog.
I love your post: 11 Seriously Awesome Company Offices!
Hi Wayne! Thank you!! I’m honored and thrilled to be a part of your recommended line up. FYI, our male audience is growing FAST. So much so that it’s reflected in our new website, that went live today. Come on by and check it out 😉
Your new site looks amazing! Thanks for all the great content you put out each week.
I am really stoked to follow these obviously successful people, hopefully by year’s end I will have learned a thing or two about how to be a little more successful in business than last year. 🙂