If you’ve read my recent blog posts, you’ll know how and why I want to help you build your online business and live a life you love… But I’m most certainly not the first or only person to write about these topics! Sometimes it feels like everyone is writing about growing your email list or starting a YouTube channel… So who should we follow and who should we skip?
I’ve rounded up the five thought leaders who have had the biggest influence on my blogging and online business journey (in alphabetical order). How many of them did you already know of? At the end of the blog post, I round up a few takeaways I’ve learnt from following these people, that will serve you in your online business!
Leader #1: Erin May Henry
I’m not sure when I discovered Erin May Henry, but I can definitely remember Sam (see below) mentioning her as her coach a few years ago. In any case, I’ve ticked the notification bell (a rare honour!) to be alerted about Erin’s new videos on YouTube. She shares her insights about personal development and branding for online entrepreneurs, with a refreshing emphasis on having fun!
Here are two videos of hers that I particularly enjoyed recently:
- What Taylor Swift, Kim Kardashian and Paris Hilton taught me about online success;
- New home office tour + making $50k this week? (vlog).
I mostly follow her on YouTube, but she also hosts the Game Changers podcast and you can learn about her membership and courses over on her website.
Random fact: she’s one of two Australians on this list… I find the accent soothing to listen to haha!
Leader #2: Gillian Perkins
Gillian Perkins is also someone that I follow on YouTube. Gillian’s more strategic “how-to” content complements the influencers who talk more about mindset. I like her focus on being efficient: she even has a podcast called Work Less, Earn More!
Here are some recent videos of hers that I liked:
- The #1 thing keeping you from becoming successful;
- How I Built a 6-Figure Business in One Year (My 12-month journey as a blogger and YouTuber);
- Things need to change // finding a new work routine.
I’d especially recommend her content if you’re thinking of creating a YouTube channel, but I follow and find her advice super useful even without being on YouTube!
Leader #3: Pat Flynn
Well I had to include a token man in this list! More seriously, I discovered Pat’s Smart Passive Income podcast years ago. Even though his brand has the word “passive” in it, he’s a busy man! He has several successful podcasts and is now posting every day on YouTube.
One thing I particularly like is how much he seems to care for his audience, an idea at the centre of his Superfans* book. It’s definitely on my soon-to-read list! As a side note, I’m actually hesitating between reading Superfans and Traction* by Gino Wickman next. If you’ve read either of those, please share your recommendations in the comments!
* Note: this blog post contains affiliate links. If you follow a link marked with an asterisk and make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!
Anyhoo, back to Pat! Here’s a video series I watched yesterday evening (when I should have been in bed…) and really enjoyed:
- How to Stop Being Ignored Online;
- 5 Ways to Build a Loyal Fan Base & Following;
- How to Create SUPER Fans (That Will Buy Everything You Create).
Pat Flynn is also a great person to turn to if you want to start a podcast. I know that I’ll be turning to his resources when I launch mine (probably in early 2021)!
Leader #4: Sam Laura Brown
I’ve been following Sam Laura Brown for years now! I used to read her blog when it was SmartTwenties and then was one of the first listeners to her podcast (now called The Perfectionism Project). I’ve also been in her membership community, Perfectionists Getting Shit Done, for almost a year now.
She’s greatly influenced the way I think about goal-setting, time management and really too many things to count! It’s reached the point where I’ve internalised a lot of what she teaches and it’s hard to remember how much she’s contributed, know what I mean? I’d probably qualify as a Sam superfan haha.
If you’re only just discovering Sam’s work, I’d recommend checking out her Instagram stories and subscribing to her podcast. You may not currently think of yourself as a perfectionist, but she explores elements of self-sabotage that all entrepreneurs take part in at some point or another. I love how Sam is both relatable and inspiring!
Leader #5: Suzi Whitford
I’ve only recently started learning from Suzi, but I’m already super impressed! She has a YouTube channel called Start a Mom Blog, but don’t be deceived: there’s great advice there for all content creators and online entrepreneurs, whether you have children or not. I really like how she gives a lot of in-depth information for free in her videos. I have also bought two of her courses and I’m very happy with them:
- Blog by Number* (the bit on finding your niche included with it was more valuable than an expensive course I took this summer on the topic!);
- Printables by Number* (if you want to create small digital products to sell on your blog or on Etsy, like I do).
She also leads by example in the sense that her funnels are super solid: it seems like she has a solution for everything and I can access it at the click of a button. Her bubbly personality and step-by-step courses have made me a happy customer of hers!
A few takeaways
As you can tell, I’m a fan of these thought leaders and I’d recommend you check them out yourself! But here are five broad-stroke lessons that I’ve learnt, among many, from them:
- Find ways of enjoying what you do and bring fun into your work, it’s contagious and you’ll attract your people (Erin May Henry);
- Figure out what works and focus on that (Gillian Perkins);
- Find ways to connect personally with your audience and make them feel like they’re special (Pat Flynn);
- Teach from where you’re at: share your imperfect journey to inspire your audience on theirs (Sam Laura Brown);
- Delight your audience with in-depth information for free and offer step-by-step walkthroughs as a paid product (Suzi Whitford).
Now, being inspired and learning all the strategies is great… But what if you keep getting in your own way? Well, 1) it’s OK, you’re only human, 2) you can grab my free guide to three ways you may secretly be sabotaging your success… and how to follow through with your plans instead! Pop your email below to receive your shortcut from procrastination to productivity (and happiness!).
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