Entrepreneurship is risky business.
For the most part, you’re handling things as they come, no matter how great of a startup plan you’ve created. With a new idea or business, it has to be that way. You’re forging a trail that other businesses will likely follow.
This also means you’re stuck waiting for results before you can accurately identify any gains or successes. While learning through experience is essential to being an entrepreneur, some lessons may come too late, leaving your business in a dilemma.
Learning from other entrepreneurs, who know what it's like to start a new venture, can help move you forward.
Reading for Greatness
In a generation where entrepreneurship is becoming increasingly popular, you have plenty of peers and professionals who can share great advice on their experiences.
Reading lessons learned from others can improve your path to success, and save you heartache in the long run. Blogs, social media, and even forums offer valuable stories and information. From marketing to business organization, you’ll find experts willing to share stories about their own journey; benefiting readers in search of success.
Discover the Top Marketing Blogs All Entrepreneurs Should Follow
1. On Startups
Though mainly focusing on software businesses, On Startups is a great resource for everyone.
Created by Dharmesh Shah, the co-founder and CTO of HubSpot, the site was started to share experiences and knowledge with others who are passionate about creating businesses. HubSpot is Shah's 3rd software startup - it’s safe to say he’s collected plenty of info along the way to benefit entrepreneurs of all types.
2. Smart Passive Income
Pat Flynn started this site after he was forced to resort to "Plan B" with his career. He now blogs and runs a podcast teaching others how they can have successes by establishing a passive income.
Through advice pieces and case studies on other entrepreneurs, Flynn explores new ideas and describes tested methods of running your own business. He covers everything from content creation to establishing sales funnels.
3. Gary Vaynerchuk
It’s hard to make a name for yourself as an entrepreneur without having heard of Gary Vaynerchuk. He’s exceedingly well known for his ability to build and grow businesses.
As a venture capitalist, he’s invested in some of the largest names in the industry, including Facebook, Twitter, Uber, and Tumblr. Although his blog is updated only so often, it’s filled with great articles to help get your social media strategy off the ground.
Gary also hosts two shows on his YouTube channel: one about social media, startups, and entrepreneurship; and another about being a CEO. Each provide tons of great information, and between the videos and the blog you're bound to get new ideas.
4. CopyBlogger
If you’re planning to build a site with a large content marketing strategy, CopyBlogger is a resource to bookmark asap.
Creators of the digital marketing and sales tool, Rainmaker Platform, the team at CopyBlogger understands how to provide value to their readers. To prove it, they use no outbound sales team, meaning every technique they tout works.
Learn from these professionals on how to write more effectively, draw in more clients through your content, and provide value to your audience.
5. HootSuite
HootSuite is a platform for managing your social media. Along with their tool, they have a blog that’s updated multiple times a day, giving you an almost never-ending stream of material to learn from.
The articles cover everything from creating better headlines to scheduling your timing on posts. If that isn’t enough for you, they also offer free classes and certifications to help bolster your social media prowess.
6. HubSpot
If you didn’t get your fill from Dharmesh Shah’s other blog, HubSpot's blog should quench your thirst for knowledge.
Updated constantly by industry experts, HubSpot’s blog is divided into two main categories: Marketing and Sales. Both focus on tested strategies to build your business.
Additionally, they offer free courses to help strengthen your skills. Everything you’ll learn is fostered in their blog posts, allowing you to grow exponentially.
7. Duct Tape Marketing
Duct Tape Marketing is a site and blog geared towards marketing consultants and entrepreneurs.
Created by John Jantsch, the content is filled with practical advice for entrepreneurs on a variety of topics. Articles include social media tips and tricks, branding, marketing integrations, and more. Most of the articles include actionable ideas that you can put to use immediately.
John is known for his ability to create marketing plans and systems that thrive. He shares that information with you via his blog and podcast to help get your strategy in order.
8. Moz
When it comes to SEO, Moz leads the way in providing information and approaches that can set you apart from competition.
Founded by Rand Fishkin and his mother, Gillian, the site’s blog offers advice on tracking analytics, keyword research, and the latest updates in the world of SEO.
They publish vetted guest posts, loaded with information, from professionals around the world to help you better understand SEO and how to fit it into your marketing plan.
9. Small Business Brief
For the most up to date news in the business world, Small Business Brief is your one stop shop.
They collect news and publish articles on their blog that affect entrepreneurs and small business owners. Their insights can help you plan ahead for potential issues or unseen opportunities, and their advice columns are sure to generate new ideas to improve your business.
10. Seth Godin
Seth Godin is a powerhouse in the marketing world. As the “founder” of permission marketing, a best-selling author, and owner of one of the world’s most popular blogs, he offers daily, thought-provoking posts for your benefit.
Posts include a wide range of topics, including marketing, business, and others meant to challenge your perception on different industries.
As a successful entrepreneur, Seth’s blog is definitely worth reading. As a genius in the field of marketing, you’d be hurting yourself not to pay attention.
11. Convince and Convert
Jay Baer’s Convince and Convert blog is overloaded with information on social media, marketing, and branding.
The site publishes content from experts across various fields and delivers terrific information to drive your marketing plan.
Convince and Convert also hosts a series of podcasts on different topics - in case you’re hungry for more.
Learning From The Best
There are always more blogs, but these 11 should get you started on the right track to finding information to help you move forward on your entrepreneurial journey. Conduct your own search to find sites that match your needs and start reading.
The goal is to maximize your potential by learning how others have done it first. Test out other systems and see what works best for you. Understand what parameters others have used to make their business successful and go for it!
Who knows, people may be looking for a blog with your name on it one day.
