Who Is In Your Inner Circle?
My mate Rob Rammuny just posted a fantastic article on his blog titled ‘How To Stand Out In A Crowded Niche‘ and while the whole article is kick-butt, one point he hits on that I have personally been working on lately is creating an ‘Inner Circle‘.
What Is An Inner Circle?
In Rob’s post, he talks about how all the major bloggers in the ‘Make Money Online’ (MMO) niche all seem to interview each other, as well as promoting each others products.
This is much more than just about making more money. It is about networking, and working together to build each others scope of influence.
It is this collaboration and networking that we also need to be doing – if we want to increase out influence – or ‘Stand Out’ in our niche.
As I mentioned, this is something that I have personally started working on over the last couple of weeks and I wanted to introduce a couple of bloggers that I have started networking with (and who I see as becoming part of my inner circle).
Bloggers Entering My Inner Circle
(Let me have a small disclaimer, that these are just early relationships, but I love what these bloggers are doing and these are my thoughts – so if they disagree, they can comment below!)
1. Rob Ramunny (@RobRamunny)
Rob (yes, the same one who inspired this post), has been on my radar for quite a long time, but we have only recently started to connect. All I can say is that he is incredibly switched on and his success is only going to grow!
At just 16 years of age, I cannot wait to see what he is doing at 18 or 21! I highly recommend Subscribing to His Blog and signing up for his free video course!
Rob is definitely someone that I want in my inner circle!
2. Ben Lang (@EpicLaunch)
Ben has an interesting story. Starting an eBay business at just 14 years of age, he has been interviewed on Channel 12 and has been running Ben-Lang.com very successfully.
Recently he realized that his blog was becoming a multi-author platform and made the smart choice to rebrand to EpicLaunch.com.
Ben is definitely one to watch and subscribe to!
3. Dan Lew (@DanLew)
I have been seeing Dan pop up everywhere lately!
While running a successful SEO company, this Aussie blogger is making $2,000 a month from his blogs and I can see this growing dramatically.
This week I had the chance to ask Dan a few quick questions, so make sure you subscribe to his blog and keep an eye out for my blog posts featuring him (coming in the next couple of days!).
People I Would Like To Know More
These are people who have recently jumped onto my radar and have a heap of potential. Looking forward to connecting with them more.
1. Paul Cunningham (@PaulCunningham)
Another Aussie blogger, Paul actually lives about an hour down the highway from where I live, and has been making some great waves with his blog Blogging Teacher and as moderator of the ProBlogger Community.
Paul also runs Exchange Server Pro while freelance blogging on two other blogs (all this while working on client projects and developing his own stuff). If there was one thing I wish I could learn from Paul it would be how he fits all this into his day!
Make sure you Subscribe To Blogging Teacher!
2. Onibalusi Bamidele (@DataEntryForAll)
Onibalusi is a blogger that I have seen around a lot, because he is such an active guest blogger!
The thing is, that he is making it work for him and his blog YoungPrePro and young entrepreneur blog that is quickly growing in influence.
So I recommend checking out his blog, and grabbing his RSS feed!
3. Kevin Tan (@imKevinTan)
Kevin is a Chinese blogger that has only just relaunched his blog imKevinTan and it good to see him back in action.
He has kicked it off with some fantastic content, and looking forward to seeing how he is going in a couple of months!
Subscribe to his blog if you are interested too.
4. Mark Bell (@MarkBell10)
Mark is currently completing his PHD and I’ve only recently come across him and his blog.
His blog seems to be shooting at quite a few different topics and it would be nice to see a bit more focus, but he is focusing on community and looking to build his network – so I can only see bigger things coming up for Mark.
Check out his blog and subscribe!
If you are on this list, and do not want to network with me, feel free to let me know! But here is my very early ‘Inner Circle’, I’d love to hear who you are networking with!
37 Responses
8.4.2010
You already know I’m in to join! ;D
But as for the post and inner circles, I think networking and forming a strong inner circle is substantial to growing your business and beating others.
What better way to build your own audience by having others with established “niche-related” audiences help promote for you?
It’s a viral circle. Another example of cross promotion is Rapid Video Blogging by Gideon and how John Chow sent it out to his list and wrote about it.
Thomas Sinfield Reply:
August 4th, 2010 at 6:46 am
Yea, that’s exactly right! I did see John’s promotion. I’d love to know how much he makes with each product launch – he always seems to be up the top of the launch affiliates lately.
I hear your blog is up for a redesign?
Rob Rammuny Reply:
August 4th, 2010 at 6:54 am
Yeah he has a huge ass list that’s why ha.
But yes it is, I’m actually doing more than a re-design, adding new courses and material on there as well.
That’s why I tweeted you seeing how busy you were in August because wanted to get you in on some stuff ;D
Thomas Sinfield Reply:
August 4th, 2010 at 8:11 am
Haha true!
Sounds exciting! I will definitely be free in August to do whatever you need.
8.4.2010
Wow Tom,
This is really cool.
This post has honored me and it is really a great opportunity to be listed among other great bloggers.
Having an inner circle is really great and it helps one achieve more in less time.
Thanks a lot for the great post,
-Onibalusi
Thomas Sinfield Reply:
August 4th, 2010 at 6:47 am
No problem Onibalusi! You definitely deserve your stop.
8.4.2010
It great to see the collaboration out there ,there is plenty all of us can learn from a post like this, and its inspiring to other new people as well
8.4.2010
Hi,
As I mentioned on Robs post: I think the most important point is ‘Form an inner-circle’. All the big bloggers do this. I see this all the time. They promote other big bloggers.
I think this step by you is a great one! I wish you all the best in building your network and inner circle!
Kindest,
Nabeel
Thomas Sinfield Reply:
August 4th, 2010 at 6:50 am
Thanks Nabeel!
I have been seeing you on pretty much every blog that I visit! :D
8.4.2010
I’m glad to be one of the potential bloggers in your inner circle friend list. I’ve been ‘twitter-networking’ with some great people that are in your list too.
Your post inspires me that I should start networking with them through my blog already.
Thanks Tom. You’re one stand-out Aussie blogger I’ve seen in this blogosphere.
Thomas Sinfield Reply:
August 4th, 2010 at 6:53 am
Thanks Kevin! Loving your recent posts, and can’t wait to hear more from you.
8.4.2010
Hey Tom,
Thank you so much for including me in your list of potentials! I’m quite surprised to be honest.
I think you’ve summed my place up just right. There are posts on just about anything I find interesting. One minute I think I’ve found my following, the next it changes. I’m sure it will narrow down with time/practice/advice.
Anyway, back to the point of the post. I agree whole-heartedly that you need circles of friends to help you succeed. Getting anywhere is more about who you know than what you know. Besides, if you have developed a name for yourself, you become the go-to guy. Sharing this between groups of people helps everyone succeed. We all approach things slightly differently, ultimately with the same goal at the end.
Thomas Sinfield Reply:
August 4th, 2010 at 2:03 pm
No problem Mark! You deserve to be on the list.
Yea, just take your time finding your audience – it will come in time.
And you are exactly right. As with almost anything, it is your connections and relationships that will get you places.
8.4.2010
Having an inner circle indeed helps us reach out to a wider audience and help more people. And as what you’ve demonstrated, it allows us to find interesting topics to write about when we’re searching for new ideas.
Thomas Sinfield Reply:
August 4th, 2010 at 2:08 pm
Yea, it all about helping each other move forward. When the group succeeds – you succeed!
8.4.2010
I have a great inner circle, most of them are on the team, we work together to enhance all our blogs!
I am actually preparing a nice idea, and I will send you invitation very soon Tom!
Thomas Sinfield Reply:
August 4th, 2010 at 2:09 pm
Just got your email! Sounds like a lot of fun. Will shoot you back an email shortly.
8.4.2010
Definitely a good idea to have a inner circle. In the days of Internet marketting it’s an innovative way to collaborate & grow together.
8.4.2010
Nice post! What a great inner circle of friends you have associated with. Must keep watch on Ben!
Thomas Sinfield Reply:
August 7th, 2010 at 8:22 am
Thanks! And keeping an eye on Ben is a good idea – he has so much potential!
8.5.2010
Good post, Tom.
Collaboration and networking is the key to success for all involved. Combining the power of many can extend the reach of each blogger. A rising tide lifts all boats, as they say.
Thomas Sinfield Reply:
August 8th, 2010 at 8:02 am
I love that quote Jimi!
‘A Rising tide lifts all ships!’
8.5.2010
Having an inner circle is cool and I really hope I can join yours too. =)
iYingHang Reply:
August 5th, 2010 at 5:05 pm
But sadly I’m not in the IM niche.
Thomas Sinfield Reply:
August 7th, 2010 at 8:24 am
You don’t necessarily have to be in the same niche to be in someones inner circle! I’m gonna hit you up on facebook.
Mark Bell Reply:
August 7th, 2010 at 8:59 am
As Tom said, you don’t need to be in the same niche. In fact I believe having diversity helps improve productivity. Having lots of people in the thinking in one direction does not open them to alternative thought and direction.
8.7.2010
Hi Tom,
With the exception of Mark, I’m not familar with any of these bloggers, so thanks for sharing them.
With regards an inner circle, I’m a strong believer in the power of Mastermind Groups, which I assume your inner circle will become and once you start embracing the power of your inner circle/mastermind group you results will accelerate.
Thomas Sinfield Reply:
August 7th, 2010 at 8:28 am
Hey Matthew, yea, a mastermind group is quite similar! And speaking of that, Mark and I are looking at setting one up – so I will definitely let you know when we do.
8.7.2010
Hey Thomas,
All the bloggers you have mentioned definitely deserve to be highlighted. I have received lots of inspiration, especially through Rob and his blog.
What I have noticed is their consistency and dedicated approach to their work; and even when times were slow, they just kept on going.
Thomas Sinfield Reply:
August 7th, 2010 at 8:32 am
That is exactly it Robyn! I recently watched a video by Darren Rowse speaking about the secret of his success and all he said was ‘I created great content – every single day’ – consistency is the key.
8.7.2010
How do I fit it all in? Ha, the secret Tom is that I really don’t! It is a constant evolution of priorities and responsibilities and learning to maximise return for effort. I try different workloads and shift them according to what is working and what is not.
Plus I don’t watch TV, I’m behind on my RSS feeds (I only spotted this because I have a Google Alert set up for my name), and fortunately having two kids has trained me to function on limited sleep.
Thanks for the mention :-)
Thomas Sinfield Reply:
August 8th, 2010 at 8:04 am
Wow! It is amazing the difference between perception and reality sometimes, but the point you make about it being a constant evolution of priorities and responsibilities is so true.
Maybe, I need to cut back on the bit of tv I watch!
Paul Cunningham Reply:
August 8th, 2010 at 10:55 pm
Nobody wants the reality Tom ;-) If the perception is more inspiring just pretend I said nothing!
Thomas Sinfield Reply:
August 9th, 2010 at 6:24 am
haha! And that is how a lot of bloggers will live out their lives. For me hearing the real story is more inspiring because things are not perfect, but obstacles are overcome and choices are made :D
8.8.2010
Yay, glad to be in your inner circle! Thanks for this awesome post :)
Thomas Sinfield Reply:
August 8th, 2010 at 3:11 pm
No problem Ben! Chat soon.