When someone asks how to build traffic, I always say they should build relationships. The two go hand in hand.
One of the ways to get involved in community is to be part of a mastermind group which is basically a group of like-minded bloggers with whom you can share ideas, encouragement, promotion and advice.
A lot of people are intimidated by the idea of a mastermind group because they aren't sure how to find one or what it should look like.
How to find a mastermind group
If no one has asked you to be part of the their mastermind group, start one yourself. Find a few bloggers who seem to be about your size and in your niche and shoot them an email. Ask if they'd like to be part of a mastermind group. It doesn't have to be fancy or formal. I'd recommend you lay out some basic guidelines to start (here's an example, a list of tips here or here's a more in-depth guide to starting one) and then just go.
How to run a mastermind group
Personally, I like simple so when I recently read this interview in which Trina Holden asked Hayley from The Tiny Twig about her mastermind group, it resonated.
Here's one way to format a mastermind group. I loved the simplicity of this idea:
Trina: Are you part of a mastermind group, and if so, when and how did that happen? I believe no blogger should blog alone. What’s your advice to those without a close network of fellow bloggers?
Hayley: Today, I’m a part of a group of 4 that meets over Google+ from 10-11am every Monday morning. We come with 3 things to talk about: our win for the week, our loss/failure of the week, and one strategy question we have for the group (could be how to best work a particular giveaway, or how to proceed with a certain relationship, or a line of code we don’t understand, etc.). We text and email other times throughout the week and are involved in other projects together–so when we get together for our Strategy Meeting, we try to keep to answering those 3 questions.
Read Hayley's entire answer (and the whole interview) at A Visit with the Tiny Twig {Interview with one of my fav bloggers!}.
Related: Why You Should Be Part of a Mastermind Group
Are you part of a mastermind group? Any advice?
Woot! So glad the word is getting out about how awesome a mastermind group can be–and how simple it is to start your own! Amy, you were the one who inspired the start of my group with your initial post on mastermind groups–thank you! I'm excited to implement Tiny Twig's Google+ meetup idea within our group, as well as try some of the other great ideas you've linked to here. Thanks for another awesome, inspiring post!
LOVE this, Amy, and I love being a part of Trina's Mastermind group. It is a great way to build lasting relationships while helping each other achieve our goals. Excellent!
Interesting, Technology real has become a huge asset for the internet community. We could host a meeting with different people across the globe and make it happen instantly. Good article on group masterminding, I might have to start building a network for just that.
Thank You,
Vince – Popular Blog Site
I love this idea! I have just started my own blog and haven't even hit 1000 hits yet, so I am having trouble finding people that would fit into that certain criteria. Do you have any advice?
I wouldn't think too hard about it. These are just ideas, really. The main thing is to find like-minded people who are open to the idea of being in a collaborative group. In my experience, there are a lot of bloggers who love the idea if they are asked. I would spend some focused time on a relevant social media platform (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or wherever bloggers in your niche hang out) and build some relationships. You might look at the number of followers to get an idea of who might be starting like you. I hope that steers you in the right direction, Bethany.
I had only recently heard of Mastermind groups. This is a great article, I am encouraged to consider the business aspects of my blog in a way I hadn't before. Nice work, thanks!
Amy,
You inspired me to create a MM group, which will meet for the first time in January 2013. We are a group of Executive Directors of non-profits in the northeast. We will be getting together in person to discuss fundraising, PR, and programming (we are all music based).
Thanks so much for inspiring me!
Tony, that is excellent! I'd love to hear how it goes!
Brand sap kin' new blogger and would love to begin or be a part of a new mastermind group. If there are any commenters that are interested in beginning one, I am starting here, please click on my name and contact me through my website. Thank you Amy so much for all of your invaluable info!
Awesome idea, Cristina!