101 Of The Best Sites Online Right Now (Part 2)
Welcome to Part Two of the 101 Best Sites Online Right Now series!
First of all, let me say a huge thank you to everyone who shared the first part of the series and got in touch with me about it. It's so great that you found all those websites inspiring and valuable. I've been itching to share the second part with you, and the day is finally here.
You'll find out what the next group of websites is below, so dig in and get ready to add some new sites to your bookmarks list.
Today we're onto numbers 21 to 40, and the group is...Marketing!
Lisa Jacobs who writes the blog for Marketing Creativity is full of amazing knowledge. What's great about her content is that she's completely transparent. Her blog posts are always thousands of words long, with great examples, pictures and tips you can start implementing today. It's all about how you can market your business or blog in a creative way to make more sales and get more traffic. Thousands of people are signed up to her newsletter, so she must be doing more than one thing right!
Three Of Her Best Posts:
- Marketing Hacks For Creatives (Volume 2)
- Marketing Hacks For Creatives (Volume 1)
- The Ultimate Guide To Marketing For Creatives
Where She Is On Social Media:
Nesha believes you shouldn't have to keep tweaking the design of your site. She's here to help passionate entrepreneurs (like us) build strong brands that attract our dream clients. She believes in creating brands that leave a lasting impression, with the wave of a magical designer wand.
Her blog is great and it applies just as much to bloggers as it does to business owners. She talks a lot about different website platforms, design, and some great general blogging and life advice.
Three Of Her Best Posts:
- Why I Switched From Wordpress To Squarespace
- Here's Why You're Not Achieving Your Goals
- 5 Lessons I Learned From My First Launch
Where She Is On Social Media:
This is definitely in my top five most favourite sites. Erika, the wonder woman behind this site, is incredible. Her content is always relevant, transparent, inspiring and down right helpful. Whether it's links to great podcasts or advice about being online, this blog covers every base. It's like your one stop shop for succeeding in the digital world.
Here's what Erika has to say:
"Olyvia.co exists to help women entrepreneurs, business owners, and business-minded bloggers be delightful online. My mission is to help you make smart, irresistible impressions in all of your digital spaces by offering 100% ick-free client and customer service, reputation, and marketing advice."
Three Of Her Best Posts:
- 18 Expert Podcasts For Women Online Entrepreneurs
- How To Handle Negative Comments Online (Like A Pro)
- The 3 Best Tips For Growing Your Blog Traffic
Where She Is On Social Media:
Nikki is one cool woman. Let me tell you why - the dress she's wearing on her landing page is amazing. She thinks the most important thing in the online world is communication. She's been featured on a lot of top websites and publications. Oh, and she tripled her income. Enough said, really.
Three Of Her Best Posts:
- That Time I Tripled My Revenue (& Couldn't Talk About It)
- One Simple Copy Tweak You Can Make (Easily) Today
- 3 Reasons We Need To Hear 'It' From You
Where She Is On Social Media:
I'm sure you'll have all heard the phrase "side hustle" going around blogs here, there and everywhere. So it's only right that there's a website dedicated to it! Secrets of a Side Hustler is all about finding out the secrets of starting, growing and marketing a business while you're working a full time job. This site has got so many great resources for you to check out. But what's even better is that they've got a thriving community. And if you're a VIP (which is free) you get access to loads of extras too!
Three Of Their Best Posts:
- Why Wildly Successful Entrepreneurs Test-Drive First
- Introducing Boost Your Business Month #boostyourbiz
- What It Really Takes To Make Sh*t Happen As a Side Hustler
Where They Are On Social Media:
I go on this website every single day and I know you will too. And because it's so great, I'm just going to leave it to Alisha...
Here's what Alisha has to say:
"I help creative women turn their passion into a profitable online business through my blog and one on one coaching services. What I believe makes me stand out is the fact that I am very transparent about my personal journey as a business owner. My readers know that if they ask, I have no problem sharing what I've learned from failure and success. Also, I speak (and write) to my audience as if they are already my best friends. I think it's what makes my community feel so much more relateable!"
Three Of Her Best Posts:
- How I Use An Editorial Calendar To Organise My Blog
- How To Be A Kick Ass Business Owner & Blogger
- 17 Pieces Of Advice For New Bloggers
Where She Is On Social Media:
Do what you love and love what you do - two things you know Julie Harris is really passionate about. You know that whether shes's working with a client, communicating in her Facebook group (which you should definitely join!) or writing a blog post, all she wants to do is help people.
Here's what Julie has to say:
"I strive to redefine what it means to be an online business professional by collaborating with other entrepreneurs, small businesses, freelancers, and bloggers to create brands that look, act, sound, and feel just like them.
I believe that we are our brands. Our brands are us. Our brand is a direct reflection of who we are and what we stand for. People may not remember what we say, but they will always remember how we made them feel.
There is nothing small about being a small business owner. We may be small but we are fierce. We have the ability from day one to create an experience that touches at the hearts and minds of the people we connect with, and that is truly powerful."
Three Of Her Best Posts:
Where She Is On Social Media:
Not only does this site have a great name, but it's also jam packed full of great information. From mini guides to checklists and a great newsletter, Kate who runs Betty Means Business, is definitely a leader in the playing field.
Here's What Kate Has To Say:
"I help women coaches and consultants create truly irresistible premium offers, charge (and be paid!) what they're worth and intentionally engineer success so they can shine neon bright. In my own consulting firm I've tripled my fees, commanded 5 figure days and generated $50k+ months - and I'm excited to share my secrets and shortcuts so you can too!"
Three Of Her Best Posts:
- 13 Magic Questions To Craft Your Perfect Coaching Offer
- The Business of Chronic Pain
- 17 Things I'm Doing This Year To Double My Biz
Where She Is On Social Media:
Most of you will know that I already rave about Canva, so there was no question about including them in this round up. Canva is a design tool that makes it really easy for you to create graphics and images for your blog, plus great social media images too. The blog called Design School is - you guessed it! - all about design. But for me, it's one of the best marketing design blogs I've ever come across. The key is that they can help anyone become a designer. Their blog just goes to prove that it's possible.
Three Of Their Best Posts:
- 50 Of The Most Creative 404 Pages On The Web
- How To Build A Brand In 5 Days
- 10 Simple Design Hacks To Increase Your Social Media Traffic With Visual Content
Where They Are On Social Media:
For those of you who don't know, MailChimp is a piece of email marketing software. It lets you set up campaigns to send out to your email subscribers and allows you to place sign up forms on your website to let you get that all important email address. Their blog shows you how to do that. They talk about creating great subject lines, the power of email and all the tips you need for creating a great email marketing strategy. It's the best email marketing blog I know.
Three Of Their Best Posts:
- Are Trendy Subject Lines Right For Your Business?
- Email Design Inspiration
- How An Email Newsletter Launched A Designer's Career
Where They Are On Social Media:
This site was founded by a guy called Jonathan in 2011. His mission is to help bloggers become better bloggers. He does this by sharing his tips and knowledge of how he became a better blogger. He's been featured in Life Hacker, Business Week and a whole host of other places, because his tips are just that good.
Three Of His Best Posts:
- 6 Lessons I Learned From My Most Successful Launch To Date
- 3 Systems Every Pro Blogger Needs
- 4 Ways To Select The Right Passion To Pursue As A Blog
Where He Is On Social Media:
This blog is so good, I'm just going to go ahead and let it be explained for you!
"So, let me guess. You wouldn’t exactly call your blog “popular,” right? You don’t have a huge audience … but you do care about the readers you have, and you do care about creating really good content.
You write a great post — the kind of exceptional content that builds a relationship with your customers. You publish it to your blog. You wait for the visitors to come stampeding in, and …
Nothing happens.
No comments. No tweets. No pats on the back, telling you you’re doing a good job.
It’s wrong.
And after years of watching from the sidelines, writing for huge blogs like Copyblogger, I’ve finally decided to do something about it:
I want to teach you everything I know about building a popular blog.
Yep.
Everything."
Three Of Their Best Posts:
- 17 Trigger Words That Work Like Cheat Codes For Getting Your Content Read
- Case Study: How To Increase Your Traffic By 226% In Just 60 Days
- Why You Feel Like An Idiot When You Talk About Your Blog (+ How To Fix It)
Where They Are On Social Media:
I came across Be The Vibe on Jen’s website – she always does great round ups. This was one of my best finds. Go to the home page of Sian’s website and the first thing you see is text that says:
“Live your truth so fiercely, others follow your lead.”
“Your truth” are the words that stood out to me. Sian’s aim is to help you find your truth, whatever that truth might be. She gives you tips on branding, creating and maintaining your business, and living life as someone who is self-employed. What she does is different and that’s why it’s so great.
For her full story, check out it out here.
Three Of Her Best Posts:
- Start Before You’re Ready
- 3 Things To Consider When Creating New Offerings
- Tips For Creating On The Go, Plus A Look At My Tools
Where She Is On Social Media:
Coming up with ideas can be hard. But Amanda wants you to get past those stumbling blocks and dive right into your next big idea.
“I write about making your ideas happen, pushing past resistance and launching your digital programs over on my blog. I also talk about my experience with running a business, the challenges (and blessings) of being a work-at-home-mom to a sweet little boy and tips on how to increase your productivity and reach your goals.”
She’s got everything covered. Branding, Launching, List Building – you can find everything you need on this site. Amanda talks to you in a very down to earth way and covers issues you won’t find anywhere else. Her content is a must-read.
Three Of Her Best Posts:
- What To Do When You Aren’t 100% Sure If Your Audience Will Like Your New Idea
- 3 Steps For Branding Your Signature Offering
- 2 Ways To Combine Your Passions Into 1 Business
Where She Is On Social Media:
Entrepreneur is the number one go-to site for entrepreneurs. Whether you’ve been doing it for five years, or you’re thinking about making the transition, this site has got everything you need. Growth Strategies, Success, Communication, Young Entrepreneurs, Change, and Productivity – the topics they create content about are endless. They sell books, do coaching and have some huge names as contributors. If you’re not reading Entrepreneur, click on the link to it right now!
Best Posts:
These guys publish a hell of a lot of content each day. My advice would be to go through the topics that interest you the most and dedicate an afternoon to reading as much as you can. You’ll come across some seriously great articles.
Where They Are On Social Media:
The tagline to Sarah’s site is: “making you awesome on the internet.” Here’s what she has to say about it:
“Over the last five years I’ve grown my blog to 11,000+ daily readers – and I did it without surrendering my life to social media or working 12 hours a day.
Now I use that hard-won knowledge to work with clients one-on-one, creating gloriously specific, just-for-you plans that make your online space hum with traffic and awesomery.”
She uses the word “awesomery”. I was sold right then.
Three Of Her Best Posts:
- Online “Success” And “Failure” Don’t Look The Way You Think
- 2 Dirty Secrets About Starting Your First Blog
- How To Add Fascinating, Engaging Personality To Your Blog
Where She Is On Social Media:
For number 37, I thought I’d let Michelle take the lead:
"I created Bombchelle so that creative freelancers could find a place to learn about productivity, systems, and business...without being bored out of their mind. My goal is always to find new tools people can use, and to show them how to use those tools in a way that works for their business, without getting too far into "one size fits all" territory. What keeps you productive and creative might not be the same as what works for me...and that's okay!"
Three Of Her Best Posts:
- Monthly Recap: April
- Creating A Business That’s Not About Business: A New Podcast
- How To Manage Your Own Projects As A Freelancer
Where She Is On Social Media:
I’ve never come across a site like Olivia’s before. With so many people creating the same content, it’s refreshing to find someone who’s blogging about something completely different. In her words:
“Olivia Adams PR is a public relations blog for today’s creative. Whether you’re a PR student, marketing professional, creative writer, or business owner, this is a space where you can find resources to help you build your brand and develop authentic relationships.
Not only is this blog dedicated to learning, but it’s also a place where you can grow as a professional. As a public relations professional, I love helping others find their voice, build their brand, and connect with the right people. Hopefully, you’ll leave my blog feeling inspired and ready to chase after your passions!”
Three Of Her Best Posts:
- PR For Creatives: Why Creative Business Owners Need A PR Strategy
- Your Future Self Wants You To Slow Down
- How To Overcome Your Lack Of Experience
Where She Is On Social Media:
Marketing Week has 155K followers on Twitter, which means it’s a huge player in the marketing field. It’s one of the best websites to go to for the latest marketing trends and news. They write articles on all types of marketing from branding to social media, and their case studies are always great.
Their Best Posts:
Like an earlier site, go back through some of their latest articles and have a good read. They post a lot of articles daily, so there’ll be loads for you to check out!
Where They Are On Social Media:
Another great site for the latest trends and news in marketing is Marketing Donut. They talk about a variety of different topics to do with marketing and their blog posts are seriously detailed. You might not think some topics apply to you, but have a read and you might find you come out with some great ideas.
Their Best Posts:
Go back through their blog articles over the past few months and have a good look at the selection of great content they've got.
Where They Are On Social Media:
There we have Part Two! Watch this space for the next chapter of great sites - the next group will be revealed next month! And if you have any recommendations, feel free to send them my way. Stay tuned to this series for a FREE bonus when it's completed!
Which of these sites have you heard of? Will you be checking out the ones you don't know? Let me know in the comments
Wondering how to be found online?