Most longtime readers of Leaving Work Behind will be familiar with the LWB 100 — a list of 100 top quality blogs that can aid you in quitting your job and building a sustainable online business. The two editions I published last year were both great successes and introduced people to a huge number of informative and actionable blogs.
After the publication of the second edition last June I resolved to not publish a third edition until I was absolutely sure that I could offer a great deal more value beyond the lists that I had already curated. I wasn’t interested in creating yet another edition in a contrived attempt to boost traffic. So it is only now, almost a year to the day after I published the first edition, that I return once more to the LWB 100.
A Complete Resource for Success
You may be wondering why I compile these lists. Well, while I try my hardest to create the best content that I can here on LWB, I cannot possible hope to cover everything that you might want to know about the process of quitting your job — I simply don’t have the resources nor the breadth of experience. That is why I am always happy to point you to other blogs when it is relevant to do so. The LWB 100 is the perfect embodiment of my, “If I can’t help you I’ll find someone who can” attitude — I honestly believe that with all the LWB 100 blogs at your fingertips, you have everything you need.
When I launched the first list I was familiar with many of the blogs but also completely new to others. But now, being a year older (and hopefully a year wiser!), I am far better placed to offer up a list that is extremely well tailored to you — the archetypical LWB reader. You want to build a successful online business and quit your job (if you haven’t already) and I find it easy to relate to you because I am just like you in so many ways.
Your Opportunity to Contribute
The third edition of the LWB 100 will be published on Monday 25th February. The hard work for me begins now as I start trawling through the huge number of blogs that will be considered for inclusion — nothing gets through without it first receiving a great deal of scrutiny. In the same way that the second edition was markedly different from the first, this latest edition will be another breath of fresh air and represent a new way to discover the blogs that are right for you.
I am really excited about what I have to offer in the third edition of the LWB, but at the same time I want to make sure that I don’t miss anything out. That’s where you come in — if you have any recommendation whatsoever regarding a blog or blogs that should be included, now is the time to make your voice heard!
Submit any suggestions you have via the comments section below and I promise to give them my full consideration. This list is for you, so it only makes sense that you should play a part in contributing. Thank you!
Robert Farrington says
Hey Tom,
You may want to check out my other site. I think you’d find it very appealing: http://www.mymultipleincomes.com.
Cheers!
Tom Ewer says
Will do Robert, thank you!
Ana Hoffman says
If it helps, Tom, here are some of my favorite blogs:
pointblankseo.com
kaiserthesage.com
theaveragegenius.net
http://www.potpiegirl.com
http://www.fromideatoempire.com/
http://www.acceleratednicheprofits.com/
reelSEO.com
SteveScottSite.com
AdsenseFlippers.com
http://unbounce.com/
http://www.extramoneyblog.com/
sugarrae.com
ContentVerve.com
Tom Ewer says
Great stuff Ana — 2-3 in there that I’m not familiar with! Thanks 🙂
R.C. Thornton says
Hey Tom,
I think it could be worth including some blogs written by tech startup founders and investors, such as Paul Graham’s blog (http://www.paulgraham.com/) and Eric Reis’ blog Startup Lessons Learned (http://www.startuplessonslearned.com/).
These blogs are good because they explain tested and proven concepts behind coming up with and validating business ideas; skills that are directly useful to building an online business! For example, Paul Graham’s essay on coming up with business ideas (http://www.paulgraham.com/startupideas.html) and Eric Reis’ article about his lean startup concept (http://www.startuplessonslearned.com/2010/04/five-myths-about-lean-startup.html).
Both of those concepts could be directly applied towards starting an online business.
Tom Ewer says
Really appreciate you making this suggestion R.C. — although I am familiar with the blogs you have mentioned I probably wouldn’t have considered them for inclusion otherwise. Putting them in might fit very nicely with the new format I have planned.
Cheers!
Tom
Andrew Youderian says
Will be looking forward to the new edition! A few blogs I regularly read / get value from:
http://www.ForeverJobless.com
Real-world insights on building online businesses, with an emphasis on eCommerce. Solid, very in-depth posts.
http://www.QuickSprout.com
You may know this one, but one of my favorites for conversion and traffic strategies. Written by Neil Patel.
http://www.eCommerceFuel.com
(Warning, shameless plug!) My own blog, where I write about building and growing niche eCommerce businesses. I quit my job nearly 5 years ago and have been full-time with eCommerce ever since. I write about many of the strategies that I use / have helped me leave my own work behind. 🙂
Thanks Tom! Again, looking forward to seeing your list….
Best,
Andrew
Tom Ewer says
Thanks for the suggestions Andrew! 🙂
Bamidele Onibalusi says
I recommend:
http://www.quicksprout.com
http://www.thinktraffic.net
Tom Ewer says
They’re shoe-ins Oni — thanks!
Neale says
Hi Tom
One of the sticking points for people considering quitting the rat race is, they just don’t know how cheap and easy it really is to live in Thailand or another low cost country. My site shows people how they can comfortably live on less than $500 a month, and is geared to people who are earning a living online or in the early stages of creating an income, like myself.
I’m happy to help people settle here and have done so already with one couple that contacted me 8 months back, through the site.
Tom Ewer says
Interesting point Neale — I’ll bear it (and your site) in mind!
Carrie Smith says
Great idea reaching out to the community Tom! You’re bound to find some real gems from everyone’s suggestions. 🙂
Here are some of my absolute fav blogs: (including yours, of course)
http://www.parttimewebpreneur.com
http://www.marieforleo.com/
http://kickstartkitchen.com/thedish/
http://shetakesontheworld.com/
http://www.sidekickpm.com/
You may have heard of some of them, but hopefully there’s a few new ones to check out. Can’t wait to see how the list turns out!
Tom Ewer says
There’s a few in there I haven’t heard of — thank you Carrie! 🙂
Mike says
Yeah http://www.foreverjobless.com is absolutely fantastic.
Justin says
Thanks for the mention, Ana!
I’ll second Andrew’s shameless plug…I’m crushing on ecommercefuel.com right now. He writes some awesome/useful content there.
I HAVE to give a shout out to the Lifestyle Business Podcast / TropicalMBA.com guys. When it comes to building a lifestyle business that will help you quit your job, those guys are at the top of their game right now and putting out some killer stuff.
Tom Ewer says
Good suggestions Justin — thank you!
JamesW says
Hi Tom ,I’m looking forward to the next list, and I just wanted to mention my blog too:
http://www.makemoneyinlife.com
have a great day 🙂
Tom Ewer says
Duly noted James! You too 🙂
Laurie Nylund says
Regardless of the business you build, without marketing how will anyone know what you have to offer? When I left the corporate world behind last year, I never considered this aspect of running a successful business. Fortunately, I found Tea Silvestre, and her blog, http://www.thewordchef.com/. No hype, no pressure, just great strategies and tools to help you build your brand and tell your story. In fact, she is an avid believer in the Abundance theory and Slow Marketing-see the manifesto here: http://slowmarketing.org/.
Her growing community of solopreneurs and small businesses is incredibly supportive as well. I’ve become something of a fanboy admittedly, but I really think that her advice is spot on. Besides her well-written and frequently funny blog, she teaches a very low-cost class and helpful class(I took it) and she offers 1-1 coaching, too. I hope you will consider her for inclusion in your list.
Tom Ewer says
Thanks Laurie! If my memory serves me correctly you recommended her to me before and she was added to my RSS list at that time. She’s definitely a candidate for inclusion 🙂
Laurie Nylund says
Excellent memory, Tom! I think your readers would be well-served. Since posting, I’ve been going through your list from last year, and noticed it included Firepole Marketing. Tea works with Danny Iny, the owner, quite often. Her post on audience engagement took first place a couple of weeks in the big January contest he runs.
Tung Tran says
Hi Tom,
If you’re interested in SEO, don’t miss out these blogs:
source-wave.com by Alex Becker
matthewwoodward.co.uk by Matthew Woodward
Tom Ewer says
Thanks for the suggestions Tung — I know Matthew’s blog but I’ll check out Alex’s!
Claire says
Hi Tom,
Just thought I would let you know about http://www.puttylike.com from Emilie Wapnick – a home for multi-potentialites (scanners, renaissance men and women, people with lots of different interests) – a briliant resource and blog for budding entrepreneurs.
Claire
Tom Ewer says
Thanks for the suggestion Claire! I like Emilie’s site 🙂
Laura says
Hi Tom,
The blog that got me online was http://www.gaininghigherground.com by rob cornish. So just though I would put it out there in case you wanted to consider
Laura
Tom Ewer says
Thanks for the tip Laura!