A month ago there was a big hoo-ha with some asshat blogger who made a list of the most influential folks in blogging. Long story short, there was drama and a promise I would write a better one.

But who am I – or you, Mister – to say someone is influential? How can I argue with who has influenced him? And who is he to argue with the bloggers who have influenced me?

Below I’ve compiled a list of my favorite blogs to illustrate how you can learn different things from a variety of people. That combining your interests can be beneficial and make for a more well-rounded and successful site.

1. Originality is the most important tool you’ve got

The Blogger: James Chartrand, Men with Pens

James is an incredible writer, great at his job, lets me guest post and always delivers valuable content. Unlike many of it’s kind, only two posts go up per week, but each is so chock full of information, while also going against the grain.

The Lesson: Head in the other direction.

Men with Pens will often take a popular topic and spin it. A recent post, Why You Shouldn’t Write Often, is a great look at the other side of the argument that the only way to write better is to write all the time. Because of MwP I Google relevant topics and essentially try to see the opposite of what everyone else says is right.

2. Brand yourself the right way

The Blogger: Erika Napoletano, Redhead Writing

I love me some sass and Erika isn’t afraid to call someone out and make her opinions heard. Writing about everything from social media to freelancing to dating, Redhead Writing is the most brilliant combination of personal and professional on the web.

The Lesson: Take one thing and make it yours.

With Erika’s enormously popular Bitch Slaps, she’s grown from another social media/personal blog to a site that people respect and enjoy. Erika proves you can provide value without listing those seven secrets that make me want to throttle a baby panda. By calling people out, highlighting her personality and naming that full package something awesome, she’s more of a brand than I’m sure she ever expected.

3. Be your ridiculously weird self

The Blogger: Jenny Lawson, The Bloggess.

Who doesn’t adore Jenny Lawson? She’s wacky and deep and I await with bated breath for each of her posts. She also responds to emails, follows back on Twitter and understands internet fame is fleeting. I literally Stumbled Upon her one night and was rolling on the floor with tears in my eyes after reading her Twilight post.

The Lesson: Be your goddamn self.

Jenny’s blog isn’t really about anything, really. That whole niche thing us bloggers dream about? Well, Jenny writes about her kid. And sometimes zombie porn. Because of this, she has a variety of freelance writing gigs, an upcoming memoir and features sponsors on her site that she writes in typical Jenny fashion. For example, a recent post features this “ad copy”:

4. We care what you had for breakfast

The Blogger: Kath Younger, Kath Eats Real Food

While it may not sound exciting, Kath posts meals and daily activities three times a day, every day. There’s something addictive and calming about experiencing every minutiae of her life. She has buckets of readers that prove you can talk about what you had for breakfast and be successful.

The Lesson: Little details matter.

While I won’t post daily or photograph my meals (own your niche, folks), I have started writing personal updates. Sometimes you ask for it, sometimes I find myself emailing Grandma and think, why am I not posting this? I always enjoy when bloggers reveal more about themselves, so why not write what I love to read? Plus, some of my more personal posts are also my most read.

5. It’s not just about your community

The Blogger: Molly Hoyne Mahar, Stratejoy

Molly is a life coach, specializing in the Quarterlife Crisis. Instead of preaching at readers and giving stale advice though, Molly features new bloggers every six months who are actually going through the Quarterlife Crisis.

The Lesson: Tap into the community of others and really engage your own.

Most of Molly’s writers are also bloggers, meaning she has the ability to tap into the already existing communities of those women. I found Molly through Nicole Antoinette, who was a Season 2 blogger over at Stratejoy. I started reading, then subscribed, then developed a relationship with Stratejoy of my own, eventually becoming part of Season 3. Now many of you read Stratejoy and many Stratejoy readers now read me. GENIUS.

6. Perfection is lame

The Bloggers: Sherry & John Petersik, Young House Love

YHL is an accessible (but also ridiculously popular) blog where the couple that runs it post about home improvement projects, their new family and an upcoming move. Sometimes their projects go wrong, sometimes they give readers brilliant tips.

The Lesson: Chronicle the journey. Don’t worry about being perfect.

YHL is the best example of why blogging is growing at an incredible rate. Imagine if you could talk to the editors of Better Homes & Gardens. Peek inside their homes. YHL tells us when they messed up. They post photos. They make us feel welcome in their home. Readers often email me and say, “Don’t post about your business mistakes” or “Stop asking readers for advice – it’s unprofessional.” Sherry and John have taught me that perfect is not always desirable. If you want a glossy social media blog, go elsewhere. Marianlibrarian.com is about the process. The journey of growing my business, not just being a business. And so far that tactic has worked enormously well.

This is obviously not an extensive list. Who are your favorite bloggers and how have they inspired you?

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