It kind of depends on your site/blog to some degree. The goal is not to drive potential customers to your direct competition. From a pure blogging nature, it’s about being a good resource and linking to relevant and related information that you’re talking about. It’s also about networking and sharing ideas.

… but you wouldn’t find Coke linking to Pepsi and talking about how amazing they are.

I currently don’t openly promote colleagues/competitors on my blog or website but according to the info here it sounds like I should be…?

That’s a great way to see it. It’s competitive but it’s a very friendly competition and the goal is always to push each other to do better.

- Martin Reed

A “virtual mastermind group” is a great way to describe the sharing and evolution of ideas that pass between bloggers.

I see it all as very similar to a round of golf or a game of football in the park on the weekend with your buddies. It’s competitive, but it’s all in good fun. The goal is to push each other forward and make each other stronger.

Gregg,

That’s a great example! We’re social-tribal animals by nature. A lot of smart business people band together with their competitors.

It’s about strength in numbers and working towards a “community” goal.

It’s true that your competitors are your best friends. For example, Derrich and Derrich.com was mentioning how he’s opening up a bar with his friend. He said that he has friends who already has bars opened up in his city, but they’ve been helping him even though he’s a competitor. It’s always great to be friends and give help because you never know when you’ll need something in return!

I hadn’t actually ever thought of the “competitor” thing, but I guess we do compete for eyeballs and reading time.

I’m with you. Looking back over my blog, which is less than a year old, I realized that the content became more relevant and the conversation began to flow the more we shared. In many ways it’s like a virtual mastermind group.

It’s an ongoing treat to be connected here…

Freelance Folder is a great example of what people can do when they pool their talents together.

Thanks Nate,

Looking forward to the next video-blog!

Hey Robin,

Blogging is definitely more about making connections than beating down the competition. In the bricks and mortar world, I’ve dealt with some ruthless competitors, but I’ve also made some great allies with would-be competitors.

Funny enough, sometimes they’re the same people!

In real life, I mean face to face, competitors don’t make the best friends, a lot of them are out there trying to stab you in back given half an opportunity. Thats not team spirit.

Take care mate and keep up the good work.