Minions and Totems

Hello All, I have a question about totems. I plan to run a raging spirit spec, and have spell totems to further cast more of them for me. I am curious if I pickup up totem nodes that increase totem damage, will that increase the damage of my raging spirits? Also if I have a staff that adds x-xx damage to spells will that be added to my minions damage?

Thanks for the help in advance.

No to both.
Totem damage only effects skills that your totems cast, the raging spirits use their own attacks. Same goes for the added damage, it doesn't apply to minions.
Also, running SRS in a totem is fine leveling up, but once you get increased duration and cast speed nodes, you will be able to hit 50 pretty easily; thus the totem will actually reduce your overall damage output (the max 50 applies to all minions under your control).

The best way to add damage to your minions through weapon is by having a 5/6 link staff with plus 2 levels to fire gems and plus one level to skill gems (totaling plus 3). the amount of dps that you get from having higher level spirits far outweighs any other weapon stat.

Hope this helps,
Cheers.