Comments on: friends vs. fans

By: Most Tweeted Articles by Church Experts

Most Tweeted Articles by Church Experts — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 12:12:53 +0000

[...] show for broadcasting interviews with other great people and conversational… 3 Likes Marla Taviano | Christian author and speaker » Blog Archive » friends vs. fans Blog of Christian author and speaker. 2 Likes Mike Gold » Ending My Ministry [...]

By: Amanda

Amanda — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:29:56 +0000

I like random! There is a unifying theme and it’s “Marla Taviano.”

By: Gabe Taviano

Gabe Taviano — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:27:55 +0000

Gail made a good point (that you don’t have to relate to Mr. Hyatt). Michael Hyatt might gain a decent audience, being the CEO of the largest Christian publisher in the world. But he isn’t the model to look at when people are curious whether or not they are successful at blogging. I’m sure he’d agree, but he wouldn’t be where he is if he were a mother, author, cook, doing laundry, writing books, etc.

Each woman has their own responsibilities, but I think here are a few things that might tell you your blog is worth it:
1. You engage your audience, no matter the size.
2. Your audience continues to grow. If your subscribers decline each day, something is wrong!
3. You are passionate about the content you are providing.
4. People will benefit (especially your children / family) from reading your blog long after you’re gone.
5. You are able to encourage others either through your material, or through guiding them (into blogging or progressing through something that interests them – writing, design, motherhood, finances, etc.).

By: Marla Taviano

Marla Taviano — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:21:28 +0000

Love you, Gail!

By: Gail

Gail — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:41:49 +0000

You asked for thoughts. You didn’t specify that they HAVE to be completely topical. So here goes…as I read the comments from yesterday, and thought about the mistake of talking about yourself too much, I was struck by this thought: Mr. Hyatt is a MISTER. Men don’t like sitting around talking about themselves and their feelings and stuff. Women DO this. We share our lives. And it’s interactive in the process.

When you tell a story about Nina’s latest puzzle conquest, I feel invited to tell you how Josie’s been making puzzle museums in our basement all week, and so it goes. Sure, you can jump to deeper topics from your life as Mr. Hyatt mentions, but sharing your life and God’s work in it IS your message. It’s what your books have done well, in my opinion. It’s why you are totally accessible.

I think of the blogs I love, and they certainly aren’t that narrow. Now men’s blogs (like one you live with) DO tend to be “on brand.” But successful girly blogs are much broader, unless you are The Nester. (See BooMama or The Pioneer Woman.)

OK, I am rambling now. All this to say, I’m not sure I’d worry about breaking that particular rule. As long as you break it the way you do!

By: Marla Taviano

Marla Taviano — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:05:37 +0000

You all are so encouraging. Honored to be your friend!

By: O mom

O mom — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:41:37 +0000

You can’t change what God has put on your heart and for you that is not being fake, so I suggest you just keep being you and then when God does finally bless you with the ‘success’ it will be everlasting and so easy to give Him back all the glory!!

By: Kimberly

Kimberly — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:11:34 +0000

Way to go finishing that namo-whatever thing I started as a fan, but after I met the “real” you and learned you are just as you seem, I think you will always be a friend. I don’t know how you find that balance in your blog life. I’ll pray for you though!

By: Sarah Montanye

Sarah Montanye — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:43:30 +0000

I think you are fabulous! Anyone who meets you is going to want to buy your books, shoot – I bought all of your books before I even met you . Thinking of your newest book…..could you market to the zoo gift shops of the zoo’s you guys visited and see if they’d be interested in selling it? Also – I just listened to her speak this morning so it’s fresh in my brain, but the Christian author/speaker Gigi Schweikert goes to my church and I could probably put you 2 in touch and I’m sure she could give you some great ideas too. Let me know!
Blessings on your day my friend!

By: Tarah

Tarah — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:17:44 +0000

I think that if we are available to God and seeking His direction as far as what opportunities we take…..that we can trust Him not to waste our talents. I don’t think you have to worry about that being your responsibility. You are obviously using them when given the opportunity. God is in charge of the opportunities. If they don’t seem to be coming your way, trust Him that perhaps He has something different or unexpected for you. Don’t be stuck in thinking that He can only use your writing. He knows the desires of your heart, and also ALL the strengths that you have, even the hidden ones. He sees the big picture. Sometimes God doesn’t use the things we think we are good at because He likes to work through weakness and dependence. At least that has been my experience, and maybe if I’d learn the whole dependence lesson well enough….I could be done with it!