Comments on: #1 social media mistake we all make.

By: Lindsey_Nobles

Lindsey_Nobles — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 19:50:48 +0000

Yes! Yes! Yes! People who don't blog just assume your audience just shows up. They take for granted all the work that goes into blogging, twittering, networking.

By: schinizel

schinizel — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:06:08 +0000

Hmmm…I actually only partially somewhat agree with most of a portion in a all of your statements regarding a lot of what you said.

I DO think people online ARE radically different than offline. It's why we have 40 year old men pretending to be 15 year old boys on myspace. It is why we have nicknames AND real names in our personal profiles. It's why everyone's comment in this thread links to their own personal web site about them, and each site includes ways to monetize/donate to their message/idea/cause/service.

I am not saying his is wrong, just that in general the expectations we have online, are quite different than in the living room. After all, I chose to click on your link, or search for you…and your web site, blog or whatever needs to respond appropriately. If I came to your house for dinner, would you really tell me about Mobile Bibles for iPhone and Blackberry? No, but I expect to see that in the context of your blog, and it is a social norm for the "digital" living room.

I DO agree we need to be more careful about how we present our messages to the public from our blogs, etc.. but honestly, whens the last time you gave to a ministry or cause you solely found through the internet? Aren't most people going to go to your friends web site because someone told them? Someone they trust? (online or off) The relationship may start online, but it needs to go beyond your blog or your site. It needs to give people a way to connect with you and build a relationship as you said. Web sites don't do that, people do.

So I say keep your Amazon referral links in your side bars, your big Paypal donate buttons and Google Adsense snippets in play. After all, nobody forced the browser to load my web site in it for you did they? If the bottom line of the blog is to make money, then make it easier for your users to do so. If that means asking in the context of what your ministry is and who you are, then I don't find fault with that solution. What's the worst that can happen, they say no? What I would say is be selective in who you share the site with…lest it be trampled like pearls before swine.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 03:09:18 +0000

This post is another reason I'm so stoked to have you as a friend. You are right on the money. Social Media starts with you. If it's all selling, facts or guilty coercion, its not Social. Talk with your keyboard. Include your life with the Social Media posts. Build up trust, then people will listen. You pose great examples. You rock, Scott. Carry on, sir.

By: Bob Kellemen

Bob Kellemen — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 14:18:29 +0000

And people could even launch a ministry and not ever ask for money (not that there's anything wrong with asking for money. For years I have been "doing ministry" and blogging "part-time." This past July I moved to more of a full-time-ish ministry. I had to decide: do I do this as a 501 C3 and ask for support or do I launch this as an LLC (it has been a simple sole proprietorship)? Again, no right or wrong. But I decided to launch as an LLC, not ask for money, and actually support myself through my speaking, writing, and consulting. The blogging, the free resources, the free book reviews–it's all "paid for" by my "tent making"–fees for speaking and consulting and royalty on book sales. When Christians do ministry, sometimes it's okay to launch as a ministry-business and pay-as-you-go just like my Dad did 30 years ago with his two hardware stores. So another word of possible advice for your friend as he launches is, "never ask for money." Earn money the old fashion way and then do blogging, free resources, free book reviews…for free…as a ministry gift. Bob

By: Anotherjimmoore

Anotherjimmoore — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 19:11:47 +0000

Here's my plan. I'm a rather large guy. Actually I'm a fat guy. I have tons of friends who love me and want to see me healthy. What I need is encouragement and something more important than myself to motivate me.

My other passion is helping my fellow Christian Americans see that we are all living in a poverty of our wealth. Because we use so much of it for ourselves we are enslaved to it. My weight issues are just the most obvious example of this.

So in 2010 I'm combining these two passions (weight loss and more intentional living) into one project. I'm inviting my friends or anyone who wants to be my friend to pledge a dollar per pound lost. All the funds raised will go to Charity:Water. We'll do this in three month increments and we'll track my weight loss and where the money goes.

I'm setting up a blog to talk about what I learn in this process. The theme is how dieting and giving are essentially the same thing. Any thoughts? Would you read a blog like that? Besides the great advice above does anyone have a suggestion?

By: @maggijones

@maggijones — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:25:47 +0000

I started a blog on singleness this year and one of the biggest challenges has been that I can't write about people in a way that they can be identified…even by themselves. Much like your living room example, if I can't say it to their face, I can't very well put it in a blog.

By: Michael Hyatt

Michael Hyatt — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:47:20 +0000

Thanks, for your kind words, Jon. But then again, this is a satire site. Hmmm.

Seriously, Merry Christmas!

By: joanna

joanna — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 07:28:16 +0000

Prior to them grabbing it, an online bookstore owned the name. I think it has confused a lot of people

By: joanna

joanna — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 07:27:06 +0000

Yes, there does seem to be a lot of people wanting to get a big blog very quick. I often see ads for tips and programs to draw lots of people to your blog, but all of that seems to involve questionable tricks and gimmicks not contributing something useful to the blogosphere. I wish people would realise that a successful blog is one that has lots of visitors that find it helpful, not just soley lots of visitors.

By: Stretch Mark Mama

Stretch Mark Mama — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 05:09:16 +0000

Totally agree.

People give to people and not to causes. I gave some money to build a kindergarten in VN not because that was on my bucket list of things to do — but because I wanted to give back to Jon Acuff who has made me laugh / cry / think every day, month after month.

On the other hand, I've had lots of 'strangers' ask me to support causes that are closer to my heart (adoption, clean water) — but I rarely give because it feels awkward and forced to give money to someone I don't know or trust.

Speaking of, I have Chris Brogan's book (Trust Agents) sitting on my shelf…need to get that read.