Listening is a Gift
Posted on Mar 11, 2009 in wealth | 10 comments
Recently it was brought to my attention that my blog is becoming more of an advertising venue. I was delighted to get such candid and honest feedback. As a designer, I’m constantly trying to extract nuggets of honest opinion and it can be extremely difficult to come by.
I usually have to coax it out of people, ensuring them they won’t hurt my feelings. I’m pretty good at taking it in, digesting it and turning into an improved product. But this time I’m confused what to do with this information.
All these things I’m creating, I’m putting them out there to improve other people’s lives. To give them a chance to learn from my experience and try something new. I sacrifice my early mornings, weekend, and personal time with the people I love so I can get these products together — not to get rich, but because I hope they make a difference for someone.
Some have told me I’m an inspiration and love hearing about my latest creations. But I have also heard otherwise. So I turn it back to you my friends, what would you like?
Does it bother you that I write about my products on my blog?
I’m listening….
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About Me
I'm a yoga lover, runner and owner of Happy Tapper - a small design studio specializing in life improving iPhone and iPad apps. I also wrote a book about how to create iPhone apps called Ideas to Apps.
Based in South Dakota with my husband, baby boy and little Havanese. This blog is where I compile my love for design, wisdom, and all things beautiful.
For DESIGN or PUBLIC SPEAKING inquiries, email me for pricing & details at carla@happytapper.com!
Find me on twitter @carlawhite.
Perhaps you could do something that a log of blogs incorporate, providing different RSS Feeds.
One feed would provide everything that you post on your blog, while a second feed would filter out the “advertising” type feeds. Then you can let your readers choose which they would like to subscribe to.
From a technical standpoint, it’s been a long time since I’ve set one up that way (if I have, I forget). But I’m guessing it wouldn’t be too rough, just toss me an e-mail if things get crazy.
I don’t mind the few and far between shame-less plugs you throw in. Just kidding.
The plugs are your life. You are working on them right? It is affecting your life right? I see no reason not to continue with the blog the current way it is. Everything a person does is part of who they are. If you want to write about who you are, then you have to write about what you are doing. How can you write about failures or successes in life if your readers can’t follow what you up to.
How can your readers follow your successes failures, joys, sorrows, or humilities if they don’t know what your passions are? I see no reason not to include a few shameless plugs. Just kidding, but seriously, it is your blog, your time, your life, use it as you see fit.
I agree with Steve K. It’s your blog, your life, your voice! You go girl! Be very proud of your accomplishments and your gift to inspire others!! Please keep the inspiration coming along with those plugs – you have earned it!
Carla,
just the fact that you are even willing to open this to discussion and give us a chance to voice our opinions shows a great deal about the caliber of your character and the pureness of your intentions. I, like others, completely agree that this is your space and yours only and therefore it is only your decision what will be posted here. As a personal preference, I would enjoy coming here even more if the promotional information was somehow separated from your thoughtful, enlightened, and inspiring posts. Either way, I will keep coming back, since I found here something that is very hard to find. Thank you for EVERYTHING you do.
Carla,
just the fact that you are even willing to open this to discussion and give us a chance to voice our opinions shows a great deal about the caliber of your character and the pureness of your intentions. I, like others, completely agree that this is your space and yours only and therefore it is only your decision what will be posted here. As a personal preference, I would enjoy coming here even more if the promotional information was somehow separated from your thoughtful, enlightened, and inspiring posts. Either way, I will keep coming back, since I found here something that is very hard to find. Thank you for EVERYTHING you do.
Hey Carla!
Personally, I don’t want to get too deep in to this discussion….it’s so pointless. Suffice it to say that for everything you say there will be countless people who will want to hear it, and those who do not. For the latter there are, depending on which numbers you believe, tens or even hundreds of millions of blogs out there on which they can seek out what they DO want to hear.
Keep doing what you’re doing….as long as you stay true to what YOU want YOUR blog to be, then you have no concerns.
Another suggestion would be for them all to purchase Gratitude! and use it every day for a few months and see if it changes their lives. Maybe then their focus will shift away from negative thoughts and they’ll be forced to focus on more positive things. Worked for me!!
Keep at it Carla,
Geo
You always make a great point. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. It’s great to hear everyone’s perspective.
Thank you SO MUCH for pointing this out. By bringing this to light, you have opened my eyes to all sorts of options. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it!
plug away! I love your stuff!