Top Posts and Commenters for December 2010

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In case you missed them, I have listed my top ten posts for December 2010, along with my top ten commenters. I am sending each of the top commenters a free copy Todd Burpos’s New York Times bestseller, Heaven Is for Real.

Wordle Graphic of My Posts for December

Graphic courtesy of Wordle.net

Here are my top ten posts. Interestingly, I wrote five of these posts, including the first three, more than a year ago. Yet they continue to generate significant traffic.

If you are just getting started with Evernote, I suggest that you buy Brett Kelly’s remarkably practical e-book, Evernote Essentials, Second Edition. It is worth setting aside a couple hours to work through this brief, 95-page book. It will save you DAYS of learning Evernote on your own.

  1. 10 Things You’d Love to Say at Work … But Can’t
  2. Creating a Life Plan
  3. Literary Agents Who Represent Christian Authors
  4. Using The iPad to Take Meeting Notes
  5. How Can Church Leaders Talk About Money in a Healthy Way
  6. Growing Generosity in Your Kids at Christmas
  7. A Tale of Two Leaders: Which Are You?
  8. The Kindle, Nook, Ipad, and Reader Compared
  9. Writing a Winning Book Proposal
  10. How to Update Your Facebook Status with Twitter

My top ten commenters were:

For January, I’m going to give a free copy of Eric Metaxas’ New York Times bestseller, Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy to each of my top 10 commenters.

Ready. Set. Go!

Question: If you blog, what was your top post for December? Why do you think that was the case? You can leave a comment by clicking here.
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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are snarky, offensive, or off-topic. If in doubt, read My Comments Policy.

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  • Jill

    I hope your top December commenters enjoy “Heaven is For Real”. I read and reviewed it and I thought it was an encouraging book. I am recommending it to my friends and family. I love your blog and read it often (don’t always comment though)

    • http://michaelhyatt.com Michael Hyatt

      I’m so glad. I found the book to be a quick read and inspirational. Thanks!

      • http://www.bretmavrich.com Bret Mavrich

        I can’t wait to read it. Thanks so much for the incentive, Mike. (Any way to get it piped to my new Kindle? Had to ask.)

        • http://michaelhyatt.com Michael Hyatt

          Sorry. We already shipped. ;-)

  • http://twitter.com/doughibbard Doug Hibbard

    It looks like my top post was a book review, based on page traffic, but I’m set up that going to my web address shows complete posts, so I don’t know exactly which posts the “root” visitors were reading. I’m still trying to improve interaction.

    The book reviews get the most direct links between publishers (like Booksneeze, but this one was for Tyndale) and tweets/retweets. That’s why, I think, those are frequently my most visited.

    The original material post that was most hit was actually a poem I wrote one Sunday morning about preaching. A friend or two passed that one on to their church leaders. One even printed it out on nice paper and gave as a gift. Apparently, that one moment just struck a chord. Odd, though, because I expected it to cost me an RSS subscriber or two! The things I expect to draw comment don’t, and then a late night/early AM poetry effort made a splash.

    Doug

  • http://uma-maheswaran.blogspot.com/ Uma Maheswaran S

    I am happy to note that I am one of the top ten commentators for December 2010.

    Currently, I am blogging only about my reviews of the books that I have completed reading. In other words, I am a novice blogger. And, interestingly, one of my New Year resolutions is to start blogging actively. I an drawing inspiration from your tips offered through various posts.

    However, leaving beside all these limitations, I would say that my top post for December would be my review for the book, ‘Permission to Speak Freely’ by Anne Jackson simply because I was able to reflect through that post whatever I felt after reading that book. Hope, I would be able to blog more actively in the days to come.

    • http://michaelhyatt.com Michael Hyatt

      Thanks for reviewing Anne’s book, Uma. May this be a fantastic year of blogging for you!

      • http://uma-maheswaran.blogspot.com/ Uma Maheswaran S

        Mike! Thanks for your blessings and encouragement.

    • http://www.bigb94.webs.com Brandon

      Just checked out your blog… I love finding new blogs to read. Yours is great! I will leave a comment! :)

  • http://betterlifecoaching.wordpress.com/ Darren Poke

    Happy New Year Michael and all of your readers.

    My most popular post for the month was a list of 50 great coaching questions that I put together a few months ago from my experience as a Life Coach. It’s generating increased search engine traffic and has been number one for a couple of months in a row now.

    http://betterlifecoaching.wordpress.com/2010/08/04/50-great-coaching-questions/

    • http://uma-maheswaran.blogspot.com/ Uma Maheswaran S

      Darren! I too loved your post on 50 questions. Thanks for sharing with us.

      • http://betterlifecoaching.wordpress.com/ Darren Poke

        Thanks Uma, I’m glad that you liked it.

  • http://twitter.com/Juanbg Juan

    Hi Mike,
    December was more about what is coming in 2011, a review of what I did in 2010, but now what is coming and how you we focus our mind and energy to continue growing in the quest of life.
    Happy New Year 2011.

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  • Michael

    I blogged about expectations. God’s expectations of us, our expectations of ourselves and what others expect of us. How we play that out has significant implications for our lives and has serious consequences for those around us.

  • Kerry Dexter

    thinking it over, my top three posts for December all had to do, in differing ways, with building community. one was an article on my choices for the best music of 2010, another was a consideration of ideas for the third week in Advent, and the third was part of a series in which I invited several musicians to think about what music they liked to listen to or play during the holidays.

  • Kerry Dexter

    thinking it over, my top three posts for December all had to do, in differing ways, with building community. one was an article on my choices for the best music of 2010, another was a consideration of ideas for the third week in Advent, and the third was part of a series in which I invited several musicians to think about what music they liked to listen to or play during the holidays.

  • http://missionalmamassoul.blogspot.com/ Amy

    Congrats on the top commenters and Happy New Year! I do want to read Haven is for Real at some point. Looks interesting as does the Bonhoeffer book.

    My top post was a dramatic audio book giveaway, but my second was about what I read in 2010. I imagine that it was popular because I am sure others are like myself and enjoy seeing what others read noting books for future reads.
    http://missionalmamassoul.blogspot.com/2010/12/my-2010-reading-life-look-back.html

    The top post on our ministry blog for December may make you laugh. Take a look… http://mozosonmission.blogspot.com/2010/12/you-never-know.html

    Have a great week!

    • http://uma-maheswaran.blogspot.com/ Uma Maheswaran S

      Amy! Just saw your top post on your ministry blog for December. Reallly funny and good presence of mind to the photographer.

      • http://missionalmamassoul.blogspot.com/ Amy

        Thanks. We had a good laugh about it when we pulled up.

  • http://missionalmamassoul.blogspot.com/ Amy

    Congrats on the top commenters and Happy New Year! I do want to read Haven is for Real at some point. Looks interesting as does the Bonhoeffer book.

    My top post was a dramatic audio book giveaway, but my second was about what I read in 2010. I imagine that it was popular because I am sure others are like myself and enjoy seeing what others read noting books for future reads.
    http://missionalmamassoul.blogspot.com/2010/12/my-2010-reading-life-look-back.html

    The top post on our ministry blog for December may make you laugh. Take a look… http://mozosonmission.blogspot.com/2010/12/you-never-know.html

    Have a great week!

  • http://twitter.com/SandraHeskaKing SandraHeskaKing

    I got a Kindle (finally) for Christmas. I bought it for myself from my husband. But I haven’t taken it out of the box yet because I also got a B&N coupon. I’m going back to read post #8 again.

    My top post for December was “If I’m Still Enough.” It’s a poem I wrote in about 10 minutes. The words poured out with even a double connotation that I didn’t see until someone else pointed it out. I don’t think *I* wrote it.

    http://sandraheskaking.com/2010/12/if-im-still-enough/

    P.S. My husband got The American Patriot’s Almanac. I sneezed it on him. Yep, we’re big spenders.

  • http://twitter.com/NewEnglandHiker Roy Wallen

    Having recently discovered your blog (and subsequent Twitter feed and book comments andauthor interviews and gadget tips and …), I am looking forward to more of them and makign comments on my own. Thanks for the thought-provoking commentary and the interesting content. Best wishes for 2011.

  • misty

    Wow! I don’t even rank and I won a free book! Thanks for your continued informational, educational, and enjoyable posts! HAPPY New Year to you!

  • http://www.LinkedIn.com/in/davidandlisafrisbie DrDavidFrisbie

    Our top December post featured Corbin Bernsen’s new film “Rust” — released by Sony Entertainment. We love Bernsen from “L.A. Law” and “Psych” so we couldn’t pass up the chance to connect with him in person plus see a screening of his new film.

  • http://www.jeffrandleman.com Jeff Randleman

    My top post for December, and the year, was a simple image of the Hubble Deep Space Field, along with a few thoughts about creation. It was short and simple, and it surprised me that it was so heavily visited.

    My goal is to write a lot morre this year, and see just how I can begin to generate more traffic and interest to my blog. Thanks for the leadership lssons!

    • http://www.bigb94.webs.com Brandon

      Just checked your blog out! Really neat! I will have to visit it a lot…look forward to some great blogs!

      • http://www.jeffrandleman.com Jeff Randleman

        Thanks Brandon! My goal is to focus my blog this year on a few great topics: book reviews, leadership, creation, and youth ministry. I hope I can write content that helps you out!

        • http://www.bigb94.webs.com Brandon

          Oh- from those topics- it looks like it will! I am also getting more serious on mine this year… I started out the new year with a long post on achieving goals. I will try to update at least once a week so be sure to check it out!

          • http://www.jeffrandleman.com Jeff Randleman

            I’ll be sure to check it out!

  • http://twitter.com/JamieBell4 Jamie Bell

    Yours has become one of my top visited blogs! A couple of your top 10 will/are having a huge impact on my 2011. Plus you helped convince me to get a kindle over any other. Appreciate your dedication to this blog.

    • http://michaelhyatt.com Michael Hyatt

      Thanks, Jamie. I appreciate you taking time to comment.

  • http://www.jeffrandleman.com Jeff Randleman

    Also, I’m really excited that I made the list of top commeners for December. Is there anything I need to do to in order to help you get that book out to me? Just let me know… And THANKS!

    • http://michaelhyatt.com Michael Hyatt

      No, my assistant will find you!

  • http://jeffgoins.myadventures.org Jeff Goins

    Wow. Thanks, Michael. Love your generosity!

    I’ll be honest: this was intentional. Reading your blog for the month of December and regularly engaging in discussions was a goal of mine — not so much for a book (although I’m excited about reading it), but rather for the sake of regularly gleaning bits of wisdom from your blog. Keep up the great work!

    (However, I will say that I REALLY want to get my hands on that Bonhoeffer book…)

    • http://michaelhyatt.com Michael Hyatt

      Awesome, Jeff. I admire your determination!

    • www.therextras.com

      This worked for me, too – in October. I won Max Lucado’s book! Michael you are a generous blogger – and it goes without saying – a good business man. ;) Barbara

  • http://www.simplycreativewriting.com Kimberly Parker

    My most popular blog for December was the one I posted on the very last day of the year. 11 Radical Things to do in 2011.

    Blessings to you this year!

    http://www.simplycreativewriting.com/11-radical-things-to-do-in-2011/

    • http://uma-maheswaran.blogspot.com/ Uma Maheswaran S

      Really radical tips for tips for being a better human. I loved all those points.

      • http://www.simplycreativewriting.com Kimberly Parker

        Thank you so much. :)

    • http://www.bigb94.webs.com Brandon

      Really Neat!

  • Ashley Musick

    I wrote a blog that compared the mission organization I work for and the Biggest Loser. You’d probably have to read it to understand it. Ha. It had the most hits over my blog about “Favorite Christmas Presents EVER!” and a deeper blog about desiring to make the most of you life called, “No Blank Pages.”

    The goal was to blog more and I did. So that’s the victory. Thanks for all your blogs… always so full of fun insights.

  • http://thoughtsaboutnothing.com @kylelreed

    My top post for December 2010 “The Top 10 Albums of 2010″ http://bit.ly/gUczWs
    Maybe it is because people like music. I always like to have fun with my list. I think I get more enjoyment out of writing post like that then people probably do reading it.

  • http://churchthought.com Matt Steen

    My top post for December was actually a guest post by Ed Cyzewski on how to survive church burnout. I am excited that people are getting great stuff, but disappointed that so many people in church leadership are hurting.

    http://ow.ly/3i4U2

  • http://www.kellylangston.com Kelly Langston

    Hi, Michael! Loving my Christmas gift: Vibram Five Finger Shoes. Thanking you! (However, my calves don’t share my sentiments…at least not today!)

    My top post is about trusting God through our recent, difficult economical times. “As our family teetered on the edge of financial ruin, we prayed, watched and waited to see if God’s promises were true. Could we really depend on Him to sustain us in the storm?”

    He IS faithful…and depending on Him for the day to day necessities has prepared me to actively take my faith farther than ever.

    http://kellylangston.com/2010/11/like-a-hummingbird-in-a-storm-gods-provision-in-hard-economic-times/

    Happy New Year to you! Love your blog!

    • http://uma-maheswaran.blogspot.com/ Uma Maheswaran S

      Thank you for sharing with us here and keep telling it. Indeed, your story kindles faith.

      • Kelly Langston

        Thanks, Uma. Case in point: On his lunch hour today, my husband FINALLY replaced the tires on our old (OLD!) van this morning, and on his way home from work, the transmission blew. But you know what? We aren’t even upset about it. What used to be so worrisome just isn’t anymore. We now know God provides. We find a lot of true freedom in finally understanding and knowing just faithful He is.

        • http://uma-maheswaran.blogspot.com/ Uma Maheswaran S

          Amen!

  • http://twitter.com/williemacster William McPherson

    Haha I did not have one! I have been on blog/social media hiatus since Nov. 26th. During that time I developed a new blog format and transfered my stuff to it: http://www.williebemacin.com. Though I did post something about the fiction story that I was still writing, so maybe that is the most popular, technically…

  • http://www.gospellab.com Gospel lab

    Missed being in your top ten commenters list by 3 comments.

    Oh well, at least here is a comment that will be counted for 2011.

    I have only been blogging since November and I found your great blog in December. Hope to read many more of your posts this year and to comment as well.

    Thanks for posting.

    • http://michaelhyatt.com Michael Hyatt

      Thanks for commenting. You were so close!

  • http://stevencribbs.com Steven Cribbs

    I just put up a blog in the middle of December – so, I can’t claim to have any top posts…yet. Thanks for your blog Michael – it has given me a lot of help and instpiration in starting my own blog; and, I continue to gain great wisdom for life, work and ministry!

    • http://www.gospellab.com Gospel lab

      Hey Steven,

      I just started blogging too. You might want to check out gravatar.com to get your own globally recognized avatar. It will help people recognize you more than the standard mystery man image. :)

      • http://michaelhyatt.com Michael Hyatt

        I agree. Gravatar is great. I use it, too.

      • http://www.bigb94.webs.com Brandon

        Definitely! But for some reason- I can not use it with my site platform…?

      • http://stevencribbs.com Steven Cribbs

        Thanks! I will check it out.

      • http://stevencribbs.com Steven Cribbs

        Thanks! I will check it out.

  • http://www.manyhatsmommy.blogspot.com Jenny

    This was my top post of December, on the 29th! It is part of my weekly feature “Wednesday’s Woman” which is one of the most popular parts of my blog. I highlight a different woman and her business each week. I think because this was about weight loss and health from a mom of 8 it was compelling for people. http://manyhatsmommy.blogspot.com/2010/12/wednesdays-woman-christine-stevens.html

  • http://christopherscottblog.typepad.com/blog/ Christopher Scott

    Thank you Mr. Hyatt for the gift of the book.

    You’re blog is a great resource. Thanks for putting so much time and effort into writing it.

    My most popular post was about notes I took from Andy Stanley at the Catalyst West Leadership Conference last year. Andy Stanley has a tremendous platform of people who look to him for guidance and leadership teaching. I’m sure that is why the post is so popular.

  • http://successbeginstoday.org/wordpress John Richardson

    Michael, it was great to be a part of your top commenter’s again. Your top three posts seem to follow a consistent pattern that I’ve seen across the web. Your “10 things you wish you could say at work,” is something that people can relate to, which always seems to pull in traffic. Combined with the proven “Top 10″ format it really works well. (If you could just get a puppy or kitten to say those phrases you would have magic!)
    Your “Life Plan” post should do real well this time of year, since people are resolution and goal oriented. And your literary agent post hits right at the heart of your key demographic… aspiring authors. So they seem to fit the following categories…
    1. Relational
    2. Helpful
    3. Key Niche

    My top post for December was a goal setting post from a few years ago that is an annual end-of-the-year link by Sitepoint that spikes my traffic for a few days. It’s called the 4-12-48 goal setting solution (http://bit.ly/gVho95). I’ve modified it for the new year based on some new research and now calling it Strong-Positive Concept-Goals. Hopefully the new name works.

  • http://uma-maheswaran.blogspot.com/ Uma Maheswaran S

    Chris! Andy has been a great insipiration for me too. I listen to his podcasts on leadership and biblical values without fail.

  • http://www.bigb94.webs.com Brandon

    I love how you recap the month! Out of every site I have seen, you have the most engaging discussions… mostly because you have a lot of traffic, but also because you write such great posts!

    My top post for December 2010 was Steps Towards Achieving Your Goals: http://bigb94.webs.com/apps/blog/entries/show/5675348-steps-towards-achieving-your-goals

    • http://michaelhyatt.com Michael Hyatt

      Wow. Thanks, Brandon.

  • Anonymous

    In terms of the most read post on my blog, this was the winner: http://blog.ashleypichea.com/2010/11/what-i-wore-wednesday-110310.html Most likely, the meme I linked up with helped this post become “popular”.
    In terms of the most interacted with post on my blog, this was the winner: http://blog.ashleypichea.com/2010/10/i-need-your-help.html I asked for help in this post, and my readers gladly helped out!

    • http://www.bigb94.webs.com Brandon

      For some reason…there is always a most read blog and a most commented blog… I honestly have a hard time getting people to comment on mine.

      • Anonymous

        I’ve heard that the majority of blog readers are passive in nature – most
        read regularly, but rarely take the time to comment. I’ve found that I can
        get a greater percentage of my readership to comment if I ask them to do so.
        Also, I try to ask “application” questions at the end of posts, giving my
        readers a place to start their comments. It takes time and effort, but once
        the comments start coming, it’s fun to try and keep up!

        • http://www.bigb94.webs.com Brandon

          True… I have also been doing that. I also read the post from Michael about engaging and getting more comments- so at the end of the month, I will be posting the top 3 commenters! Maybe that will start conversations?

        • Steven Cribbs

          I would agree with the passive readers. I have a group of people that I send weekly emails to and, even when I ask, I get a very small percentage of people to respond. Creating an atmosphere of community, I think, goes a long way; and, of course, incentives and recognition helps.

          • Anonymous

            I need to work on being more intentional about highlighting great comments.
            I do a monthly recap of my top referrers and top posts, but I need to start
            adding in a “top commenters” section!

      • Anonymous

        I’ve heard that the majority of blog readers are passive in nature – most
        read regularly, but rarely take the time to comment. I’ve found that I can
        get a greater percentage of my readership to comment if I ask them to do so.
        Also, I try to ask “application” questions at the end of posts, giving my
        readers a place to start their comments. It takes time and effort, but once
        the comments start coming, it’s fun to try and keep up!

  • http://alexspeaks.com Alex

    I only found your blog this year and already it is shaping the way I do business online! Great stuff!

    Out of all the stuff I have read that you posted, none of the 10 were on my list. haha, Oh well! More to check out!

  • http://twitter.com/KellySinging Kelly Baker

    My top December post was a humorous post called Christmas Olympics, and probably because it was just funny. I usually write more serious posts to help people grow spiritually, and while I’m more laid back in real life I still struggle to be funny in my posts. That style of writing would not always apply, of course, but it’s an area in which I’d like to improve.

  • http://amysorrells.wordpress.com Amy Sorrells

    My top post for December surprised me. I was writing about the word “rejoice,” and flipped through an online version of Strong’s to see if rejoice was used any differently in the Old versus the New Testament, in lieu of Jesus’ birth. I don’t delve into Greek and Hebrew much, but find it great fun when I do, and evidently so did my readers. So, let us rejoice indeed! Our King has come! :) Here’s the post: http://amysorrells.wordpress.com/2010/12/14/rejoice/

  • http://twitter.com/lovinglyyoursG Georgiana

    Thank you so much Michael! God’s timing is perfect as January 3, 2011 was the funeral of my beloved father who passed away last week. I will cherish “Heaven Is For Real” in remembrance of him. http://embracepositivepassion.com/blog/?p=1761
    God provides in miraculous ways!

  • http://ineeddiscipline.com Dean Saliba

    That is a nice incentive to get people to leave comments. :)

    My most popular post was one I wrote in July about tools to help unfollow people who do not follow you on Twitter. :)

  • http://www.bretmavrich.com Bret Mavrich

    I just launched a new personal site, and believe it or not this was my top post:

    Help Me Get to Haiti
    (http://bretmavrich.com/2010/12/help-me-get-to-haiti/)

    But this was a close second:

    Why Pray for Poverty?
    (http://bretmavrich.com/2010/12/why-pray-for-poverty/)

  • http://LiveIntentionally.org @PaulSteinbrueck

    On both of my blogs, the top post for December was related to a book:

    Christian Web Trends: Join the Less Clutter, Less Noise group blog project
    http://bit.ly/e3xeJD

    Live Intentionally: Discuss and Win a Free Copy of The Power of a Whisper by @Bill Hybels:
    http://bit.ly/giY3Q8

    People like to learn from books and they like free stuff. :)

  • http://blog.cyberquill.com Cyberquill

    Received the book today. Thank you very much. On the back cover, it says that “Heaven is for Real will forever change the way you think of eternity.” For the better, I hope.

  • Anonymous

    I’m late to the conversation but wanted to chime in and say that I’m one of the site visitors that contributed to your post on creating a life plan being number 2 on your list. I really enjoyed taking the time to work through it. Now to tough part – reviewing it and actually executing on the plan.

    My most popular blog post for last year is titled, “Ten Birthday Wishes for My Wife”.
    http://theusefulword.wordpress.com/2010/04/18/ten-birthday-wishes-for-my-wife/

    For some reason, that particular post picks up a lot of referrals from search engines.

    Hope you are having a great 2011 so far.