Yeah, I know from experience, you win some, you lose some. Some people just end up having very divergent interests, others just have no interest in improving, but sometimes you can still find that person that you completely gel with or that among tons of other things produces that one fic that really works for you. It's not even just an issue of betaing. Sometimes some simple encouragement can go a long way. From "I really like your meta, have you ever given fanfic a try?" to just being *there* when somebody mentions that they would love to write a certain bunny to maybe courting somebody who normally doesn't write a certain character or pairing simply through showing interest to cheering somebody on with detailed feedback when they post a fic you like or asking for a sequel.
Again, it's always a question how much time you are willing to invest (and usually you have to draw the line somewhere about how much you are willing to invest). For example, I really think that if you are willing to put in the time, you really can steer the discussion, for example in a message board thread. You know, looking where people are showing signs of having and interest in something you agree with, picking it out, quoting it, initiating dialog and discussion. Just posting certain ideas and being there to discuss back and answer when people reply.
If you want more livejournal presence, maybe more advertising might be the way to go. You know, make a poll and link it in the message board thread, inviting people to come. Write a fic and post a note along the lines of "hey, I wrote this fic, I'd be really curious to get your opinions". I know so many people who have gotten a livejournal account just so they could comment on fic. Of make a ficathon and directly contact the people on the message boards who are writers and ask them whether they would be interested. I've frequently been amazed at how great people react to being asked personally about things. Yes, you usually will be turned down by some (lack of interest, lack of time) but if you ask enough people you usually get at least some to join. Or maybe they will join the next time around. Sometimes it can also be a question of publicity, of other people seeing the invitation and getting curious.
If there are Teylafans and J/T fans, but they are just disconnected or isolated, then the big problem is connecting them. For example, I'm not deep in the fandom. I read your journal because I really like Teyla and I love how *you* love Teyla and how your talk and write about her. But just from your journal I get very little sense of what else is out there. I don't know whether you read any Teylafic by other people (or if there's even any posted) because you never talk about it ("[link] by [x]: interesting fic, but maybe not really my thing. I wish there had been more focus on [aspect y]. [link] by v: Cute little piece. Adorable! Hope the author writes more!"). I don't know if you ever are involved in any interesting discussions about here, because if you are, you don't link it in your journal ("Hmmm, there was this really interesting discussion on Gateworld today [link]. I really like the point that was brought up regarding [x], but personally, I think I'm leaning more towards [y] because [explanation]".).
Sometimes just talking about what there is and about what you like can be interesting and powerful. Because it makes people think about what their own opinion on the subject is and whether or not they agree. And again, it creates a sense of a community, or connecting different strands of the fandom.
Dammit, maybe I just need a "short guide to the Teyla fandom" with them most important hotspots (like the threads, communities or the yahoo groups), the most important authors, meta givers, icon makers, the most influential fics, the most popular working opinions. Yes, I realize that there is the John/Teyla manifesto. Maybe you could write an update to it. Or maybe it least post a tiny picture spam of the "headtouch" goodbye :D
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Again, it's always a question how much time you are willing to invest (and usually you have to draw the line somewhere about how much you are willing to invest). For example, I really think that if you are willing to put in the time, you really can steer the discussion, for example in a message board thread. You know, looking where people are showing signs of having and interest in something you agree with, picking it out, quoting it, initiating dialog and discussion. Just posting certain ideas and being there to discuss back and answer when people reply.
If you want more livejournal presence, maybe more advertising might be the way to go. You know, make a poll and link it in the message board thread, inviting people to come. Write a fic and post a note along the lines of "hey, I wrote this fic, I'd be really curious to get your opinions". I know so many people who have gotten a livejournal account just so they could comment on fic. Of make a ficathon and directly contact the people on the message boards who are writers and ask them whether they would be interested. I've frequently been amazed at how great people react to being asked personally about things. Yes, you usually will be turned down by some (lack of interest, lack of time) but if you ask enough people you usually get at least some to join. Or maybe they will join the next time around. Sometimes it can also be a question of publicity, of other people seeing the invitation and getting curious.
If there are Teylafans and J/T fans, but they are just disconnected or isolated, then the big problem is connecting them. For example, I'm not deep in the fandom. I read your journal because I really like Teyla and I love how *you* love Teyla and how your talk and write about her. But just from your journal I get very little sense of what else is out there. I don't know whether you read any Teylafic by other people (or if there's even any posted) because you never talk about it ("[link] by [x]: interesting fic, but maybe not really my thing. I wish there had been more focus on [aspect y]. [link] by v: Cute little piece. Adorable! Hope the author writes more!"). I don't know if you ever are involved in any interesting discussions about here, because if you are, you don't link it in your journal ("Hmmm, there was this really interesting discussion on Gateworld today [link]. I really like the point that was brought up regarding [x], but personally, I think I'm leaning more towards [y] because [explanation]".).
Sometimes just talking about what there is and about what you like can be interesting and powerful. Because it makes people think about what their own opinion on the subject is and whether or not they agree. And again, it creates a sense of a community, or connecting different strands of the fandom.
Dammit, maybe I just need a "short guide to the Teyla fandom" with them most important hotspots (like the threads, communities or the yahoo groups), the most important authors, meta givers, icon makers, the most influential fics, the most popular working opinions. Yes, I realize that there is the John/Teyla manifesto. Maybe you could write an update to it. Or maybe it least post a tiny picture spam of the "headtouch" goodbye :D