Danny Brown - Latest Comments in Why Would You Bother to Comment?

Re: Why Would You Bother to Comment?

Zahnersatz — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 22:29:18 -0000

Hello, i´m beginning with rss subscriptions. Now i can stay current with your site and especially the topic Why Would You Bother to Comment? now, really a nice feature. Thanks, Zahnersatz

Re: Why Would You Bother to Comment?

Danny — Wed, 19 May 2010 21:16:25 -0000

Hi Gedicht, what is it you'd like to do?

Re: Why Would You Bother to Comment?

Gedicht — Wed, 19 May 2010 21:02:30 -0000

Hello from Germany! May i quote a post a translated part of your blog with a link to you? I've tried to contact you for the topic Why Would You Bother to Comment?, but i got no answer, please reply when you have a moment, thanks, Gedicht

Re: Why Would You Bother to Comment?

Pensionen — Sun, 02 May 2010 20:15:49 -0000

Thanks for the information, i posted your blog to my facebook group in the category `Why Would You Bother to Comment?`. Regards, Katy

Re: Why Would You Bother to Comment?

gucci bags — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:57:25 -0000

"Good article, I like it, thanks for share!
http://www.galaxyhandbags.com "

Re: Why Would You Bother to Comment?

valeriesimon — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:07:45 -0000

Frank, Thanks for coming to the party... and for not just sitting in a corner! I really like that analogy! I think that when someone (like Danny) is able to create the right environment, a blog really does become a party of sorts and conversation happens as naturally as it would around a punch bowl .. or Keg ;)

Re: Why Would You Bother to Comment?

Warren Whitlock — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 18:12:18 -0000

Nothing wrong with using the net to research a topic.. but when I go to a blog, I&#39m expecting to have a conversation.

When it&#39s not allowed, or the silly default account login on some blog systems, I have to wonder what the blogger expects...

In this age where everyone has the ability to spread and amplify your good message, why would anyone try for a centralized control in dispensing information?

:)

Re: Why Would You Bother to Comment?

valeriesimon — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 16:07:45 -0000

Re: Why Would You Bother to Comment?

frank barry — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:33:39 -0000

I comment because it&#39s the right thing to do in this space - in my opinion. If this is truly a social space and we are all trying to be social people then NOT leaving comments would be like going to a party and not talking to anyone. We wouldn&#39t do that would we?

http://twitter.com/franswaa

Re: Why Would You Bother to Comment?

Danny Brown — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:53:34 -0000

That&#39s an interesting point, Warren. I guess you could spin it around a little and take it from another approach. I&#39ve read blogs that I would have loved to have commented on, but then it&#39s a closed comments system that&#39s in place, or you have to register to comment (neither of which I&#39m a fan off).

If you&#39re a reader and that frustrates, maybe it&#39s reason to be more grateful where there is an open comment policy, and share your thoughts where they&#39re appreciated?

Thanks for stopping by and sharing your views, Warren, appreciated.

Re: Why Would You Bother to Comment?

Warren Whitlock — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:12:18 -0000

Nothing wrong with using the net to research a topic.. but when I go to a blog, I'm expecting to have a conversation.

When it's not allowed, or the silly default account login on some blog systems, I have to wonder what the blogger expects...

In this age where everyone has the ability to spread and amplify your good message, why would anyone try for a centralized control in dispensing information?

Re: Why Would You Bother to Comment?

frank barry — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 10:33:39 -0000

I comment because it's the right thing to do in this space - in my opinion. If this is truly a social space and we are all trying to be social people then NOT leaving comments would be like going to a party and not talking to anyone. We wouldn't do that would we?

http://twitter.com/franswaa

Re: Why Would You Bother to Comment?

Danny Brown — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 09:53:34 -0000

That's an interesting point, Warren. I guess you could spin it around a little and take it from another approach. I've read blogs that I would have loved to have commented on, but then it's a closed comments system that's in place, or you have to register to comment (neither of which I'm a fan off).

If you're a reader and that frustrates, maybe it's reason to be more grateful where there is an open comment policy, and share your thoughts where they're appreciated?

Thanks for stopping by and sharing your views, Warren, appreciated.

Re: Why Would You Bother to Comment?

Warren Whitlock — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 06:37:42 -0000

I say that if you have time to read a post, you have time to comment.

Granted, there are post that aren&#39t worth commenting.. and their are some that I just come up blank on... but my advise is an answer to authors and bloggers I consult who think they don&#39t have time to comment.

We are in an attention economy.. when you pay attention, you are giving value to the post. A comment let&#39s the blogger and others know you cared enough to read the post and then think for more than a second on it&#39s content.

NO RULES is usually my policy. Comment or not, it&#39s up to you... but if it&#39s a time commitment you are worried about, maybe you can read a few less to comment more.

Re: Why Would You Bother to Comment?

Warren Whitlock — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 01:37:42 -0000

I say that if you have time to read a post, you have time to comment.

Granted, there are post that aren't worth commenting.. and their are some that I just come up blank on... but my advise is an answer to authors and bloggers I consult who think they don't have time to comment.

We are in an attention economy.. when you pay attention, you are giving value to the post. A comment let's the blogger and others know you cared enough to read the post and then think for more than a second on it's content.

NO RULES is usually my policy. Comment or not, it's up to you... but if it's a time commitment you are worried about, maybe you can read a few less to comment more.

Re: Why Would You Bother to Comment?

cool — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 19:14:21 -0000

Thanks Valerie,
I think our blogs form the backbone of our social media activity, they&#39re sort of our home base. So if we comment on the blog itself, we know that gets maintained as part of the historical archive, something that will be seen both when the post is new and by people who stumble upon it three years later via search. While our Tweets aren&#39t lost forever, esp. on blogs that capture them with comments, they do tend to be more ephemeral. So that is one of the reasons I like to comment then Tweet.

This is also helpful if part of our commenting strategy is meant to build readership and drive traffic to our own blogs. That hasn&#39t really been discussed here, but I think most of us know that commenting on related blogs is a way to build traffic to our own. If we leave a useful comment, some readers will click through to our own sites to see what other ideas we may have. If we only comment via Twitter, Facebook, Friendfeed, etc. we don&#39t reap that benefit.

Re: Why Would You Bother to Comment?

cool — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 14:14:21 -0000

Thanks Valerie,
I think our blogs form the backbone of our social media activity, they're sort of our home base. So if we comment on the blog itself, we know that gets maintained as part of the historical archive, something that will be seen both when the post is new and by people who stumble upon it three years later via search. While our Tweets aren't lost forever, esp. on blogs that capture them with comments, they do tend to be more ephemeral. So that is one of the reasons I like to comment then Tweet.

This is also helpful if part of our commenting strategy is meant to build readership and drive traffic to our own blogs. That hasn't really been discussed here, but I think most of us know that commenting on related blogs is a way to build traffic to our own. If we leave a useful comment, some readers will click through to our own sites to see what other ideas we may have. If we only comment via Twitter, Facebook, Friendfeed, etc. we don't reap that benefit.

Re: Why Would You Bother to Comment?

knealemann — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 13:58:09 -0000

Danny,

I am just as guilty as most. I write (almost) every day and hope what I publish and share resonates with others. We can all watch our analytics but what it&#39s a wonderufl way to decipher feedback through a conversation - via comments, email, phone, twitter or various other social networking sites.

We are only human, we like to be verified and noticed and we like to find out how we help others. And we can&#39t read minds. But as many here have mentioned, substance is as important as numbers - and many simply enjoy the piece and have nothing to add.

Are "comments" a badge of honor or quantifiable data to shape future posts? Is this about rank and numbers or sharing and exchanging valuable information?

When was the last time you called a radio station or television network or newspaper or retailer to let them know you enjoyed the experience?

@knealemann

Re: Why Would You Bother to Comment?

Kneale Mann — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 08:58:09 -0000

Danny,

I am just as guilty as most. I write (almost) every day and hope what I publish and share resonates with others. We can all watch our analytics but a wonderful way to decipher feedback is through a conversation - via comments, email, phone, twitter or various other social networking sites.

We are only human, we like to be verified and noticed and we like to find out how we help others. And we can't read minds. But as many here have mentioned, substance is as important as numbers - and many simply enjoy the piece and have nothing to add.

Are "comments" a badge of honor or quantifiable data to shape future posts? Is this about rank and numbers or sharing and exchanging valuable information?

When was the last time you called a radio station or television network or newspaper or retailer to let them know you enjoyed the experience?

@knealemann

Re: Why Would You Bother to Comment?

valeriesimon — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:57:10 -0000

Passion for the subject matter (separate from controversey) is certainly an important reason that people are compelled to comment. Very good point. I also like the way you comment and then tweet--Note to Danny-Conversation stays on the blog- Twitter & FB, simply extend the reach )

Thanks for taking the time to share. Am off to read Josh&#39s article (and your comments) The title certainly sounds interesting!

Re: Why Would You Bother to Comment?

cool — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 17:43:25 -0000

I left a comment a few minutes ago on Copyblogger&#39s article, "Blogging Is A Dialect: Do You Speak It?" by Josh Hanagarne, which I then shared on my Facebook page.

In that case, I commented because it&#39s an important topic. I&#39ve written several blog entries about the need to write clearly, because so many bloggers prefer to obfuscate their messages with business jargon. So I was commenting to support a cause and add my take on why the topic is important.

In other cases I might comment because the writer has asked a question (like now) or because the post made me think of an example or other point that might further the discussion. I&#39ll also often try to comment before sharing a link on Facebook or Twitter, so that people who follow the link will see more than 140 characters on why I thought it was important. I don&#39t always do that. Sometimes there&#39s nothing more to say and I don&#39t want to force a comment for the sake of commenting. But if a post has left room for additional thoughts and one comes to mind, then my fingers may start typing of their own accord.

Re: Why Would You Bother to Comment?

PRCog — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 17:20:09 -0000

From comparing the individual posts cited there seems to be a noticeable trend where the posts that seek input get it, while those that are just providing a platform for the author&#39s commentary get fewer, or at the very least really need something motivating to get the reader to comment.

Where a comment request can result in a &#39top picks&#39 (e.g. What are the top restaurants in Gotham) there is likely also a correlation to more &#39me too&#39 type comments since the author is seeking input for what will be a short list and 8 endorsements carries more weight than 2. On the flip side, one merely seeking various opinions may not elicit duplicate responses due to the &#39Well it&#39s already been said&#39 attitude (not a wrong perspective to take).

All this boils down to why/how do you use your blog? Is it merely a soapbox for the author to offer their opinion or is it being used as an interactive forum? I primarily use mine as a platform and so usually have pretty few comments. For the interactivity I go to my twitter stream, see the various opinions, reflect then post...rarely requesting comment. I may try that in an upcoming post to see if there&#39s a statistical difference.

All of that being said -- my most &#39commented&#39 blog post was one that didn&#39t come close to requesting comment, it was purely my own opinion on something, but certainly on a hot topic.

As a side note -- I know when I consider posting a comment, I do get intimidated by the number of comments that have already been left. Frequently it would be a significant time-suck to read them all, but I do feel obligated to where I want to avoid being repetitive or not acknowledging a similar opinion that had already been left by a previous commenter.

Re: Why Would You Bother to Comment?

valeriesimon — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:57:10 -0000

Thanks for taking the time to share. Am off to read Josh's article (and your comments) The title certainly sounds interesting!

Re: Why Would You Bother to Comment?

gerardmclean — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:36:06 -0000

140, Yes (8 character reply)

Re: Why Would You Bother to Comment?

valeriesimon — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:59:09 -0000

I agree that the post needs to be one that prompts discussion... and you have been doing a fabulous job with that on http://futureforwardpr.posterous.com ! Some great conversation starters I will continue to study and learn from ;)