Are blog comments truly part of a conversation?
June 4th, 2008 |
I’ve seen a few discussions recently regarding blog comments and whether they constitute “a conversation.” Since I have been on Twitter, and have been writing for Talent Zoo, the number of comments on my blog has gone up. There are a couple of dozen regular readers of this blog that often comment, and their insights have always helped round out the discussion.
Last night I posted the Tale of Little Weasel and Big Weasel, a cautionary contrast of two stories of ethical misbehavior in the blogosphere. Little Weasel’s story came from a blog post written at the beginning of this year by Sabrina Dent, a popular Irish blogger. Sabrina left a comment on my blog indicating that she did not think I had accurately related the story. We both started out with rather critical comments, and as we “discussed” things, both of us began to see each other’s point of view, to learn new facts, and to come to a fundamental agreement on the most important aspects of the story. While perhaps there are better ways to get to know someone, I can honestly report that I know more about Sabrina now, and that I respect her opinion, candor and analytical thinking. I would like to think we are “friends.”
I respond to comments from time to time, but generally tend to write my post and step aside to let commenters weigh in. Often, comments will reference other comments, and additional conversations will go on. I love it when that happens.
I also love to leave comments on blogs. It might surprise you to know I am very opinionated. A comment is also a compliment to the person who wrote the blog, and it is a courtesy to show that you read and understood the post, and that it elicited a reaction strong enough to encourage a response.
I’m not suggesting making a habit of leaving comments just to make people feel better about themselves, although that’s a perfectly fine idea, too. I am suggesting that we all take better advantage of comments, by leaving them more often and going back and continuing the conversation when we receive them.
There is one case in which, clearly, blog comments are not part of a conversation. When an A-list blogger writes a popular and/or controversial post, and the comments can run into the hundreds, I see no value to adding a comment except to say, “hey, I talked to Michael Arrington!” I generally don’t bother commenting on these blogs.
As for the many comments on my blog, there are so many missed opportunities here for me to continue the discussion. If you write a blog, how many times have you asked yourself, “what in the world am I going to blog about next?” There are a couple of really sharp comments that I should have used as guidance in this regard. There is a conversation going on, and if all I do is count comments without responding, I’ve wasted my time and everyone else’s, and I’ve failed to understand and take advantage of this wonderful communications tool.
What do you think? Are blog comments part of a conversation? Do you comment on blogs? When you do, does the person writing the blog respond? Or are comments merely a badge of honor for a blogger to wear?
Tags: blog comments, conversation, sabrina dent
| Sphere This |
Joel, I absolutely think comments are an important part of the conversation. I try to go back and respond to comments on my blog (not that I get a lot as a newly starting out blogger, but when I do…). More important for me right now is commenting on other blogs - I find the more blogs I read, the smarter I get. I feel thrilled when I can add something to the conversation and try never to leave just an “atta boy” comment…although sometimes blog posts are so awesome that I can’t help myself. Also, I have real friendships and mentor-type relationships based on having left comments for people and gotten really meaningful responses in return - like when I told you in a comment that I was having a hard time starting my first professional blog, and you emailed me suggesting an actual start date. That definitely got me moving and I can’t thank you enough!
When commenting, my favorite is when I get to be the first to comment, then I can return another time and read the other comments and see how the conversation progressed. I’ll be back later.
Comment by Lara Kretler — June 4, 2008 @ 8:59 pm
I think different people have different motivations for leaving comments. Those who are new to SM/blogging as well as the untoward might try leaving comments to drive traffic to their site. Others truly do want to be part of a “conversation” although I find it tends to be the same folks comment on the same types of blogs, which can be limiting. I think some people are intimidated by commenting for this same reason.
Since the advent and my subsequent discovery of that hot new web app called Twitter, my blog reading, writing and commenting has sadly plummeted. These days, I tend to only comment when one of my favorite Twitter pals has an interesting post up. Thank goodness people are Twittering that they are blogging: it seems the conversations are taking place in an increasing number of places these days.
Comment by Michelle Riggen-Ransom — June 4, 2008 @ 9:40 pm
Joel, I’m recognizing that comments (which have dropped off dramatically on my blog) and commenting (which I have slacked off on elsewhere) are really critical to the conversation.
I just came across a great discussion and some links to further discussion at Beth Kanter’s nonprofit blog at: http://tinyurl.com/5caede
Beth links to a 31-day series (yes, you heard it right!) on blog comments over at Michelle Martin’s The Bamboo Project blog that starts at http://tinyurl.com/3ve66k and ends May 31 here http://tinyurl.com/5ak9rt.
With all the talk of how “the conversation” has moved from blogs to micro-blogging and social networking platforms, it’s a good time to be talking about comments and better understanding their utility in keeping the blog conversation vibrant.
Comment by Michael Tangeman — June 5, 2008 @ 9:33 am
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Pingback by You Know What? My Blog Isn’t a Conversation. at Social Honeycomb — June 6, 2008 @ 6:48 pm
In my mind, comments are indeed a critical part of the conversation…Although I don’t know if comments, taken out of the context of posts, make any sense.
-Jitendra
Comment by Jitendra — June 9, 2008 @ 4:30 pm
I think it’s difficult to fully appreciate the role and value of comments until you create social media content yourself.
Comment by Ed Nicholson — June 10, 2008 @ 3:33 pm
Thanks for the Twitter add, Joel, and I welcome you to leave comments on my Tumblr anytime!
Comment by Hez — June 22, 2008 @ 2:36 am