Your Comments Suck and I Don’t Want Them: A Manifesto

Posted by TristanH under Social Media
From http://www.bloggingbookshelf.com 4771 days ago
Made Hot by: Sun Tzu Business Guide on March 29, 2011 3:03 am

My first contact with blogging was way back in 2003. Back then blogging was just a hobby and a medium for expression. It was beautiful. Then in July of 2010 I stepped into the professional realm of blogging. In those seven years, my eyes have seen a lot happen in the blogosphere and recently, I haven’t liked what I’ve seen.

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Comments

Written by profit613
4769 days ago

Figured I'd weigh in Tristan. I think that people can tell when a comment is real. Sometimes I see stuff like Nice Job! Or Great Article! When you see something like that you can't even be sure that somebody read the article. When you see a reference or two in the comment to the article, you know the person actually read the article and considered it. Whether there is a following compliment or criticism it is nice to know somebody took the time. I'm not sure where I stand on the issue of strategy but I agree that the comments here and the feelings that it arouses show that this article really got people thinking about an improtant topic.

Rochelle Rochelle

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Written by yoni67
4769 days ago

Tristan,

I wanted to apologize for my bottom comment that "commenting as a strategy is lame." One of those things that I regret saying. I don't know if I agree with doing it, but who am I to criticize?

Yoni

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Written by saraib820
4769 days ago

Tristan,

I have to admit that I was very firmly in the corner of not commenting as a strategy, but then you said this: "We all strategically blog, so why wouldn't we strategically comment? The key, though, is to provide value in your comments."

I admit I don't have a good response for this point. I am now seeing your side more clearly. I guess as long as there is value and the person really gives constructive feedback, it can't be a bad thing.

Rivkah

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Written by yoni67
4769 days ago

Tristan,

Whichever side is taken, this was a good and timely article. It has evoked passion and dialogue, and that's a good thing!

Yoni

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Written by TristanH
4769 days ago

That's exactly why I wanted to publish this article. I don't agree with everything in it, but I knew some interesting debate would ensue. And I haven't been disappointed :)

Thanks Yoni!

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Written by JackieP
4769 days ago

Tristan,

From my perspective commenting is purely for adding to the conversation where I feel that I have either something to contribute or to question for further insight. Strategically commenting feels kinda icky to me.

Maybe that's a personal demon that I need to deal with...who knows?

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Written by JackieP
4769 days ago

I see your point, and I actually do let people know when I love their stuff. Well its given me some food for thought, thats for sure.

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Written by TristanH
4769 days ago

We all strategically blog, so why wouldn't we strategically comment? The key, though, is to provide value in your comments.

You said that adding to the conversation is the only time you comment. So if I go to your blog, read your most recent post, and absolutely love it, you don't want to hear that from me? You only want to hear from me if I have something new to add?

I think that not accepting, wanting, and enjoying comments like that is a detriment to your blog's purpose. That is additional social proof and encouragement that you're missing out on.

But then... Maybe THAT'S just a personal demon I need to deal with :)

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Written by ShawnHessinger
4771 days ago

I'm with Yoni, Duncan. I like your comments, so keep them coming. Tristan, I think the key, as Tito alluded to in his post, is that people need to add something to the conversation. This has got less to do with motives, I think, than with the effort put in to communicating. People do this in face to face situations all the time, but for some reason the Internet changes the equation...for some. For example, have you ever had someone in a social setting come over just to say hello? Do they make the same impression on you as someone who engages you in conversation? Of course, not! So why would it be any different online?

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Written by TristanH
4770 days ago

I think you're right, Shawn. The key IS to add something of value to the conversation. I think the gray area, though, is what "something of value" actually means. For me, any heartfelt or honest comment left on my blog is valuable, even if it doesn't contain any real additional information.

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Written by businessavante
4771 days ago

Hi Tristan,

I did enjoy his rant, but Tito left out 1 thing (I'm "adding something he left out that's Significant") - there are lots of people like me who leave comments (only on BizSugar for me) who aren't bloggers themselves. We read articles and leave comments if we feel driven to, with No desire for, or benefit from, links.

Duncan

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Written by TristanH
4770 days ago

Yep, clicking on your name in the first place and seeing "Moderator at BizSugar" is what made me wonder if it was a paid or volunteer gig. Sounds like a cool job! :)

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Written by businessavante
4770 days ago

Hi Tristan, I'm retired, but I do get paid to help moderate here. It's in my bio - if you click on people's avatar, it takes you to their BizSugar page, which tells whatever people are comfortable about giving out - about them, their business, their location, contact info, etc.

Duncan

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Written by TristanH
4770 days ago

That's a great point, Duncan. That's actually something that I forget about, too. Sometimes I get so caught up in my little world of blogging that I forget that there are people out there who don't blog themselves!

I'm curious... Why is it that you only comment on BizSugar? Are you paid to be a moderator here?

Anyway, thanks for the significant comment :) I appreciate it, buddy.

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Written by yoni67
4771 days ago

Duncan,

Don't belittle yourself: your comments are inspirational, motivational and insightful. The best comments are those with no ulterior motives anyway. I still maintain that with all of the wealth of info, experience and memories you put into your comments, you should/could start a blog. You are that knowledgeable.

Yoni

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Written by businessavante
4771 days ago

p.s. My comments are a lame as they come!

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Written by yoni67
4771 days ago

AWESOME! INCREDIBLE! Great job! Commenting as a strategy is lame! I agree with your sentiments exactly!

Yoni

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Written by TristanH
4770 days ago

He he. Nice.

I think commenting as a strategy is great. Most bloggers are using blogging as a strategy, so why not use commenting as a strategy?

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