Don’t Just Read a Blog - Comment!

 

 

Hi, all! Ava Pennington here, to talk once again about additional ways we can market our books. Marketing isn’t restricted to convincing people to make a purchase. Good marketers will tell you that successful marketing is dependent upon relationships – building them and keeping them. One way to build relationships is to participate in the blogging community.

Before I began blogging last year, I spent several months reading a variety of blogs. I subscribed to book review blogs, political blogs, spiritual blogs, and blogs for writers. I read posts written by those who had just entered the blogosphere, and posts written by those who had been blogging for years. I finally initiated my own blog, Ava Pennington’s Pen Station, in May, 2010.

But there’s more to blogging than writing your own blog and reading those written by others. The blogosphere is a community, and community means interaction. Most blogs are not intended to be monologues. They’re meant to be part of a dialogue between writers and their readers. The ensuing “conversation” can broaden the worlds of both parties.

So how do you join the community and add to the conversation? The easiest way is to provide meaningful feedback by commenting on individual blog posts. Many bloggers make it a practice to end each blog post with a question that invites the reader to participate. What do you think? Have you had a similar experience? How have you responded to this situation? What would you do if this happened to you?

The way to answer these questions, and perhaps post one or two of your own, is by leaving a comment. Most blogs have a Comment hyperlink at the top of the post or a Comment box at the end of the post.

What kind of comment should you leave? In her book, Blogophobia Conquered, Laura Christianson noted, “When readers compliment my writing, it stokes my ego, But the comments I value most are the ones that challenge my statements, share information I forgot to include, or offer meaningful commentary.”

Laura also identified several types of commenters:

Fervent Fans – people who love the blog
Personal Promoters – people who comment to promote themselves
Happy Hecklers – people who post nasty comments just to irritate the writer
Deferential Dissenters – people who courteously disagree and open a dialogue with the intent of learning through sharing
Irrational Inciters – people who hate the blog

I would add one more type: the non-commenter or lurker. I confess I am often guilty of belonging to this last category. I slip in and out of blogs, reading but not responding. Taking, but not giving. Listening, but not adding to the discussion.

I want that to change. Community requires interaction. Conversation requires dialogue. I’m looking forward to not just learning, but also sharing what I’m learning.

Care to comment?
What type of commenter are you?

Comments

[Dianne Neal Matthews]

Thanks, Ava, for this gentle kick in the seat of the pants. I'm a lurker, through and through, even on groups like CAN. (If there was a 12-step program, Lurkers Anonymous would be fitting, wouldn't it?)

My problem is that I think about comments I would like to make but usually don't get around to posting them. Maybe if I cured my procrastination, I wouldn't be a lurker. Or maybe it would help to think of a blog comment the same way we think about a "first draft".

Whew! After posting this long comment, I think I need to lie down.

[Ava Pennington]

Love meeting a fellow lurker, Dianne - or maybe we should refer to ourselves as *former* lurkers!
Once you're rested from your comment, I hope to see you popping up on other blogs, too! :-)

[Donna Perugini]

Just another couple of thought on this:

Someone wrote a question in Blog Frog that asked,"Do you feel you should comment on someone's blog who comments on yours?"

Yes! It's the beginning of a community! Get to know the people who come to your blog. You can receive comments on your blog, but it's also useful when comments are exchanged on each others blogs.

Then there's the blog host who does not respond to their commenters.

Great posting BTW!

[Ava Pennington]

Thanks for adding to the discussion, Donna! And you're right - the host should be part of the conversation, as well.

[Pat W. Kirk]

My problem is that I'm opinionated and worry that I will get in trouble for saying that--so I usually lurk--or get in trouble for saying that.

[Ava Pennington]

Pat, I appreciate your sensitivity in not wanting to post anything that might be viewed as incendiary. There's definitely a difference between comments that contribute to a conversation and those that encourage a shouting match!
Still, I hope you'll join us "recovering lurkers" and share your thoughtful observations on the blogs you read - like you did today!

[Dee for D.I. Telbat]

Hi Ava,
Thank you for this post. I'm afraid I'm another lurker. Many times I feel that I have nothing of value to add. But my main problem is that I'm so behind in my reading of blogs or newsletters, that the blogger is long past the particular subject that I'd like to comment on! I'm taking a chance and adding something here anyway. :)
Thanks again.

[Ava Pennington]

So glad you jumped in, Dee. It's never too late to step into the conversation - and I'm glad you did!
Besides, we "recovering lurkers" need to encourage each other!

[the help kathryn stockett]

Yes i agree with you reading blogs not only increases your knowledge but also help you to get connected with the current affairs.