Goosing the Conversation (Finally!)
How many times have you left a comment at a blog, and then blithely flitted away, never to return to that "conversation"? Probably happens all the time, right? Drive-by commenting --- such a faux pas for the Conversational Set.
If the blogger responds to your comment, and you don't respond in-kind, it kind of stunts the dialogue. Also, as a blogger who tends to get anywhere from 2 to 10 comments on any given post, I can't help but wonder how many commenters might return to the conversation if they knew that I (or another reader) had responded...
Yet, unless you are a co.mment subscriber, it can become burdensome to keep track of your simultaneous chit-chats. That's why I am a big fan of blogs that enable me to track comments by email or RSS. And finally, as of today, PR-Squared has joined those ranks. You can now enter your email address to subscribe to follow-up comments on each post. Hurrah!
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Comments
Todd, it's funny you write this, just as I was wondering how to best respond to the comment you left me... on my blog? on yours? via email?
I'm still using a template on TypePad, but at some point I'd love to build in some kind of comment tracking.
And as for your comment, what kind of PR actually sparks conversations? Come on, stop being all high minded, and start pitching releases with the CEO saying how revolutionary and unique everything is.
Posted by: David Berkowitz | February 21, 2007 04:50 PM
Naturally, the post that least deserved a juicy comment (this one) gets a juicy comment (David's).
We'll see if you "subscribed" to this comment thread, Mr. Berkowitz! :)
Your post, at your site, included a line about how the SMNR would die in its crib if links/SEO were no longer impt to corporations.
My reply was meant to imply that your view on the SMNR was a narrow one, i.e., that SEO benefits were the key reason for SMNRs.
Yes, SEO is a side benefit of the SMNR but the SMNR is more about providing a portal for feedback and conversation about each news item than it is about SEO.
(FWIW my reply was admittedly snarky - it was early a.m., a.k.a. "pre-caffeinated.")
Posted by: Todd Defren | February 21, 2007 06:15 PM
A pleasure to continue the conversation, Mr. Defren.
And yes, I did subscribe!
Posted by: David Berkowitz | February 21, 2007 10:48 PM
Is it now a rule on this blog that everyone address each other as "Mr." or "Ms."? :-)
Todd, I am also a big fan of the comment subscriptions, so thanks for that.
When I first started reading your post, however, it actually made me think of something else - it really bugs me when the conversation "icons" so rarely respond to comments on their own blogs. The example that jumps quickly to mind is Jeff Jarvis. I give Jeff full credit for being a frequent, thoughtful poster and for allowing open comments, but in the comment conversations I've participated in or moderated, I can't think of a time he's jumped in.
Shouldn't it be a requirement of blog champions to engage the commenters directly? Obviously, I'm not expecting that they respond to each individual comment, but don't be silent, either.
Your thoughts, Messrs?
Posted by: JesseCiccone | February 22, 2007 08:55 AM
Yeah, that should have been "in the comment conversations I've participated in or MONITORED" not "moderated"...
Posted by: Jesse Ciccone | February 22, 2007 02:14 PM
Jesse, I do agree that it is important for blog authors to interact with folks who have taken the time to respond to their writing... then again, speaking only for myself, "blogging" is actually a small part of my job. As much as I enjoy it, and wish I could respond to every comment, "life gets in the way" and I imagine that it is even worse for the "icons".
I have noted that people like Scoble do *try* to get engaged in the ongoing conversations. But when any given post gets 150 comments, I can imagine that gets pretty tough!
Posted by: Todd Defren | March 3, 2007 07:42 AM
Todd, I absolutely agree that responding to each individual comment shouldn't be a requirement. It is neither practical, or in the case of many "close ended" comments, necessary.
My point is that, in most cases, there is some additional discussion thread that gets started in the comments - the blog author shouldn't just ignore it altogether.
In writing this comment, I'm reminded of "Cawfee Tawk" from SNL? "The Holy Roman Empire was neither holy nor Roman...discuss!"
Posted by: Jesse Ciccone | March 5, 2007 08:42 AM