Comment Rules according to Linda #blogging

Added by on January 13, 2012
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Bloggers/ Post authors love to get comments. At the very least those are proof that our pearls of wisdom are read and we’re not, as Sarah would say, “Billy-no-mates”.

So, where I can, like other Birds and followers of this site, I enjoy supporting contributing authors here with comments (as well as Tweets and all the other behind-the-scenes activities we can employ anyway) when I feel able and qualified to.

However, on a couple of occasions in the early days here I faced a dilemma, so would run my thoughts on “Do I comment on this post or should I write a separate one from my own angle?” or even “This one is really getting up my nose – do I let rip (politely) or address it separately in a post of my own down the line – which is best?” past she-who-must-be-obeyed.

Nowadays I generally follow my gut instinct, based on what Sarah has recently blogged on and dubbed ‘Linda’s Rules’. They’re quite short and few. I’ll share them here and wholeheartedly invite you to add your own and/or adjustments / enhancements to mine. ‘Cos the other thing about Rules, of course, is that once you fully understand them you know which ones you can occasionally get away with breaking… ;-)

The “what fantastic scope” post!

This one usually arises when I realise that my comment is in danger of meeting or, even worse, exceeding the length of the original post and even I think: “Whoa! This thing’s growing out of hand” and good old common sense and common courtesy step in. After all, you don’t want to look like you’re staging a hostile takeover bid, do you?

When this happens I’ll limit the length of my comment to what looks and feels acceptable and, when I write a post from my angle on the subject here on Birds, I’ll refer back to the post that started my train of thought and link back to it, so the author potentially gets a second bite of the cherry from those interested in the subject. Sometimes it’s so ‘up my street’ that I can adapt a more in-depth follow-on postto work really well for readers of my own website over at Small Business Training.

I think it’s wonderful when this happens as every writer surely confronts that dreaded blank page syndrome and this source of inspiration can be like manna from heaven! :-)

The “aren’t I wonderful?” post

If it’s blatant, the answer to me is obvious: Don’t encourage it – don’t comment – just ignore it.

It’s more delicate if it’s treading that fine line between genuinely addressing an issue where the writer does have expertise to offer on the one hand, and yet it’s written in a way that she’s in danger of being seen as using it as an advertising puff on the other – and I’m da*n sure I’ve been guilty of tipping too far sometimes… :-(

That’s when knowing the contributor is a great guide to acurately guessing her intention and responding appropriately in that vein rather than go the Ignore route.

The “what the …?” post

There are some subject areas, cooking/food and IT/software apps, to name but a couple, that I really know little about and, to be honest don’t have much interest in. The way I see it I have three choices on this one:

  1. I can find a ‘hook’ to ask for more information on ‘how to’… (whatever) or ‘what does…?’ and give the author the chance to educate me some more
  2. I can leave a really bland “Thank you for sharing this with us” – I’ll come back to this one
  3. I can trust that this is such a diverse platform that, you know what? My input isn’t essential!!!

Now, I don’t want any sensitive souls to take umbrage over what I’m about to say regarding option 2; rather it would be a real 3 Wins if it was taken as a light hearted challenge or dare for commenters (is that a word?) to be creative and come up with something original in the future!

Why?

Well, Sarah would probably tell you that I’m a cynical old bat (totally untrue, of course) and yet I’ll admit:

While there are some truly lovely people who will go the “Thank you for sharing this with us” route because they want to be supportive and haven’t yet explored the question option, there seem to be others who just want to comment to take advantage of the back links to their own sites…

Now don’t get me wrong: very often the fact that she-who-must-be-obeyed has nagged me into doing my duty and producing a post for Birds as promised, has goaded me into writing a fresh post for my own site – as I know that’s the one that shows as a link when I respond to comments – just as commenters’ latest own-site posts will have a link.

What’s tacky and, to be fair doesn’t happen often here, is when somebody has precious little to contribute in their comments and is using this site’s popularity purely to feather their own nests… :-(

Let’s get back to the UP side here at Birds

I’ve made new friends just by commenting on their posts initially or by them commenting on mine and then I’ve called them on the phone and we’ve started to get to know each other… and on occasion, we’ve collaborated as a consequence :-)

So how about you:

Ideas, experiences, suggestions for rules? Why not pile in? ;-)

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About Linda Mattacks
Doing what you love, your bit for humankind and the planet (if that turns you on) and making a decent, let alone great living don't necessarily come in the same package! With a background of sales training, marketing and market/marketing research spanning decades, for individuals and companies across the world from micros to corporations, Linda's finally found her niche... and some truly fabulous collaborators. Female employer, employee or entrepreneur, if you're not seeing the fruits of your potential value in the marketplace why not talk to Linda? Call +44(0)7879 628 367
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8 Responses to Comment Rules according to Linda #blogging

  1. The comments I really laugh at are some of the spam jobs I get on my site … I’ve done a collection of them here:

    http://howtowritebetter.net/spam-spam-glorious-spam/

    AND NO, I’M NOT AFTER BACK LINKS!!! :-) I do sometimes include links in my comments to stuff I’ve written on my own site, but when I do it’s always relevant and adds something to the original thread.

    I’m guilty of producing long comments, too … that’s writers’ disease, I’m afraid.

    But it’s interesting what you say about making new friends through comments, Linda – I’ve found that on many occasions, too. Yay for this truly interactive online medium.
    Suzan St Maur recently posted..Spruce up your sales writing to make it market-freshMy Profile
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    Suzan St Maur January 13, 2012 at 5:45 pm

    • Hi Suze

      As I said, there’s nothing wrong with getting backlinks ;-)
      providing we’re giving value with our comments.

      Yes, it’s been a real eye opener to me to realise that posting and commenting is a great way to make new acquaintances who can become collaborators, advocates and/ or even friends :-)
      Linda Mattacks recently posted..Calling Women Who Love Life and Mean Business!My Profile
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      Linda Mattacks January 16, 2012 at 7:13 pm

  2. I like it when someone comments on a blog I’ve written, even if it’s just acknowledging that what I’ve written has been read, glanced at or scanned.

    Thanks for writing this, Linda ;)
    Lynn Tulip recently posted..Redundant, what next?My Profile
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    Lynn Tulip January 14, 2012 at 8:37 am

    • Hi Lynn

      I think Sarah’s typically down to earth description of “Billy-no-mates” takes a lot to be beaten and is so apt on how we’re likely to feel with that “Is there anybody out there?” thought that accompanies the comment-less post!

      And yet, probably like you, I’ve been contacted by people who’ve informed me they’ve regularly read my blog… never commented… never felt the need to… I guess they felt their unseen nodding would do the trick :-(
      Linda Mattacks recently posted..Selling: How to Crack the Psychological Code That Reveals Untold SecretsMy Profile
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      Linda Mattacks January 16, 2012 at 7:19 pm

  3. Hi there,

    i like this site very much. And this post is great.
    In last weeks, i visited many sites and blogs, and i love commenting.
    The interaction with other people is sooooo cool. :-)
    for building a great community the commentluv plugin is a great tool.
    It can help for intersting discussion and commenting.

    Wish you all the best.
    with greetings from germany. Sandy :-)

    ps. i`m sure i like birds and i`m not a spammer ;-)
    Sandy recently posted..Dating Abenteuer – Der BachelorMy Profile

    Sandy January 14, 2012 at 3:08 pm

  4. They are some posts that touch a soft spot in my heart I think Elaine has written one or two of those. I know what to say but can’t find the right words. Any advice on how to deal with those?
    ethnicsupplies recently posted..Is a mobile phone better than shoes on an African child’s feet?My Profile
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    ethnicsupplies January 16, 2012 at 2:27 pm

  5. Hi Ida

    Whilst I don’t believe I’m particularly qualified to advise, I think I know what you mean as I believe I’ve experienced similar gut feelings and reactions to yours.

    When this happens I have to admit I don’t tend to comment on the post – it can be too tricky to find the ‘right’ words. If that feeling persists I’m more likely to respond privately – by phone if at all possible so I can actually interact with the author – and that’s another way to forge new friendships :-)

    Do you remember, way back when we were doing the Birds interviews? You and I had met before then yet I felt I’d got to know you so much better as a result of having read and interacted with your posts here (and on Ethnic supplies http://ethnicsupplies.org/ and http://www.africaontheblog.com/)

    So my ‘advice’ is: follow your gut and make contact in the way that best suits you – publicly or privately.

    See how it goes – what you can do for each other – explore, enjoy, have a laugh over, whatever! :-)

    Well, that was a long-ish comment but… it was on my own post so I guess that’s okay! ;-)
    Linda Mattacks recently posted..Selling: How to Crack the Psychological Code That Reveals Untold SecretsMy Profile
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    Linda Mattacks January 16, 2012 at 7:53 pm
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