Increasingly, bloggers are emailing me asking for comments on their blog posts.To date, I have grudgingly obliged. Now, it’s time to stop. Solicited comments hurt the conversation, rather than helping it.
Here’s why:
1) No or infrequent comments are a great indicator that readers did not find the post to be worthy of further conversation. That’s great feedback, which in turn can spurn you to look back over prior successful posts and recover some of that “secret sauce.” Or go create some new secret sauce.
For example, yesterday we ran a post on the presidential primaries. It got a big ole donut in the comment column. Every once in a while, we do feature a post on political PR and it’s always the same result. Buzz Bin readers are telling us something. This is invaluable feedback, because you’ve trusted us as readers. We want to meet that trust with great content.
2) Solicited commenting cheapens the conversation. You got it. The post conversation means less because half the people commenting do it as a favor to you, not because the content was inspiring. This also leads a blogger to deny that the content is uninspiring.
3) Solicited commenting cheapens the commenter. Meaning Geoff’s comments mean less when they are not naturally inspired by the subject matter itself. Quite frankly, I don’t want to be that guy.
If you want other bloggers to look over your content, then just send them a link. Even better send them a link to content that they’ll find interesting. Don’t ask for a comment. If you do this, then the result may not be the desired one, but it will be the right one.
Newer bloggers should not be disheartened. Many experienced bloggers are hesitant to comment on new blogs. Most of them disappear within a few months. It’s hard to get a blog going. Longevity and increased readership help quite a bit in the comments arena. But most importantly, great content is the true elixir.
Maybe they weren’t soliciting comments. Maybe they just thought the post would entertain you.
Ahhh, no, they specifically ask for comments. I appreciate links, and often read them.
Yeah, asking specifically for comments is sad.
I told you, man… linking to me is “blog poison.” Keep it up, and you’ll be hosting the Emmys.
While I agree with #2 and #3, I have to disagree with #1. A lot of people are quite lazy when it comes to commenting. Additionally, a lot of people “hate” on other bloggers post. Also, people are followers. Some people won’t comment because others didn’t. Like, super blogs post crap all of the time, but get 100’s of comments. You can’t even see most of the comments because they have expanded to make the article 2 or 3 pages.
Oh, and that presidential primaries was a good write-up. I read the entire article, and I hate anything politics for the most part. It is a great article, and no comments isn’t a good indication of a sour topic.
I agree with you, Geoff. Although regarding #1, I’m not sure zero or limited comments means it is a poorly received post. I often read blog posts that are incredibly interesting, but they do not stir me to respond. —-Michael Sebastian
OB81, Michael: Good distinctions on great content versus great conversation. You are right. Sometimes a post can be very useful, but is all inclusive, or does not necessarily invite conversation. On the other hand, conversation can be sparked by memes, silliness, as well as strong content.
Ike: Dude, I wish I could blame you, but the analytics kind of back it up. Political PR is not good for this audience. Blogs of Fire also gets few comments, but is always well-read every week.
I actually loved the post about the primaries. just got swamped with other stuff.
Comments are not an indication of engaging content Geoff, solicited or otherwise (that’s a Edleman measure). But I am glad to see you are jumping out of the solicitation game … it skews any chance of collecting qualitative data for the future.
Oh, I thought your political post was pretty spot on too; but given I work in politics, I give greater pause on all blog conservations that are not communication related.
Best,
Rich
Thanks David and Rich. Unfortunately, though my loyal readers liked it, the stats tell a different story. Google Analytics, gotta love it ;)
Like most things in communication, I think it’s largely about the delivery. Generally, I think the best thing to do is, as you say, send an invite to people informing them of the content generally.
Now, if there are people you honestly, truly would like to hear their input from, tell them that. Honestly. No form mails, no “because I see that your site has similar content, I thought you’d be interested”. Tell them why, make them feel smart, and don’t pressure them.
But yeah, generally I agree – far too many PR agencies are sending out far too many bulk mails begging and pleading for attention.
Well, my dear friend Geoff, Google Analytics don’t tell the whole story either. :)
I wrote a couple pieces a while back that attracted more traffic months after my posting and were linked up with the Wall Street Journal. So, as the story goes, just because you are ahead of the curve doesn’t mean someone mind find the post to be a gem a little later.
What do you always tell me? It’s a marathon not a race, right? ;)
Rich