One of the things I hope to commit to in the new year ahead is responding more steadily to those readers who leave comments on my v/blog posts. I have been blessed to have a very positive group of people who frequently leave comments on my v/blog and a number of optimistic passers-by. They set the tone and timbre of how my wave of thoughts are received, perceived, and reverberating out there in the deaf v/blogosphere, and I am tremendously grateful for their feedback.
Our v/blog commenters are enormously valuable. They are like individual and collective navigation instruments, letting us know when we are way off course, entering rough waters, or right on track. Sometimes they caution us when there are storms ahead. Some will toss out life preservers from a safe distance while others will jump in and get wet with us as we tread the raging waters or ride out the squall. Once in a while, we see our commenters climb on board and raise the banners on our ships for us. A few will even climb up on the bow of their adjacent boats and blow the sounding horns, or flash the beacons to herald our arrival or welcome us home after a long time away!
In my opinion, our v/blog commenters are like the North Star in the sky above, reassuring and guiding us with their bright and steady presence in cyberspace as we journey into uncharted seas. Our commenters are like constant companions. They are our most valued crew and team who sail along with us through the nights and days, through the weeks and years, and into the infinite beyond.
So, how do you go about encouraging a great and dedicated community of commenters? In the year ahead, I’m following some advice from randfish shared over at SeoMoz.org. (I’ve also added a few tips of my own.)
- Recognize and Reward them
- Give friendly replies to let your commenters know you’re reading and appreciating their comments.
- If someone is a frequent commenter, identify, rank or rate them on your side bar.
- Refer to your commenter’s previous comments by mentioning them in one of your future v/blog posts.
- Most importantly, if nothing else, you definitely want to consider sending them an email to acknowledge their input.
- Dump the Trash
- Don’t let your comments turn into a garbage can. You can be supportive of freedom of speech, but if you want an upbeat and professional v/blog with healthy commentaries, cut out the truly junky stuff when you can. You have that discretion. Use it.
- Make it a little challenging for people to leave a comment
- You might try making it a little harder for people to to leave a comment so that only those who are truly committed will make the effort. Usually those who take the time to enter in codes or user names leave the most thought provoking comments that add quality and spice to your post.
- If you go the other route and choose to make it easy to let commenters leave comments, be sure to use your spam filters.
- Leave Your Own Comments on other v/blogs
- Lead by example. Comment and respond to your commenter’s posts the way that you want them to comment and respond to you. Use the Golden Rule. When you respectfully respond with comments of your own it helps reinforce the kind of commenter community you want to build.
- It’s okay to disagree with what people write, but the key word here is to respond respectfully. Readers tend to turn away from flame wars in the comment section, some quicker than others. A few may even decide not to return to your v/blog at all, soley based by what kind of commentaries you allow or carry on. But ultimately, the choice is yours.
Although DeafRead is technically described as an aggregater for the deaf v/blog community, to its’ devoted users, DeafRead is much more than that! We recognize it as a place that supports deaf individual and group interaction, something the historically isolated members of our diverse deaf community have so earnestly desired. DeafRead might even be viewed as a technological mediator for group conversations in the deaf world abroad. When you have a significant cluster of v/bloggers such as those on DeafRead, talking about their lives with one another, that’s more than just technology. That’s social. Now that there is a plethora of social software that supports group interaction, deaf and hard of hearing people can be connected to one another, and in groups, across the globe!
So, the value of the deaf community carrying on conversations with their commenters or leaving their own comments on v/blogs in the v/blogosphere creates important group dynamics for deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened and deaf-blind people. Leaving comments and responding to commenters create the ties that bind us together as a community. When we are able to enter viscerally into emotional bonds with other individuals or groups of people, even in cyberspace, we begin to transcend the perception that we are isolated, alone, or separate from one another.
I count my commenters among my lucky stars!
As a part of my final thoughts for this year (2007), I leave my readers with a verse from “The Only Child” by Jackson Browne:
“…Remember to be kind
When the pain of another
will serve you to remind
That there are those who feel
themselves exiled
On whom the fortune
never smiled
And upon whose life
the heartache has been piled
They’re just looking for
another lonely child
And when you’ve found another soul
Who sees into your own
Take good care of each other“
Hi there,
Happy New Years to you! I know it has been a while since I commented in your blog, I am grateful that you chose to bring up this issue, I have mentioned to other bloggers/vloggers that it is important to make their commentors feel welcome and to respond to their questions or whatever. Some of them have heeded my advice and others have not been able to do this. So I hope your blog article will make some kind of impact.
I have an question, how do you deal with commentors who may put their comments as if they are forever talking and dominating the conversations in the comment box? I am seeing some commentors who do that and it is not enjoyable to have to read their comments especially if they go off track or be obsessive with the subject.
Left by michele on December 30th, 2007
LaRonda–great post! I would love to see more positive comments in this upcoming year and thank you for addressing this issue. I very much enjoy reading your blog and seeing your vlogs. Happy New Year!
Left by Karen Putz on December 30th, 2007
Hi. Michelle.
It’s nice to hear from you again.
I’d like to respond to your question about what to do when commenters leave comments that are too long. I’m probably guilty of that on occasion myself, so it’s good to get your thoughts on how this makes you feel. And because I want to avoid making my own response here “too long,” I will respond in more depth on this subject in another blog post, making sure to mention your comment here as the inspiration.
However, I will say here that each v/blogger has the ability to trim down or edit the comments they receive, and as blog owners, we should consider doing this as part of “pruning” or “dumping the trash” so that the main points in a person’s comments are presented without the run-on bulk or the parts that go off on a tangent.
Bloggers need to ask themselves what kind of readership and commenting community do they really want. We need to consider which comments contribute in an effective way to our posts rather than to just allow “Blogorhhea” to inhabit our commenting space. Your point is well taken.
A good writer wants to keep his or her readers, so your thoughts are important.
Thanks for your feedback.
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on December 30th, 2007
thanks for this blog - well done
i appreciate ur examination of the role of blogs/vlogs and commentors
and the tone we all set with our participation
peace
patti
Left by patti durr on December 30th, 2007
Thanks Karen.
I enjoy reading your blogs as well. You always have something positive to contribute to the world which makes visiting your sites enjoyable.
I often see that quote from Ghandi floating around the blogosphere about being the change we want to see. So, in effect, I’m hoping to model this.
I’ve become inspired by the last stanza in the verse from Jackson Browne’s song, which I quoted in my post above: “Take good care of each other.” I think I’ll make it my motto this year.
Maybe others will follow.
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on December 30th, 2007
Patti,
Thanks for reading and for commenting. Yes, we have the ability to bring about more positive group interaction in the deaf v/blogoshere simply by the comments we make. I get bored of reading blogs with comment sections that host flame wars. That’s not how I want to spend my time. I’m looking for something more insightful. Commenters are the key in bringing about this change, which is why it is important for v/bloggers to pay attention to the tips and ideas above about how to build positive commenting communities.
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on December 30th, 2007
Hey! Beware of the rough water out front!
Just kidding *chuckle*.
Nice post. Yeah, comments can be inspiring. No wonder some bloggers out there admit unshamedly that they are comments whores. I’m somewhat like that but the hard and painful experience of my vlogging “cured” me of that *shrug*. That is life for a unpopular Deaf guy. But that is life, right?
Anyway, keep up the great job. I may not leave many comments like I used to but I still am your loyal reader :D.
Happy New Year!
Left by Oscar Serna on December 30th, 2007
Perfect! Great suggestions and advice. Agreed that thoughtful (positive or challenging) comments encourage more like comments AND v/blog posts and thus enriches the Deaf world. I’ve been blessed too and look forward to more in 2008. I’m also blessed to know and be inspired by wonderful people like you. Its much needed to be able to strive for the social justice badly needed in our world for Deaf people and our Sign Languages.
Thanks for this useful post.
Left by Ella Mae Lentz on December 30th, 2007
Hi Oscar.
Been missing your vlogs. I see an occasional post now and then, but have missed you. Would love to see you out there in the v/blogosphere some more. I didn’t realize you had a painful v/blogging experience. Do tell….
I have to ask, because I’m unfamiliar with the term: “comment whore” - What’s it mean?
I have never considered you an unpopular deaf guy. Just the opposite. I think you carved yourself a nice niche on DeafRead over the year. You have a unique style, and I miss you special sign off bow. It was CHAMP!
Thanks for being a loyal reader.
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on December 30th, 2007
Thank you Ella, for your comment. I always look forward to comments from you because I know what I will receive will be of value and cause me to think. You, too, are an inspiration.
I look forward to a better year of group interaction in the deaf v/blogosphere. I hope we will all make that effort.
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on December 30th, 2007
Love the picture visual where a hand reaches out to the computer user. That’s what blogging and vLogging is all about.
Left by todos la vie on December 30th, 2007
Hi Mary Ruth.
I love that picture too. It’s one of my favorites. I’ve used it before in my blog. It’s free to use under the Creative Commons License at Flickr.com. Click on the photo and it will take you to Flickr.
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on December 30th, 2007
Thanks for the compliments.
Well, “comments whore” means (here I’m guessing based on context) to crave comments by other people and post more entries because of comments. That is my guestimate of the definition. Of course they can mean something different from what I just said *shrug*. Interesting how written languages can come up with inventive combinations, eh?
Left by Oscar Serna on December 30th, 2007
Oscar,
Thanks for the laugh.
Before you responded, I went looking for the term and the closest I came up with was “Link Whore”: Any blogger, regardless of gender, who makes an extraordinary effort to get other blogs to link his or her blog or post. Also called a “Link slut.”
This could get interesting!!!
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on December 30th, 2007
Hi LaRonda,
Thanks again.
A timely post! Just wanted to clarify something - not all bloggers can edit/delete comments. Blogspot doesn’t allow editing of comments. You either keep it in its entirety or delete it. But if you delete it, it leaves a notice that it was deleted by the blogger. WordPress gives bloggers more flexibility when it comes to comments.
I also think the key to attracting positive comments is to write respectful posts. I’ve noticed over and over that those bloggers who do that, even when their posts are strong, attract more respectful comments, even when the commenters don’t agree. Those who don’t write in a respectful manner don’t get respectful comments.
What you said about people losing interest if that respect is violated is on target. For example, I know a number of people who are quietly boycotting DeafDC.com after management failed to understand the difference between personal insults and thoughtful analysis of an issue, and deleted comments left and right.
I’ll stop now, since one of your guidelines is to keep comments short.
Left by anon on December 30th, 2007
Anon,
Thanks for letting me know about Blogspot. I use WordPress so I didn’t know about the editing issue over there.
I agree with you about writing respectful posts. They will receive respectful comments even when they disagree.
Ultimately, the blogger has the choice to keep or toss any comments that drag their readership down. Otherwise, people may boycott their site as you described above.
I hope to be a role model and build a positive commenter community on my site.
Thanks for your thoughts.
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on December 30th, 2007
LaRonda,
I’m learning. Thanks again for a much needed and very relevant post. I am a HUGE fan of yours even though I don’t always comment.
Kim
Left by kim on December 30th, 2007
Thanks Kim.
I appreciate your comments and readership.
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on December 30th, 2007
What a great entry, LaRonda! We, the blog/vlog site owners need to be reminded that we have a duty to recognize our commenters. That is excellent reminder for myself and it will be my new personal goal for 2008! As always, thanks for all inspiration you gave us!
Happy New Year!
Joey
Left by Joey Baer on December 31st, 2007
Hi Joey.
Yes, we do need to recognize our commenters. It can be challenging when we are leading full-time jobs and those comments pour in. But, little by little, we need to take notice. It makes a difference in the kind of group interaction we have with one another in the Deaf Blogosphere. Everyone’s thoughts are important.
Given that your vlog often gets numerous comments, you’ll probably have to develop some kind of strategy to reply to so many. On occasion, I have used a single reply for all the comments left, touching a little on bits and pieces because sometimes it’s impossible (time-wise) to answer all.
I think it’s important that commenters are also aware of this and do not hold a grudge or think a v/blogger is a v/blog-snob when they only answer a few comments. Sometimes it can be difficult to do when you get hundreds of comments.
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on December 31st, 2007
Happy New Year!
Those were good words to share, you’re eloquent.
I’m looking forward to a good 2008.
: waves :
Left by Hana on December 31st, 2007
Thank you Hana.
What a gift it is to be called eloquent. (Gush)
With comments like this, 2008 is going to be life-changing!
Thanks for your words.
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on December 31st, 2007
Uve done it again, LaRonda! Making this v/blogosphere balanced where this post is much needed at this moment to remind us the guidelines.
It is always challening to find the time to respond to every commenter especially when you get numerous comments at once.I’ve always been appreciative for the commenters to find the time to reflect their thoughts and I strive to do the same by responding. What is nice abt using blogspot feature is that you have the check box selection to receive emails when comments are left. This allows me the flexibility to respond within a few days rather than making the commenters go crazy to check my responses over and over again by using rss feed. Doesn’t your word press have this feature ? Anyway it is unfortunate that we don’t have edit feature however a commenter can delete it and retype it. I feel that it is the blogger’s responsibility to clean up the deleted comment by removing the trash.
You know, DeafRead offers awards for v/bloggers but shouldn’t there be an award for the commenter of the year ? Something to think since they are the most important component of this sphere! I’ve learned so much from them making it more productive where we are able to share ideas. I’ll defintely dedicate them someday! Perhaps we all can collaborate on this project for 2008! Cheers!
Left by Barb DiGi on December 31st, 2007
Hey Barb,
I think there could be a lot more v/blog award categories for sure and the favorite commenter would be one of them. There are many out there who really thrive in that role.
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on December 31st, 2007
Hi there,
I am glad that your blog points out the importance of the commenters… since there would be no v/bloggers without the commenters (like behind a great man, there is a great woman, as a saying goes…)
Also, we the commenters learn a lot from following the mood set by the v/bloggers and we also learn to be accountable and to be willing to be responsible for our comments, to be sensitive and considerate, etc. toward other commenters and v/bloggers.
Good job.
Left by Karen Mayes on January 2nd, 2008
Karen,
Good points about commenter accountability and consideration. And I agree, that commenters are truly important to v/bloggers. They shape their content.
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on January 2nd, 2008
Interesting blog!
LaRonda (and others who post their comments here),
I find that I learn a lot from the other posters and commenter’s like I learn stuff from bloggers like yourself LaRonda. Having said that, I think that commenter’s also provide valuable feedback, information, support to the blog or blogger, encourage fairness, debate issues (preferably with civil discourse), etc to balance out things and make the blog more engaging (regardless of how great the blog/blogger is without other posters).
I enjoy reading your blog LaRonda as well as reading the comments from other posters like myself. I learn things from you all and I hope that there are times that my comments provide some kind of information, support, another view, etc. I hope that I contribute something positive here as well.
I wish you all a Happy New Year!
Left by Learning ASL on January 3rd, 2008
Learning ASL,
Your comments are the wind beneath my wings!
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on January 3rd, 2008
LaRonda, you just put a smile on my face!
Left by Learning ASL on January 3rd, 2008
I agree with Mr. Baer. I’m now smiling at my work! (lol) Oops! Smile Happy New Year! Coach Creech
Left by CoachCreech on January 7th, 2008