#17 The Japan-related Web. Part 1: What it could be
Yesterday we noted five forms of collaboration. Today let's look at the first one in depth:
commenting.
When you comment on a blog you make that blog look active.
You may do it for the link, but even so, you are helping that blog.
Personally I love comments, all comments (the good, the bad and the ugly). They make a blog look active, they provide feedback, and they help build the conversation.
A blog that looks active will encourage others to comment as well.
So comment often on blogs and sites to help others. And if you do that, as we will see later in the "why it matters" (or why you should collaborate) section, you will benefit yourself and do good all at the same time.
The regular commenters on DailyJ are wonderful examples of constructive commenting (thank you guys!).
Follow their example by going to sites you like and taking a moment to give the owner some feedback. Let them know what could be better; let them know what you like.
Encourage them on their projects; thank them for their useful posts.
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January 21, 2008
It’s a great reward to see people commenting after you’ve spent time writing a blog post. It motivates you to keep writing!
January 21, 2008
At one point I was getting more comments than I could respond to. Then spam commenter set in. At first it was easy to tell which was which, later the spammenters became pretty sophisticated and I found myself getting fooled.
I want to interact and respond to comments, but I can’t always think it is worthwhile.
I understand how it can form relationships and benefit the bloggers involved in the long run, but the time in effort involved can be considerable.
January 21, 2008
For some reason that I don’t fully understand, I went from on average 3 comments a week (barring one thread…) to now two or more comments per day from December. I hope it was perhaps connected with my increase in networking activities and support for the various initiatives like this one.
I don’t know what works on Moveable Type, but Spam Karma or Askimet on WordPress pretty much kills 90% of all spam, bar many bogus trackbacks.
January 22, 2008
I love comments. A lot of the time I get ideas for new posts from commenters. This can be extremely helpful when I can’t think of anything on my own.
January 25, 2008
Couldn’t agree more.