Commenting Makes You Sexy

09.09.01

Ok, that’s not really true, but it does make me happy…

One of the main reasons I write this blog is the interaction I get to have with the people who read it. I love hearing your thoughts. I love when you tell me I’m wrong, or point out things I haven’t thought of. Basically, I love getting to know you all.

Recently, lots of people have remarked to me that the number of comments on their blogs are falling – replaced, it seems, by retweeting. While I’ve said before that I think someone retweeting a post is a compliment to the author, it certainly doesn’t match comments in terms of depth or, necessarily, furthering the discussion.

Interestingly, even with the shift to lower-commitment commenting via Twitter, the 90/10 rule still seems to apply. That means that, on average, only one in ten of you will comment-on or tweet a post. The other 90 per cent will “lurk.”

This is a call to everyone reading this, but especially those who read but don’t often add your two cents. Please take two seconds to de-lurk and say hi.

Who else is out there?

Commenting may not make you sexy, but it makes you de-lurky

If you’re reading this and you don’t usually comment on posts, please say hi! It’s really simple. If you haven’t done it before:

Scroll right to the bottom of the post and the comments
Fill-in your name and email address (I won’t do anything with it) and, if you like, your website address
Let me know who you are! A little about you; why you read the site; what you want to get out of it; what you wish I’d write about – that kind of thing. Whatever you like. Introduce yourself. Say hi.
If you want to receive subsequent comments via email, check the box below the “Post Comment” button.
Click “Post Comment.”

Looking forward to getting to know you.

Posted in: miscellaneous

Tags: blogging, commenting

http://www.arikhanson.com Arik Hanson

Hi Dave. Thanks for inventing a new word today (de-lurky). I will promptly add it to Wikipedia…

@arikhanson
Pingback: dannybrown (Danny Brown)
Pingback: DavidSpinks (David Spinks)
Pingback: Greenspotting (Green Spot -Official)
Pingback: BethHarte (Beth Harte)
Pingback: dannybrown (Danny Brown)
Pingback: DavidSpinks (David Spinks)
Glorimar Perez

Who? Me? All right, yeah. I’m a recovering lurker. Like many PR people I try to diligently read your blog and others to keep up with the changes and discussions on communications and social media. I’ve rarely commented in the past because a)by the time I read the entry other comments have covered what I thought or b)I mean to comment but get distracted and never come back to it. I’m still feeling out exactly what works best for me in the social media realm and am slowly working towards becoming more of an active participant rather than just a spectator. I appreciate the call to action – reminds me not to slack and lose whatever de-lurking progress I’ve made!
http://www.fridaytrafficreport.com Jack Humphrey

Your more blinded followers might fall for this tactic, but I’ve been around way too long to fall for such a cheap tactic to get people to comment.

I refuse to take the bait.

http://www.davefleet.com Dave Fleet

Jack – lol – nice one

Pingback: ShannonBoudjema (Shannon Boudjema)
Pingback: ShannonBoudjema (Shannon Boudjema)
Pingback: ShannonBoudjema (Shannon Boudjema)
Pingback: dannybrown (Danny Brown)
Pingback: DavidSpinks (David Spinks)
http://www.momblebee.com/blog Cheryl Andonian

Hi Dave -
I’ve lurked, commented and tweeted at different times. I usually save comments for when I actually have something to contribute. I generally hate those comments that just say “great post” and leave it at that. When I think it’s a great post, but have nothing of great significance add to the conversation, that’s when I’ll just tweet it. So, I’m going to tweet this one too, but I fear for you using the word “sexy” in your title will probably get you some new porn followers on twitter! :0
http://www.monfortedairy.com maureen Argon

I read your posts because it helps me think about the best way to communicate with the people who’ve subscribed to our CSA program. Enough with the sexy thing though. I have commented before.
http://smagor.wordpress.com/ Sharon Magor

Hello Dave,
Like you I am also interested in that intersection of communications, marketing and social media.
I find your communications plan template to be very helpful while I prepare communications plans for my clients.
Thank you, Sharon Magor
http://www.museumofnewmexico.org Steve Cantrell

judging by the number of topics sex always sells – now should i do that on my museum’s blog? wonder what the board would say?
http://www.propr.ca Joseph Thornley

Great post Dave. A traffic builder. I bet this one goes right to the top of your PostRank.
Pingback: thornley (Joseph Thornley)
Pingback: RepuTrack (RepuTrack™)
Pingback: gypsybandito (CT Moore)
http://a-d-d-onpaper.blogspot.com 40deuce

Hey Dave. Love the post. Great timing too, because only recently I’ve been trying to get into the habit of commenting on other peoples blogs because I’m totally just a lurker.
I am one of those retweet people though. I figure even if I don’t have something to say on a subject I can still let others know I thought it was interesting.
keep it up,
long time lurker,
40deuce
Heather Leson

I always think of commenting as something I save if I:
a. have time
b. have an opinion which counters the person
c. have an example
d. have information which helps

In the livejournal world, where I have been a member for over 8 years, I am reading all yet not always commenting. If I commented on every blog post, journal post, or twitter item, I would not have time for my day job.

Not to ego brush much, but you are in my essential reading category for RSS feeds. So, thank you.

Perhaps what is the better question:

Is commenting really the best measure of reaching engagement?

The way that I used to test it in livejournal is to do random polls. This is a quick engagement tool. It is a good pulse check: am I adding value? are you listening?

Heather
http://postrank.com Jim Murphy

I feel sexier already.
http://blogs.dix-eaton.com/measurementpr-spectives Chuck Hemann

Hey Dave – count me in the camp that feels like Twitter is taking away some of the comments that blogs receive.

However, I do read your blog with regularity and am heeding your call to action.

Keep the quality content coming!
http://www.sdietze.wordpress.com Sarah

I’m in Allan Schoenberg’s PR Writing class. He recommended your blog to us. I especially appreciate the tips for graduating seniors and young professionals. Most blogs are written by and focus on those who have been in the industry for years and years.
http://www.davefleet.com Dave Fleet

Heather – great to see you at the weekend. I completely agree – it’s better to add value when you comment, and to use your time wisely. With that said, I love seeing the new people commenting here – I hope to hear more from them down the road too.

I love the idea of polls – I may start doing that occasionally.
Pingback: karenmcallister (karenmcallister)
http://www.benlucier.ca Ben Lucier

Hi. Long time lurker, occasional commenter. When will I start to look sexier? Does it take long?
Shannon Morton

I think I got more of a kick out of reading everyone’s abashed “de-lurking” comments than I did from the actual post! Raising some good points – as a sometimes-commenter (whether I ACTUALLY have something new / interesting to say or not, I admit guiltily), an RT-er and general conversationalist, it’s important to put your hand up and indicate that you’re at least listening, if nothing else! DAVE do you feel like the Tony Robbins of the blogosphere yet!?!? Keep ‘em coming!
http://www.davefleet.com Dave Fleet

Sorry, Ben – you started commenting a while ago – you’re already as far as it goes
Pingback: marcopolis (Marco Campana)
Susan Lester

Hi, Dave,

I work as a Civil Servant for the United States Navy Seabees. I have recently taken over the Public Affairs Officer role for my command and seven subordinate commands. I discovered your site when I was looking for examples of Strategic Communications Plans.

I subscribe to your blog & read it regularly! You have some great insights, and I appreciate you sharing them. What impresses me most is your generosity. I believe knowledge is power when it is shared – you embody this principle. Too many people have good ideas that they are not willing to share for fear of someone “stealing” them, but what good are ideas that are locked away inside someone’s head?

Thanks for sharing & have a great day!
Susan
http://www.night-writer.com/blog Stacey King Gordon

Hi Dave – You are absolutely right. I’ve been thinking lately that I need to be better about commenting … I’m guilty of lurking mostly because I tend to read posts in my RSS reader and often neglect to jump over to the actual site to comment. But as a blogger mysef, I also know how lonely it can be to see the big goose egg on my own comments! I am here to mend my ways.

Stacey
http://www.gilliebee.com Gillian Brouse

Ha ha! Caught me! Nice post.
Pingback: CarolLeaman (CarolLeaman)
Pingback: MikeLizun (Michael Lizun)
http://www.BryanPerson.com Bryan Person

Dave: Count me among the guilty! I don’t comment on blogs nearly as much as I used to. No excuses I can offer–like blaming Twitter–would be good ones. It always comes down to priorities.

And as coincidence would have it, I identified “commenting on other blogs” as a task I planned to rededicate myself to in a social media marketing plan I updated last week. That plan went into effect two days ago, so I’m right on schedule with this comment.

Plus, hey, now I’m just a little bit sexier, too!
Jan Martin

Hi Dave, I’m a first timer to your blog. Writing to you from Melbourne, Australia. Great heading! I married a PR/Coms guy and know only too well how important commenting is. Sexy? This is a new topic I think I’ll enjoy exploring a bit more. Cheers!
http://www.mycnw.ca/SocialMedia?GetRep=DavidNelson David Nelson

It’s hard to disagree, the world would be a better place if even a fraction of perpetual lurkers took the time to weigh in once in a while. I’m as guilty of it as anyone, so thanks for a valuable post here. Maybe some kind of National Delurking Day should be sanctioned?
Elly

Dave, do you really ready every one of these? No wonder you’re such a busy guy! This is the first one of your “articles” to use an old term, that I have read, and I’m commenting! Does that de-lurk me? I hope so – an up with sexy commenting!!
http://www.davefleet.com Dave Fleet

Hey Elena – yep; at least I try to. I wish I had time to reply to them all individually, too.
http://www.web2dotwhat.com Kelly Rusk

I’m usually pretty guilty of lurking. Between being busy and having too many blogs in my reader, I usually just end up skimming and scanning and rarely take the time to comment.

That being said- I do actually comment on your blog pretty regularly. In fact, I don’t even think your feed is in my reader I just come through Twitter. Hard to avoid when you get re-tweeted all the darn time!
http://www.michellesullivan.ca Michelle Sullivan

Timing on this one is good – I’ve definitely been noticing a decline in commenting that seems to be directly proportional to the increased popularity of RT on Twitter and sharing on Facebook. This obviously has an impact on measurement. I came to your blog to double check that you’re using Chat Catcher, as I want to install it on my blog (it’ll ruin the aesthetics, but help track incoming links, so I’ll grit my teeth and deal with it).

While this post is nicely commented (O how guilt works your most recent post on the advertising perspective only generated 2 comments, despite its interesting content (I myself was going to make a Don Draper crack, but held back). That said, it also generated 53 Twitter trackbacks — proof that the content is of interest and worthy of sharing.

I’ve also published a blog post this week trying to encourage PR consultants to (legitimately) comment blog posts not only because they find the content interesting, but because it gets their name out there within circles that interest them.

I’m running a campaign right now and an influential blogger — who I happen not to have met in person at any event or dealt with before — stated that she’s becoming overwhelmed with pitches but opened my email because she knew me by name and reputation. She was willing to open the door and listen to my proposal because of the efforts I’ve made over the years with my blog and in blog comments.

PR practitioners .. you want results but are wary of the time commitment commenting on blog posts might take? Trust me. There’s no magic wand — the only way to get results and make your life easier when you work with bloggers is to put in the effort and get out there.

There you go, Dave – comment 67. Hell, I’ll even amend that blog post to send my readers your way. It won’t be the first time. Happy to contribute to your inbound links and always a pleasure to read you.
http://smartboydesigns.com Smart Boy Designs

Great post title. Certainly got my attention – as I wanted to see what you had to say!
As for your thoughts – I agree. It’s great when readers take the time to de-lurk and comment.
http://www.lorriewalker.com Lorrie Walker Communications

Your first point is my favorite. It’s so easy to get caught up in “doing social media,” and forgetting if there’s any sort of ROI. Well-written piece. Thanks!
Sandra Bento

Hi Dave,

I am a junior at PR agency who looks forward to your posts. I find them very informative and they teach me to think more critically about my work!

Sandra
http://www.clairesloanephotography.com Claire

Hello. Right, I admit it…I was going to lurk! Sincere apologies. I will not retweet! Glad to have found your blog and will try to visit and de-lurk whenever possible…:) Going to read some of your entries now! Nice to meet you, Claire
Ellie

Hi Dave. I have been reading your blog since my public relations professor, Allan Shcoenburg, used one of your posts in a class activity. I must admit that I’m new to the world of blogs and have enjoyed reading yours regularly. Your post that outlined the skills & attributes recommended for those new to public relations was really helpful! Thanks for the useful advice!