Anyone who is serious about blogging and community should make a point to comment on others' blogs. It's contributing to the community, it's doing unto others, and its joining the conversation.
That doesn't mean you should comment just for the sake of commenting. You can't force a valuable contribution...either oyu have something of value to contribute, or you don't.
Thanks for including me on the list Tim.
Danny Brown
· 3 months ago
Hey there Tim,
I saw that conversation you had with Rachel (who's one of the most awesome PR pros I know, hands down). Her approach is certainly one that more folk could learn from (and that includes some of the "heavy hitters" as well...)
There's definitely a feel of number gathering just for the sake of it, and you can usually tell these folks right away. But the good ones - like David Spinks above, and the names you mentioned - are all doing it the right way, and then some.
Happy to be placed in their circle, thank you (and cheers for the kind shout on Twitter as well!).
Danny.
rachelakay
· 3 months ago
Tim,
Thanks so much for including me in this post - it's an important topic to me as well!
On a daily basis I think people like you and I and our peers you mention above are generating fantastic food for thought. With more and more people adding to the conversations every day, it's difficult to read, digest and weigh in on everything we want to - especially when you LOVE diving in like me (and Danny and David). If I'm going to add my two cents in a blog comment, there are a couple factors I consider:
My schedule - If I have a plate load of client deliverables I simply have to table my interaction on line. Frankly, my clients have to come absolutely first, and I’m running a business, which needs my attention. If there is time in between tasks, then I can join the fray. Also, if I'm going to join a conversation I usually read the post and the comments a couple of times. That's time consuming, but what I communicate is important so I want to make sure I'm really adding value.
Topic - Everything I say on a blog can be found if a potential client or anyone else is researching me. There are simply some subjects that I feel strongly about but don't feel like commenting on publicly. Sometimes it's because I get so heated about something it's better that I take a deep breath and relax rather than vocalize. That's because I'm passionate about my industry. In those cases I'll take the discussion offline (Sometimes I'll use Danny as a sounding board), or I'll tweet a link but not comment, or I'll stay out completely. We all have topics we do, and do not, align ourselves with and that's our rights.
Thanks again for this post – I think it’s really important for people to take a step back and remember there are many reasons to join a conversation and there are also reasons to stay out! If we manage those we will never run out of great dialogue online!
Rachel Kay @rachelakay
tsotis25
· 3 months ago
Danny, Yes, you're one of the greats. I always get so much out of what you write and share with your social networks. And I agree-- Rachel is definitely someone every PR person can learn from!
Rachel, I hear you on not reacting to posts right away. I've done this before and decided after it was published that the tone was so negative. It's always good to wait, reflect, collect some compelling thoughts and arguments-- as you say.
All Comments
That doesn't mean you should comment just for the sake of commenting. You can't force a valuable contribution...either oyu have something of value to contribute, or you don't.
Thanks for including me on the list Tim.
I saw that conversation you had with Rachel (who's one of the most awesome PR pros I know, hands down). Her approach is certainly one that more folk could learn from (and that includes some of the "heavy hitters" as well...)
There's definitely a feel of number gathering just for the sake of it, and you can usually tell these folks right away. But the good ones - like David Spinks above, and the names you mentioned - are all doing it the right way, and then some.
Happy to be placed in their circle, thank you (and cheers for the kind shout on Twitter as well!).
Danny.
Thanks so much for including me in this post - it's an important topic to me as well!
On a daily basis I think people like you and I and our peers you mention above are generating fantastic food for thought. With more and more people adding to the conversations every day, it's difficult to read, digest and weigh in on everything we want to - especially when you LOVE diving in like me (and Danny and David). If I'm going to add my two cents in a blog comment, there are a couple factors I consider:
My schedule - If I have a plate load of client deliverables I simply have to table my interaction on line. Frankly, my clients have to come absolutely first, and I’m running a business, which needs my attention. If there is time in between tasks, then I can join the fray. Also, if I'm going to join a conversation I usually read the post and the comments a couple of times. That's time consuming, but what I communicate is important so I want to make sure I'm really adding value.
Topic - Everything I say on a blog can be found if a potential client or anyone else is researching me. There are simply some subjects that I feel strongly about but don't feel like commenting on publicly. Sometimes it's because I get so heated about something it's better that I take a deep breath and relax rather than vocalize. That's because I'm passionate about my industry. In those cases I'll take the discussion offline (Sometimes I'll use Danny as a sounding board), or I'll tweet a link but not comment, or I'll stay out completely. We all have topics we do, and do not, align ourselves with and that's our rights.
Thanks again for this post – I think it’s really important for people to take a step back and remember there are many reasons to join a conversation and there are also reasons to stay out! If we manage those we will never run out of great dialogue online!
Rachel Kay @rachelakay
Yes, you're one of the greats. I always get so much out of what you write and share with your social networks. And I agree-- Rachel is definitely someone every PR person can learn from!
Rachel,
I hear you on not reacting to posts right away. I've done this before and decided after it was published that the tone was so negative. It's always good to wait, reflect, collect some compelling thoughts and arguments-- as you say.