In April — Advice from Readers Yea!
The conversation finally occurred on a Sunday last April. I’d been trying to work out why something was happening. It seemed the more I wrote, the less folks were commenting. Then finally someone said something — a lovely compliment — that put words to what I’d been feeling might be the issue. He said.
I used to comment more than I do now, but she writes so completely that I find it difficult to add my thoughts to hers.
That thought led to me writing, An Open Thought: Please Take the Keys, a post where I said . . .
Please Take the Keys
Movie stars have directors. Olympic athletes have coaches. Iââ¬â¢m just a blogger. I have you.
If weââ¬â¢re talking about customer thinkââ¬âbrand you and meââ¬âwhat better case study than this blog itself? You canââ¬â¢t hurt my feelings talking about my writing. I know itââ¬â¢s not who I am. Iââ¬â¢d like to know how to get myself off the stage and back into the audience again. Will you tell me what you see? Would you do me that favor? Just say YES.
Sometimes the customer needs to be in the driverââ¬â¢s seat. Please take the keys.
How will I learn if you donââ¬â¢t?
And after a few moments of testing the waters. YEA! and Thank you! for everyone who did.
People gave me lots of feedback and great advice. I grew a lot as a blogger that day. Leaving folks room to talk was a big take away for me.
In August — Advice from Liz Uh-Oh
In August when I wrote the post, 10 Reasons Readers Donââ¬â¢t Leave Comments, I was sure to include that — always leave room for people to comment.
I bring it up here because, I have to say that I’ve found that about half the time it’s bad advice. Some kinds of writing need to be complete. End of story.
So I’m here to say that,
It would be silly to leave out part of a how-to post so that people can add it back in as a comment.
It would be frivolous to drop out a fact from a persuasive argument.
You might not want to omit an event in a retelling of a news story.
The only place I’m sure that you can leave room safely is when you’re writing a list post. I’m sorry I gave you bad advice. I’m a long ways from perfect.
By the way, I’m still doing all I can to get off that stage and back into the chair beside you. I still appreciate any help you have on that. I like being eye-to-eye with people I talk to. It’s friendlier.
The keys to the blog are always there on the sidebar.
–ME “Liz” Strauss
If you think Liz can help with a problem you’re having with your writing, check out the Work with Liz!! page in the sidebar.
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Well Liz – writing a blog is just like everything else in life – there aren’t many absolutes! Sometimes it might be good to leave room for comments – other times it’s not.
But it’s alway good to be honest and no one does that better than you do!
Hi Ann,
Thanks for the comment, and for the support. Yeah I guess blogs are a lot like life — no absolutes and unpredictable. 😉
And if you’re lucky, like I seem to be, with good friends around to see you through. 🙂
It is amazing to me how many people read blogs but don’t bother to jump right in and contribute to the comments section.
There are a lot of lurkers such as myself! 🙂
Hi Skinny Moose,
I sure like your name. Thanks for taking a break from your lurking to jump right in and contribute. 🙂
I think when I don’t it’s because I think what I have to say is a little too “uniquely Liz.” I figure it might look weird between the comments by the normal folks. 🙂
Do you remember me?
I am the drunken moose hehe
Milton the Moose!
Milton,
I wondered if that might be you. You’re the only skinny moose I know. But I didn’t want to flirt in case it wasn’t you. 🙂
har har!
I am happy as ever. That case was completely dismissed and laughed out of court. Life is good!
I wanted to be here Tuesday night for dream house night but couldn’t make it.
🙂
Hey, Maybe you can come up with a good theme for next week!
hmm… I am not sure what has been covered since I haven’t been around but I am sure I can come up with some brillian ideas…
You are a brilliant Skinny Moose, Milton. You almost glow in the dark. 🙂
I enjoy commenting here at SOB.com because you get so many different point of views of people, due to the large network of bloggers that now visit this site. And with every comment you get a reply, it’s almost as good as having a conversation with Liz herself.
Glow in the dark moose… hey I like it…
Oh TechZ,
Thank you, I feel like I’m talking to you to. I have this clear audio of what your voice sounds like. It’s nice.
Oh Skinny Moose,
Why’d you think I find you special?
Cause I’m skinny? maybe?
Skinny Moose,
You’re silly.
Oh, I need to make a phone call! Gotta run! See you, in a little while. 🙂
OK tell them I said hi…
and I miss them….
and….
I will, Skinny Moose.
We all missed you!
We’re glad you’re back!
Hmmmm….topics for open mic night, there’s talking animals, hallucinations, life on other planets, the demotion of Pluto, you could have a toga party, or discuss odd household pets …
What a great idea person you are, Ann!
No which one can we get to last for 3 or 4 hours? Let’s see we just did aliens . . . Talking animals, I’ve dated a few of those!
Lurking is nothing new, Liz. I know from experience that only about 20% of readers post regularly, maybe another 10-15% do it occasionally, and the remainder just read.
But if you didn’t have those 30-35% posting, you wouldn’t have that 60-65% coming in.
That’s what I’ve seen in forums. Blogs may be a bit different, but I suspect the percentages aren’t off by much.
And sometimes it’s just the topic itself. Some may be more conducive to commentary than others.
As for open mic night, candy? Holidays? (eek, they’re just around the corner, and that corner is on my block already!) And my mind (what’s left of it) just went blank 😉
Hi Scorpia,
I was hoping you’d drop by. I knew that you’d have thoughtful insight and analyis. I find your thoughts such useful feedback. Thank you for your comments — all of them. It’s nice to get a clear read from the other side of the computer screen 🙂
There is always TV and Movies, HBO miniseries.. Problem with that some people don’t watch the stuff.
Desserts, Foods, oh my favorite.
Vacations spots, place around the world. Where to go, what to see, places the media don’t cover.
Ummm let’s see… brainstorming… brainstorming….
Poilitics could be rough…
ahhh
I’ll go ask Milton!!
Skinny Moose,
You ARE Milton.
Those are some great ideas!
Oh sorry I was logged in as Milton… duh! That’s what happens when you share the same computer.
Hey Steve!
It’s so nice to have you back! There are so many people you need to meet. Look up a couple of comments and click on Scorpia. She’s a fine one. 🙂
I will have to catch up! 🙂
You can do that! Easy as pie! Piece of cake! Milton will go with. He loves dessert. 🙂
Liz, great post 🙂 I would comment here if I had the time, but normally I’m all ‘read in the feed and go’.
I do find that I tend to comment on shorter posts, or posts which directly ask questions of readers.
Hi Yvonne!
“Read the feed and go.” I didn’t think of that. Lots folks do that, I know that. What was I thinking?
Shorter posts — when will I learn to talk less? HA!! Maybe that will be my goal for 2007 . . . yeah . . . maybe 🙂
Well, I think everyone appreciates your extra-long, quality content Liz 🙂
Personally, I’d rather write a good post that’s 2000 words long – even if more than half of people would stop reading it half-way through – than shorten it just to increase the likelihood that readers would leave a little feedback.
I think we all need to take into consideration how time-limited people are on the ‘Net these days. Plus, it depends on how complicated the post is. I think people are more inclined to comment on posts about the latest hit movie, than the meaning of life and the universe.
Something to think about….
Good point, Yvonne,
I guess I’m stuck with these big ideas . . . I’ll have to keep hanging out with these incredibly cool, smart people. That’s the only choice I’m left with . . . 🙂
Gee, my life is so rough. 🙂 🙂
Hey Liz,
What was the original question?
I actually remember that post way back when, you had some crazy drivers (including me).
Whatever you are doing, it must be right, look at the comments on this post alone. 🙂
Hey, Joe,
Thanks. You did take the keys, and you know where I keep too. 🙂
Hey Steve,
I’m glad to hear everyone and everything is OK.
Are you still doing the Why My Blog Stinks thing? Or do you have something new in the works?
Did they Re-open Betsons???
Where did everybody go?
I have the keys, but no gas…
I’ll be back later.
Hey Joe,
Steve had to go out for an hour or so. His blog, Why My Blog Stinks, was hijacked at some point during the summer when he had some other family things to attend to. It wasn’t nice.
Wheeww,
I thought I was all alone in here.
I haven’t been to Steve’s place since he put it on hold months ago.
Joe,
You’re never alone. I’m inside your computer. 🙂
Yes you are, I see you in there every day. Where did everybody else go?
Maybe they have a real life . . . 🙂
My place was hacked haha
I am back from my real life now. 🙂
I had to go for my hour walk!
Probably right, Liz… 😉
I’ll let you go and try to get some relaxation done myself too.
Tomorrow’s gonna be another daaay…
(I’ll most likely lurk for a little while tho)
Hey, Steve,
That stinks — the hack, not the walk.
Walking is cool. Getting hacked is not.
Getting hacked on my walk would be worse.
Hi Joe… 🙂
Getting hacked on your walk would be a Nightmare on Elm Street movie, wouldn’t it?
Hey Steve,
What cha got workin now?
Give us a URL or something, I always enjoyed your sense of humor on the old blog.
Don’t have much going on right now. I still have my old hunting and fishing blogs but I don’t post to them anymore. I got somebody else taking that over for my online business.
I got something in the making probably in another week it will be ready. It is gonna be my baby….
It is a secret though so we will have to wait and see… I think Liz has an idea what I’m up to though. She’s sworn not to tell 🙂
Oh, you’re doing that? I thought it was all Milton.
Liiizzzz, Come ooonn….
Steeevve, you can tell meee…
No, he can’t it’s not final.
Yea it is all in the brainstorm process…
But hey I am always up for new ideas if you got any.
I love secrets (when I know them).
Ok, let me guess… Something to do with a Moose?
You ain’t gonna get it out of me. It is bad luck to reveal things to early. I have said too much already. But I do know one thing, I will be blogging very soon and it should have some good stuff in it… LOL
Aw darn, Steve!
Yeah, Joe, He’s doing the International Order of the Moose Blog. 🙂
Yeah!!!
I guessed the Mouse, er Moose thingy.
I win…
What did I win, a ride on the moose?
A better mouse trap?
THe keys to the car (blog)?
Yes I will be giving out online Moose Rides. I believe I can retire on all the sales I will get. It is only $1 per ride. If I can just get 5 million people to get a moose ride I should be retiring within 3 years.
Whaddya think, Steve? I think we should give Joe all three.
Steve, seriously, when you do launch your new venture, give the new address to Liz so she can spread the word.
I will be one of the first visitors from that link, I promise.
Joe, sounds good. What it was like my cross-dressing on Saturday blog where I show photos of me in womens wear. Would you still be the first to go? LOL
Hey Liz, it’s chat night. Drop by if you have a few moments. We’ll be there until 10:30 or so Eastern.
Watch out, Steve.
What if Joe says he would submit pictures?
Only I I get 50% of the profit.
Besides the Monty Python troupe did that and made Millions…
Hey Scorpia,
Email me the details again. Thanks!
hmm… now I am wondering if I should start doing that…
Steve, you would probably make more money putting a tu-tu on the Moose. 😉
This is getting fun!
http://bearsnbuddies.com/boyds/2002/ilona/IlonaMooseBallerina.gif
Impromptu is always fun. Especially with a full sidebar and good friends…
Anybody watching Grey’s Anatomy?
That photo is priceless!
Steve, did you dress Milton like that just for us???
Milton looks humiliated doesn’t he?
I’m not sure what I’m watching, something to do with the morning after from the ’70’s on Sci-Fi
Sorry, Liz
No poem tonight
Time for bed
Turn out the light.
Sweet dreamns, Joe.
Sleep tight.
If I have nothing to add to a post through the comments, I just tell the author how I felt after reading this, I suppose every reader after reading something feels something, don’t know I suppose.
Anger, frustration, joy, yeah that’s too great another thing I’ve learnt. For me I think comments aren’t just means to add things to what the author has said but what’s that doing to him also after he/she read it.
Hi Hans,
I think your approach to commenting is wonderful. It’s as if you believe that someone gave, so you give back. I don’t always do that, but I wish I did.
On the other hand, I’m thinking there ARE some things better left unsaid — especially by people who don’t take what they read seriously. 🙂