about Joe’s promise.
About a week ago, Joe wrote a post that’s been on my mind.
It’s authenticity. It’s transparency. It’s more than that . . . it’s outright honesty without a filter and it came with a promise attached.
It’s a stunning example of writing.
Even more, it leads to a blogger’s promise that is beautiful in its own right.
Joe’s Promise
- I will be sure to comment on other Blogs if I can add to the conversation.
- I will respond to comments on my own Blog.
- I will acknowledge any links to my Blog with a comment on the linker’s Blog.
- I will continue to link to other Blogs that are pertinent to a posts content.
- I will once again be a part of the Blogging Community.
- That is my promise to the Community as a whole, in part, and individually.
If you feel you are losing some of the interaction that is an integral part of Blogging, you may want to join me in this Promise to the Community.
What I’ve been thinking is this . . . this is a promise worth making.
Will you make Joe’s promise with me?
Just pick up the words, post them on your blog, and link back to Joe’s post. Tag it “Joe’s Promise,” and pass it on.
What do you say, Chris, Ann, Phil, Terry, Bes, and everyone?
Thank you, Joe, from me . . . and from everyone who cares about the conversation.
Nice! With so many blogs and feeds to read it’s often to easy to forget that it is the content and conversations that make blogs stand out from ‘old media’.
A great reminder about why we blog and read blogs in the first place. Thanks.
Hey Liz,
Thank you very much. It was meant for my readers and my Blogging friends from me to them (and of course, you 🙂 ) to keep the conversation going.
But anyone can join in to try to strenghten the Community and help it grow.
Thanks for spreading the word, now I’ll have my work cut out for me and hopefully make some new friends along the way.
See ya tonight! 🙂
Hi Joe!
Here is a week later. I was still thinking about it. That’s the power of what you wrote. I had to pass it on. 🙂
I can’t wait to see you tonight. 🙂
Sounds like an excellent mission statement to facilitate conversation. Looks like Joe is trying to give Liz a run for her money as far as most talkative blogger =)
Hi Alex!
Can have too much conversation . . . I applaud the run and invite all comers. 🙂
Alex,
I really doubt I could out do Liz in the conversation category, but I’ll do my part! 🙂
Liz, I had no doubt that when it comes to the Community, you would take the ball and run. 😉
This is indeed a promise worth making. Just give me a few minutes. 🙂
Hi Alina!
Take all of the time you need! Yep it’s a promise worth making. 🙂
Done 🙂
http://wordsofabrokenmirror.blogspot.com/2007/09/promise-worth-making.html
Hi Alina!
Well said. And thank you for making the blogosphere stronger. 🙂
Anytime Liz! I did enjoy it and it was something that I actually needed to say 🙂 So thank you for the idea!
Hi Alina!
That’s the thing about great ideas. It seems that they work for everyone! 🙂
Count me in!
Hi Liz (and Joe)
I think anything we can do to encourage conversation and getting out of the feeds and into the fun of the comment box is a good idea and I think (hope) I do these things myself.
I guess the only exception is on point three. I don’t always stop by to say hello if the link is from a list that’s doing the rounds. This is mainly because I’m not always sure that the person publishing it knows who I am or has maybe even read my blog. It doesn’t really feel like part of a genuine conversation somehow.
I don’t know if this is being uncharitable or ungenerous. It’s partly a reaction to some of the willy-nilly cutting and pasting of lists like the personal development list that’s going round, that, to be honest, no longer looks like a list of personal development blogs but just a list of blogs…
I’d much prefer to invest my time leaving a comment on the blog of some small independent blogger somewhere who’s come by and said hello to me or linked to me in a quiet way.
Any thoughts on this?
Joanna
Hi Joanna!
I hear what you’re saying on all points. In fact, one over-zealous blogger felt that such “lists” were an obligation to “post and pass them on.” At least one blogger I know refused with a public post saying so.
I’m still against link trains for the purpose of growing lists that have little meaning for readers. 🙂
Hey Joanna,
I agree with you on the list of links things. I was talking more about links like the one Liz has that creates conversation. It’s only right to join in the conversation then. 🙂
I believe wholeheartedly in Joe’s pledge. In fact, I feel bad when I let any of those things go undone for more than a day. [Good thing my blog is low-traffic]
Mike
Hi Mike!
I’m with you! Tired as I am some days, I just can’t turn away . . . it’s about being part of a community, just as Joe said. 🙂
Joe, indeed, and I’m sorry I should have started by saying hello. Hello 🙂
Joanna
Hey All Again,
Did you notice on Ricks post that he actually made Buttons for the Blogging Promise?
Comment #14 (trackback).
I think they’re cute. I’m going to pick one up for my Blog. 😉
Hey Joe,
I’m hoping that Rick will share them with us at Open Comments tonight. 🙂
That’s a good list of promises. I’d have to add another one: Every time I fall off a cliff in the blogosphere, I promise to climb back up and do my best to say hi to old friends.
Liz,
If not, we’ll just have to goad him into it. 😉
Hi Mark!
As you can see, Joe and I are right with you! 🙂
Hi Liz – I love what Joe did; I’d be happy to pass this along once I’m back from my vacation next week (I’m having a great time). All the best!
Hi Terry!
I’m so diappointed that I was in SanDiego while you were in Wisconsin. Darn it anyway. I’m delighted you’re having fun!!
I’ve been thinking about this Liz, and I’ll give it my 100% best shot. #3 has 1 caveat, and that’s if I’m part of one of the millions of lists out there. Otherwise, if I see you’ve linked to me, I’ll give you some comment, and possibly link, love.
Thanks Liz for sharing yours with me, and Joe, for creating this beautiful idea!
Hey Phil,
I think we’re all on the same page when it comes to the “lists” that you’re speaking of . . . It’s great that the Make it Great guy is a part of this special blogosphere connection. 🙂
Hey Phil,
I should have probably been a little clearer re linking back. I think most of us get the idea of when a lnk is deserved. 😉
Anyway, thanks for joining in.