Besides being a faceless entity whose words you only read based on snazzy headlines, I’m also a part-time human being! With that being said, I actually do look through all the sorts of comments you leave me, emails you send, and places you share my work (I believe that my fellow authors can say the same).
So with that being said, I just wanted to tell you the kinds of feedback that I like after folks read whatever blog post that I’ve written. A lot of readers provides some really great insight! You’ve likely seen all of these types of feedback before, but hey – let’s just point them out real quick.
The Social Recognition
In this age of social sharing, we’ve been privileged with a new way to smack our seal of approval on anything without even having to type a single word. These days, all it takes is the click of a button to let someone know you like what they have to say. The Social Recognition comes in the form of the Like button, a Retweet, a Google +1, a Stumble, and even a Reddit upvote. Realistically, it’s not much, but it is a way for the viewer to let the creator know, “Yeah buddy. I may not have anything to say, but I like what you’re doing here.” It gets me all giddy inside.
The Excerpt Approval
For some reason, a common trend with blog readers is to start their comment off with an entire portion of the article a la copypasta, and then they will provide a following sentence of approval. It’s like social recognition on steroids, but at the same time, it repeats what you’ve already said, reinforcing the statement. You know what? That’s alright in my book.
The Personal Email
One entirely different type of feedback is the simple email, akin to “letters to the editor”. The fact that someone would take out the time to email me means a lot. Sure, comments and social sharing are great, but when someone sits down and writes a personal note? That, my friends, says quite a bit about the person. Even if the email is an utter death threat against me and my family, I can safely say that the notion is still appreciated!
Granted, letters are even more personal than emails, but I can’t say I have (or ever will) get a letter because of a blog post (also, I’d rather not publish my address because of death threats).
The Shameless Plug
I’m not entirely a big fan of stealing someone’s thunder – it’s just not classy. However, I’m not entirely against folks writing a little comment (even if it’s pulled from the sky) and then slapping a link to their own personal site at the end of the comment. Why? Well, it actually could mean one of two things. For one, they could be spamming everybody’s blog with their ad-farm, and they are thunder-stealers, and they should be flogged by the entirety of the blogosphere.
On the other hand, they may think you have plenty of readers who will see their site, and they may very well like your content enough that they think their own will be of interest to you. I’m kind of okay with that. But really, otherwise? Blogosphere flogging. Flogosphering.
The Thoughtful Contributor
You know what I like? I like when someone basically extends the post and writes a comment that is sometimes close to if not more than the length of the actual article. Some folks may find it snarkish, but I think it’s kind of cool. That’s the beauty of online publications right there – the ability to provide feedback. It’s as if the article doesn’t end, and each commenter passes the baton to the next. So whenever there’s a question at the end of these posts, just know it’s there for a reason. For the record, I like to learn new things from those comments.
Conclusion
Granted, there’s a lot more than what you see here, but we’ll save that for another time. Basically, I just wanted you all to know that feedback online is appreciated. However, I know that the lot of you blog in some form or fashion as well.
What kinds of blog comments do you like? What type of blog feedback do you hate?
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“For some reason, a common trend with blog readers is to start their comment off with an entire portion of the article a la copypasta, and then they will provide a following sentence of approval.”
I like to do this. Usually when I read an article, only a particular part sticks out to me as worth-responding-to, and quoting it just makes sense. I agree with everything you said. You hit the nail on the head with this one.
Also, there’s a 6th type of blog feedback that I like: the full blanket agreement. When the user pretty much says, “I agree with everything you said. You hit the nail on the head with this one.” It makes me feel good about myself, like I’m really a writer.
[insert shameless plug here]
“It makes me feel good about myself, like I’m really a writer.”
Well, aren’t you/we? I agree though. When a post just gets lots of “Loved it” comments, it’s a good feeling.
As a writer, often times I feel like a hack. Like I don’t have the qualifications to write what I’m writing. When I get positive feedback, it’s sort of validating and affirming. That’s what I meant. :D
Yup, I can understand the feeling; I’ve been there. It was a rhetorical question! You get paid money to write stuff that other people read. You’re a professional writer!
Joel Lee. You’re a writer as soon as you decide to write something. Get out there and kick some journalistic butt.
You’re who I thought of while writing that part, Joel. I definitely like it. Also, the full-blanket agreement is pretty great. It doesn’t exactly carry the article forward, but I still appreciate it.
I think the best compliment I can pay you is by sharing this blog across my little networks. I agree the best feedback is when someone makes a comment that adds to and enhances the post while, preferably, showing appreciation. (See the naughty thing I did there?)
I’m seeing it, Rory. I’m seeing it.
Look, I’m famous!
The thoughtful contributor is probably the best, though. They basically add content and perspective to the post — really adding value, not just stroking my ego (although I do like having my ego stroked, now and then).
It’s also nice when they give me ideas for future posts.
Very true, Chris. Ego-stroking is always okay with me (save for when that ego-stroking includes blatant links to the person’s own blog). However, I believe the Thoughtful Contributor helps bring the article forward.
From a reader’s perspective, the “attaboy” comments don’t particularly add to the article. On principle, and as a security measure, I have the Facebook “follow me” feature disabled, and I won’t click on a site’s Facebook button. Email, of course, I never see, and the Shameless Plug is annoying and usually inappropriate.
Excerpt approval is OK, but unless the person really says something about the excerpt, instead of just repeating a point, it’s of limited interest.
Can you tell, then, that the only worthwhile comment from a reader’s point of view is the Thoughtful Contributor? In my opinion, this is where the comments column shines.
You also ask what types of feedback I hate. Again, answering from a reader’s perspective, I hate it when people jump in with vitriol-filled invective and ad hominum comments. It doesn’t add to the conversation. It’s like standing in a group, having a discussion, and someone stops by, says “oh, he’s an asshole” (or worse) and moves on.
And I imagine that those comments aren’t terribly welcome from the writer’s point of view, either.
Hi Chcurtis. Sorry for not getting back with you! I understand what you mean about the “attaboy” comments. (Doesn’t mean they don’t make me feel all warm inside.)
I wouldn’t say that the Thoughtful Contributor is the only worthwhile comment, though. Logically, it should be. However, I believe readers often form their opinion based on other reactions as well – just a fact of life, but I understand there are tons of people who definitely think for themselves. Granted, other times, someone may say an “attaboy”, and a reader (perhaps one like yourself) will comment and question why that person likes the article while he himself may not. This sometimes leads to entirely new discussion.
Oh, and we definitely agree on what kind of feedback I hate.
Love you too.