There are certain blog posts I don’t just visit, but revisit. Multiple times throughout the day.
Why?
Because somehow, the author started a conversation and it means something to me. I want to see how it plays out. I want to join in.
I don’t know about you, but I love those kinds of posts. I love feeling like a part of a community. I love engaging in a meaningful conversation.
So how do I facilitate conversation on my blog? How do any of us?
It’s something I haven’t figured out yet. Not even close.
But I have made some observations that I thought I could share.
Blog posts that stimulate conversation usually…
- raise more questions than answers
- touch on something that people are passionate about
- are controversial (but I’m not a fan of controversy for controversy’s sake)
- ask an interesting question at the end
- don’t wrap everything up nice and neat, but leave some things unsaid
Let’s Talk: What did I leave out? What makes a blog post conversation-worthy to you?
I actually came through to your blog from your comment on another blog. I was feeling very lowly after realizing that the Genesis semi-finalists were to be announced today and I hadn't heard a word.
I recently joined a critique group that has been nothing short of effusive about the chapters I submitted to Genesis (even though I had asked them to be brutal). So realizing I wasn't even in the top 20% was a bit of a blow. Finding your comment about not finaling in two years and still having a contract pepped me up quite a bit. That's the kind of personal connection that is going to draw me to a blog every time. Someone I can both identify with and be inspired by.
I do like to go back and visit, check out the other comments and the owner's responses. The number one reason I visit blogs is for Connection, with blog owners and with other writers. Next, I hope to learn something. It is the sites that make me feel welcome that I most often return to, and I have a few favorites (some for friendship, some for facts/tips).
This was useful and made me think, as always.
Thanks, Katie!
Interesting topic today, Katie! We don't often single out what makes a good conversation. Being sensitive to the feelings and showing respect for the opinions of those who comment, even when we don't agree with the latter, is important to me.
I don't often return to a blog and monitor the ongoing conversation unless it's one of particular interest to me. Of course I check back regularly to read and respond to comments left on my own blog, but beyond that I have to ration my time to leave enough for all the others I like to read (like yours).
So true Katie. I wish I could sit in front of my laptop ALL DAY LONG. I enjoy communication my thoughts into words, whether they are in an article, in a book, or in a comment.
I tweeted this post of yours, good stuff!
I agree with many of the commentors here. I rarely go back because there are only so many minutes in a day…but I have gone back if it’s a great topic…
You've brought up some good points. There are some blogs I always visit, mainly because they make me think about things differently. What I don't like are blogs that use bad language or blogs that are depressing.
For me it's usually hot topic blog posts. I read so many informational posts I file them in the back of my brain and move on.
Hi Katie –
I'll sometimes look at the comments on a previous post when I check out the latest offering. I don't have time to go back throughout the day.
I use questions to get the conversation flowing. Author interviews seem to generate the best responses.
Blessings,
Susan 🙂
This will definitely be one of those posts I come back to 🙂 I love the blog posts that do like you said, create a conversation. Thanks for all the tips everyone!
I love reading the comments that are already posted, but rarely return to a blog. I think Facebook handles conversations easier, but I haven't quite got the knack of that yet! Good points though. I tend to wrap posts up with a tight ending, but can see how that stops instead of continues a conversation.
Oh, this is interesting. I like a variety in my reading, including blogs. I rarely go back to blog posts lately because my time is very limited, but if I did go back it would probably be to one with a hot, current topic.
The topic is something that gets us worked up. Or, that we'd really like the answers to and are seeking, seeking.
I definitely like something provocative, something that elicits thought or emotion.
Oh my goodness – this morning has been INSANE! Me = running around like a chicken with my head cut off.
I'm finally getting the chance to sit down and read through the comments.
Wendy – GREAT question. Once you figure out the answer, will you let me know??? 🙂 No seriously, that's something I always struggle with. Here's the conclusion I've come to – I chime in when I feel I normally would during an actual face-to-face conversation.
Mike – glad you'll come back! I definitely think you have a great handle on this whole thing, because I've come back multiple times to read comments on your blog.
Heather AND Mike – what is it about ME or about SO many writers that makes us AFRAID to rock the boat??? Heather – I'm the same way. I'll have something I want to say on my blog, but if it's too controversial, I shy away from it! What is THAT about?
I agree Shannon – Jody's is definitely one of those blogs I find myself revisiting to read the comments.
Great post, Katie. So true! I think the master of this is Jody Hedlund – nobody does it better. 🙂
One of my favorite places to visit is Seekerville, because they treat everyone like family, and there are always a lot of replies.
I think one of the things it takes for a great conversation is for the blog owner/owners to be involved in the comments section. Seekerville does that beautifully.
I wish I was better at it. 🙁
I usually don't go back that's why I like email responses and I've had a few conversations with people that way, but I think all those things you mentioned are great ways to get people thinking.
Great topic, Katie. I think about writing contraversial posts a lot. I actually have some topics brewing right now that I'm wanting opinions from my readers on, but I'm always scared to post for fear of ruffling too many feathers. I guess it's all in the delivery, and who knows, many might enjoy a good debate. We'll see. Maybe I'll tackle one of those topics in a few weeks (after 4/15) and see if I can stimulate some good conversation. Liked this post, Katie!
I don't do a normal writer's blog because the format irks me, personally. Some do it quite well but it's not for me.
What generates the most comments for me is if I say something controversial involving politics and religion, the two biggies. I don't censor myself at all and that raises some hackles for both people that agree and also disagree with me.
I kept my comments closed for a while but I found out conversation happened through facebook rather than my blog. I have since turned comments back on but I guess it takes a while for people to re-adapt. That, and I don't have many readers in the first place (see first paragraph, perhaps that's why).
I like posts that are unusually thoughtful and perceptive–posts that don't come to simple conclusions, as you point out here. Some of the posts on the blog Novel Matters, for example, have lured me back because they address issues that interest me about writing–complex questions about Christian fiction and our audience.
Oh, it's early and yet I actually can respond to this, Katie. Yay for me!!!
When it's a teachable post with a lesson that needs many views, those are the ones I tend to revisit to read the comments left.
Great topic, Katie! There is so much competition in the blogosphere, the average blogger must do SOMETHING to leverage themselves for traffic. While I'm not a fan of controversy for controversy's sake, I do think that status quo kills conversation. Which is why I'm a huge fan of prickly, open-ended questions. Why do we do it this way? Why shouldn't we rock the boat? Am I the only one who feels this way? etc., etc. Call me a provocateur, but in our age of 24/7 conversation, most blogs end up sounding like yada,yada, yada. Have a great week, Katie!
P.S. And I'll be back to follow-up on the convo 😉
Katie, do you think the writer of a post needs to act as a facilitator in the comments? This is something I go back and forth on, how often to chime in, if I could stir the conversation more and keep in running w/in the comments.
~ Wendy
I don't usually go back and I'm aware that even though I respond to comments on my blog, those commenters probably don't read my response. That's okay with me. 🙂 The only time I revisit is if I had a question and want to see if the blogger answered. But I do love asking questions and reading answers on my blog!
I rarely go back either. There are just so many minutes in the day and I read the comments that are there already and that's it!
I think as you say, if it's a topic you are passionate about, that might be reason to leave a comment and then go back later, but I see that happening less and less on the blogs I visit. The comments I am reading on various blogs seem to be more about hey look at me, notice me, rather than trying to engage in conversation with the blog author or any other commenters. I don't get a lot of comments on my blog, but I like those who do comment because I don't feel they're just commenting for the sake of it. I read a lot of blogs but I don't always leave a comment everywhere. Sometimes I have nothing to say, if you can believe it!
Once in a while it happens, but as neat as that is, that's not my goal. I rarely go back, even if the comments could be interested but that's more about time. I think all those aspects you mentioned will encourage people to leave comments too.
I actually never thought about it Katie. I guess my list of why I go back to a blog post would be because it inspired me in some way and maybe I want to write down a quote or bookmark their poem or whatever it was. A couple times a blogger has written about something really outrageous and I wanted to know what other people where going to say. So that's probably not a good thing to be doing on our bogs 🙂
And sometimes it's because they had someone, like an author I love, on their blog and I want to stay in touch with what others said. Mostly though I don;t have the time to go back to a blog.
On my blog I have never thought about if people come back or not. Some people email me off the p blog and tell me that they do or that a post meant a lot to them. I am always really grateful for those moments, but I doubt I could plan them. I am always amazed by what moves others. It's never what I think it will be.
have a great day 🙂