Comments on: Community May Not Be For Everyone

By: Ricardo Bueno

Ricardo Bueno — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:39:20 +0000

I’ve never closed comments on my blog and I’ve never really entertained the thought of doing so. I do however work with folks in the real estate industry… I know a few folks who do close comments on their blog. The reason they’ve done so is because competitors often come to their site and post all kinds of negative comments. Sure you can moderate comments but for some people, the level of comments coming in and the time it takes to moderate is more than they want to deal with and so they simply close of comments.

I guess it’s for some people and not for others…

By: The Way Through | 25 & Trying

The Way Through | 25 & Trying — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:22:02 +0000

[...] feature on my wordpress dashboard. I discussed this yesterday in Matt’s Guest Blog Post here. It’s hard not to know who’s watching (or the lack thereof…) Either way, it is [...]

By: Tim Jahn

Tim Jahn — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:57:09 +0000

Interesting idea. Seen this before on some other blogs that have also closed comments.

I’m definitely against the notion. The way I see it, people that choose to write a blog and have it published publicly on the Internet want people to read it, whether they realize it or not. Therefore, why not have people join in the conversation?

If you didn’t want conversation and an audience, you wouldn’t publish in a public forum, no?

For me personally, the comments of blogs (the continuing conversation) are extremely valuable. I’ve come to almost expect them (for better or worse).

By: Sonny Gill

Sonny Gill — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:30:25 +0000

That’s the thing, Bryna – I think a good majority of us gain more ‘traction’ on other social platforms. But what that touches on even further is immediacy and attention spans of folks in this hyperconnected online world. That, though, is a topic of another discussion

By: Matt Cheuvront

Matt Cheuvront — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:28:44 +0000

Good point Aysel. I think closing comments can send a mixed signal – sort of like saying – I don’t care what you have to say. From your end you may be thinking “I don’t need the validation of a lot of comments” but from the reader, they may be thinking “This person could care less about what I think and can bring to the discussion”. Interesting point – I agree that you want to give your readers the OPTION, if nothing else, to participate.

By: Matt Cheuvront

Matt Cheuvront — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:26:25 +0000

You bring up a good point and there are so many different ways to measure success nowadays. Comments are one, but only one piece of a much bigger puzzle to blogging success. Keep writing, keep engaging in other mediums, and the comments will come.

By: Matt Cheuvront

Matt Cheuvront — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:24:54 +0000

I think this is sort of where I align myself David. I guess I just don’t really understand the concept of closing comments on your entire blog. As I responded to in a comment above and as you reiterated here – if you are writing ONLY for yourself, why not just open up a Word document and type away?

By: Aysel Vandeventer

Aysel Vandeventer — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:28:33 +0000

I’m not sure it is necessary to disable comments on a blog no matter the goal of your blog, whether you write for yourself, to build a community or to become an expert on a subject. Either way, I’m sure some type of feedback from others will benefit you, the person leaving the comment or both of you. Although, I do understand the frustration that comes with equating blog success to the number of comments, it is best to leave the option open. I think it is almost impossible to have a blog purely for yourself, because anything online is bound to have an audience. Even if you do not promote your blog, someone will stumble upon it. Disabling comments can also send mixed messages to the reader. No one will truly know why the comments are disabled unless you tell them.

By: Bryna

Bryna — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:26:09 +0000

If I worried about number of blog comments, I’d have a total inferiority complex! Lol. I’ve gotten way over that. I seem to get more Facebook messages, feedback, Tweet responses, etc. than blog comments. It would be lovely and validating to get more, but all in good time. At least I can always stroke my ego with my unique hits

By: Matt Cheuvront

Matt Cheuvront — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:25:15 +0000

Write for yourself first – and the rest will fall into place. I’ve said this time and time again. You won’t get very far if you’re only concerned with getting big “numbers’. You should write because you love to write first and foremost. The rest is an added bonus. Thanks for the comment D.