Comments on: So, you have a blog. Now what? Vol. 2: community building http://patthorntonfiles.com/blog/2009/03/31/so-you-have-a-blog-now-what-vol-2-community-building/ Thoughts from a technologist and journalist Wed, 09 May 2012 14:41:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Comments In Your Online Community | NewsTechZilla http://patthorntonfiles.com/blog/2009/03/31/so-you-have-a-blog-now-what-vol-2-community-building/comment-page-1/#comment-6231 Comments In Your Online Community | NewsTechZilla Sun, 26 Apr 2009 12:18:38 +0000 http://patthorntonfiles.com/blog/?p=1259#comment-6231 [...] The Journalist Iconoclast explains: Many people complain that comments after blogs are often mean, banal or worse, and if that’s the case, blame the blog author. When comments devolve into a stream of banality, it’s because the blogger has actively chosen to allow a comment ghetto to take hold. [...] [...] The Journalist Iconoclast explains: Many people complain that comments after blogs are often mean, banal or worse, and if that’s the case, blame the blog author. When comments devolve into a stream of banality, it’s because the blogger has actively chosen to allow a comment ghetto to take hold. [...]

]]> By: pat http://patthorntonfiles.com/blog/2009/03/31/so-you-have-a-blog-now-what-vol-2-community-building/comment-page-1/#comment-6098 pat Wed, 01 Apr 2009 16:11:36 +0000 http://patthorntonfiles.com/blog/?p=1259#comment-6098 @Angela, Yes, I agree. Several beatbloggers have told me that responding to rude or critical comments (or even e-mailing said commentors) helps make a community more civil. If people know you're actually going to read their comments and possibly respond, they'll think harder before posting. Tom Merritt of Buzz Out Loud on CNET said that people often soften their tone when they realize they are dealing with a human being. These people often send in nasty comments because they think of your work as part of a large corporation (like CNET or a newspaper). When they realize that their are individuals just like them, they begin to back down. @Angela,

Yes, I agree. Several beatbloggers have told me that responding to rude or critical comments (or even e-mailing said commentors) helps make a community more civil. If people know you’re actually going to read their comments and possibly respond, they’ll think harder before posting.

Tom Merritt of Buzz Out Loud on CNET said that people often soften their tone when they realize they are dealing with a human being. These people often send in nasty comments because they think of your work as part of a large corporation (like CNET or a newspaper). When they realize that their are individuals just like them, they begin to back down.

]]> By: Angela Connor http://patthorntonfiles.com/blog/2009/03/31/so-you-have-a-blog-now-what-vol-2-community-building/comment-page-1/#comment-6095 Angela Connor Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:37:48 +0000 http://patthorntonfiles.com/blog/?p=1259#comment-6095 Pat, I would argue that responding to some of the comments that are critical or even rude also builds community. A conversation sometimes builds a relationship that wouldn't otherwise exist. Also, this illustrates to your regulars that you are open for debate and will engage anyone. I am not saying that journalists should allow their blogs to be hijacked, but it doesn't all have to be pretty either. I maintain that engaging and responding to the critics and even some of the jerks IS taking control of your blog. Angela Connor | @communitygirl Pat, I would argue that responding to some of the comments that are critical or even rude also builds community. A conversation sometimes builds a relationship that wouldn’t otherwise exist. Also, this illustrates to your regulars that you are open for debate and will engage anyone. I am not saying that journalists should allow their blogs to be hijacked, but it doesn’t all have to be pretty either. I maintain that engaging and responding to the critics and even some of the jerks IS taking control of your blog.
Angela Connor | @communitygirl

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