Comments on: Your Feedback as a Mirror

By: Lightening

Lightening — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 06:12:12 +0000

This is a fantastic post and so true!!! I wish more people could grasp this concept. Thanks for sharing.

Some interesting discussion in your comments section too. I hope I NEVER get to a point in blogging where I don’t value my readers enough to respond to them.

By: Chris Garrett

Chris Garrett — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 19:48:54 +0000

@Suzanne – You are so kind

@Adam – Yeah there seems to be a spot where bloggers switch off from reading their own comments. I’m not sure if it is laziness or ego …

By: Adam Snider

Adam Snider — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 19:43:05 +0000

I think James’ analogy is great, and he makes a good point. Namely: interact with your commentators! I hate when I leave a comment on a blog, and the blogger doesn’t take the time to respond to me. If it happens once or twice, that’s understandable. But, when the blogger NEVER bothers to reply to his/her comments? That bugs me, especially when it’s a relatively small blog and there aren’t many comments to respond to in the first place.

By: Freelance Writing Opportunities - Suzanne

Freelance Writing Opportunities - Suzanne — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 13:15:50 +0000

Thanks Chris for such a great reminder to always take the “higher road” no matter what someone else might have to say in a moment that they might live to regret. I too might have to borrow the kitchen bit someday … I really do enjoy your blog – it’s a bright spot in my usually hectic day. Know you’re appreciated *hugs* Suzanne

By: Chris Garrett

Chris Garrett — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 10:58:10 +0000

@Steve – I have seen that on Twitter too, lately some conversations have gone from the light and cheery type I had gotten used to and started getting into heated debates. It seems a lot of the cause is laziness, using 140 character limit as an excuse for just snapping out an answer instead of explaining well. Perhaps in blogs it is the same, people rush out a post then feel the heat from a backlash as the subscribers take offense?

@jsanderz – Good point, one of the reasons I have the note I received right here on my desk

@Ming – Thanks, I do try

@pelf – Yes I think Karma has a lot to do with it but I also think some people go out into the world ready to fight anything that moves

@Adam – I will forgive the Oilers comment because the rest of your comment is spot on

@James – Excellent kitchen analogy, I might have to steal that one day

@Michael – Oh yes, I have seen that a few times where people think I have written about them. Here’s a clue people, if I don’t mention you by name then don’t assume it’s about you, heh What’s that song? I bet you think this song is about you

By: Michael Martine

Michael Martine — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 01:03:17 +0000

Man, this is so true. But you know, sometimes I think our blogs are also mirrors for others. When people don’t like what they see reflected back at themselves, they can get defensive in their comments as though you had personally attacked them. I never ceases to amaze me. I just want to say to them: “Dude, this ain’t about you!”

By: James Chartrand - Web Content Writer Tips

James Chartrand - Web Content Writer Tips — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 00:40:11 +0000

I often hear bloggers say, “This blog is my home. You wouldn’t walk into a stranger’s home and act like this, would you?”

The answer is (usually) no.

On the other hand, when you receive guests into your home, do you go sit in the kitchen with your coffee and notebook, and let them chat amongst themselves in the living room – alone? Absolutely alone? Without saying a word to them, without waving or smiling or even offering a quick, “Thanks! Come again!”

No, you wouldn’t.

So why is it that many bloggers don’t take an active role in being a good host to their guests? I enjoy blogs that treat me like a welcome friend (or fake that I’m a welcome friend – who knows, eh!). I treat commentators on my blog as welcome friends also. (Or at least, politely, depending on what the commentators have to say.)

So yes. Smile. Be friendly. Show you’re a good host and a good guest. It goes a long, long way.

(Oilers? Oh, well, it’s okay. They have a bunch of Quebecers on the team, so I’ll cheer for that ;p)

By: Adam Snider

Adam Snider — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 20:31:55 +0000

With that Flames t-shirt and sticking out your tongue, you’re just asking for me to turn into a troll, aren’t you Chris? :p

Great post, today. You get what you give. It’s such a simple concept, but it’s so easy to lose sight of it, and think that the world is out to get us.

Act “nice” and you’ll get mostly nice comments on your blog. And, when you do get trolls, deal with them as professionally as possible. Don’t let their negativity bring you—and your blog’s tone—down to their level.

P.S.: Go Oilers!

By: pelf

pelf — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:53:19 +0000

We call it, “What goes around, comes around.”

Buddha called it “karma”. LOL.

By: Ming

Ming — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 13:41:44 +0000

That’s just a brilliant article chris, you must be a brilliant sorta guy!

By: jsanderz

jsanderz — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 12:52:48 +0000

Chris,
Isn’t it funny that when someone gives us a negative comment or may say something nastie, we hold on to it for months and sometimes years, often taking it to heart. Yet when a compliment is paid to us it is normally forgotten in a few days.
Regards.

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 08:58:13 +0000

Hey Chris,

I’ve noticed this a lot recently as I have been posting many comments on other people’s blogs.

I’ve found that a friendly and positive comment will normally results in a friendly and positive comment back – maybe even a return site visit.

“Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself”

By the way, I love those new “pull out” sections of text that you have in your posts. Breaks up the text nicely and gives the whole thing a professional look.