What should you have done today – and didn’t?  Will you get around to it do you think? ]]> From a idea by Teuchter when my mojo was low last week

What should you have done today – and didn’t?  Will you get around to it do you think?

As a frequent commenter on a little WordPress blog called That’s My Answer!, I have some advice to both the moderators and the participants.

That’s My Answer! is pretty active but it primarily a single-sided affair. Rarely do you get the regulars interacting [...]]]> HektikLyfe has written a post titled How That’s My Answer! Could Improve, which I have included below:

As a frequent commenter on a little WordPress blog called That’s My Answer!, I have some advice to both the moderators and the participants.

That’s My Answer! is pretty active but it primarily a single-sided affair. Rarely do you get the regulars interacting with each other. The authors attempt to spur interaction by starting threads that require each poster to respond to the previous but that only goes so far. They don’t really interact. They play the game and move on.

I have seen them post the occasional reader submission and I can see how that would instill a sense of belonging.

They really need to emphasize this aspect of the community. In the rules they specify that it is “Not a meme” but I don’t see how this is a benefit. I think they SHOULD make it more of a meme to build a community. Once the people know each other they will return there to congregate.

Right now I post comments, I put thought into my responses with the intent to be at least a little witty or entertaining. Sometimes I post direct responses, suggestions or questions to the other participants and its like I don’t even exist.

That is one of my pet peeve’s. I don’t put the blame solely on the readers though. The authors don’t really encourage any form of amity.

So what would I do? I would post more questions from the fans. Emphasize the importance of commenting on the previous poster. Post questions that would involve users going out to the internet for answers and posting responses on each others blogs etc.

Simple questions and answers are fun enough but if there isn’t any depth to it, its minimal design will ultimately result in a loss of readership.

Just thinking out loud.

First of all, thank you for taking the time to actually write an entire post giving me advise, (something that no one has ever done before) you’ve obviously put a lot of thought into it.  I’d like to address a few things:

• There is an option when leaving your comment that allows you to subscribe to any subsequent comments. By choosing it, then you would receive any and all direct responses immediately.
• In the 3-1/2 years that I’ve run my website, I have tried many different ways to develop a community. Not all of my ideas have worked, in fact some completely bombed. But some have been successful, for instance Where Are You Going Wednesday has been steadily popular. And I loved, and really appreciated, the bloggers who jumped in to take over for me while I was on vacation.
• There are links in the left hand column for ”fans” (commenters) to email me with their own questions, see Blog of the Day. It’s up to you to take advantage of that option.
• I haven’t noticed any loss of readership, in fact, the readership is growing! Hello to the new readers!!
• I have thought of replying to comments in the comments.

Everyone knows how I love to turn it around and ask for your opinion, so what is your opinion of HektikLyfe’s advise for me? He had some advise for you, the participant as well. And lastly, what would you do to improve That’s My Answer!?

So, tell us, to relax … would you choose swimming, squash or chocolate? ]]> Courtesy (tonight coming home in the car) of my friend Ruth.

So, tell us, to relax … would you choose swimming, squash or chocolate?