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!?
Although I understand the point of view, I disagree.
I’ve send in guest questions. I’ve visited some of the other visitors’ blogs. This site is what each person wants to make of it.
When I have time, I visit loyally. When I’m crazy-busy, like lately, I check out a couple of the questions and responses, but then I move on.
What would I change? The number of questions somedays. When it goes over 3 in one day, I feel overloaded. But that is even personal preference. Others seem to like that.
RC – Rambling Along…s last blog post..No really, I’m on a blogcation…
i have a few comments.
i think you should do whatever you want to do, it’s your blog.
i actually read the other comments and i go back the next day (when i’m answering the new questions) and read the comments again. most of the questions are not looking for some sort of thread, it’s all about me, my comment, you asking me something about me, making me feel important, for just a moment. me, me, me. i like that. i have noticed others do read the comments and their comments will include something about what someone else has said. i’m not looking for a discussion group, i don’t sit in front of my computer screen for hours, monitoring whatever comments have been given and adding more of my comments based on what others have said.
i’ve had e-mails from some commentors, some have visited me, i’ve visited others, it’s a community if you want it to be a community, just like in real life, how much are you prepared to do? has he ever visited me, gotten to know me, read any of my comments, left me a comment, asked me a question, does he want to know what i think, my opinion, i doubt it. building a community is hard work, on a blog, in real life, you get what you put into it.
i don’t think he should be giving any advise to a commentor, this site asks a question, if someone is going to tell me there are rules on how i should be answering, then you really don’t care what i think, you want the question answered a certain way.
i like that i can sit down in front of the screen with a cup of tea and answer a question. it can be just that simple. i think that’s why your readership has grown. it’s easy. it’s fun. it’s part of my daily routine.
and now i’m going to go and visit him, read what his community is all about and say good morning. i wonder if he’ll bother to visit me?
As the previous two have mentioned, this is YOUR site and YOUR idea and those of us who are regulars here enjoy it as it is. A community is made by those who participitate and I haven’t noticed a loss of readership here. I, too, have had e-mail from some who post here, some who visit my site and I, in turn, have visited others’ sites. I think the addition of the CommentLuv has been just GREAT because I am frequently intrigued by the title of someone else’s blog and follow up on it.
There isn’t as much back and forth in questions, where they turn into a discussion, but I don’t see that as a negative thing. I just love the chance to answer the questions and love the variety.
Advice for you: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!
Bevs last blog post..Anybody can grow up to be president in this country
if you’re happy with the blog (it’s meeting your needs & goals for it) and it’s generating the amount of traffic you want it to, take it as constructive criticism from someone who likes it enough to care.
if not, consider making changes.
and here’s a question idea (since we’re all bloggers … ): What’s your favorite post on your own blog?
The people have spoken. I know with previous blogs and websites that I have created I have catered to my audience, whomever they may be, so I understand why you could fear change.
The whole community aspect DOES require more effort which many people aren’t willing to follow through with.
I find it incredibly fulfilling when the community discusses a topic you instigated amongst themselves. Participation not only with the original creator of the post but with each other, which is why I really like the ones you post that require answering a question asked by the previous poster.
Hey if your loyal fans don’t want change then I don’t blame you. As a fan of this blog myself I was just posting what I thought I would enjoy and what I thought others might as well since it is what the group of people that follow my blog like to do. You did mention
I have noticed things like the CommentLuv functionality and Who Said What and I figured that you were trying to improve community interaction. I offering suggestions on how to build on that.
You do mention another blog which sounds like it may seem to be what I am looking for. I will e-mail you for that info.
I know I have a few readers on my blog that came from here which is why I posted it to begin with. I wanted to give back to the community in appreciation. I thought it might be enjoyable for this group of people that ARE looking to interact with each other to interact here too and not be just a faceless question answerer.
I hope there aren’t any hard feelings. I assure you all my intentions were for the best.
HektikLyfes last blog post..How That’s My Answer! Could Improve
Oh and Better Safe than Sorry, I DID bother to visit your page. I read your blog about male purses and thought to post a comment about how they should call male purse’s durse’s instead of furse’s so female purse’s could remain purse’s but realized, to my dismay, that you redirect your posts to Haloscan. Not willing to increase the amount of places I throw my e-mail address around I shall refrain from posting there until I can confirm that Haloscan doesn’t sell the addresses to third party spammers.
HektikLyfes last blog post..How That’s My Answer! Could Improve
There is no fear of change, my blog is what it is, and I like it. So I do not appreciate you telling me that fear is keeping me from taking your suggestions.
http://www.micheleagnew.com is the site you’ll probably love, however, she’s been on a bit of a hiatus and does not post every day as she used to. Also, her weekend meet & greet does not occur as much as it used to, and I have asked if she would mind if I picked it up. She does. I respect her decision. It was her creativity that brought about the meet & greet, it’s pure genius! And since Michele and I have a blog friendship, I’m not about to do to her what countless people do to me. Copy her content. Which is why I clarify that I’m not a meme. If I were to state that I’m a meme (and I’m not) it would give everyone free rights to copy my content, not give any credit, not play along in the comments, and just use That’s My Answer as a resource.
The whole point of the question where a poster answers the question of the previous poster is that everyone gets a new question, it’s interactive, and people enjoy it. The CommentLuv is there to show appreciation to those who leave comments. The comment subscription option is there for those you want to follow the responses.
You’ve only been on my site since June — I’ve been on my site since April of 2005. Trust me when I tell you that I’ve got my site all figured out.
And yes, there are hard feelings. I never expected to have a blog post written from one of my readers about how I could run my site better. Excuse me? How do you NOT find that highly offensive? And by the way, you called my readers ‘freakazoids’ yesterday, I let the comment stand because you need to responsible for what you say, however I must say that it was highly rude.
I take pride in the fact that my site is a place where you can have your answer, and someone else can have theirs. Some will even interpret a question differently from others, which is why I don’t answer the questions any more. Many times I’ve intended the question completely different from how it was answered, but it’s all in the interpretation.
Anyhow, there is no fear involved.
Not to repeat myself, but for those who didn’t get read my previous comment, what makes me more interested in coming here everday is that I know I can click on someones answer and visit their blog, comment or not depending on if I have something to say. I do agree with HektikLyfe that comunication helps you get to know the other players better, but I don’t do chat rooms or even IM because that doesn’t interest me. Ask my kids, they’ve been trying to get me interested in that stuff for a long time, but that’s not what I’d like to spend my online time doing. I like that it’s up to each individual how we do this. I know Indigo doesn’t think of TMA as a meme, but I do it as a meme and post all my TMA questions on my blog. That’s another choice you make yourself. I do agree that this is Indigo’s site, she can run it anyway she feels fit, it’s up to us to get out of it what we want. I just know for me, I love seeing what other players had to say, giving comments and giving them. That’s my choice and I don’t get offended if I don’t get a comment back, we all have different levels of busy in our lives.
Indigo, I don’t see why you are offended by mere suggestions. Some of you have tried both successfully and unsuccessfully. As a suggestion you can take it or leave it or say f*** off, which you have effectively done, at your whim. Neither of which would cause me any harm. You stated early on that you tried many things, some which succeeded and some which failed. So you HAVE tried change.
I don’t ever remember stating that I said fear was what kept you from taking my suggestions specifically. I said change. Once you settle into a final format it is understandable that the flow of things keep you from searching for further format or content changes. Though for you to say that you’ve got your site all figured out sounds a bit presumptuous don’t you think? I am fully aware that it is YOUR site and you can do with it as you wish as you have done so SUCCESSFULLY. But to argue that the site is perfect and that NOTHING could be done to make the experience better? This is what you get across from a “all figured out” statement like that.
Look, its obvious I am not going to make any more fans here on your site than the potential ones I have lost already by continuing to defend my point, so I will keep my trap shut.
I apologize if I offended anyone at any point in any comment I have made in the past four months. The term “freakazoid” was used in jest and if I hurt anyone by it I’m sorry. I figured we wouldn’t have sensitive folk participating in a topic that might be offensive even to discuss like, infidelity.
I do enjoy your page for what it is and again, formally apologize if I offended you or any of your loyal readers. I will refrain from commenting any further to prevent any further offenses.
HektikLyfes last blog post..90% Girls
I think it has all been said (typed) before I got here today LOL. It is YOUR Blog, do with it what you want. Personally, I like it just the way it is.
Shannon H.s last blog post..Wednesday Weirdness: October 8, 2008
I enjoy it the way it is..simple and uncomplicated.
I get up early, have coffee and check out the questions.
Sometimes I will answer a few directly.
Others I have to think about for a while.
If I feel one doesn’t pertain to me, I ignore it.
I’ll go back in the late afternoon and check out what everyone has said.
I like that.
It’s a fun, straightforward site without a lot of bells and whistles.
It just makes me think and smile.
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I don’t want to say much more about this.
Indigo, I think you’ve done a fine job and I appreciate TMA just the way it is.
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hektik life, here are your words, note the word fear on the fourth line
The people have spoken. I know with previous blogs and websites that I have created I have catered to my audience, whomever they may be, so I understand why you could fear change.
I just wanted to say I love this site! I am a regular here, but have been a sort of hiatus for the past few weeks due to some personal issues. I like the way the site is…you get out what you put in. I have looked at a few others blogs and/or answers, but to quite honest, I’m not really looking for another community of sorts. I am a stay at home mom of 2 boys, ages 6 and 20 months. I have my hands full and don’t have a whole lot of time to spend on many communities. I love answering questions and love to read others’ answers, but just don’t have the time to read and post on others’ blogs right now. I barely have time to post on mine..as you can tell from my lack of updating!!
Indigo- I think you are doing a wonderful job. I feel welcome here, I feel my opinions and answers to the questions matter, and I do feel a sense of community. I honestly think it’s just perfect.
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Wow. I am speechless.
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You do know you pulled me out of my blogcation, when I saw this.
(I’m heading back to it, after this, so no posts from me for a little bit…)
And like I mentioned – I’m quite happy with the set-up.
I forgot to mention – if a question really touches me, I do keep coming back to see what others say, and I’m pretty certain I’ve reacted to others’ comments in past, too.
I guess everyone has their opinions, and we can’t please them all (nor should we try to).
Take care, Indigo! I like what you’ve built here.
RCs last blog post..No really, I’m on a blogcation…