Feel free to loose your commenting-virginty

One last post about the blog, and then normal service will be resumed, back to bite-size nuggets of brand insight, I promise...

...Rebecca made a fascinating comment on my last post about "busy boulangerie syndrome" (busier the boulangerie, more people come in...more comments on the blog, more people comment...and vice versa). She explained how she was always up for expressing views verbally, but when it came to committing them in writing, she was much less forthcoming. So she kept her comments on WTS to herself, until being one of the suddent rush of commenters on the post asking for readers of the WTS book.

Several other readers (Peter de K., Nick J.) have also told me that they have comments to make on the blog, but are worried about typing them in unitl they're perfectly formed. They decide to wait to get them perfect...and then,the moments gone. You guys probably have a stack of comments stored on your PC, feeling alone and un-loved! I know Helen L. prefers to email on posts she likes to other people, which is fine as well.

Well, I invite you to treat this blog like a pub, bar or cafe where we get together and have a chat about brands. Its informal. We have a few drinks, and people just say what's on their mind. We take the piss out of stuff. We have a laugh. Its not a formal, fine dining restaurant where you have to be on best behaviour...as Jamie Oliver would say, "Get stuck in!"

Indeed, one of the big things about "Web 2.0", of which blogging and other "social media" sites are part, is that stuff is not formalised, or polished.

So come on, its time to loose your commenting-Virginity like Rebecca has! Once you've tried it, I'm sure you'll like it. And this blog will be a much more interesting place.

AND, if you're still worried about making a comment you later regret, I'll make a guarantee...tell me, and I'll remove it within 24 hours! No-one will ever know...

CHEERS!

David

Comments

[Pink]

Always inspirational and always beautiful to look at.

[Virginia]

Good to see real expretsie on display. Your contribution is most welcome.

[Rick Sanchez]

I just got up the nerve to post comments on my wife's blog. Of course she can really write. The only comment I'd like to make is a thanks for posting some memorable, informative and entertaining information.

Cheers

Tricia,
You're dead right, I love Method. Posted on it here:
http://wheresthesausage.typepad.com/my_weblog/2006/12/method_the_gree.html

[tricia]

Hello
Here's a nice new example of sausage + sizzle - Method Brand. What do you think?

http://methodhome.com/

[Barbie]

Hi! I'm from Argentina. This is the first time I visit the site. I'm not going to comment on anything but simply say that as I'm a business English teacher I find your site quite interesting and useful for my classes.

[Graeme Murray]

What do you make of the newly unveiled 2012 Olympics logo?

[David Taylor (from Where'sTheSausage)]

Amelia, Thanks for coming into the pub and joining the conversation!

I have read Ben and Jackie's stuff on the 1% rule...and if its 1% then the amount of comments is about right...c.200-300 people reading, x 1% = 2-3 people commenting...10% would be 20-30 people.

From what I see on other blogs that get this level of comments, they have much bigger readership...so I think the commenting rule is perhaps closer to the 1%.

Also, big learning this month is that the commenting count jumps big time when you have a truly open post that invites people in ...such as the vote on the book cover I did.

[amelia]

You've probably heard about the 1% Rule - in which for every 100 people online, 1 person will create new content, 10 people will engage with content (ie add a Post/Comment) and 89 will simply passively engage without adding. Do you think those stats work for you?

[David Taylor (from Wheresthesausage)]

Rob's comment about "stealing attention from ths post" is another really interesting one...it does reinforce my concerns about the posts up to now being a bit too perfect and "closed". Its like painting a picture that is perfectly finished, when really it should be part completed and allow people to add to it, re-draw parts, and so on.

Isn't a good example Wikipedia? The first entry is put up, but then other people add, correct, complete. Its collaborative.

And as for feeling like your grabbing attention, you feel like that because everyone is watching everyone else and waiting to join in...no-one will go on the empty dance-floor for fear of attracting attention...but when a few people start dancing, everyone piles on.

So come on Rob, get bopping!

[Rebecca]

That is the first 'fascinating comment' I think I have made. Wooo!
I guess that I have to post now. I feel a little cheeky, the way I dont post but was one of the first to jump in at the chance of reading a book draft! *blushes*

I will try to make another 'fascinating comment' sometime in the future!

[Rob]

I guess one of my reasons for not commenting is, simply put, fear of seeming sycophantish. I've always considered myself one of "life's great watchers". and tried to blend in wherever i go/whatever i do. By commenting, it feels like i'm trying to say "hey, look at me! i'm here, too!", or like i'm trying to steal attention from the post. I'm sure it's just a phobia, but it's my phobia, darnit, and i like it.

but since you've invited, i'll try to be more vocal...