Ruminations of an Online Instructor / MD

Being a Good Blog Host / Day 19 Respond to a Commenter

May 19, 2008 at 11:21 pm | In 31 Day Comment Challenge, Blogging, Ruminations Blog, comment08, online education | 1 Comment
Tags: 31 Day Comment Challenge, blog commenters, Blog Comments, comment08, Education Blogging, Education Blogs

During the 19 days of the challenge I haven’t been as good about making it around to visit other people’s blogs as much as I’d originally planned.

I have, however, been very diligent about responding to comments posted promptly although not as promptly as Sue Waters, she seems to have lightening reflexes at times and for good reason, her quote is the inspiration for this activity.

According to Sue:

If readers have made time to comment on your posts, you should always make sure to respond back (ideally to each reader) in the comments on that post. This is very important for building your blog’s community as it demonstrates that you value your readers and their input.

I have to agree with Sue who is very diligent about encouraging bloggers and responding to posts (part of the reason she was one of my recipients of the Creating Community award given out earlier in the week.

Building Community

Commenting back on posts left to a blog (or to email messages) also increases community interaction whether the comments are on a discussion board in a classroom, an email message, in a blog or in many of the other social networking areas.

I see responding within a reasonable period of time to email messages from my online students a must for building community with online students.

I think within the blogging community, responding back to someone’s posts indicates that you not only value your blog readers, but you also value their input.

Day 19: Respond to a Commenter on Your Own Blog

The challenge was to respond back to commenters on your blog.

Accomplishments for Day 19

Realization that I’ve been pretty good about responding back to commenters on my blog.

Agreeing with Sue’s reasons for responding to commenters.

Reflecting on what it means to respond to blog posters.

Writing and Posting Day 19 Activity, actually on Day 19!

Reflections & Revelations on Day 19

I think this activity helped to underscore the need for good manners even in the online setting. If someone makes a gesture e.g. posting a message in your blog, it is an indication that he or she has taken time to read what you have to say and respond to it. It’s just good manners and being a good blog host or hostess to respond back to their post.

Image: Modified Microsoft Image.

This blog post is part of The Comment Challenge, comment08.