Afraid to Comment

59 Comments
by on May 7, 2009  •  Permalink
Posted in Business, Marketing, Marketing.fm
Tagged

nocomment

Are you afraid to comment on a blog?

I have spoken with a few people recently in person, email, and on the phone about their apprehension to leave comments on this blog or any blog for that matter. Whenever a topic gets on my radar 3+ times I tend to post about it knowing others may have smarter thoughts.

I am not sure why but a growing number of people have emailed me amazing thoughts about a post, but do not want to leave comments.

I wonder if this trend is growing or it is my imagination. I also wonder if the improved search techniques of bosses, potential employers, and brands influence the decision to comment.

As services become ubiquitous enough you will probably already logged in to comment – something that has helped conversations on my blog a lot since I installed Disqus.

What do you think? Are people afraid to comment? Are they leaving less comments?

Posted by Eric Friedman on May 7, 2009

http://www.ericgfriedman.com/2009/05/07/afraid-to-comment/

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  • http://gregpc.wordpress.com GregPC

    It would be pretty funny if you don't get any comments on this post. I've noticed that one of my blogs gets a lot of comments and another gets a lot of email responses. I think it has to do with the topics and the audiences.

    GPC

  • http://gregpc.wordpress.com GregPC

    It would be pretty funny if you don't get any comments on this post. I've noticed that one of my blogs gets a lot of comments and another gets a lot of email responses. I think it has to do with the topics and the audiences.

    GPC

  • http://www.marketing.fm EricFriedman

    I was hoping that would not be the case, although it would prove my point
    :) I think niches have a lot to do with it, but individual emails with
    thoughtful responses that I wish were comments.

  • http://www.marketing.fm EricFriedman

    I was hoping that would not be the case, although it would prove my point
    :) I think niches have a lot to do with it, but individual emails with
    thoughtful responses that I wish were comments.

  • http://tshayes.com thetylerhayes

    It's inevitably going to depend on the person. First, they have to feel like they're not wasting their time by commenting, which is hardly ever. Think of how many things you read each day that you don't comment on. Then, think about the anxiety that 99% of people experience when they're learning something new; it all goes back to confidence. If you're not confident in what you know enough to speak your mind on it, then you may even justify not commenting on someone's post as a waste of their time, strangely enough.

    Ideas are a dome a dozen. This is why VCs usually make sure you've invested your own time/money in your idea, which so often doesn't even happen because people realize their idea isn't as truly revolutionary as they thought once they have to invest in it themselves. People email you ideas, probably, because they don't have the confidence to just post the topic themselves (or they just recognize that you have a larger audience, and that by emailing you their idea has a better chance of getting posted than by just commenting on a random post).

    People do the strangest things.

    Also, love Disqus!

  • http://tshayes.com thetylerhayes

    It's inevitably going to depend on the person. First, they have to feel like they're not wasting their time by commenting, which is hardly ever. Think of how many things you read each day that you don't comment on. Then, think about the anxiety that 99% of people experience when they're learning something new; it all goes back to confidence. If you're not confident in what you know enough to speak your mind on it, then you may even justify not commenting on someone's post as a waste of their time, strangely enough.

    Ideas are a dome a dozen. This is why VCs usually make sure you've invested your own time/money in your idea, which so often doesn't even happen because people realize their idea isn't as truly revolutionary as they thought once they have to invest in it themselves. People email you ideas, probably, because they don't have the confidence to just post the topic themselves (or they just recognize that you have a larger audience, and that by emailing you their idea has a better chance of getting posted than by just commenting on a random post).

    People do the strangest things.

    Also, love Disqus!

  • http://thelostjacket.com Stuartfoster

    I don't know. I think early on I may have been extremely paranoid of saying something stupid or being called out for an incorrect point. Now? I just look at it as part of the learning curve. Occasionally I'm going to say stupid things. But I'm going to do my best to contribute to the conversation and with that comes a few mistakes.

  • http://thelostjacket.com Stuartfoster

    I don't know. I think early on I may have been extremely paranoid of saying something stupid or being called out for an incorrect point. Now? I just look at it as part of the learning curve. Occasionally I'm going to say stupid things. But I'm going to do my best to contribute to the conversation and with that comes a few mistakes.

  • http://filmrot.com James

    Leaving this comment scared the crap out of me!

  • http://filmrot.com James

    Leaving this comment scared the crap out of me!

  • http://www.marketing.fm EricFriedman

    Now your info is out on the web :)

  • http://www.marketing.fm EricFriedman

    Now your info is out on the web :)

  • http://www.marketing.fm EricFriedman

    I agree the ratio is tough – more people will always be lurking vs. participating. By minimizing the barrier to comment helps. And yes, Disqus is awesome.

  • http://www.marketing.fm EricFriedman

    I agree the ratio is tough – more people will always be lurking vs. participating. By minimizing the barrier to comment helps. And yes, Disqus is awesome.

  • http://gregpc.wordpress.com GregPC

    It would be pretty funny if you don't get any comments on this post. I've noticed that one of my blogs gets a lot of comments and another gets a lot of email responses. I think it has to do with the topics and the audiences.

    GPC

  • http://www.marketing.fm EricFriedman

    I was hoping that would not be the case, although it would prove my point
    :) I think niches have a lot to do with it, but individual emails with
    thoughtful responses that I wish were comments.

  • http://www.marketing.fm EricFriedman

    Nice first line answer :) I think its best to throw a bunch of stuff up there and see what sticks – but being afraid of the feedback is what causes me to try to invite participation in a different way.

  • http://www.marketing.fm EricFriedman

    Nice first line answer :) I think its best to throw a bunch of stuff up there and see what sticks – but being afraid of the feedback is what causes me to try to invite participation in a different way.

  • http://thetylerhayes.com Tyler Hayes

    It's inevitably going to depend on the person. First, they have to feel like they're not wasting their time by commenting, which is hardly ever. Think of how many things you read each day that you don't comment on. Then, think about the anxiety that 99% of people experience when they're learning something new; it all goes back to confidence. If you're not confident in what you know enough to speak your mind on it, then you may even justify not commenting on someone's post as a waste of their time, strangely enough.

    Ideas are a dome a dozen. This is why VCs usually make sure you've invested your own time/money in your idea, which so often doesn't even happen because people realize their idea isn't as truly revolutionary as they thought once they have to invest in it themselves. People email you ideas, probably, because they don't have the confidence to just post the topic themselves (or they just recognize that you have a larger audience, and that by emailing you their idea has a better chance of getting posted than by just commenting on a random post).

    People do the strangest things.

    Also, love Disqus!

  • http://thelostjacket.com Stuartfoster

    I don't know. I think early on I may have been extremely paranoid of saying something stupid or being called out for an incorrect point. Now? I just look at it as part of the learning curve. Occasionally I'm going to say stupid things. But I'm going to do my best to contribute to the conversation and with that comes a few mistakes.

  • http://filmrot.com James

    Leaving this comment scared the crap out of me!

  • http://www.marketing.fm EricFriedman

    Now your info is out on the web :)

  • http://www.marketing.fm EricFriedman

    I agree the ratio is tough – more people will always be lurking vs. participating. By minimizing the barrier to comment helps. And yes, Disqus is awesome.

  • http://www.marketing.fm EricFriedman

    Nice first line answer :) I think its best to throw a bunch of stuff up there and see what sticks – but being afraid of the feedback is what causes me to try to invite participation in a different way.

  • http://jeremystein.tumblr.com jeremystein

    commenting is one of the best networking tools i know. you can get access to top people in your industry. when the smartest people in the room are talking and youre not learning anything, youre either not paying attention or youre not trying very hard. discussions are invaluable. a comment goes a long way.

  • http://jeremystein.tumblr.com jeremystein

    commenting is one of the best networking tools i know. you can get access to top people in your industry. when the smartest people in the room are talking and youre not learning anything, youre either not paying attention or youre not trying very hard. discussions are invaluable. a comment goes a long way.

  • http://www.marketing.fm EricFriedman

    I totally agree

  • http://www.marketing.fm EricFriedman

    I totally agree

  • Erin

    Maybe people are just afraid of what others may think…like public speaking, or when you have to answer a question in class.

  • http://www.marketing.fm EricFriedman

    I think that is a big part of it! Once you start though its much easier – just like class

  • Erin

    Maybe people are just afraid of what others may think…like public speaking, or when you have to answer a question in class.

  • http://www.marketing.fm EricFriedman

    I think that is a big part of it! Once you start though its much easier – just like class

  • Sohan

    its really a good site.

  • http://www.lifeschocolates.com sameve

    Very interesting observation, I've noticed this trend too. I hope it has nothing to do with improved search techniques, since people should be able to express their opinions/thoughts in a way that they will not later regret. It's really unfortunate that some people are afraid to comment, because as nice as it is to receive an e-mail from a reader, it's not the same as the conversations that can start from comments. I'm a fan of Disqus too. Great post!

  • http://www.marketing.fm EricFriedman

    Thanks! I think its the BEST way to connect to your readers, and this post
    has opened up some good dialogues with people I would not otherwise be
    talking to.

  • http://www.lifeschocolates.com sameve

    Very interesting observation, I've noticed this trend too. I hope it has nothing to do with improved search techniques, since people should be able to express their opinions/thoughts in a way that they will not later regret. It's really unfortunate that some people are afraid to comment, because as nice as it is to receive an e-mail from a reader, it's not the same as the conversations that can start from comments. I'm a fan of Disqus too. Great post!

  • http://www.marketing.fm EricFriedman

    Thanks! I think its the BEST way to connect to your readers, and this post
    has opened up some good dialogues with people I would not otherwise be
    talking to.

  • http://www.vistasad.com atul chatterjee

    I'm not scared to comment. In fact when I comment I have noticed that I remember the post much better. For the past 3 weeks I have hopped between about 75 blogs and a number of posts on each. so possibly this is an additional benefit of a comment.
    You could circulate the fear among bloggers, check out if this is a trend and try ascertain the cause. If it is so, it is certainly a cause for worry.

  • http://www.vistasad.com atul chatterjee

    I'm not scared to comment. In fact when I comment I have noticed that I remember the post much better. For the past 3 weeks I have hopped between about 75 blogs and a number of posts on each. so possibly this is an additional benefit of a comment.
    You could circulate the fear among bloggers, check out if this is a trend and try ascertain the cause. If it is so, it is certainly a cause for worry.

  • http://www.marketing.fm EricFriedman

    Whenever I comment, I tend to go back to check the flow of conversation and
    definitely remember the post better too. Obviously using Disqus emails you
    replies which is helpful to keep the flow of conversation going via
    blackberry responses.

  • http://www.marketing.fm EricFriedman

    Whenever I comment, I tend to go back to check the flow of conversation and
    definitely remember the post better too. Obviously using Disqus emails you
    replies which is helpful to keep the flow of conversation going via
    blackberry responses.

  • http://helpanentrepreneur.com Jared O'Toole

    Odd never really thought about this. I am definitely not afraid to comment on blogs. Its a great way to connect with the authors and other readers. I do realize though that many of my readers don't leave comments. Its just not a habit for many people I guess.

  • http://helpanentrepreneur.com Jared O'Toole

    Odd never really thought about this. I am definitely not afraid to comment on blogs. Its a great way to connect with the authors and other readers. I do realize though that many of my readers don't leave comments. Its just not a habit for many people I guess.

  • http://helpanentrepreneur.com Jared O'Toole

    Odd never really thought about this. I am definitely not afraid to comment on blogs. Its a great way to connect with the authors and other readers. I do realize though that many of my readers don't leave comments. Its just not a habit for many people I guess.

  • http://helpanentrepreneur.com Jared O'Toole

    Odd never really thought about this. I am definitely not afraid to comment on blogs. Its a great way to connect with the authors and other readers. I do realize though that many of my readers don't leave comments. Its just not a habit for many people I guess.

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  • http://modestadventurer.com Traveller_Adventure

    Great post, really help me alot. Thanks.

    Cheers,
    Buat Duit Dengan Blog

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