What Compels You to Reply?

by Scott Henderson

Have you ever posted a comment to a blog? Have you ever commented on a YouTube video? Have you ever commented on Flickr photos? Have you replied to anyone on Twitter?

If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, I want to know one thing.  What compels you to reply?

I’ll post this question on Twitter, too, and then compile a follow-up post summarizing what everyone shares. Feel free to share with anyone you know is a frequent commenter.

Tags: Blog, comments, conversation, Flicker, social media, twitter, youtube
Categories: Various Musings

You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

26 Responses to “What Compels You to Reply?”

1. Erik Deckers Says:
   November 25th, 2008 at 8:56 am

   I comment on blog posts partly because I like the people I’m responding to, partly because I think it’s an interesting topic, but mostly because I do it for Search Engine Optimization, like putting a link to my humor blog. Like I just did right there.

   I don’t comment on YouTube or Flickr, mostly because I don’t frequent those pages very often. And who DOESN’T reply to Twitter messages? I mean, besides the Amish.

2. Kathy Says:
   November 25th, 2008 at 9:04 am

   I had a comment on my blog last week from a girl in Germany who has been a lurker for a couple of years. Why? Because I mentioned a German spice cookie I had eaten and they were a fav of hers! I comment because I know how much comments mean to me when I get them. And sometimes the subject matter is just too irresistible! I am forced to give my humble opinion…er, kinda like I just did! lol

3. Richard Reeve Says:
   November 25th, 2008 at 9:58 am

   Blog commenting is another venue for what Chris Brogan calls out-posting. It gives you a place to network, carry your message, and become a voice. I look at all out-posting activity as primary, but to that end think that it is crucial to use a service like backtype to gather into a feed all the efforts you make. What I notice now that I’m a few hundred comments into the practice: my talking points emerge with consistency and the relationships built are valuable.

4. Barb Gibson Says:
   November 25th, 2008 at 10:03 am

   I think in general, I comment on blogs and reply to tweets for the same kinds of reasons that I engage in various conversations at a cocktail party. I see or hear something interesting, think I have something to add, or just want to connect with someone. Or, as in the case here, I was specifically asked for an opinion. Maybe others have SEO agendas. I’m just engaging in conversations.

5. Amy Boyack Says:
   November 25th, 2008 at 10:07 am

   I kind of think I’m just a blabber mouth and like to be at the center of attention. I also have always answered questions in class and started conversations with new people. Some people aren’t comfortable talking and leaving comments. I love the stage. I’ll take it whenever I think it’s worthwhile to engage in conversation.

6. Rob McGuire Says:
   November 25th, 2008 at 10:09 am

   Years ago I would comment frequently on blogs mostly for the links generated from my replies. Nowadays I could comment more often than I do now but I try to only comment if I have an actual “comment”. After seeing so many comment spams on my blogs I do not want to add any more to other people’s sites.

7. K yle Reddoch Says:
   November 25th, 2008 at 10:22 am

   I leave comments with people I like and talk to. I always have something to add to any given subject.

8. Darragh Says:
   November 25th, 2008 at 10:22 am

   To connect, to share, to join the conversation. Simple as that

9. Heather (How to be a Woman..?) Says:
   November 25th, 2008 at 10:23 am

   It depends. Sometimes I’m compelled to reply to material that has touched me in some way, or that I consider to be particularly insightful, entertaining or groundbreaking.

   Other times I reply in hopes that people will be so fascinated with my every fascinating word that they won’t be able to help themselves and will have to come and check out my blog and leave fascinating comments.

10. Jeff Cole Says:
    November 25th, 2008 at 10:24 am

    I leave comments on blogs for two reasons:

    One, if the blogger says something I disagree with, I will say so. It is supposed to be a conversation. It’s kind of like a dissenting opinion on a supreme court decision,

    And two, just to let the blogger know someone is reading his or her stuff.

    We all like to think someone is following us. It’s kind of an ego boost to find out someone is doing that.

11. Dean Meyers Says:
    November 25th, 2008 at 10:25 am

    I comment to 1)engage in conversation – I’m a social animal; 2)let others know I’m listening; and sometimes 3)learn by asking for more information.

12. Rufus Says:
    November 25th, 2008 at 10:26 am

    @Amy I love the raw honesty! thank you.

    I comment on blogs almost exclusively to other people’s comments, as a gentle nudge, a disagreement to get a conversation going. I find a lot of blogs have their followers (Mutual Admiration Society) their haters (The Richard Noggin Dumass Awards) and their lurkers… (no cute name for them, sorry) If I can learn ate least one point of view or get them to think beyond what they think they already know, then a comment is worth the time.

    Plus, it helps forming arguments that get to the point quickly and succinctly. And this comment is neither of the two

13. Deb Says:
    November 25th, 2008 at 10:27 am

    We leave comments because we want to be heard. It makes us feel important. Or we really are passionate about the point we are trying to drive home!

    Deb

14. Jeffrey J Davis Says:
    November 25th, 2008 at 10:37 am

    Blogs are a form of networking. Networking is a form of collaboration. Collaboration is a way to create value and insight from the interplay of various ideas and experiences from diverse individuals, made possible by the Web.

    Usually I comment to affirm or complement a nice piece of writing and hopefully to expand upon the thought. I rarely comment negatively, I don’t feel it’s very constructive.

    One + One = Three if we all participate. Let’s Build It!!

    best,

    JJD
    tweet me @JeffreyJDavis

15. Mark White Says:
    November 25th, 2008 at 10:39 am

    I guess that for me, it’s when the subject being written about interests me and I feel that I have something to add. I’m not someone who goes around writing “Great post” and then leaves it at that – at the end of the day I don’t believe that particularly adds anything. However, writing something of value which contributes to the discussion seems to be a much better way of thanking the author for their post and hopefully develops the conversation as well.

16. Pat Montgomery Says:
    November 25th, 2008 at 10:40 am

    I comment because I like comments on mine. It is nice to know someone is reading them.

17. Gerard LeBlond Says:
    November 25th, 2008 at 10:55 am

    There are 3 reasons why I reply to posts.

    1st: to add something germane to the topic of discussion for purpose of contributing additional insights or content missing from other comments or the the lead post.

    2nd: to reinforce strong comments or statements made by others using supporting examples; and

    3rd: for the self-serving purpose of getting my name & associated website links dispersed more widely over the world-wide-web.

    Respectfully,
    Gerard LeBlond
    President
    http://www.AboutYourWealth.com

18. Susan/Together WE Flourish Says:
    November 25th, 2008 at 11:14 am

    I comment on blogs an Twitter for the same reason I talk to people in person. To develop relationships, share thoughts, interact, learn and network.

19. Steven Howard Says:
    November 25th, 2008 at 11:54 am

    Scott: I’ll comment on blogs/Twitter if I can contribute something new to the conversation, or if I can help readers become aware of additional viewpoints or opportunities. Recently, I’ve been commenting about cliq.in, our network of social intranets for High Schools, where faculty can embrace innovative classroom technology, and where students can contribute UGC to their yearbooks and newspapers.

20. Drew Preston Hainz Says:
    November 25th, 2008 at 1:39 pm

    I honestly don’t comment on blogs that often. The blogs that I subscribe most to are social media and design blogs and I never feel that the topics warrant a reply beyond, “Interesting/good post.”

    It’s not that they aren’t interesting—that’s why I subscribe, but social media and design tips aren’t something you can have readily have conversation about. Especially with the design, aside from principles it’s all subjective and most design blogs are about trends.

    The blogs that I have commented on tend to be political, news, or social issues. And that’s because I have a strong opinion about the topic. Even if I agree w/ the post, I’ll comment because I feel kind of protective of the blogger for putting his/her opinions out there.

    As far as Twitter, to me that’s a whole other animal. I comment as much as I can. I think it’s similar to my take on blogging—if someone is tweeting about what they’re doing, then I feel like as a friend and/or follower, I should respond. Plus, with Twitter, it’s a lot less formal and invasive and you want as many tweets as possible so it almost becomes an easier way to network than blogging.

    I mean, I’m writing on your blog because of Twitter and w/o my @MediaSauce tweets, never would have known about any of this.

21. Paul Miller Says:
    November 25th, 2008 at 3:03 pm

    I comment on occasion. Usually, I will drop a note on a close friend’s blog, or a local band I work with. Sometimes, I’ll write something on a blog with the intention to generate some feedback. Amazingly, it can provide a sense of not being alone on a thought or idea. Or if its a comical blog or on the subject of music, I anticipate reactions inspired by my initial rant, and can provide a little extra inspiration.

    I think I mostly enjoy the fact that the world gets pulled closer together. I remember one of my professors saying that writers write to remain immortal. Well, thanks to blogs, many of us shall share our thoughts, and hopefully they will remain archived (if desired by the initial blogger) forever.

22. WineDiverGirl Says:
    November 25th, 2008 at 6:27 pm

    I agree with 14-18: also it keeps the interest and therefore thinking process going; I’m looking for new information, new ideas and connecting the dots. So I’m filtering and looking through blogs: the comments are my trail of bread crumbs.

23. Angie Six Says:
    November 25th, 2008 at 11:44 pm

    On friends’ blogs I try to comment often, just to let them know I’m reading. I follow a lot of random blogs, though, which I don’t usually comment on. Now that I’m getting more into blogging myself, I find myself commenting on those blogs more, though. Kind of a “do unto others” thing, as it would be nice to know if random people are reading/enjoying my blog . . . more than just my regular 3 readers!

24. Aaron Says:
    November 26th, 2008 at 11:43 am

    I love to chime in on discussions about topics I’m passionate about. I comment regularly on http://www.underconsideration.com/brandnew/ because I get all riled up about branding and design. I also love to point out peoples’ inconsistent and sometimes false points they make. And I’m a sucker for random jokes and mockings!

25. Dustin Sparks Says:
    December 8th, 2008 at 10:24 am

    I have never posted a comment. I refuse. Never will….

    What’s a blog?

26. Susan/Together We Flourish Says:
    January 1st, 2009 at 6:22 pm

    I read some blogs to learn and some to be entertained. Sometime I comment because I have something to say and sometimes it is because I know that the blogger will appreciate it if I do so. I’m relatively new to this blogging thing but am thoroughly enjoying the interacting and the relationships that are being built.

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