Comments on: You Are Not Seth Godin. Your Corporate Blog Needs Comments

By: Computer Tech

Computer Tech — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 07:11:34 +0000

Building a following is one of the most important aspects of blogging. The give and take relationship that you build with that following gives you a unique opportunity to develop loyalty. The value of that loyalty is simply beyond measure in my opinion.

By: Anna

Anna — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 20:21:36 +0000

This all seems so obvious to me, that it’s amazing that some people need to be told! But I do see the occasional medium-sized to large organization thinking it is too good for – I mean, can turn off :) – comments. Great post, I will remember this in case I need to show it to somebody. :)

By: Matt Cheuvront

Matt Cheuvront — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 12:34:44 +0000

Pretty surprised to see this post cause such a debate. Do you NEED comments to be a successful blog, corporate or otherwise? No. But as Lisa has said, when you are building a community around your brand, you need engagement and interaction, you need your readers to do more than absorb the content. You need absorption and response. A blog is (usually) a much more interesting read when the conversation following a post adds as much/more value than the article itself. Being able to read about a topic and hear 20 points of view is always more valuable (in my mind) than being exposed to only one. Interesting debate here – I think a blog can and should focus on BOTH content and community to see the most success.

By: Nathan Hangen

Nathan Hangen — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 03:54:44 +0000

Quit making sense Lisa…there’s no reason to speak such truths…not when my competition is putting themselves out of business :)

By: Lauren (@beebow)

Lauren (@beebow) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 20:11:49 +0000

Awesome post. I enjoyed the back and forth with graywolf. And not to sound like a groupie, but Lisa – high-five – you smashed the debate with downright logical goodness.

By: Joe A.

Joe A. — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:49:33 +0000

The best way to say it I believe, every blog and it’s purpose is fairly unique, even if it has a same general back idea. Some blogs may not need comments neccesarily in order to benefit a company, but for some companies more comments mean more business.

I do agree with Yawn Webmaster though, you can always moderate the comments and leave a note saying that they are all moderated then added if needed.

By: Barry Welford

Barry Welford — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:55:26 +0000

Of course you can have comments in a Google Friends Connect social bar if you wish. That avoids any SEO problems, if that was a concern. Surprisingly few seem to be using that solution however.

By: Roger Dooley

Roger Dooley — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:23:28 +0000

Who can disagree with Michael? Not all blogs have the same purpose, and appending reams of inane commentary onto a really good post can only dilute its impact. Look at this comment, for example – seen any brilliant insights yet? ;)

Still, I have found that in non-community blogs with modest comment volume, sometimes a visitor will, in fact, provide an interesting viewpoint, a relevant reference, etc. that really does make the page more useful.

By: Yawn Webmaster!

Yawn Webmaster! — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 07:27:52 +0000

Hello!

“I think corporate blogs need comments to reach out to the industries they’re trying to promote and market to. I think that’s how they’re going to find the most bang for their buck.”

Basically, I think the point you are trying to make, which is valid, is that if a blog is being used as a tool to promote products and services, then it should have comments switched on. I agree with this.

The problem is that the function of a blog is not always about selling, and that’s where people like Graywolf managed to pick at your post. Just frame who you’re talking about better at the start, and you’ll come up trumps. I’m guessing that, as with many online media services, Outspoken deals with clients that are looking for financial ROI rather than brand ROI, and so just take a step back before you write and say, “is this topic relevant to one specific industry”.

ps. you can always moderate the comments and just have a clear policy that states that comments are reviewed and added every month…two months or whatever you fancy.

By: Lisa Barone

Lisa Barone — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 03:48:48 +0000

If you’re a corporate blog and you’re relying on that blog to build your business, what is the point of it other than to build a community? To amaze people with how smart you are?