I recently wrote a blog post on a real estate related topic. One of the comments I got was "if you want more points, try commenting more on other people's posts". My blog post had nothing to do with points or the Active Rain system in general. The more I thought about this comment, the more it annoyed me.
I am not a practicing real estate agent, as most of the people who's blogs I read are. I work for a national real estate website, so marketing is more my expertise. When I make comments, it is usually somehow related to this area, my company, or the Internet in general. However, I personally enjoy reading about things like how to get buyers to sign an exclusive contract or how to best work with a home inspector- but because I am not an expert in these areas, I rarely have anything of substance to add to the conversation so I don't say anything at all.
And isn't that what blogs should be? Conversations about substance and that are interesting, not popularity contests where people post about off-topic subjects or leave frivolous comments in order to get points. I don't think that is why Active Rain was created, to make each other feel good. I think it was created to post on interesting real estate subjects or disseminate relevant information that helped you grow professionally, and then get interesting conversations going around these topics. If you really want to make nice with someone, contact them directly, as so many interesting people have done through my profile. This is a much more effective and direct way of networking than writing "nice post" on a post.
I think the Active Rain community is very knowledgeable on so many levels and by keeping the conversations pointed, the meat of the subject stands out. Okay, back to writing about real estate topics for me now!
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I happen to agree with you, but I am in the minority. There is a culture at AR that says that "feel good" comments are preferred and even expected (if you want to play the game "correctly").
People seem to take points and being featured very seriously.
I have tried to get discussions going but it is not wanted. I think forums are the place for that and I am not sure about this blogging stuff. A ton of mis-information is spread all over this place by so called experts and it is not accepted to try to discuss it pro or con.
By the way, this was a great post, keep up the good work. heh he he
Interesting the comment that discussions are not wanted. I hadn't thought of it that way before, but I think that is correct.
The culture seems to be mutual adoration.
I am personally more interested in content and expanding understanding through discussion.
Lysa- I have never noticed the rating system before (duh?)! This is a great way to reward someone for doing a good post when you don't have anything to add to the conversation. But I don't understand how it works or where you can see how highly rated an individual post is? The only reference to it I could find was the "top rated" link on the homepage.
Greg- I know what you mean. I have posed open-end questions before on topics I wanted to get more information about, and I hardly get any comments on those types of posts.
Thanks all for the "more than two word" comments. :)
Great post, Sara -- and yes, I do have something to add ...
This comment-spam on A/R is a nuisance but on A/R it's largely harmless because most of the folks here understand the point system. What worries me more is that these bloggers are going to take this bad habit with them to other blogs and online communities. If they carry on like this in more public online forums they won't just be irritating you, they'll be irritating potential clients as well.
Sara, I actually think AR is kind of a combination of professional educational blogs and social blogging. Most of my post are real estate related but I do throw in a humorous one every now and then. I don't do two word comments but I do comment on posts of folks that I like sometimes for no other reason than to support them and their efforts. Personally I don't see anything wrong with that. They're my friends, why not?
I have written numerous posts that had very intense conversations and debates in the comments section. So it certainly happens on here quite a bit. The problem is when folks disagree they tend to make it personal. I'll never understand that. I love a good debate and welcome them on my posts at anytime.
On a final note. What's wrong with trying to make someone feel better? I know I work very very hard and ActiveRain is a very good place to come and relax. Making someone feel better by leaving a few short words on their posts has it's place in a network like this.
But everyone has different reasons for being on AR. And to me that's what makes this place great.
Bryant- See, now that is a post to get the conversation and debate going! :) Of course, every now and then these things have their place and it is fun to read something light and who doesn't like a compliment. Where I really get frustrated is when someone does a really good post and then there are suddenly 100 comments. Within those 100 comments I bet there are so some good responses, but they get so diluted with all the "nice post" comments that I sure I am skipping over them. I wonder how many comments there would be if no points were awarded for commenting. Then there would be no mistaking a sincere "nice post" from someone just looking for points.
Hey David! Thanks for the comment, very true about turning off potential clients. Of course the commenting is harmless and probably good intentioned most of the time. But I think it is because people on AR DO understand the point system is what makes it even more annoying because you can't be sure of the commenter's intentions.
Sara, It's funny how many different opinions I have read about commenting. Some feel you should always leave a comment, some feel you should just comment when you have something to say, some respond to every comment individually, some don't respond at all, some use the group response technique. It really shows how diverse a community this size is.
I tend to agree with you that too many "nice posts" comments on a post distract from the thread. Personally, I don't like it when the poster responds to every single comment in a separate comment box. 100 comments with 50 being from the poster. That to me is very distracting. BUT I also appreciate that it's their post and they can do whatever they want. I concentrate on what I do and let others worry about their own blog. The diversity on AR is what makes it so great(for me).
Bottom line: "Blog and let blog"...As long as folks show respect I don't care how they choose to handle their posts and comments or how they comment on my posts. It's their business not mine.