I’ve written elsewhere about the function of stories within a blog, not just as a way of constructing an individual post but the overall story that the blog is telling: about the author, the business, the network of readers.  I am finding that blog writing is also helping me understand and tell my own story – and to shape and develop the chapters that are still to come.

How does that work?  Well, I’m still learning but it’s something to do with the ability to develop new ideas, express your values, find confidence in your own voice. 

It’s the way the words and ideas and connections are shared – with other writers, blog owners and readers.  It’s amazing how new characters and voices keep appearing from across the net!

And it’s the way the material takes shape.  The posts don’t follow a plan.  Well I start off with a plan, but then something else asks to get written.  And so I watch the blog unfold before me, growing organically, just like the best of stories.

For me it’s very much so far, so good.  Thanks to everyone who has dipped in, offered feedback, left comments, made links. 

You’re helping me to tell my story, to let my story fly.

And I don’t know about you but I think a blog site with comments looks a lot more friendly and lived in too. After my first five days of live blogging the place already looks a lot more complete – so thanks very much to my early callers

I’m guessing though that there are lots of people out there who’d like to chip in but aren’t used to leaving comments, may not know how to go about it or might not be sure what to say.  If that sounds like you then keep on reading to find out how to join the conversation…

Okay, I’m not a technical expert but here’s what I’ve worked out from my own experience so far…

The technical bit

Where: There’s a comment section at the end of each post.  If you’re on the home page and can see lots of posts you’ll need to click on the word “comments” at the bottom to open up that same comment section.  Once your comment is done it will appear on the right hand side under “recent comments” (don’t be scared! see below)

How: You will be asked to leave your details: your name (which then appears alongside the comment) and your e-mail (which doesn’t get published, it’s just to verify who you are).  Then there’s a space for your URL which is the address for your own website or blogsite if you have one.  (If you want to make sure you direct people to your own site check up-to-date advice from the Business Blog Angel Claire here.)  You will then be asked to type in some letters and numbers from the screen – it’s a way of checking that the comment comes from a human rather than a machine

When: I’ll be glad to hear from you anytime, even if it’s a little while since the post was first published.

Why: To join the conversation of course!  But there are lots of business as well as social benefits and if you are interested in that side of it you can find out more from Claire here

The writing bit

I’ve seen comments on other blogs from people who say things like “I’ve never had the courage to comment before” or “I’m not normally brave enough to join this conversation…”.  Even my oft-quoted blog angel Claire has admitted to some early qualms about chipping in to blog conversations:

When I first started blogging I was often moved to comment on other people’s blogs but then suddenly overcome with shyness, feeling that my opinion was in some way ‘not worthy’!

This made me realise that leaving a comment is just like any other form of writing and the same principles (and anxieties) apply.  Here are some tips that you can use to boost your confidence in writing comments:

Purpose

Spend a moment thinking about why you want to comment – is it to offer encouragement, support, an idea, to promote something you’re doing, to make a connection?  Hold on to that thought and it will help you get over your fear and mean you get less hung up on the words.  The positive intention will drive you forward.

Style

Adjust the style of the comment to the purpose.  Is it just a quick hello, a simple question, or a full-blown analysis of someone’s position?  That will affect the tone and length of the comment.  Short and sweet is fine if you’re just dropping by!

Impact

Read it back to yourself.  Does it sound like you?  Remember this is a format that’s very conversational in style.  If you have a business web presence you might also ask yourself – what will this say about me and my business?

Edit

Check it before you send it.  Most comment forms have a preview pane – it’s worth using it to check you’ve said what you meant, the way you meant to say it.  You can also go back and edit from here.

The conversation bit

One of the best things I’ve discovered is that this really does start a conversation.  In my first few weeks of commenting I’ve had welcoming comments back from blog owners, some interesting questions posed, a very friendly personalised reply to my in-box, new visitors to my site and a strong sense of an emerging network.  One of the things that feels good (to me anyway) is when you get a comment back, even a very brief acknowledgement, so I’m definitely going to try and do that here.

Phew!  Well what started off as a short quick post has turned into something of an epic…but I realised as I was writing there was more to it than meets the eye.  Even so I’m guessing there might be things that I’ve missed so…

What else would it be useful to know?

What are the things that put you off commenting?  What are the things that encourage you?

How can I make it easier for you to join the conversation?

Look forward to hearing from you!