louisgray.com - Latest Comments in louisgray.com: Bloggers' Interactions with Readers Decrease With Prominence

Re: louisgray.com: Bloggers' Interactions with Readers Decrease With Prominence

terra210 — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 14:25:18 -0000

I loved this post. It created some needed distance and a map; very valuable. thanks!

What about famous people who blog, and then because they get so busy, (or...), they have assistants reply to comments? Or in the case of some, they hire people to write the posts? How can we truly know the blog or the comments come from the person? I know in traditional media, editorials were often not written by the author. The same with political speeches. They just sign off. Will or do bloggers do this? Will there be bots that reply to comments? Curious and curiouser....

Re: louisgray.com: Bloggers' Interactions with Readers Decrease With Prominence

fredwilson — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 09:05:24 -0000

i don't want to get to stage 4 if it means you have to stop engaging with readers. i'd rather stop blogging.

Re: louisgray.com: Bloggers' Interactions with Readers Decrease With Prominence

Robert Seidman — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:42:11 -0000

just even taking the time to read every comment might be massive for Seth. One of the reasons Seth's content stands alone is it's very thoughtful, another is it's not "me too" kind of stuff (you won't see him writing about twitter every time there is a problem) and as a result of this there is, by default, a much wider audience for the content.

It's tough in the technology blogging sector because it's highly competitive. Still, you hit on the key point: content that stands alone. While interaction is a key component (and should be) for many bloggers, I'd argue that if one has to prioritize, it should be a lower priority than creating content that will stand alone.

Re: louisgray.com: Bloggers' Interactions with Readers Decrease With Prominence

Hutch Carpenter — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:30:32 -0000

I know Seth's busy. I "get" not going out and commenting all the time. I'm thinking of a different aspect though. The feeling that you'd actually have to comment on everything. I actually think it's great that Seth would feel that way - says he cares about his audience a lot. I'm just questioning whether 100% interaction is really needed.

And no, I don't think Seth has any reason to interact with readers on his blog (although he does find the time to respond to emails...). As I said before, Seth's work stands alone quite well.

Re: louisgray.com: Bloggers' Interactions with Readers Decrease With Prominence

Robert Seidman — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:14:19 -0000

Hutch, you simply don't want to buy into Seth being a busy, busy guy who doesn't have the time and is trying to balance many, many things and has made his choices. Interestingly, despite his lack of commentary, I'd pay a subscription fee for his content. You want Seth to be more interactive. I'm grateful for how interactive and willing to share his mind that he already is. You want him to change, but I'm fine with him as he is. What you're thinking about is perhaps useful for some, but I don't think it's fair to tell someone how they should interact, even if it's "only a quick comment" you are looking for.

Re: louisgray.com: Bloggers' Interactions with Readers Decrease With Prominence

PG — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:53:38 -0000

should have mentioned Schill blogs at 38pitches.com

Re: louisgray.com: Bloggers' Interactions with Readers Decrease With Prominence

Hutch Carpenter — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:52:33 -0000

Phil - Love the widget idea. We could have this chart, and it would update in real-time. Inputs = technorati scores, comments on the blog, comments on third party sites...

Seth Godin's perspective was an interesting one. He doesn't have comments because he'd feel compelled to go out there and clarify and answer things. All that's really needed is a quick snippet of a comment, not a deep thought.

Re: louisgray.com: Bloggers' Interactions with Readers Decrease With Prominence

Hutch Carpenter — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:49:25 -0000

PG - I hear you stopping at Stage 2. Robert Scoble is a Stage 2 blogger with a Stage 4 reputation.

Curt Schilling would be interesting to follow. I only know of his perspectives from the interviews I've seen reported. He's not shy.

Re: louisgray.com: Bloggers' Interactions with Readers Decrease With Prominence

Hutch Carpenter — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:47:53 -0000

ChangeForge - thanks for your thoughts. I like the way you framed it in the "tenured professor" status. Even the later stage bloggers continue to learn. But something changes. Their learning probably comes a lot more "offline" with other luminaries in the industry.

Then they become the ones who put the ideas forward that the rest of us discuss. I find myself discussing in my blog what these more advanced bloggers come up with.

Re: louisgray.com: Bloggers' Interactions with Readers Decrease With Prominence

nickhalstead — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 07:41:15 -0000

It certainly is much harder even for those in the earlier phases to interact with their audience, more fragmentaton = more time to get involved.

sent from: fav.or.it

Re: louisgray.com: Bloggers' Interactions with Readers Decrease With Prominence

ChangeForge | Ken Stewart — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:34:28 -0000

Hutch, very good points. I would concur with your graph and analysis of the situation from my meager observations. This might also ring true for other vocations in life as well.

Something you said really rang true, regarding being a 'student of life' vs. the professor. Being a student of life is one of my core motto's that I strive never to lose sight of. Through personal experiences, I have learned that when I fashion myself an expert on something, my ego swells, and I quickly find out many other areas I do not have mastered.

This being said, I have never held with the ideal of a "tenured professor" status. Notice I did not say it does not exist, but I believe the right vs. responsibility pyramid to be inverted in that model. It would be my assertion that as your fame grows, so to does your responsibility.

It is interesting that people in stage 3 or 4 would have the feeling of "arriving". While I agree with the emotion, the aftermath that ensues should such a person feel they should no longer need to drink of the fountain of knowledge, or experience life in the trenches, is somehow, again, upside down to me.

Again, great read... I am very pleased that Louis let you crash for a little while. I have another writer to read now in my quest for knowledge...

Re: louisgray.com: Bloggers' Interactions with Readers Decrease With Prominence

PG — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:33:48 -0000

just moving out of stage 1 into stage 2 really. I blog for a hobby, personal slice of life stuff so I will gladly stop my ascent in stage 2. Interesting stuff though and I am glad that I came across the post.

I think, to a smaller/more focused/localized degree the celebrity turned blogger with an instant shot up to the upper levels of the bell curve would be Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling. Although he is still fairly active in responding to comments on his own site he isn't seen much elsewhere online.

Re: louisgray.com: Bloggers' Interactions with Readers Decrease With Prominence

ChangeForge | Ken Stewart — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:18:11 -0000

baratunde, I completely agree with your point regarding the value of conversation amongst the audience... as well as what Butch was referencing in starting several conversational fires...

While the Internet is a great medium for dissemination of information, would not social media be a way to connect with those outside of our normal geographical locales?

I would also somewhat disagree with a famous person not being able to interact with their audience. While I would agree that there may be little direct interaction, having fame (and possibly fortune) can be utilized as a tool for the benefit of humanity in general... This in and of itself should be considered interaction of great magnitude, should it not? ... a repayment to the fans in the simple form of 'paying it forward'.

Suffice it to say, your point in general is well taken, and very well put.

Re: louisgray.com: Bloggers' Interactions with Readers Decrease With Prominence

philbaumann — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:05:29 -0000

Excellent intuition pump you're offering here. If you're using widgets on a blog, this could be a useful one (half-kidding). Just to show readers where you are in your development?

I agree with Duncan though about interaction. I think the graph is mostly right, especially as far as traditional blogging is concerned. But I think the process of commenting is changing. Robert Scoble is half-right about comments being dead. Blog comments 1.0 are dead, but they are being resurrected via FF and other services.

Comment fragmentation is as valuable as it is frustrating. I think it could encourage industry legends back into the commenting business. So although I agree with the gist of your intuition pump, I think the future of legendary interaction remains to be seen.

Re: louisgray.com: Bloggers' Interactions with Readers Decrease With Prominence

Jay Cuthrell — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:34:05 -0000

If I was more of an artist I'd draw a picture of Schlosskirche's doors covered in hand written post-it notes.

Re: louisgray.com: Bloggers' Interactions with Readers Decrease With Prominence

Hutch Carpenter — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 20:47:55 -0000

Hey Seth - really cool that you checked in here. Regarding the lack of comments on your blog. I understand the rationale. Clarifying or answering people's comments would be time consuming. I get that. Robert Scoble feels like that has become an increasing burden, and you might experience the same.

Your posts are really good as standalone points of view. Your previous success in the entrepreneurial world, "permission marketing", books and Fast Company writing really established your reputation. I don't know when you started blogging in earnest, but I'd say your external work pretty much fast-tracked you to "industry legend" status. Like I said in this post, ig Jerry Yang started blogging, I wouldn't expect him to have comments either.

The one thing about comments would this: your blog posts can serve as forums for people to discuss your ideas. If you could resist the urge to clarify everything, you might find some interesting stuff coming from readers.

But as I say, not necessary. Your writings are terrific pieces of knowledge by themselves.

Re: louisgray.com: Bloggers' Interactions with Readers Decrease With Prominence

ontarioemperor — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 20:37:13 -0000

For what it's worth, those stage 3/4 bloggers who do continue to interact (in either use case) tend to occupy a "top of mind" presence for me. But I'm sure it's hard work.

Re: louisgray.com: Bloggers' Interactions with Readers Decrease With Prominence

Hutch Carpenter — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 20:32:23 -0000

See Louis - had to stick with the "brand"! ;-)

Re: louisgray.com: Bloggers' Interactions with Readers Decrease With Prominence

Roger Kondrat — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 20:06:30 -0000

Seth not surprised you weighed in once your name was mentioned like that. Truly everyone has their own way to interact and another 'non-standard' way was (is?) how Scoble used to have his phone number up on his site.

We all have our ways. Me I get very few comments on my blog, even though I always respond and show my appreciation. But on FF I get and give lots of comments it is great.

PS. I liked the Purple Cow, read it when it was released a while back and I liked it. Was a fun read. :)

Re: louisgray.com: Bloggers' Interactions with Readers Decrease With Prominence

Aaron Brazell — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:57:07 -0000

Ahhha yes indeed. :-p

Re: louisgray.com: Bloggers' Interactions with Readers Decrease With Prominence

seth godin — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:53:16 -0000

Just because I don't interact the way you want me to doesn't mean I'm not interacting. I personally read and answer every single email I get (and it's a lot) and I read most of the blogs that mention a post of mine. I've posted about the comment thing and the Twit thing is a true investment to get right. I can't get it right, not if I want to do the other things I do.

Sorry to disappoint, but here's the thing: I haven't had comments since I was a n00b, so I think I broke your graph.

Also, Ontario's point is an excellent one. I think there's a different between personal interactions driven by the reader and outbound interactions driven by the blogger.

Re: louisgray.com: Bloggers' Interactions with Readers Decrease With Prominence

Jay Cuthrell — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:50:58 -0000

This is primarily why fudge.org is now (and for the likely near future will be) devoid of all the dated content it contained. The commentary was just very very moment in time. If one could side index articles of the time and avoid link rot, so be it, but I have yet to see that work reliably.

Even my most popular post on SFP records for Blackberry ended up being better discussed at another blog where they had continuous updated information and links.

Links are not literary grade footnotes. They are, at best, attempts at shifting a physical world practice to an increasingly volatile medium. In the end, links as we know them today fail.

Re: louisgray.com: Bloggers' Interactions with Readers Decrease With Prominence

Louis Gray — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:47:07 -0000

Hi Aaron, since this was nauseatingly introspective, you'll have to take it up with the author, Hutch Carpenter. He's trespassing on my turf.

Re: louisgray.com: Bloggers' Interactions with Readers Decrease With Prominence

Aaron Brazell — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:39:22 -0000

Your article avoids a key variable. As time progresses, people change, but articles remain the same. In other words, I get tons of comments on older articles that no longer reflect who or what I'm doing now. So I don't respond to comments because they are a distraction to the here and now. The longer you're around, the more of that kind of content you have.

By the way, Louis.... You're fired for writing another nauseatingly introspective article. 'Nuff o' that, k? :)

Re: louisgray.com: Bloggers' Interactions with Readers Decrease With Prominence

Hutch Carpenter — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:16:17 -0000

Thanks Maria.