Comments on: #1 Most Important Thing… About Guestbooks

By: Diana

Diana — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 11:42:22 +0000

Hope I am not too late to join in this discussion which was in October. I have only recently started posting lenses on Squidoo, and every time I get a comment I am still momentarily thrilled as it means someone somewhere in the world has seen fit to read my production and tell me that they have done so. Some of the comments might be as bland as vanilla icecream on a white plate, but they are mine, all mine. I haven’t really received all that many, and I must confess it has crossed my mind that, if I do eventually receive a string of comments, I might delete the less meaty ones. I’m still waiting for a rude one, so that I can respond with acerbic wit and heap contumily on the abuser’s virtual head.

By: MrLewisSmile

MrLewisSmile — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:27:25 +0000

Opinion seems divided!

thefluffanutta’s last comment sums up the issue I think:

“Don’t get my wrong – I like to receive comments on lenses that let me know people have visited and liked them. I read and appreciate every one.

That doesn’t mean I have to publish them all on the lens though…”

Some comments are for YOU to see, some are for the world to see.

By: Mickie G

Mickie G — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:29:09 +0000

I usually try to have a question or a leading remark in my “guestbooks”. Sometimes it really bugs me that visitors do not read the intro to it and do not make a comment that applies. Still, I know that group leaders are really busy and I appreciate it when they take the time to leave a short message.

Right now, unfortunately, not enough people leave comments on all my lenses for me to worry about deleting.

By: thefluffanutta

thefluffanutta — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 10:55:05 +0000

Don’t get my wrong – I like to receive comments on lenses that let me know people have visited and liked them. I read and appreciate every one.

That doesn’t mean I have to publish them all on the lens though…

thefluffanutta

By: Barbara Radisavljevic

Barbara Radisavljevic — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 05:39:33 +0000

Many of us belong to groups on Ning and are often asked to visit and rate lenses by other group members. Sometimes I read several in a row and I know others do the same. Sometimes these are lenses I would never otherwise visit about topics I have little interest in, but I do want the lensmaster to know I was there and took the time to read it, even if I can’t think of a lot to say about it. I do try to say something unique, but sometimes if it’s really late, my brain just isn’t working any more. I think this is probably the case with others as well. Although I wish a generic commenter might have said something more specific, I would not delete such a comment. I think I’ve only deleted one comment, and it was pure spam. I appreciate knowing who visits my pages, even if they don’t say a lot, and someone who rates and leaves without commenting leaves me in the dark as to who was there.

By: patinkc

patinkc — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 05:13:00 +0000

Thanks for this conversation. I am one of those that leaves short notes sometimes. I will make more effort from now on to add to the conversation. Many times I just want the lensmaster to know that I appreciate their work. In that case, it’s just for them and ok if they delete. If I have featured their lens on one of my lenses, or if I have lensrolled their lens to my lens, I like to let them know.

I really hate the messages that says “please visit and rate my lens xxxx”.

By: Jason

Jason — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 02:36:14 +0000

Tim Ferris gives instructions for his readers. Here is what swiped from one of his blog posts on his blog http://www.fourhourworkweek.com

(Comment Rules: Remember what Fonzie was like? Cool. That’s how we’re gonna be — cool. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!)

By: Cherylk

Cherylk — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 01:50:48 +0000

thefluffanutta has a point. I do try to make my comments specific to the lens but I also do read the lenses so it’s not difficult. So how do you generate quality comments from others?

By: Jodie/jpetals

Jodie/jpetals — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:39:19 +0000

Here Here!! Very well said. I am constantly deleting comments that say “visit here for the best diet information ever”. At least say something unique if you’re going to try and slide your link in there.

Cheers!
Jodie

By: Kathy McGraw

Kathy McGraw — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:38:05 +0000

Every platform has issues with the comments section, and many times the person only skimmed the lens. I can’t figure out what some people get from just a “nice job” comment, even if it is from a busy lensmaster. Everyone’s busy, we all have lives outside Squidoo….

By: thefluffanutta

thefluffanutta — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:31:42 +0000

Guestbooks are a great way to get “user generated content” on to your lens. Search engines love this sort of thing, but only if it’s relevant to your topic.

It’s such a shame when 90% of comments are just “nice lens” or “good job”. Best reserve that space for the quality conversations.

It will influence what comments you get in the future too.

thefluffanutta

By: Frankster

Frankster — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:48:08 +0000

Whether to delete a comment or not is something I sometimes struggle with. I usually only delete spam type comments that talk about their site and add no value or don’t even mention my site.

However, I agree with CherylK, a lot of very talented lensmasters say something very short which I appreciate and approve.

By: Reasonable Robinson

Reasonable Robinson — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:45:25 +0000

Any acknowledgement is of course welcome. I believe that practioners of Transactional Analysis call such recognition a ’stroke’, and we would prefer a negative or bland stroke to no stroke at all! I’ve been pondering about comments for a while and believe that they can add a richness to a lens, so the more fullsome the comment the better. As for being a commenter (commentator?) if we see comments as ‘micro modules’ then we should care about them as much as we care about modules on our lenses. In fact they could even become an indicator of the quality of our lenses as much as a contribution to the lens/post that we are commenting on.

By: CherylK

CherylK — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:31:41 +0000

Good thinking, Joan. I think I’ve seen something like that, somewhere, but can’t remember where…maybe a lens?

By: Patricia

Patricia — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:30:22 +0000

I disagree. People still took the time to comment which gives you traffic. I don’t think it looks bad to have those type of comments on a lens. And for some they may not get alot of comments like you so they are grateful to have even those. Just my take.

By: Joan Adams

Joan Adams — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:27:45 +0000

We need a tutorial on Squidoo about how to comment!

By: CherylK

CherylK — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:10:34 +0000

I agree but there are also exceptions to that rule. There are some really great lensmasters who function as Squidoo leaders in one way or another. Many times I’ll receive a short “Well done” or “Love this lens” or something similar from one of them.

I’m very pleased that they took the time to stop and I know the comment is short & sweet because they’re visiting lots of lenses in a very supporting capacity. I won’t delete those kinds of comments.

By: AJ

AJ — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:52:26 +0000

Yep, could not agree more. We need to remember who actually OWNS our Guestbooks and not be afraid to demonstrate that ownership