Participation Is A Two-Way Street

Key to the longevity of any blog or social site is the participation that is carried on by both the community of commenters and the main person that started the discussion. When the community takes the time to respond to you, it’s only fair that you take the time to continue the conversation. This can lead to deeper more fulfilling debate and create a unique perspective you may not have had before.

Social sites such as blogs and networks are breeding grounds for amazing discussions. On the other hand, it can also be a haven for base comments, and fruitless banter if the conversation is not monitored or controlled. As the creator of your topic, most users have the ability to block and/or delete commentary that does not enhance the conversations amongst its users.

Respond Don’t React

In an era where anyone can be anyone, it’s hard to determine just who is behind the “handle” online. Social sites such as blogs and networks tend to be self governing, and you can usually depend on them to oust out those that only seem to seek conflict.

Still, if you’re brand new and have not developed a loyal following, it will fall mainly on you to decide what is fruitful, and what is harmful. It’s important to remember that everyone will have an opinion and it will not always align with yours. Difference of opinions is what fosters change, and is the underlying foundation for democracy, but online people tend to think that foul language and accusatory tones benefit the interaction.

Do not react to the comments. By reacting you will make key mistakes that will turn others away from interacting with you. Reaction can make you more a part of the problem then an actual solution. Some people look to raise your ire, for no apparent reason. Take your comments in stride, and as long as they are not inflammatory, full of foul language or attacks on other users and yourself, respond accordingly, with intelligence, a cool disposition, and an earnest want to really dig deeper into the conversation.

Commenting Polices and TOS

More often than not I am seeing conversation in the stream regarding commenting policies. If you own your own community site, it would be beneficial to have some sort of documentation that lays out what is acceptable and what is not. These terms may be viewed as censorship by some, but overall it just simply provides you and your users some guidance, and in order to save the discussions, it would be worthwhile to remove those that only seem to want to cause a disturbance.

My only warning is to be careful that the policies are not so heavy handed; if users feel that they are not being listened to they will no longer look to share their comments on your site, and traffic can decline drastically.

Moreover, social networking sites typically have a TOS or Terms of Service that outlines how interaction is to be handled while on the service. It can sound like a lot of legal mumbo jumbo, but it exists to ensure that the majority of users have a fun and engaging experience.

Take a look at what other more establishes sites have done with their commenting policies and TOS, use them as examples and craft your own.

While participation can be fun, it’s important to ensure that everyone is fairly listened to, and that you take steps to ensure that the environment is safe, fun, and interactive. By doing this, you will discover that a community can grow rather quickly, and they will be dedicated to your site.

Photo Credit niallkennedy