Thursday 12 July 2012

Comments . . . spam or not?

Although I'm supposed to be writing about closets, more specifically the clothing within them, there are times when, as a blogger, one has to post about blogging . . .

A spam comment may be defined as a comment coming from someone whose sole intent is to have readers click on the signature he or she has left and take them to a commercial site. In essence, every blogger who leaves comments on anyone's blog is essentially producing more "spam" since there is a hope that someone will read, click and be taken to your blog. But somehow the blogger link is more respectable - if you are a blogger, that is more likely considered reciprocity, not spam.

In respect to this blog, I am thrilled when someone comments. But sometimes the thrill is tempered. Here's a recent comment, "Great post! Personally, I'm really impressed! I love the way you write your blog!" Now that's a NICE comment. Yet another, "This is a helpful read for those who love to put on fashionable jewellery with their outfits. Looking forward to more posts." So, of course the thrill came back, but only for a fleeting moment. With a click on the first signature to find out where in fact it takes the reader, I arrived at a commercial site for boudoir-ish more-than-just-sexy lingerie, not the kind I have in my closet at the moment. I'm sure there are readers who would be intrigued, but it is unlikely they would be visiting my blog in anticipation to find this particular link. The second one takes you to engagement rings and other diamond jewellery. Yet the comment suggests ". . . looking forward to more posts" and that suggests the writer is genuinely interested.

I could blame the whole infrastructure of blogspot, since it facilitates this action and I do not have the option to publish comments without signatures. The commenter may respond anonymously but I may not eliminate the linking feature to the signature.

But suppose the person writing really means what they write - call me naive - but just suppose. Even though their signature takes me to a commercial site, maybe the commenter really means what he or she is writing. Are there demographic statistics on commercial sources leaving comments on blogs?

Comments are important because they indicate readership and in order to continue writing on a regular basis, it is good to know your readership. However, I hope to receive more than a "great or awful" comment. I would like to read and interact. I want to know where you, the blog readers, are coming from, both in location and philosophy. My blog's objective is to stimulate responses about what is in your closet and to explore what others around the world are wearing. So it is as much a cultural reflection of regional diversity through clothing as it is a fashion blog. My own assessment is that I have not achieved this goal; however, I have been blogging a relatively short time and perhaps it will eventually happen. I will only be aware of the fulfillment of my goals through your responses.

I have received emails and talked to others who have said, "but I don't pay attention to fashion" or "I don't wear heels because I can't.". From my perspective, these are as important to share as others who describe their clothing, trends they follow, and closet perspectives.

David McCullough Jr. could have been talking to bloggers when he said, 
“You are not special. You are not exceptional,” (he) told graduating seniors . . . The teacher's controversial advice caught the nation's eye, in an age where many believe today's youth suffer from a sense of self-importance." (Quoted from Meaghan Neal, Friday, June 8, 2012 in NYDailyNews.com and retrieved on June 30, 2012.)
Does a blogger "suffer from a sense of self-importance"? It appears so, particularly since bloggers anticipate that readers will take the time to respond through comments. And so, in a humble state of self-importance (forgive the oxymoron), whether you consider yourself fashionable or not; if a thought passes through your mind as you are reading; or if you just want to say "great or awful", but especially if you want to share what is a NICE, NO THANKS, NOTE-WORTHY, NEW or NEED in your closet, this blogger welcomes all that you want to say, spam excluded or perhaps included, if the comment is relevant . . .

In appreciation for all those who have commented and in anticipation for all those who will,
JoyD




2 comments:

  1. Oooh... I love this post. I feel the same way and this reminds me to be a more active commenter. I will often see that one of my blog posts has received over 100 views yet no one has taken a moment to leave a comment. I leaves me wondering if people are relating to me and if they appreciate what I have to say. I assume they do or why would they take the time to read? Great post.

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    1. Perhaps, as bloggers, we should follow Don Miguel Ruiz's "The Four Agreements": 1) Be impeccable with your word; 2) Don't take anything personally; 3) Don't make assumptions; and 4) Always do your best. He writes,"Nothing people do is because of you. It is because of themselves." I think I should re-read Ruiz and his "Four Agreements".

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