Glasgow Mods - R&B, British Beat Music, Motown, Northern Soul

1. Say Something Intelligent

Don’t spend hours writing up every comment you make, but if you are going to comment, say something intelligent. Say something that makes us think nice thoughts about you, or at least let us assume you

1) know of which you speak, 2) are intelligent, and 3) wish to contribute to the conversation with your intelligence.

2. Ask Something Intelligent

Ask intelligent, well-thought out questions. Don’t expect me or anyone else to read your mind unless we are in the business of mind reading. We need to know what you are talking about, what you need, and how we can specifically help you.

I love helping people. I love answering questions. Don’t you? So it frustrates me no end that I have to waste their time and my precious comment space to ask them what they are talking about, and they may never answer. So it sits there, rotting away online, useless words, waiting for a response that may never come.

Along with asking intelligent questions is the issue of asking things I can answer. Don’t ask on this blog if I can help you repair your car. While it is actually likely that I might know the answer, this isn’t a blog about auto repair. I don’t want to answer it, and my readers don’t want to know the answer to your auto repair issues on a post about music. I’m not a doctor, I’m not a rocket scientist. I’m not a political writer. I’m not a expert on stamps, coins, or even people. I do my little thing on this corner of the web and I do it well. Ask me about what I do, not what I don’t do.

3. Write Something Intelligent

In both of the above examples, you see the use of abbreviations and misspellings. The occasional misspelled word is something easily missed and completely acceptable. We all do that. But writing in poor English, when it is your native language, and using leet speak (1337) or abbreviations for “you” and “for” only showcase your lack of attention, youth, and poor communication skills.

If you want an intelligent response to your comment, write intelligently. Use complete sentences. I’m not talking about informal, silly, among friends, little writing bits in the comments. I’m talking about posting comments on well-written, educational, and informational blogs. Make your comment match the level of writing of the blog itself if you want a little respect.

Along with decent grammar and intelligent writing, have some intelligence when writing on a public blog in a public web place, where the whole world can see it.

* DO NOT LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IN THE COMMENT. If you want a response via private email, just enter it in the form but not in the comment itself so the world can see it.

* DO NOT PUT YOUR PHONE NUMBER OR ADDRESS IN THE COMMENT.

* DO NOT PUT PERSONAL AND PRIVATE INFORMATION IN YOUR COMMENT. Personally, I will edit it out.

Show a little intelligence and familiarity with the public forum that is a blog. If you want the whole world to know your business, fine. Do it on your own blog. I won’t allow it here.

4. Add to the Conversation

The interactive nature of blogs is one of the most exciting aspects of blogging. I want to know what you have to say. I want your input. I need your thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and information. You inspire my writing. You tell me what you want me to blog about. You ask me questions and answer others, and help future visitors learn more about the subject.

Comments are learning tools. You learn from me. I learn from you. Visitors learn from both of us. It’s amazing and exciting.

Make your comments add to the conversation. Don’t just chime in because you want to see your name published on the web. Contribute. Give. Share. Exchange. Keep the story going. Keep the ideas flowing. Help us help each other by continuing the dialog.

5. Your Comment is a Mini Resume

Your comments on this blog, and many others, are published with your name and blog URL on them, if you include them. When people click your name, they visit your blog. Your comments are little representatives of you and your blog.

Make every comment you make to be a mini resume or sales pitch to encourage people to click and visit. Make sure there is something on your blog that makes their visit worthwhile and makes them want to hang around and read more. And since your URL will take people away from my blog, make sure your comment and blog reflects well on me. By leaving your comment on my blog, in a very round-about way, I’m speaking well of you. Consider it a mini-letter of recommendation.

So if every comment you make links back to you, shouldn’t it speak well of you?