A Word to Blog Wallflowers

Wallflower, wallflower, won't you dance with me?
I'm sad and lonely, too.
- Bob Dylan

"I read your blog all the time," the guy said to me. "It's great. I've been passing it on to some people I work with." Wow! That was great to hear. And what a surprise! I had no idea the guy knew I even had a blog, let alone being a faithful reader and WOM marketer for me. It amazed me, humbled me...and made me feel a bit sad. I was sad that I had no idea he was out there lurking. I was sad that he'd been a blog wallflower, standing along the cyberwall watching the rest of us dance. He has so much to bring to the conversation!

If you've been a wallflower around here, I want to personally ask you to dance - to join the conversation. At the bottom of each post you'll see a link the says "Comment". Click the link and it will bring up a form to add your comment. It just takes a second to jot down a sentence or two and all of us are the richer for it. Share with the rest of us your thoughts, your own experience or your response to the post. Come back and see what others have said in response to your comment.

Blogs are conversations. You have a lot to share, and I'd love to hear what you have to say.

technorati tags: Blog Weblog Comment Conversation Newbie Blogling

Comments

[Ellen Weber]

Great post Tom, and I agree with the interactive possibilities of the blog. But it goes the other way too -- when bloggers don't get back. Sometimes I ask a question at a blog, and I get quite excited about hearing more or engaging deeper on a segment. It's always disappointing when a blogger does not respond in any way to comments made. You are a model to all of us in that area. Thanks Tom for setting a pace worthy of so many readers!

[Tom Vander Well]

Thanks, Ellen. I agree with you. I always try to respond to every comment. I like it when comments become a running conversation. It doesn't happen near enough. I always try to respond in a more timely fashion than I did to your comment here. Sorry about that!

[Ann Handley]

Great post, Tom...your characterization of blog "wallflowers" really paints a picture for me. Thanks. I had the exact experience this past week -- via email. Perhaps we need to start a mantra of sorts -- "For God's sake, people...speak up, will ya?!!"

[Tom Vander Well]

Love the mantra, Ann! Let's keep quoting it and maybe the wallflowers will respond!!

[Ann Handley]

Let's hope so, Tom.

Love the Dylan quote, too. My son -- who at 14 believes he was born two decades too late -- is a HUGE Dylan fan! : )

[Tom Vander Well]

Ahhh, a young man after my own heart. Obviously, you have a wise young man there. As I commented to Starbucker on another post - I try to keep my Dylan appreciation under control, but sometimes I just get "tangled up in blue" and have to put on my "leopard skin pill box hat"!

[Sandy Renshaw]

Great post. I've been a lurker and a wallflower, but am working to become part of the conversation. I'm always happy when someone comments on my post. Thanks for reminding us that this is a conversation and it takes sharing and listening.

[Alena]

I will continue to visit enjoyed the reading thanks

[Tom Vander Well]

Great, Alena! Nice to have you around. Please feel free to join the conversation!