What are you getting out of the comment challenge?
Apparently its Day 18 in the comment challenge. I don’t feel like I have done anywhere near 17 tasks though. I feel like maybe I have hit a hump in the middle, but maybe for different reasons than some that have been mentioned across the challenge. One of the common themes in the responses about the challenge has apparently been a reaction from participants about feeling uncomfortable commenting. Maybe not valuing thier response, not wanting to ‘butt’ into a conversation etc etc.
My motives in participating in this challenge were perhaps a bit different. I feel very comfortable commenting in many different types of blogs. I didn’t feel I needed encouragement to pursue some of the areas raised in the tasks. I joined the challenge to make myself go back to spending more time reading blogs, and to network with a group primarily consisting of edubloggers, who may read and participate in my blog.
I guess sometimes, like when I was considering completing the ‘31 Days to a Better Blog challenge’ its offputting to feel that there are very few people reading, and certainly commenting on your blog. It all starts to feel a bit pointless sometimes.
In Day 17 we were supposed to analyse the comments on your own blog. So very many of my posts have 0 comments - the most independant comments is 3 (I have 6 on a post, but 3 are my replies). The most responses are definitely related either to this challenge, or post I have written in direct response to another blog post. I feel like I want to do much more than rehash or highlight or even respond to what others have written, yet it is so hard to get some momentum on your blog.
Most days when I spend time on the comment challenge, I start by checking the participants page on the wiki, and picking a few new blogs to click on, that I havent read before. It seems that with over 120 participants, a few more people would be getting regular comments. Having said that, thanks to the die-hard folks who have been regularly commenting on as many blogs as possible. En masse you deserve the commenting award!
So, what has the challenge meant to you?
I have always been quite good at commenting but I have been surprised how this challenge has ‘challenged’ me. I have got into a little hot water at times so now I’m thinking if I should shut up, which is not the result I was expecting. Good lucj to you, Sarah
I left a comment but not sure if it registered. Anyway, good luck with the challenge. cheers Sarah
This was the point in the better blogging challenge that I got discouraged, and I’ve felt some of that this time also. There always seems to be some blogs in the group that attract lots of attention, and others that don’t. I’m always in the lesser category. Sometimes it feels discouraging, then I’ll get a comment or email saying I helped someone, and it lifts me up again.
Thanks Sarah - yep, your comment got through, it was just waiting to me moderated. I remember you mentioned your ‘hot water’ on twitter - I hope it’s nothing that will discourage your blogging or commenting!
Christine, I think its inevitable that happens to a degree. I have got a lot out of the challenge, through discovering new blogs to read. In the other challenge, I did find too many of the tasks werent possible or productive if you didnt have an active readership. Most of the tasks in the comment challenge are about reaching out in other blogs, which is easier to manage.