I was along for the ride on one of the most contentious (according to comments) blog posts ever, and based on “Popular Posts” tallies in his sidebar the highest-number-of-comments (250) as of this moment (and no signs of stopping).
I’m speaking of Marcus Sheridan who writes The Sales Lion. He owns a swimming pool company and said he turned to social media in the downtick to save his business. Everyone talks about him, and his brand is authentic and popular. I read my first blog post of his via my reader one late night and was so blown away by his writing and content I kept it as “unread.”
So, in earnest, I read his post early Friday morning about Blog World because I had really wanted to go and meet some great folks. Marcus’s post was the first recap I would read; however, it’s turned more into a critique free for all with the show’s organizers, other speakers, other attendees, and even people who “most offended” those in audience during the final keynote. You can read it all here; it’s amazing.
But, that’s not what this blog post was intended to be about, although it’s a really nice segue.
I was duly impressed with the comfortable feeling I got when I first arrived at Marcus’s blog on Friday and felt compelled to comment and then began to hijack the comments in usual banter with Gini Dietrich. Gini and Marcus assured me it was OK to do so when I said, “oops, apologies if this isn’t cool.”
What that means is a huge welcome mat is open at The Sales Lion. I just went back to check, he has no “Ad Age Power Blogger” badge or other award-winning badges in his sidebar (although, I know if he tried, he’d win something hands down). By welcoming comments from the small and large, unknown and well known, The Sales Lion allows all of us to commune within his community, and that’s what he’s done tremendously well – create a vast community.
The comments rolled in all day long on Friday and were still going strong through the night, on Saturday and today (Sunday). I was overwhelmed and wondered how on earth someone receiving that measure of comments could get any work done? (Marcus, how do you do that? Manage comments without them controlling your time?) Curious, I decided to check in Friday during dinner and see how the comments were tracking.
Lo, the one I opened was TO Gini Dietrich and it was ABOUT how comfortable the woman felt leaving a comment because others were not just “trolling.” (I assume that means bantering?) She felt her thoughts would be sincerely welcome.
And, so, the topic for this post was being written on a napkin in a restaurant and the one comment I decided to open confirmed it was a viable topic. Oh, yeah, and Gini just had to pop in to also confirm we are the same person.
Think about your welcome mat on your blog. What would commenters say about your house? If you need a lesson, head on over to Marcus’s and see the warmth and sincerity with which he invites you in. He doesn’t need any badges in his margin; he’s already an exponential power.
I’ve written about this before, but this level of engagement is so hugely quality that I need to share. It’s Marcus’s grace, sincerity, authenticity, and balance with which he responds to each and every commenter and not just with a brush-off. He engages people and invites them back without asking.
We can all learn just by observing; my take-aways are still in gel form, but the first lesson is right here.
I know Marcus is well on his way to becoming an A lister; it’s his goal to blog and speak for a living. And, the way he blogs and opens his comments, it won’t be long. He said something very valuable to me before Danny and I spoke on Wednesday morning. He said, “I feel like I’m being talked at this conference, instead of talking with, like I would on someone’s blog.” We took that feedback and integrated it into our session. We opened the conversation vs presenting. It’s something to think about, both online and off. How do you open your comments?
Excellent point. There’s a fine, fine line from the arrogance of a blogger to his/her sincerity. Commenters come in all shapes and sizes, and the art form with which Marcus blogs is genuine. What great counsel he provided you guys and how impressive you both could change it up at the last moment and incorporate that for your audience (I hope it was effective and appreciated!).
My view is that everyone begins sort of naive and genuine, and then something clicks and that growth incentive turns on. Keeping it real is something no one should lose, but I think that’s one of the first things to go.
Here’s to keeping it real, forever and always!
LIKE
True dat……
I think I’ve already given you permission to smack me if I ever get too big for my britches. If not, you have permission.
Can’t imagine that ever happening @ginidietrich:disqus : you’ve got too smart, savvy, “real” head on your shoulders girl!
She makes the funniest faces on the ‘still’ shots on her videos too 😛
I have a feeling we will never have to make that smack…….just sayin’……..
And you said you weren’t keeping up: here it’s Sunday, you’re not feeling well, and look at you go. I’m sending hot chicken soup to you…and cake!
The thing is, I’m on the couch, watching it rain and being whiny about how much pressure is in my head. It’s easy to read blogs from this position.
I know the pressure in the head syndrome: I used to get migraines. I feel for you. Cyber soup and cake on its way. Take care:) Hugs, Kaarina
I’m taking alfalfa for my allergies — dust and ragweed. Since I’m just recovering from 3 months construction and cleaning dust, the alfalfa is working; I’ve had no reaction! (I thought I read you had allergies…try it! I’m pretty excited how it’s working, and it’s natural.)
Also, I’ll take the soup and cake. Thank you!! 🙂
Hey Gini, it’s really nice of you to say that, and you and Danny did better than anyone at the conference in integrating your class in the mix from jump. This made for a high-energy feel throughout and it also meant the people felt like they’d ‘been heard’. Isn’t that what all of this ‘stuff’ is about?
Oh, and thanks for the A-lister thing. I really appreciate that, even if you partially say it cuz I’m a big goof ball that needs all the help he can get 😉
Marcus
Who are you?
Did anybody just see that invisible blogger pass by here..?
He claims he’s stopping in this evening; ask him about a potato and the leopard-skin swim gear he’s wearing.
Being humble is cool, and so is being real – you kick some serious butt Marcus, and I’m certain you know that sir : )
You are the “King of the Jungle!”
Okay what does it say that when I started to reply to this I called you Gini?!
It’s true that I read Spin Sucks more than I read the Sales Lion (not on purpose, was just talking with some friends about how I need to create a schedule for reading others’s’s’s’s posts), so I came to the SL’s Blog World post via Gin & Topics. Yes, Marcus is very friendly on his blog, and his style of writing is such that – I think I picture a sort of Roman banquet where everyone’s lying on sofas and eating grapes and Marcus is saying oh yes come pull up a sofa and eat grapes with us! I should delete this paragraph but I won’t.
At any rate, I wanted to play devil’s advocate. Do people ever go to comment on a blog, see all these ‘inside joke’ type comments and then NOT feel comfy? I ask because I remember feeling that way early on in my forays into Twitter and reading blogs – but only with some blogs and not others. I think if I went to a blog and saw comments where I didn’t recognize a single name I usually just did not comment. But if I saw people I knew I was like oh hey I can join in. What on earth is this comment saying about me?!
To the point of your 2nd graf; it’s Sunday and no one is going to read this except you and I and maybe Gini, heh. (In re your first crack, I will ignore.)
Secret…I commented Friday morning the first time on TSL b/c I saw people I knew in comments and felt it was OK. Had I waited well into the day, no way would I have participated b/c it was so over the top and I had no place to chime in. In fact, I would’ve felt intrusive b/c a) I wasn’t there and b) it was my first time. Erase your last sentence; I think your comment is GENUINE! Thanks for feeling comfy enough to leave it here!!
Hey, it’s Sunday and some of us do read:) 😉
I came late to the Marcus BWENY party, and totally felt like I couldn’t chime in. The discussion was too far along in momentum (and of course, I didn’t attend, so what would I know?), but boy…did it stir the pot. And we all need the pot stirred (I almost wrote spot turd…now @twitter-54546555:disqus and @soulati:disqus what does THAT say about me?) Cheers! Kaarina
I like “spot turd.” It’s kinda like Jenn calling me Gini.
You said turd………….
Would you prefer “poo?”
Oh Kaarina! You should never feel that way silly rabbit ;-)…..and yes, stirring the pot, when done right, is a really, really healthy thing to do on occasion.
I was even later to the party, yet still tossed in a couple pennies. It was Saturday and I was trying to avoid being there ALL day and replying to almost everything, so I left on the table some of the more political stuff and just kept my comments on the post itself, the conference with a big shout-out to everyone who commented. Some posts can get like that, everything has been said and it’s harder to participate. Hmmm.. just thinking.
Jenn, you make a fine point about comment engagement. I think it takes some time to feel comfortable enough to comment. At first, it’s like the high school dance when you’re waiting by the wall to get asked to dance. You watch, you wait, you wish you had the courage to jump in and ask that cute boy to dance. Kinda’ like posting comments. Eventually there comes a time to stop being the wallflower and exert your personal power; so fun, so liberating.
But I also think that sometimes you can feel like the outsider, when the comments are really an “inside joke” that you just don’t get. I’m not advocating jumping in, but I know that some of my associates won’t comment because they don’t feel like they’re part of the “cool crowd”: that they don’t measure up. Now this is their problem, of course (and it was mine too for a while…just didn’t feel like part of the “in” crowd, until I realized, we’re all part of the “in” crowd when we engage.
And I love your Marcus visual: Roman banquet, grapes, sofas…soooo glad you didn’t delete that paragraph! Cheers! Kaarina
So much of blogging, either writer or commenter, boils down to personality and overcoming many obstacles. If none of us had any, we’d be in constant struggle for the top spot.
I wish the girls would have asked me to dance; I was way too shy…………….kinda like my commenting………….
Too bad we weren’t in the same school gym Bill: wanna dance? 🙂
Two step or the twist?
Your choice…I was thinking tango
pshaw, Bill
Ah, a smooth talking shy guy, eh?
Now do you expect us to believe that?
Yes so much like the dance!!!
You’re right, Kaarina, with the dance analogy. But then–but then!–there’s the other kind of blog, where people just sort of say their piece and leave, you know? They came, they saw, they left graffiti on your wall. Some posts get hundreds of comments because the blog was comment-worthy (read: opinionated) and they just had to say something. But it’s never acknowledged by anyone. I’ll read those posts, but seldom comment on them anymore. It’s not a “dance,” it’s a… guestbook, only not as friendly.
Shakirah, you’re so right. It feels so comfy at a blog like @soulati:disqus ‘s, because people really converse, engage…and dance! The image of “graffiti on your wall” is so appropriate to some of the places I’ve visited, where it seems that the commenter’s intention is to be heard, without any intention of listening back. I’d much rather spend my time on comfy couches, like this one here @Soulati …and @ginidietrich:disqus @MarcusSheridan:disqus @Mark_Harai:twitter @a76049f6a32a1e633a732b81bafb98c9:disqus @davinabrewer:disqus @nittyGriddyBlog:twitter @JohnFalchetto:twitter and many others with comfy couches. Cheers! Kaarina (P.S. apologies in advance to those comfy couches I might have missed…that’s the trouble with paying tribute…sometimes, without intending to, you miss someone. It’s like the Oscars speeches, haha!)
Dancing? That must be @MarcusSheridan:disqus and his favorite movie, Dirty Dancing 🙂
Ah, a romantic!
I like that movie too… I think I actually cried; but I think movies like Gladiator or Braveheart are my favorite. Dang, I cried during those too – LOL!
And so sweet too – thank you for the mention : )
WOW: spicysmartsweet all in one day? My world is rockin, thanks to you Mark! Sending you a huge cyber hug of thanks.
I’m in the dashboard; “like.”
Well Kaarina, I for one am sooo happy you jumped in to the conversation! You add a very nice spice to things and lot’s of smarts ma’am!
You are wonderful!
Thanks Mark – you can’t know how much I appreciate your kind words:) I’m likin’ the spicysmarts reference. Had a tough morning, so you’ve lifted my spirits to great heights, my friend: I’m indebted. Cheers! Kaarina
Hahahahahah! LOL! See. Jayme and I are the same person.
To your point about too many comments and inside jokes, I’m VERY sensitive to that and try to draw people in so they don’t feel like we’re a clique. But I can imagine it happens more often than not.
BTW, I woke up this morning thinking about you. I don’t know why; you were just on my mind.
Not sure you were thinking of me or Jenn or Kaarina in your early dreams. I kinda think it was me; the comments don’t always align well under the peep you’re referencing ‘cuz I just came to check to see who you were referencing. So, cool; it was me; now that that’s decided, can I please go the store and to a BBQ today?
Why is everyone blogging and tweeting and commenting today? Too hot? Your body hurts from too much yardwork yesterday? (Oh, forgot, that’s me.)
XO XO to all you dudettes; love y’all to pieces and more. Thanks for making this blog live and pushing me to bring it more and more.
I was talking to Jenn. I can’t think about you when we’re the same person. It’s bad weather here today. 80 mph winds, hail and rain. We’re just sitting on the couch reading. No BBQs in Chicago today!
Oh, please, don’t let it come here again. Everyone here needs new roofs from hail stones. Hustlers everywhere; I bagged dozen debris bags yesterday. Today hot and sunny. Please be careful.
Oh, please, don’t let it come here again. Everyone here needs new roofs from hail stones. Hustlers everywhere; I bagged dozen debris bags yesterday. Today hot and sunny. Please be careful.
Yuck! I hope you feel better. Nothing worse than allergies, cold and nasty weather!
Yuck! I hope you feel better. Nothing worse than allergies, cold and nasty weather!
Lovin’ all you dudettes right back! Any why are we blogging and tweeting and commenting today? Must be synchronicity…something in the air:)
it’s hot, I’m tired, I have family in town, my daughter is napping, my mom and I picked couches, and my husband just took my dad to the ER to see if his ankle was broken, or just strained…I’m stealing a few moments on my sun porch to read, comment and possibly snooze! That’s my excuse!
it’s hot, I’m tired, I have family in town, my daughter is napping, my mom and I picked couches, and my husband just took my dad to the ER to see if his ankle was broken, or just strained…I’m stealing a few moments on my sun porch to read, comment and possibly snooze! That’s my excuse!
You weren’t thinking of me when you woke up Gini?? What the heck!??? 😉
I only had to change my twitter handle 3 times before I snuck in Gini’s house, and notice I used ‘handle’……………that’s a 10-4 big buddy…..
You sound very real to me!
You sound very real to me!
Jenn, this was literally one of the dang coolest comments I’ve ever read anywhere, anytime, any how on the blogosphere!!! 🙂
But, just to clarify, if you’re picturing a Roman banquet there needs to be a Lion lying down somewhere nearby….and then the vision would be complete, OK??? 🙂
But to answer your question, I really think anyone can be influenced to comment or not to comment on a blog. For me, it all comes down to the final paragraph, aka ‘Your Turn’. That’s where it’s my job to explain the game, roll out the ball, and then hope people will come and play…..and they normally do. 😉
Thanks again for the huge smiles Jenn!!
Marcus
Yay! Been waiting for some more of my favorite people to connect. I keep saying I need to cut back on my reading and commenting, but hard when there are so many peeps out here being so bloody cool. When and if @twitter-54546555:disqus starts her own blog (plz Jenn, be gentle with me.. maybe just a post a week so I can still know what outdoor air smells like) I’m in big trouble as it’ll have to go on my must read list. Big smiles for me too.
You’re a sweetheart, Davina…luckily I am too busy to maintain a blog at this point! You and the outdoors can remain friends.
I’m not even an outdoorsy type at all, but do like to turn off the computer and maybe leave the house.. enjoy the air on the way to the car. 😉
Ha ha glad you liked this, Marcus! And here @soulati:disqus told me no one would see this comment.
Hey, can I come eat grapes with you bro?
Jenn, your comment reminded me of Bill Dorman’s recent blog post: Well, that was awkward…https://billdorman.wordpress.com/2011/04/27/well-that-was-awkward/ Participating in social media can feel like going to a party, will you be warmly welcomed or snubbed? As Bill and his commenters pointed out, how you behave on social media will probably reflect how you are in the real world. Will you be outgoing and effusive or will you be shy and reserved?
One of the biggest surprises I have had as a blogger is how warm and inviting the blogging community is. I only started my blog earlier this year so I do feel a bit “late to the party” but have been warmly welcomed by other bloggers who have engaged in discussions with me, visited my blog and introduced me to others who were equally supportive.
So I know it can seem a little off putting at first, but dive right in, the water is fine! And someone with comments as expertly crafted as yours (the Roman banquet comparison was genius!) will be welcomed at any blog.
Hi, Carolyn! Thanks for joining this party; I am thinking the weekend for blogging is quite special. More peeps have some time to surf around and land and share. Feel free to share the link to your blog, OK? Some of us are better at visiting than others; I’m trying to make pit stops frequently and as we all know…time is elusive. (I always want that word to be spelled with an “I”) What’s your Twitter? We’ll connect there, too.
Ha, thanks Carol! I guess I should comment MORE when I’m sleepy! And welcome to the blogospherearama.
Oh, yeah, Jenn! You said more plainly what I said only partially before I read your comment. I always feel a bit plastered to the wall when I see a large crowd enjoying themselves–not one of whom I know. And then I think, “I’m not even a people person, who’m I fooling? Great post, but I don’t have anything special to say hasn’t been said already.” And there I lurk momentarily, hovering over the comment button until I lose my nerve. Recently I’ve gotten better at that, and I must say the responses–and willingness to connect further–of so many of you, including Marcus, have been the thing that’s done it for me.
@MarcusSheridan:disqus I’m a little embarrassed, actually, my first visit to your blog was to read about your pool business shake-up, and I had every intent to comment, but got sidetracked by Ingrid Abboud’s longest comment ever and commented to her instead (I guess that’s what’s called hijacking? Didn’t mean it!). You were kind enough to respond welcomingly, and I appreciated that. Been meaning to get back there and leave a “real” comment, and getting ready to dive into your BlogWorld post soon.
Good Sunday afternoon, ladies! I love it that you’re all here…it’s like a fun, impromptu get together with @ginidietrich:disqus on the couch, Jayme @soulati:disqus moving in and out bantering back and forth to everyone, @kaarinadillabough:disqus in the kitchen, whipping up some goodies, @twitter-54546555:disqus sitting in the living room with Gini, chatting as we come in and out. I just popped by to say that Jayme, you have a very comfy blog and yes, Marcus does as well – he’s a hot talent right now and very genuine in his approach, his comments and his time. I commented shortly after you did on that BWE post, but haven’t been back lately to see the gads of comments following. That’s part of my m.o….I comment as I have time and as I’m interested or moved to do so. I will occasionally come back for more interaction and banter, but not as often as I would like to. I feel pulled in a lot of directions! Plus, if it gets too large…it can get overwhelming and like you’re trying to say “over here, over here!”. I know, that’s awful, isn’t it? Can’t help it, I do love to go back, but it just doesn’t always happen!
I also like it if I don’t feel bad if I don’t go back! That goes to the clique-y nature of some blogs and their commenters. I’m not a clique-y girl. You may have guessed that. That can sometimes translate to aloof, but it’s really not. Wait, this isn’t about me, is it? 🙂
Long story, short answer: I think it’s a gift for bloggers and their blogs to make people (new and old friends) to feel welcome and if so inclined, able to revisit, or not, and still feel like they were heard and valued.
I’ll chat with you ALL, I’m sure, this week! xoxo
Erica, I relate to the feeling of being pulled in many directions. I have to constantly remind myself to be the captain of my ship, and not allow myself to be buffeted by the wind and waves of “so much stuff”. That goes equally to participation in others’ blogs. As Jayme so aptly reminded me: I’m neglecting mine as I enjoy the journeying and commenting on others’ blogs. Today I’ll respect the pull in the direction of my own blog, and put out the welcome mat, as Jayme, you, Gini, Marcus, Mark and so many others do. Cheers! Kaarina
Good Sunday afternoon, ladies! I love it that you’re all here…it’s like a fun, impromptu get together with @ginidietrich:disqus on the couch, Jayme @soulati:disqus moving in and out bantering back and forth to everyone, @kaarinadillabough:disqus in the kitchen, whipping up some goodies, @twitter-54546555:disqus sitting in the living room with Gini, chatting as we come in and out. I just popped by to say that Jayme, you have a very comfy blog and yes, Marcus does as well – he’s a hot talent right now and very genuine in his approach, his comments and his time. I commented shortly after you did on that BWE post, but haven’t been back lately to see the gads of comments following. That’s part of my m.o….I comment as I have time and as I’m interested or moved to do so. I will occasionally come back for more interaction and banter, but not as often as I would like to. I feel pulled in a lot of directions! Plus, if it gets too large…it can get overwhelming and like you’re trying to say “over here, over here!”. I know, that’s awful, isn’t it? Can’t help it, I do love to go back, but it just doesn’t always happen!
I also like it if I don’t feel bad if I don’t go back! That goes to the clique-y nature of some blogs and their commenters. I’m not a clique-y girl. You may have guessed that. That can sometimes translate to aloof, but it’s really not. Wait, this isn’t about me, is it? 🙂
Long story, short answer: I think it’s a gift for bloggers and their blogs to make people (new and old friends) to feel welcome and if so inclined, able to revisit, or not, and still feel like they were heard and valued.
I’ll chat with you ALL, I’m sure, this week! xoxo
Jayme, I really don’t even know how to respond to all this kindness you’ve heaped upon me this day. Seriously, thank you so much. I’ve read the article like 4 times (along with Jenn’s comment 😉 and kept thinking, “Is she really talking about me here??”
So thank you so much and I’m glad you finally came over to chat at the Lion’s house. Everyone is welcome there, anytime. 🙂
Marcus
Hey you, get your yard cleaned up?
Marcus is definitely the real deal and welcomes all commentors, responders and the people who like to jump into the middle of other commentors which is usually not only acceptable but welcomed.
Like Gini says, Marcus is well on his way to becoming an ‘A’ lister and only wish him the best of luck along his journey.
I’m enjoying the beach in Florida this wk so my attendance might be sporadic this wk but I will try to stay plugged in.
I hope you have a good week.
How do you define A-lister when Marcus already has 300 comments on this blog post? Wouldn’t that be almost an automatic? Again, fascinating.
Florida beach? You can come to Dayton and find the same heat today; wow. Have some fun! P.S. Yard cleaned; now waiting on insurance claims for new roof? Gutters, skylights, etc. Sigh.
Lots of good comments Jayme. I do think making commenters comfortable is a part of the style of blogging one wants; Marcus wants a really thoughtful, motivated community that enjoys being there – whether they comment or not. Not everyone or every post does because there are tons of other purposes and motivations to blogging. It’s not a club by any means but maybe it looks that way to outsiders? IDK. I think the ‘clique’ has happened naturally, in that so many of us enjoy reading and commenting, we’ve gravitated towards each other blogs and a community has formed. Writing about this later in the week, b/c it’s anything BUT an ‘echo chamber’ as we do disagree sometimes and tell @ginidietrich:disqus that she’s gotten to big for her britches.
Per @kaarinadillabough:disqus comment on ‘inside jokes’ I know I’ve cracked them… teased Marcus or Bill about that, poked Gini about that, made a crack about Ingrid Abboud’s commenting. Is it an ‘inside joke’? Yes it is. Should I not do them? No. I usually ‘explain’ stuff like that with links and many of my readers DO get it as we are part of the community. To NOT write and respect the audience I have, the community I’ve built is… what @MarcusSheridan:disqus was alluded to about the conference, being talked AT and TO, vs. WITH. I may run the risk of alienating a certain type of reader with my own wacky Roman banquet but like @twitter-54546555:disqus suggested, IMO it’s the lighter stuff whether I get it or not (usually not as I am always so far behind) that makes me think it’s a place my voice can add something good. FWIW.
There is so much joking that happens on Twitter and then gets transferred to the blogs and that’s probably where people feel left out. You’re right; one can’t apologize, but when you know it’s happening, we need to be respectful when others are in the house.
Hope you had a great weekend?
Good enough. I think jokes – whether insider or not – can make people more comfortable. Speech writers and presenters use them to warm up a room, ease an audience. In blog comments they may let some readers know it’s more than stuffy biz babble and that their voices are appreciated; and if you don’t go for that sort of thing, then hopefully you still read and see the topical discussions as well, and will contribute that if that’s your bag.
Hi Soulati, thank you for a warm welcome to your blog! Since you asked, here is a link to my blog: https://www.wonderoftech.com. My blog is a personal technology blog for everyday people who want to understand the world of tech by learning about it in plain English, not tech talk. My Twitter is @carpathia16:disqus .
I look forward to reading more on your blog!
I’ve heard of Marcus for the first time today, but I must say that after looking at his blog I can see why it is that he is rising. He seriously is becoming quite a popular man online judging from all those comments.
Hi, Gabriella! Thanks for stopping by; indeed, I was recently introduced to Marcus, too. He is an impressive blogger and comments in kind. That’s the sign of authenticity.
I’ve got that article in my favorites, too, and I think I’d be alarmed if I got that many comments–alarmed and grinning fit to bust, lol! But the reason he’s got such an engaged community is as you’ve described so well, Jayme. Sometimes, I do get a bit intimidated when I see so many comments because I think, “Probably everyone has said a piece of what I’m going to say right now.” But if the post is comment-worthy, on top of the graciousness of the host, it feels “right” to say your piece.
Don’t you ever think you’re alone; I’ve also thought twice about commenting b/c I have nothing to add but a joke or earning more LiveFyre points. Heh. I like to be early on the comments so my thoughts are original and not just “me, too; I agree.” Doesn’t always happen though. Thanks for adding your thoughts, Girl.