You spend time reading a blog post because the topic strikes a chord. You’re right there experiencing exactly what the blogger is talking about. You leave a comment along with a question that probes deeper into the topic.
The next day you visit the blog to see if anyone has replied to your question. But astoundingly enough, you discover your comment has been removed.
I’ve been reading other blogs and leaving comments for a long time. Sometimes the blogger replies, sometimes not. That doesn’t bother me, but this past week, the above scenario happened to me.
I left a comment with a legitimate question about the post topic. While I hoped for a reply, I was prepared not to receive one. I got worse than no reply. My comment was removed. And it wasn’t just mine; ALL comments were removed. (Tweet this.)
I’m livid. I feel a bit like I’ve been stabbed in the back. The topic of the post struck deep and was about a subject with which I am presently deeply struggling. Further, this blogger’s action makes me question the authenticity of the blogger’s commitment to the Christian principles the blog touts.
I realize this blogger may have a good reason for removing the comments; however, if that blogger prefers not to have comments on his/her blog, then why allow them to begin with?
Don’t alienate your readers by removing their honest comments from your blog. Instead, deactivate comments from your blog or for that particular post.
What does this rant have to do with marketing?
A large part of marketing is building relationships. What kind of relationships can you build if you never respond to or remove your readers’ comments?
Engaging with commenters creates relationship. They become potential buyers.
Certainly not all comments require an answer, and some comments are self-promotional spam. But what about those who resonate with the topic and ask a sincere question?
What’s your take? Has this ever happened to you? How did it make you feel about that blog/blogger?
The blogger in this case has lost my business.
(Did you miss my guest post on Book Marketing Tools.com? Visit here: “Are You Forgetting this Vital Step in Your Book Marketing Plan?”)
Wow, that must be frustrating to have a respectful comment or question removed. I’ve had commenters on my blog who didn’t exactly agree with me and some who commented off-topic, but I still didn’t remove the comments. Sorry that happened to you.
The only comments I remove are those that are strictly spam. I hope there aren’t too many other bloggers out there who allow comments, but then simply remove them. Seems like a slap in the face too me.