Are you a lurker? A lurker is someone who reads online content but doesn’t interact with the writer. It’s OK to admit it. I lurk on some sites, too, but whenever I am moved to write a comment, I do.
I challenge you to write a comment below — and help me raise money for a good cause.
I know you’re out there because my site statistics indicate how many people visit on a daily basis. Yet, the number of comments on a typical post are disproportionate.
Maybe you’d like to come out of the closet today and enter into my debut De-Lurking Day contest?
Typically held during the first week of January, I’m breaking the rules for you!
Veerle Pieters borrowed the idea from others, describing De-Lurking Day as a special day “celebrating lurkers and exhorting you to muster the strength and bravery to click on that comment button and end the deafening silence.”
In defense of lurking, New York Times Magazine columnist Virginia Heffernan wrote last year that she lurks on many blogs and discussion forums, becoming a “cosseted 19th-century baroness whose electronic servants bring her funny pictures and distracting tales.”
Are you a baroness?
De-Lurking Contest Rules:
- Click on either link below to “Write a response” or “Add a comment.”
- Choose from four choices to comment: a) through your existing Blogger account; b) through OpenID (the subject of a future post); c) with your name and optional URL; or d) anonymously.
- In the comments box, tell me who you are and what you do for a living. Share with me how long you’ve followed me online, and whether any particular stories or content stick out. Do you like what I write? Would you like to see me revisit any topics or raise new ones? Are you interested in guest blogging?
- In one month, on Saturday, October 18 at 7:00 PM (New York time), I will select the top two comments, based on responses to #3.
- Finally, I will contribute $50 in each of your names to a registered non-profit organization and post about you and the organization.
You are encouraged to add to the commenting stream after October 18, too.
One other thing: You can’t be selected for a best comment unless you post with your real name. This is about showing me who you are, and if everyone is anonymous, the point of transparency is wasted.
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Ari Herzog is an online media strategist and Newburyport City Councilor-Elect.
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{ 4 comments }
Greetings Ari,
Great post. I hope others will accept your challenge. My name is Kathryn Lake Hogan and I have been following your blog for the past few weeks. I am a family historian. To know more about me, I invite you to visit my blog at http://looking4ancestors.blogspot.com/2008/09/getting-to-know-me-getting-to-know.html
Yes, I like what your write. I enjoy reading your posts about social networking. Through your posts I have learned how to better utilize this. I don’t know have the inclination nor the know how to find out about the latest and greatest in social networking on my own. This is why I read your blog.
And finally, yes, I’d like to be a guest blogger.
Hi Ari
Here’s a post I’d written on why people lurk on blogs and I believe it’s because of the way the comments feature has traditionally been structured – http://urbansurvivalproject.blogspot.com/2008/01/to-lurk-or-not-to-lurk.html
In response to your other questions, I’m a management consultant working with retailers commercially and social enterprises pro-bono. I deal with business strategy, innovation, social media etc. I’ve just seen your blog for the first time through a comment of yours on the socialmediatoday blog.
It is very hard to scroll through the content on your blog because your archives don’t expand into title lists so I can’t really comment on what you write about, but the few I’ve read along with your blog heading is probably enough to convince me to subscribe.
I’ve got a couple of blogs at http://www.multichannelthinking.com and http://www.urbansurvivalproject.org – and am starting to put together some stuff around leveraging social media (probably starting with a presentation on slideshare – http://www.slideshare.net/rizwantayabali) which might be relevant to your audience so if you’re looking for guest bloggers I’m game.
Regards
Rizwan
http://www.multichannelthinking.com
Hi Ari,
What a fun way to learn more about your followers. I have been following you now for a couple of months and have managed to comment on occasion.
My name is Anne Hoffman and I work with a great group of people at http://www.NeighborhoodAmerica.com. In my role I have mostly been challenged with helping others get involved and consider myself to be more of a connector than a content creator. That is changing, so I would love to engage more in conversation around what it takes to get social communities kick-started either in business or govt.
You’ve already helped me learn a great deal about web-related behaviors and have lent me personal encouragement. Your posts are always supported with helpful links. I was most impressed with your post “Ike” and Ike and enjoy your editorial style. As for guest blogging, I’d be up for the challenge but I’m guessing I need to work on the content creator side of myself first.
Hi Ari,
I must admit to being a lurker. I have never been called out on it though. Usually I just lurk until I find someone to argue with online. Sad, but true. I don’t know why. You know me though, so, does that still qualify me as a lurker? This is Amber, Naomi’s old neighbor. Well, I’m not old maybe ex-neighbor, but that sounds so negative. If you didn’t know I’m a medical student and also a blog abandoner! I feel so terrible about it, too. I enjoy reading your post. It helps me break the monotony of my day as I am still on hurrication from Ike. My name is Amber Smith and I suppport this message.
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