Showing posts with label lurking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lurking. Show all posts

Monday, August 27, 2007

Lurk No More

When I began this blog on a hot August night three years ago, I rather hoped people would take the time to read my pithy musings. But, I had no idea how many other wonderful people I'd come into contact with through the blog world.

Almost no one left me comments during the first two years of this blogs' existence. And then, suddenly, folks started leaving me their two cents. Often my heart is touched by the comments folks share. I also frequently laugh till tears roll down my cheeks. Due to the side splitting, thought-provoking and sometimes enigmatic comments readers have left me, I've realized, at it's best, blogging is a two way street, a dialogue between the author and those that choose to read the blog.

But, sometimes, I wonder, who are all the people who read my blog but don't engage in this dialogue? Well, officially, those people are called "lurkers".

Yes, "lurkers". Eww. That seems like such an overly sinister term, don't you think?

Doesn't referring to yourself as a lurker just leave an odd taste in your mouth? Just imagine having to eternally introduce yourself as, "Hi, I'm (insert your name) and I'm a lurker."

So, if that term "lurker" is hanging over your head like a thundercloud, go ahead, let today be the day you break free from the lurking chains that bind you! I promise, I won't bite. And, just think, since you're only saying hi to me online, I can't even force you to listen to Depeche Mode.

This is a seriously low-risk proposition. I'll even walk you through it, step by step.

1) Getting started: At the bottom of this post is a little link that says "Add Your Two Cents". Move the mouse cursor over that and then click it.

2) Type a comment. You don't have to be Oscar Wilde witty or anything like that. Just tell me hi and who you are, how long you've been reading this blog, how you found it...you know, that kind of first date, get to know you kind of stuff. If you're really dying to tell me other stuff about yourself or what you think about this blog, feel free. What do you wish I wrote about? What's your favorite post? Let loose! (And all you regulars can feel free to tell me this stuff too, if you're so inclined.)

3) Who are you? Decide if you're posting as anonymous or as yourself. Come on, don't be anonymous. At least put your name at the bottom of your post.

4) Click submit.

I'm really looking forward to hearing from y'all on this special "Lurk No More" day. Thank you for taking the risk and becoming a part of the dialogue.