Little did I know that a whole nother world out there that I had no idea about. Sitting in front of the computer, trying to comment on someone’s blog was the hardest part for me. To be honest, the ’submit’ button was my intimidator, like Donna’s. But once I had that comment posted, I was proud. Not that it was a great comment or anything, but I had actually put myself out there.

I have only been blogging for the past 3 or 4 weeks and still find myself apprehensive when it comes time to write. But i always remind myself that you write what you know and eventually you’ll learn and grow from your experiences as well as others’ perspectives. Not only that, but commenting and blogging opens lots of doors professionally!

Needless to say, I have enjoyed your posts! The topics are great conversation starters! Keep up the good work and I am sure that I’ll be visitng your blog often!

I can very much relate to your timidness about leaving comments on blogs for the first time. I have often said to people who ask me about blogging that the most stressful part of partaking in the blogosphere (sorry Mary Ellen!) was the very first comment I left. You type it out and then hit ’submit’ and then, well…panic for a few minutes. You are absolutely right, your comment is out there for all to see – good or bad. But, I think you have come up with a great way to face that fear by making your own post! Congrats. See? Your computer didn’t implode…now go buzz around your favorite blogs and join their conversations, too. You’ll be great at it.

Thanks for your comments and encouragement! Now that I’ve plunged head first into the world of blogs, I’m sure commenting will become far easier. I have indeed been told by the “TF veteran bloggers” that I should take part in the conversation and now that I see it’s not so scary, I think you’ll see me come out of my shell.

Thank you also for the link to David Maister’s blog, I think he’s probably hit the nail on the head. As I’ve come to discover, blogging could be a full-time job and those who don’t commit simply fade away….

One of the big challenges that “conversational” bloggers (vs. pontificating bloggers) face is, just like a host or hostess in any other venue, helping guests feel comfortable enough to join the conversation. I hope that in your role as a reluctant commenter, you’ll be able to shed some insights on which blogs, if any, do help you feel comfortable enough to comment — and how they go about doing it.

I also hope you’ll come out of your shell and start leaving comments, because as the TF veteran bloggers have probably already told you, contributing to the conversations on other blogs (and leaving your blog URL in the process) is one of the most effective ways to publicize your own blog.

Finally, as to whether blogging is a fad…David Maister published a post on his blog a little while ago entitled Is Blogging Dead?, that addresses the question from the opposite point of view. (Full Disclosure: David Maister is a client of stresslimitdesign.) David makes the case that when the “get rich quick” sizzle of blogs is long gone, the steak will still remain. I’d love to hear your responses and how his take on blogs fits into your vision of blogs as fad–I have a feeling you may be fairly likeminded on the topic.

Best wishes on the new blog, which I am already enjoying greatly. (With such a clearly great crew, if I ever move back home to Canada, I may have to apply for a job at TF myself!)

Shaula