Civil War Talk’s Civil War Blog Reader Forum

I subscribe to a large number of blogs using Google Reader.  One of the searches I do finds links to TOCWOC’s URL, and it was in the results of this search that I first came across Civil War Talk’s “Civil War Blog Reader” forum.  Excerpts and links from various Civil War blogs are posted in the forum, and Civil War Talk readers are encouraged to look at and respond to these collected blog entries.

I have mixed (though overall positive) feelings about this idea.  First, Civil War Talk is giving the featured Civil War blogs exposure to some readers who would not have found these blogs on their own.  Second, reader interaction is encouraged, which is also a nice idea.

The only negative is that the encouragement of response is focused on Civil War Talk rather than the Civil War blogs in question.   As my fellow Civil War bloggers know, getting readers to comment is sometimes similar to pulling teeth (hint hint!).  I love to hear from readers whenever possible, but I’m afraid some of those readers might instead choose to have a conversation at Civil War Talk rather than at TOCWOC – A Civil War Blog.  While this is not a terrible thing (after all, discussion is what I and other bloggers want!), it is less than ideal.

I firmly believe subscribing to blogs in a feed reader is by far the easiest way to follow them.

With all of this said, I’d be interested to hear other takes on this idea, both from Civil War bloggers and readers.

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4 responses to “Civil War Talk’s Civil War Blog Reader Forum”

  1. Dave Avatar

    I’d second Brett’s ideas that it’s easier to follow the blogs in a reader, and that comments about a blog post should be made on that blog.

    Commenting in a forum about other peoples’ postings is probably too removed from the original content to be effective.

  2. Jim Beeghley Avatar

    I also agree that the best possible way to follow blogs is within a reader and maximizing the power of RSS.

    The conversation (such as this one) originates with the blogger is continued by his/her readers and should remain in context that the blogger intended.

    Jim

  3. elektratig Avatar

    Brett,

    When I saw the blog posts at CWT, I just assumed that the net effect would be positive, because you would pick up new readers. But the proof is in the pudding. Have you noticed traffic changes — up or down — since CWT began the feature?

    e

  4. admin Avatar

    elektratig,

    No I haven’t, so it looks like readers don’t like to comment either way! 😉

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