Are you a lurker? I am. For the most part. Especially when I’m on deadline.
A lurker, as defined by the web in general is someone who visits websites but rarely if ever comments or participates in any way. In the case of yahoo groups, you might read all the messages that go by but never offer your own opinion. Perhaps you read blogs but don’t comment on them. You may visit an author’s website but never sign their guestbook or send them an email.
Lurking isn’t bad, I don’t think. But I do think it’s good to occasionally exit lurkdom and step into the light.
Some are of the opinion that lurking is impolite. But I think lurkers just lead busy lives. And I’d rather readers lurked around my website, buy and enjoy my books than feel the need to comment on every blog I post.
My good friend Pam Labud chimed in. "I’m a lurker, too. I read all kinds of posts but barely comment."
If you’re like me and Pam and don’t comment too often, is it because you don’t have the time? Or perhaps you don’t feel like you have anything to add? Or is it because posting/participating can be difficult?
I have one more thought about why people might lurk. There’s nothing to comment on. Blogging "experts" encourage bloggers to ask questions at the end of their posts to generate comments. Other experts tell bloggers to hold information back to generate discussion.
Does it take a controversial topic to get you to participate? What about contests? I typically don’t like offering a prize in return for posting comments because to me…well, I’d rather people just join the conversation. But perhaps I’m not witty enough to inspire conversation.
I’ll admit that it can be frustrating for me at times. As an author, I want to connect with readers. I like knowing my readers. Talking to them. Understanding them. I feel like knowing my readers lets me write better books. When readers lurk the conversation is severely stifled.
So how about it? Care to come out of lurkdom for a day and introduce yourself? I won’t bite. Promise!
Follow the Tour!!!
For more information about tour stops visit the Tour site
About the Author
Selena Blake writes erotic paranormal and contemporary romance. First published in 2008, her series Stormy Weather has been on the best seller lists and nominated for awards. She's a fan of action movies, Diet Coke, Milky Way bars and thunderstorms, not necessarily in that order. Learn more about her online at http://www.selena-blake.com or catch her at facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorSelenaBlake or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/SelenaBlake
24 comments:
Hello my name is Irene and I've been mostly lurking for a couple of years now:)
I'm usually nudged out of lurking to enter contests to feed my swag habit or win a book I fancy , like yours today.
It's just laziness on my part I suppose that I maybe think about joining a discussion but then never seem to get around to it! Must try harder.
Must also read the post properly!Forgot to leave my email *sigh*
irgl7(at)bonzo15(dot)plus(dot)com
I have seen good things about this book. I am in love with the cover it looks so awesome and the book sounds great.
Mary
mary_reiss @ hotmail.com
I am totally a lurker...mainly because the stupidest things come out in my posting...LOL! Or I don't know what to say.
books4me67 at ymail dot com
Thanks for a great post! I'm a lurker too... for all the reasons that you mentioned. I hate being redundant and when you check blogs at the end of the day like I do, everything's already been said. It's like being the kid that says "yeah" after everything the cool kids say. And sometimes it gets a bit awkward when blogs want you to post for giveaways b/c what can you really say other than a polite, please give me free stuff? But... I do try and make an effort to post on reviews, especially for books I've really liked or really want to read... but it does take a bit of time and I am a tad lazy :) I'm also not going to weigh in when there's drama... life's too short to get mad at someone you'll never meet in person :)
Thanks again and have a wonderful day!
I would love to win a book about a Cajun werewolf! I have been away from my cajun roots for 25 years now and I miss south Louisiana. It has the perfect atmosphere for these kinds of stories.
landrybreaux@yahoo.com
I lurked for a while before I started commenting. I started out small commenting on eye candy and now I comment tons.
kaylyndavis1986@yahoo.com
Oftentimes what lures me out is a contest. Sometimes, that is just not enough though... I like weird requests or questions. Or subjects that I just cannot help myself. I still lurk more than I comment.
- lavendersbluegreen(at)yahoo(dot)com
I was a huge lurker when I first started really visiting blogs... I was just too shy to throw myself out there with a comment. Later I saw how much fun it could be especially with topics that everyone mostly has opinion about, so when I finally did 'step into the light' I was glad to have finally come out, but I still find myself reading more than commenting.
yadkny@hotmail.com
I'm a huge lurker. My name is Lisa. I actually just found blogs this last December. I know, I live under a rock. LOL It takes a very interesting topic or something I may know about before I tend to jump in and comment. Plus the fact that my stupid internet seems to have lots of trouble allowing web pages to fully load. I am getting better about commenting, but I am still a lurker on quite a few blogs.
lisa(at)vetteklisa(dot)com
I hate to say it but I'm a lurker as well, I often read a blog & think I'd love to comment, but I just don't know what to wright, but I'll try to in the future :-)
Email annettecourt@bigpond.com
I'm a lurker too, well on the yahoo groups I'm a member of but on the blogs I follow I'm not a lurker I comment on most posts.
Ooops forgot my email addy
taccb_1981@yahoo.com
Lol i think everyone's got a little lurker inside them...
usually I look for giveaways, author interviews, or reviews/discussions about a book I love or hate
Thanks for the giveaway ^_^
karen.wapinski at gmail dot com
I´m a lurker trying to comment more, =) often it´s just a "Great! *thumbs up* but at least that´s showing i´m here too and i like it. Oh, and i do almost anything for a giveaway or competition =)
best wishes, Linda xo
fr_larsson at hotmail dot com
i think i'm also a lurker :p though i usually stay quiet, i do comment on giveaway that catch my eyes and open to international :))
smile_1773 at yahoo dot com
Looking forward to reading this. Thanks.
dustykattc@hotmail.com
I lurked for a long time, but I'm trying to post more now. I love the cover of this book.
kesummer69 at yahoo dot com
Lurker here!!! I try to comment when it is something I have an interest in or can contribute something to the conversation. Usually I feel like the kid in back that says, "Yeah...what she said."
Mel
bournmelissa at hotmail dot com
I used to be a big time lurker but I've gotten better. Sometimes I'll go so far as to type up a reply but then change my mind about posting it. LOL Not sure why really.
Thank you for the giveaway opportunity!
Pam
vanillaorchids69(at)gmail(dot)com
im terrible, i cant help myself i comment on everything, and love it, i started out on the mancandy and covers, now im glad i do, i have the most amazing, to daft conversations with all different people all over the world, sitting in my livingroom. liked the post, thanks for the giveaway
My name is Tina, I am a stay at home mom and I am a lurker, at least 50% of the time. I am not a fast reader, so it takes me a while to read an excerpt or post. There are so many great bloggers and authors, that for me, it is just to much to comment on everything. I try to comment at least a few times a week on most. I also feel like I am always saying the same thing, like great post, wonderful interview, etc. even though I mean them. I am so NOT a writer and am not witty at all. :)
Do they have a school or class that I can take for learning how to talk to people on blogs? Lol. I need it!
trb0917 at gmail.com
I'm afraid I'm a lurker too. I visit posts and then just can't be bother to type up my name and what not to comment. What can I say I'm simply lazy.
sparklingbutterfly(dot)angel@gmail(dot)com
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