I need some help with a problem that is happening with my blog. I wanted to write about my experiences moving to Norway from the US and my travels around the world. I have shared my experiences and stories and the things I have learned. It seems though that people are acting like I am some kind of government official in Norway and can help them get a job, get a visa or a work permit or even just move to Norway.
When I first started my site, over two years ago, this happened every once in a while and was not a big deal. I thought that I would leave the comments on my posts from people looking for more information on how they could move to Norway, get a job in Norway or get their visas etc. I left them there because I thought if anyone reading that information (those comments by people) maybe could help and would reply to their comments. But that has not really happened.
Now I have hundreds of comments ‘cluttering’ up my blog and I think it takes away from the quality. My concern is though, that I really want to help if I can. And for most of these people I can not. The only things I really know, I have already posted in my blog and you can easily find what information I know.
I am wondering if any of you out there have a suggestion on how I can handle this situation. I don’t want to leave people hanging, but I cant help these people and I don’t want to take away from the ‘quality’ and helpful comments people are posting.
I have read a bunch of stuff online, looked for different things like Amazon books, and even asked some friends what I should do about this situation. I can not seem to find a good solution.
Some possibilities that I am considering are:
- Just delete these comments since I can not help the people and no one else is stepping in to help them
- Have a FAQ page with clear information that says that I cannot help them with these specific questions
- Have an ‘alert’ when you post a comment on my site that asks people not to post these types of comments
I am just not sure what the best solution for this situation is. So I am asking you, what do you think I should do? Especially if you are also a blogger, I could really use your input right now. Maybe there is some kind of widget or plugin or something that you could share that could help this situation? I am really at a loss for any kind of good solution I feel. So please help!
Leave your suggestion for me in a comment below!
12 responses so far ↓
1 Brochure Printing // Oct 6, 2009 at 1:22 am
First of all, you are too kind not to want to leave those inquisitive people hanging. If I were in your position, I would have just ignore them. :D
Anyway, a FAQ page does sound like a better choice. Put a disclaimer on your homepage that says that anyone who has a question should first check out the FAQ page before asking any more questions that you may have missed out. Good luck!
2 Kristie // Oct 6, 2009 at 4:59 am
Thats a good suggestion! Thank you…
3 Pictures-of-Jamaica // Oct 6, 2009 at 5:54 am
Indeed filter your comments.
I agree with the above poster but I would also add that your alert should be quite stern including a notice that such comments will NOT be published.
4 Marc Chamot // Oct 6, 2009 at 9:29 pm
Just require them to email you, open a free account. Then respond to the ones that you want. On your blog, make a rule about postings is about blog contents not job seeking.
Best wishes, Marc
5 Kristie // Oct 7, 2009 at 4:38 am
After several of your comments about this and suggesting that I should do what I thought I might… I will now begin filtering the comments. Thank you everyone for your suggestions and support. I really appreciate it!
6 *lynne* // Oct 11, 2009 at 5:30 pm
Hi Kristie,
my 2 cents’ worth: first, create an FAQ (and even then don’t spend too much time on it: essentially create a post that tackles the most common questions, and point to the post you’ve written addressing it.). Then point to that FAQ somewhere on the comment form by saying something like: “Stop! Please check the FAQs for answers to common questions you might be wanting to ask. But if you’re here to provide a legitimate comment: please, go ahead!” . This helps the comments “filter” themselves, before their “comments” reach your filtering step.
[btw - Hiiii!!!! Moving twice in little over 2 months wreaked havoc on my blog reading/visiting & responsibilities. Hope to be back to normal soon, and caught up with things like, oh, those interview questions! :p Cheers!]
7 hitesh // Oct 12, 2009 at 6:35 am
have never read about this earlier…….its good….that i live in India and think no one likes to move to India….. :)
hope could have helped you on this with some substantial advise……
but…..good luck…tackling these people….\,,,/
8 Colon Cleanse Scams // Oct 13, 2009 at 8:41 pm
I like the idea of a FAQ page, but how about you revamp it to Wiki form, so people can answer one another, sort of like a forum? It would get a nice dialogue going between people who read your blog, and might encourage new visitors to read your site :) Good luck!
9 RennyBA's Terella // Oct 15, 2009 at 10:52 pm
Sorry I am late this time!
I know how you feel as I get some of this myself and of course it is nice to be able to help but it takes a lot of efforts and most of it are answered on my blog before.
However, I think (from your own comment) that you have found a very good solution and I wish you good luck with that.
Talking about knowing Norway: I’ve been planning hard for Oslo Blog Gathering 2010. If you like the idea, maybe you would spread the word, encourage your friends to come and join us and of course take part yourself!
10 Master Dayton - Freelance Writer // Oct 18, 2009 at 7:13 am
I think an FAQ page would make a lot of sense. You could label it Resources/FAQ, have a link to it in your side bar, and reference it in your comment policy. That should help the people who are willing to read and actually find the answers for themselves and make it easier on you, IMO.
11 Web Solutions // Oct 19, 2009 at 8:27 am
Hi,
I would suggest having a customized filter to scan out comments at the first. Then, what you can do is to have a FAQ page which you should make prominent to everyone before someone questions.
So, it might be helpful. Yes, for comments you can have several plugins out by various vendors and free ones too.
- J.
12 Caribbean Cruise Deals // Nov 13, 2009 at 7:16 am
I think you should probably go for the FAQ page as well as an about me page which fully explains your situation to visitors. Use the FAQ primarily to let people know exectly what you can and can’t help with- Also, it’s good to take these questions and concerns readers get and research and make posts about the topics they need help in to provide the sort of value on your blog that visitors will probably want.
That’s my 2c anyways :)
Leave a Comment