The Editor's Desktop: Creating a Conversation

Why is it that some articles get a lot of attention and comments, and others float aimlessly in a sea of inattention? Having an extensive set of connections and subscribers is certainly beneficial for the visibility of your content. But if you don't have a large network, there is a lot you can do to get a conversation going every time you write on Gather by addressing the audience with relevant topics, presenting a strong opinion, and soliciting input.

There are some great things that we have learned from Gather members like Seth Williams and Edward Nudelman that teach us how to develop a great rapport with other online Gatherers. Take a look at Edward's articles and his new Flash Fiction group. He has created great conversations with his readership by thanking people for their comments, and starting a group that has a precise mission. As these conversations evolve, we see that people start contributing to each other's content, and then connect to each other because of the mutual comments they place. This gracious "online dinner party" aspect of Gather is what makes the experience compelling for commenters, writers, and the people who enjoy observing these conversations from the sidelines.

Set a welcoming tone. Getting a conversation going also requires the right tone. This doesn't always mean you want everyone to agree with you, but it means that the commenters believe that you want input and a constructive conversation. That is true of Gather member Bert Bigelow when he discusses music, politics or travel. He knows that tone is essential in Gather discourse. I suggest that you invite people to discuss, and then think about how their comments are being received. Frequently, the conversations will expand along many threads. While we can't technically thread the discussions for you today (we will in the future!) people often make specific reference to other commenters in order to respond. That makes for great conversation!

Build legitimate connections. Having connections or starting groups results in stimulating conversation. Why? Because people you converse well with tend to feel more comfortable across the range of topics you might discuss. A great example of this is Monica Kennedy or Gisela S. Monica has created a number of forums – her Fellowship Café, the Two Words Challenge group, and her discussion of what she considers great writing – that have earned her a large following, and occasional top placement in the "Top Authors" camp. Gisela's approach to talking about funny moments in life is also extremely effective. Remember, the better the conversation, the more activity on users' namespaces, and the more points everyone gets for contributing to the discussion.

Be opinionated and factual. Use the tools at your disposal – facts you can source and opinions you can stand behind. You have the responsibility as the conversation starter to put yourself out there, and be prepared for the feedback that may come your way. Starting a conversation puts you in the position of being the authority, and good conversation starts with you assuming that role. Encourage counter-arguments that have a similar level of insight applied to them.

Use our new tools. New tools make conversations easier. Private messaging is a way to manage the conversation by communicating directly with one or more members. While the most value to the community comes from commenting on the article, there are some situations where sending a message is more appropriate. Also, our new ability to create groups allows like-minded people to gather around a topic they are passionate about. Check out the groups others have created, and try to start one of your own.

Conversing is an art, but these tips should help make your virtual conversations fun and informative. I welcome your thoughts, and hope to continue our virtual dialogue on Gather.

David Cooperstein is Editor-in-Chief of Gather.com. His other comments can be found at david.gather.com.