Given how much discussion there is in the blogosphere right now about comments in newspapers, I think I’m noticing them more than I usually do.
I really like the way that the New York Times has a “comments of the moment” section high up in the sidebar on their blogs. It looks like this:
Lending high-profile exposure to good comments is one great “carrot” method of hosting a good comment section. Leading by example and rewarding good behavior are powerful, Pavlovian methods, and it proves that you’re taking community input seriously.
I know, I know, you “don’t have the resources.” Remember, you’re in startup mode. Time to invest.
Eat Sleep Publish is a Seattle-based blog that explores the difficulties and opportunities currently facing the publishing industry. 
{ 1 trackback }
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
This is a great idea and an incredible way to encourage people to think about what they are writing. Most individuals would be jazzed to see their comment highlighted on the site.
@Ryan I think so, too. I know I would – I write my NYT comments carefully (OK, so I write my comments everywhere carefully) just in case they decide to highlight them.
Another thing that a newspaper might do is make sure that those names are links to the commenter’s web site, and remove the “nofollow” that is traditionally attached to comments.
Links from high page-rank sites are worth hundreds of dollars, so it’s like holding a raffle for best comment with a really good prize.
I think it’d be good to let reporters pick the best two comments on each article and post them in the sidebar like that. No extra staff needed, just a little programming time to build the system.
This is a great idea and an incredible way to encourage people to think about what they are writing.
ROFL – “carrot” method is great !!!