I spend almost as much time reading and commenting on other people's blogs as I do working on my own. This is partly self-serving. I learn about new books I want to read, I find out about trends and opportunities going on in the blogging community. Partly I just do this because I know how encouraging it is as a blogger to get those comments.
I have a few questions. Do you, bloggers, like to get comments on your posts, even if it's just a generic "Great review" or "Interesting concept" type dealie? I know these are the virtual equivalent of scrawling "Vanessa wuz here" on the bathroom wall, but I leave them sometimes, just because I figure it's nice for you to know that yes, someone was there and liked what you wrote. Most of the time I try to leave a comment that's a little more unique and interesting, though.
Second question. Commenters (aka the joy of my existence), do you like getting responses to your comments? I know I do, and I like to interact with those people who take the time to read my blog, so I try to respond to as many comments as I can. The thing is though, I pretty much only respond to the comments that have an email address attached to them, so I just hit "reply" in my email program and away we go. I know that it's really hard for people to make it back and actually read replies I've left for them in the comments, so I usually don't bother. (NOTE: Make sure to attach an email address to your blogger profile, so I am able to respond to your comments.) For myself, I know that recieving a response to one of my comments virtually guarentees I'll visit that blog again, because I enjoy the sense of interaction.
I guess what it boils down to is this: how interactive do you want this (or any other blog) to be? Discuss.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
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I know when I blog hop my comments depend on how far behind I am. Today, I am actually caught up for a change so I will try and reading meaningful comments on posts (ha). If I am really far behind, I will skim through posts and only comment when I really want to say something. When I am having weeks where I 'mark all as read', I try to comment on everything afterwards as much as I am able just to say, well, I am here! :) I think it is nice to know that people are reading your blog, even if they have been too swamped lately to always tell you.
As to replying to comments... I try to reply to all the ones on my own blog, but I am the worst for remembering to go back and read replies to comments I have left. The 'email follow-up comments' function is nice and everything, but I know that if I start doing that I will start putting off reading them and they will clutter up my inbox more than anything. So, if I remember, I go back and check and it is nice to see something there, but otherwise... I just try and do it on my own blog!
I enjoy comments and the interaction as well. One thing that drives all people is the need for acceptance and acknowledgement of our existance - thus, comments make us feel good! I like roaming other's blogs and finding great tidbits & news. I often find great stuff to report in my Friday news roundup, which in turn also mentions blogs my readers might not have discovered yet.
And I think that it's ultimately what can we do for other people!
L. Diane Wolfe
www.circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com
www.spunkonastick.net
www.thecircleoffriends.net
I like getting comments. I enjoy knowing someone out there is enjoying whatever it is I wrote, even if it's a great review or I loved this book, etc.
As for getting reply on who I comment, if I have time I always try and get back to places I've commented on to see if a response was written. You see I said try right? I read so many sometimes I forget which ones I commented on. Sad but true.
I love how you respond through email. Something I might have to consider doing in the future.
1. I love comments. Even the ones that just say "great review". It makes me feel like people are reading.
2. That's really good question. I'm never sure if people visit back to check for a response.
That's a great idea about leaving their email ady if the really want a reply. I'm with you though. I feel a sense of camaraderie with my frequent commenters. I love the interaction.
I love getting comments as well. It's sort of nice to know there's someone out there reading, and possibly enjoying what you've written. When it comes to book reviews it makes me happy to know that I have helped someone discover a book that I might have loved myself.
I reply to comments in the comments section. I rarely reply to the email notices I get because I am bad at email. Sometimes the reply to the comment might help another passer-by. On my personal blog, I reply slightly more often than on my book blog. Of course that, too, varies depending on the comments. I have a much higher visitation rate on my personal blog, but fewer comments. (Gotta love blog stats!).
I discover many new blogs from the comments, too. I always click on the person's weblink (if they leave one) and visit that blog.
I don't use my blogger profile here because I no longer have my blogs hosted by them. Which is why I go the Name/URL route - leaving no email address to reply too. I guess this suck for me if people only reply to email comments. Hmm? ;)
My $0.02!
This is a fantastic question. I love to receive comments no matter what they say. When I personally comment, it goes two ways. I leave short comments (great review, look forward to reading this, etc...) on memes and reviews of books I haven't read. I leave longer comments if the post is discussing a blogger issue such as commenting or finding the time to read or if it is a book review for a book I have previously read.
Lately I have been trying to email back everyone who comments on my blog (if their email address shows up) and try to ask questions in my comments. I really like the idea of starting a discussion through email or posts with another blogger. There are only so many book recommendations I can read before I feel the need to truly discuss what I am reading with another person. That is why I started my online book club. I need more out of the blogging experience than I was getting -- I needed to talk to people about the books I read and hear what they have to say. Does that make sense? I feel like I am rambling.
Anyway, great post and fantastic discussion.
As a blogger, I really enjoy getting comments of course, even the shortest ones. I just hope that those who only say "Great review!" have at least read 50% of it! ;)
As a commenter, I don't really mind if the blogger doesn't respond to me - unless I asked a specific question. I understand that if a blogger posts something everyday and gets a dozen responses every time, he/she might not have the time to answer back. And that blogger does have time on his/her hands, I'd rather see him/her spend time on creating more great posts or commenting back on other blogger's posts. I know that I try to get back to everyone who lives a question or a comment that invites an answer back, and I love the discussions it can create!
I like getting comments, even the ones that just say "Good review" or something like that. It's good to know that people read the reviews :) On the other hand sometimes I feel a little ridiculous leaving a comment just to say "Good review", because I guess some people might not like that. It's interesting to know how other people feel about this!
I think of comments as a way to be interactive, so I like when I post a comment somewhere and when I check back I see a reply. As you said I would definitely visit the blog again.
I have a lot of blogs on my reader and I would never EVER break even if I commented on every last review or thought. Here's my sorrow, though. I WANT to comment on every last entry because, as a blogger, I know what it's like to think you're talking to yourself or empty space. I like "good review" or even "hey this is a crappy review, you don't know what you're talking about" because that means the commenter read it.
I like when people comment back on comments and I am getting better at replying to comments on my blog. The reason I started my blog was to have lit discussions so I like to foster conversation as much as I can. This was a good question. thanks!
I love comments on my blog--it makes me know I'm not talking to a void.
And I really appreciate your reply comments! I never go back and see if there's a reply comment to my comment, but it's great that you really foster a dialog.
I love ALL comments (except spam). Thoughtful comments are lovely, but even short remarks like "nice review" are acknowledging and appreciated.
I try to reply to comments left on my blog. Sometimes I'll reply via email, other times I'll reply on my blog. I love when someone responds to my comment (on their blog), so I try to extend the same courtesy to my blog readers.
I've gotten really behind this summer on commenting and replying to comments. I'm definitely going to work on that.
Comments are wonderful whether it's a quick comments or long and detailed one. They let me know someone out there read my post. Comments also encourage me to keep posting on my blog.
I love replies to my comments, even if it's just an acknowledgment that they read my comment like "Thanks!" I usually check the box to email follow-up comments to me or click on the RSS feed for the comments on the post.
Reading all the comments before me, it looks everyone is in agreement on commenting. Like minds think a like. :)
I like to comment and be commented. Doesn't matter short or long of it. It speaks of a visit and I like that.
But I seldom reply to comments. Thats becos I don't have time. As I also write poetry on my other blog, I need time to pursue my creativity.
Wow, I'm really excited about the response to this post. I guess maybe you all have been wondering about these things too...
Kailana- My # of comments definitely correlates to how far behind I am in my reader as well. There are a couple of blogs that I try to always comment on, but for everything else, it really depends.
L Diane Wolfe- That's such a great feature for you to run... and I know comments always make ME feel good.
Juju, Cat + Zia- One thing I hadn't considered is that those who don't have blogger blogs can't attach an email to their comments, so they have to type it in if they want it there.
infiniteshelf- What, like people actually have more important things to do than talk to moi? Can this be possible? haha
Arielle- I think fostering a sense of interactivity is one of the best ways to make people remember your blog. At least, it's what works for me.
Pam- I often put the most effort into commenting on blogs that are newer and maybe don't have that many commenters. I remember how my first few commenters meant a lot to me. Not that I've been at this a really long time or anything lol.
I enjoy reading comments on my blogs. On the other hand- I read a lot of other blogs and don't always have anything to say that other people haven't already said.
yeah, it's weird.
1. I love getting comments. I love the feedback. Even if it is "nice review" or "I enjoyed reading about this book", it is nice to have feedback.
I try to reply to comments, although sometimes I honestly forget to. And then sometimes there isn't much you can reply to. What do you say to "nice review", other than "Thanks!", which I do sometimes. If the commenter asks a question or says something just really interesting, I will definitely comment. If they leave their e-mail addy, I sometimes reply to them that way, too.
Great post.
(I made a funny)
I love comments and I enjoy having a dialogue with commenters.
I try to leave comments on others' blogs often, though I only comment if I have something specific to say - I will usually skip commenting If I don't really have anything to add. But I don't mind when others leave simple comments on my blog, and I consider "Great review!" a pretty good comment!
Good questions...
Sue
Nothing like a post about comments to get people commenting, eh?
I love getting comments. It makes me happy to know that someone has liked (or at least had strong feelings about) my post enough to say something. I wish I got more comments!
I don't usually leave comments that just say something like "nice review" but I still like to get those, too.
While I like someone to respond back with a comment to my comment, I don't always go back and read that post again, so unless I've posed a question, I don't usually read any replies to my comments (unless there's a box to check for sending follow-up comments to your e-mail).
I really enjoy interactive bloggers. I love getting comments no matter how large or small. I also love when bloggers reply via email or other means.
Interactivity is the life blood of the community, I think.
I've tried to get more interactivity on my blog...with virtual poetry circle posts on Sat., but there doesn't seem to be a lot of interest...maybe its the summer months.
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