National Blog Posting Month
Do you think it's rude not to leave comments behind?
I need to get perspective on this one. Now that I'm checking my site meter every hour (ok, more like every ten minutes) I see people coming for a visit and traipsing around, but on some days, the ratio of comments is less than 1 in 50! Is it me or should people take the time to at least post a short note when they've seen or read something they enjoyed? If you're in the "yes, should comment" category, of course you can say so here, but feel free to go over here http://fromsmilerwithlove.blogspot.com/ to let me know as well. If you're in the "no, why should we leave comments?" category, I just want to know: but why?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Smiler on -
I know what you mean Christine. When I started my blog it was like that. Hardly a comment ever and whatever I did get was either my mom or an old old friend of mine. It takes time to build up a readership, but eventually you'll attract more and will receive more comments too. Coming to forums like these is a great way to put yourself out there.
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Permalink Reply by Mr Lady on -
I think that the comments are super fabulous, but I would personally rather have a meaningful comment than one left merely for the sake of leaving one.
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Permalink Reply by Smiler on
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I agree. Meaningful comments are what I'd rather get too. But in the grand scheme of things, I'd rather get a quick note saying "thanks for the post, I enjoyed it" than nothing at all. That being said, I don't expect a comment from every single visitor either.
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Permalink Reply by Alianora La Canta on -
I've been told off for that sort of thing at parties before - maybe that's why I take the same approach to the blogosphere. Thank you for teaching me something about how the blogosphere really works :)
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Permalink Reply by Mel Bergen on -
I was going to say that, as well. I don't have a button, but I have turned off the "no follow" tags. I like to think that readers who like my work enough to comment are pleased to discover that they've gotten a backlink from me automatically. If you're willing to take the time to read and respond to me then I'm happy to give a little link love back. I haven't had spam comments for months, so I've not had to spend much time on comments except for responding to them.
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Permalink Reply by Mel Bergen on
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I suppose it depends on how you think of blogs. For me, they are a resource that other people maintain for themselves. It may be emotional satisfaction or monetary gain, but if a person is blogging they are doing so because they want to do it. I don't thank the local bread factory for scenting my morning with lovely smells as I drive to work. I'm enjoying their doing what they want to do (because they get paid if they accomplish their task).
I don't thank thank the neighbors for their attractive landscaping, nor do I express gratitude at the local grocery store for stocking its shelves. (I am, however, polite to individual people with whom I interact. I just don't believe that reading something is interaction. The issue of etiquette comes in when you do comment - keep a civil tongue in your head, so to speak, and offer constructive criticism or related disagreement only. If you've got something to say, include the observation that you enjoyed or were intrigued by the blog.)
Wow! I had no idea I felt so strongly about that. I apparently need a lot more coffee this morning.
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Permalink Reply by AnnNoE on -
This is a really interesting discussion.
I'm relatively new to blogging, and only opened up comments on my own blog a few weeks ago. Most of my core readers are people I know, and I have them so well trained not to comment that they still only email me when they have something to say.
I'm used to writing in a vacuum--I write and edit a lot of technical stuff--so it doesn't really bother me that those who wander in and read my blog are just reading, though I do appreciate the positive feedback I get. I tend to think of blogs in the way I do books, and wouldn't necessarily send a note to an author unless a book really moved me. By the same token, as others have said here, I don't comment on a blog unless I can add something worthwhile to the conversation, or if a post has struck a chord or made me laugh out loud.
But it's very useful to know that others really want comments; I'll try to be more generous about saying "hi" to those of you who would appreciate it.
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Permalink Reply by Smiler on
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I think that like everything else, it's a matter of opinion. I understand what you mean, but it never occurred to me to think of a blog as a book. Maybe because of the immediacy of it. If I see a blog being updated every day, or even once a week, I feel a more immediate presence from the author. I'm kind of curious to know why you "trained" your acquaintances not to leave comments. To each their own, but I'm glad when one of my friends or family members lets me know they've dropped by. Of course, my current blog is a wholesome family type experience, it wouldn't be the same if I had an anonymous blog called "journals of a single gal" for instance.
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Permalink Reply by lisa farry on -
wow. interesting comments here for sure! though i love getting comments and feedback myself - and would never think it was "dumb" to get a comment that just says "i wuz here" - i don't leave comments unless i something comes to me.i mean i've read posts were something moves me or whatever, but i feel like i want to say something concise or helpful or whatever.
it never entered my mind that someone would take offense or feel like i was "borrowing" something without asking and/or paying to read... i'm not sure the people answering here are in total agreement with that sentiment, but - yikes! though i respect it - at least i accept it as someone elses opinion -i totally don't understand that, in fact, it kinda freaks me. i guess my modest blogging efforts are for myself primarily, although i do look at my stats, not so much to get or expect feedback. i mean its great - AWESOME!- to have, but thats not why i post...
just my 0.02
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Permalink Reply by Rebecca on -
I hadn't really thought too hard about it until I wrote that, but, um, I'll pretend it's a phrase I've worked long and hard to create :-)
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Permalink Reply by Caroline Moore on -
I read something like 250 blogs a day, which makes it difficult to comment on every single one. If an entry really strikes me, I'll comment, but that happens at about the same ratio you've described... 1 in 50.
Personally, I don't mind if people visit but don't comment on my blog. It's nice, but not a necessity. Sometimes I know what I've written won't be particularly interesting to the general public, so I don't expect people to have anything to say about it.
I've also found that I get more comments when I ask for them - "What do you think of this?" or "Hey, I need to help deciding between X, Y, and Z." I think the more you encourage interaction with your readers, the more likely you are to get comments.
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