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?

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Alianora La Canta on November 19, 2007 at 5:15am: 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 :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mel Bergen on November 19, 2007 at 7:20am: 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.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rebecca on November 19, 2007 at 6:28pm: 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 :-); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Smiler on November 19, 2007 at 9:02pm: Don't worry about it Rebecca, the spontaneous ones are often the best!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by John LeJeune on November 18, 2007 at 6:58pm: There is a ratio I've heard of called the 80-19-1 ratio. 1% Blog, 19% comment and 80% just read.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Smiler on November 18, 2007 at 8:24pm: John, you've just taught me something new. I didn't know about that ratio. I'm actually shocked at the ratio of bloggers to readers only. I had assumed the majority of readers were also bloggers. But I suppose not everyone has time to do both. In any case, as a blogger, it's nice to know there is such a hight percentage of readers. I sure am glad to know there's a real interest for our content out there!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Christine on November 18, 2007 at 7:08pm: It depends...if there are already 50 comments I figure the chances that my comment will be read are next to none...if the blog is a professional blog I don't feel obligated to comment. If I am visiting some everyday blogger like myself...yes ...it is polite to comment. I wish people would comment when they visit my site even if it is to say "keep on blogging". Sometimes you wonder... is anybody is there?... Hey...If a tree falls in the forest would anybody hear?...Hello....how depressing...comments are fun...I read all four of mine! Just kidding!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Smiler on November 18, 2007 at 8:27pm: 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.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Paul Wrighton on October 2, 2008 at 4:07pm: I'll happily fall in the forest - I prefer thinking about trees cracking in sub zero with no one there - I mean Bejesus that's great - you wouldn't want to be around hearing that with 40 below and wind chill and all - let the trees do their own thing - and I reckon if you can do that in the blogosphere you are a healthy blogger - the ones seeking attention are... well... psychophants or something.... just what I think!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mr Lady on November 18, 2007 at 8:29pm: 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.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Smiler on November 18, 2007 at 9:17pm: 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.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by AnnNoE on November 19, 2007 at 8:41am: 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.; ▶ Reply to This