Blogging: To Comment or Not to Comment?
On a good day, I visit over 200 blogs via NetNewsWire (it’s an RSS Reader for the Mac.) I haven’t had a good day in weeks. The numbers of blogs I visit has dropped significantly. I only visit blogs during my online breaks.
Outside of work, I try to limit the time I spend online. Why? The quick answer (that some people might take the wrong way) is, “I have better things to do!” The longer answer is I want to spend as much time with my daughter and focus on other aspects of my life. As much as I enjoy visiting blogs I know that at times I need a break. If I’m tied to my computer that isn’t going to happen. Therefore I don’t do it. I do try to respond to all comments left on my blog at times I’m good responding the same day and other times it takes days, sometimes weeks. Gah!
When I’m busy I’m lucky if I visit anyone. I also take advantage of Word Press advanced posting. I have my favorites that I try to visit as much as possible. Those are the bloggers I’ve developed a personal connection with. Guess what? Some of my favorites are bloggers that have blogs where I rarely comment but at times I even have to put my favorite bloggers on hold.
With the amount of blogs I visit I don’t always comment on everyone’s blog. I just don’t have that type of time. That would be insane, and it would feel too much like work. I mainly comment if I have something to say. There are times when I’m interested in what has been said, but I don’t have anything to add to the conversation so I’ll read the post and move on. When I first started, blogging I tried to comment on every blog I visited, but at times the words I left felt “empty”. I stopped doing it.
On the flip side, there are blogs I visit where I comment often and the blogger doesn’t comment as much on my blog. Do I take it personally? No, why should I? They always make me feel welcome when I’m at their virtual home and that is enough for me. If I think about it would be silly for me to limit my comments on their blog simply because someone doesn’t always comment on my blog, right?
Why am I even writing about this? This was the topic of a conversation between one of my real life buddies, and myself, earlier today. I’m not sure how in the world we got on the subject but before I knew it we were discussing blogs and how visit them. It seems our commenting style is similar.
Question: What’s your commenting style?
[tags]blogging[/tags]
on January 28th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Hi Opal - that is a lot of blogs to visit! Sometimes I read without commenting - it depends whether I have anything to say. Mind you if I visit a fairly new blog, I usually try to leave an encouraging comment.
Mostly I try to read the handful of blogs I enjoy most first - yours included. And I’m patiently waiting for you to write another post on Addicted to Writing, but I know you have been busy.
I wouldn’t stop visiting a blog because they didn’t comment on mine. But, there’s a few bloggers - and they’re not always the so called A listers, that never seem to respond to their commenters at all, or answer their questions. And those are the ones I’ll usually stop visiting.
CatherineL’s last blog post..20 Things I Wish I’d Known About Business And Life When I was 20
on January 28th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Catherine,
Yes I do get around. Some of the websites are more like a resource for myself. For example with freelance writing I’ve been doing a lot of studying which has kept me very quiet the past few weeks. I’ve been reading books, frequenting websites that are focused on freelance writing. I’ve visited numerous freelance writing blogs, read the posts, and have been observing the interaction within the comments. Some of the comments have led me to other bloggers. At times, I think people underestimate the power of a comment. If you leave, a crappy comment people might not visit. If you add additional value to the conversation, you most likely will get visitors. I’ve picked up some valuable tips. It’s a lot to absorb sometimes I don’t comment.
Sometimes I’ll post a comment on a new bloggers website but not always. However, I usually get around to commenting at some point. I’ve had readers of this website who’ve lurked for a while before they commented. Some of my longest lurkers has been reading for over two years before they commented.
on January 28th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
I’m probably about the same. At first I tried to comment on every blog I visited, so that the webmaster knew I cared, but then I concluded that I wasn’t really saying anything good so I stopped.
Bush Mackel’s last blog post..Thanks for a Great Jan 2008 Sponsors!
on January 28th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
I comment when I have something to say. Sometimes, by the time I get done writing the comment, I realize that I really didn’t have anything to say or anything of value to contribute… and I’ll leave without submitting the comment. An example of that was your post, Continuing the Dream. After spending a half an hour to an hour thinking and writing, I decided that what I had written was not adequate for the topic, so I didn’t submit it.
Sometimes, my comment may be just a few words, but appropriate for the subject — at least as I see it. :roll:
If there’s already a lot of comments, chances are that I won’t leave one — unless there is something that I think I can add to the discussion.
I currently have about 65 blogs in my feed reader. Some of the bloggers post often, some seldom. On some of them, I never have anything to comment on.
If there is a post that I particularly like, I’ll also give it a thumbs up on StumbleUpon and either post a review or include a short excerpt from the post as a review.
Mike Goad’s last blog post..My Wife?s Insanity
on January 28th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
Bush,
I did the same thing, but I figure there are other ways of showing that. Simply stopping by the website can contribute to that also-adding them to my RSS, occasionally linking to the website within posts. Doing too much can add to blogger burnout.
Mike Goad,
LOL I’m guilty of the same thing. In fact, I had written a comment for another blog earlier today; however, I didn’t submit it. :-)
There are some blogs when I’m very direct and at times I’ll voice my opinion even if it differs from theirs; however, I *know* them well and feel comfortable that they won’t get offended. I’m always respectful.
Then there are others when I’ve done that and although I’ve always been respectful their response showed me they had a problem with a differing opinion. Although it’s been rare (only twice) a few have gotten *snarky*. In both instances, they both decided to follow up with me via email. It was obviously an emotional email so naturally I never responded, and I never went back to their websites. :-)
I try to encourage discussion on my blog even if a persons views differ from my own.
on January 28th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
I’m the same way. My Google reader had a ton of feeds, thankfully it shows updated blogs only.
I’ll read a post, but like you, won’t comment because there’s really nothing to add.
There are times, however, that I will drop a comment to let the author know I’m still here. I assume my readers do the same, as the post views of each post are shown from the post count plug-in.
I know they’re there. I don’t mind if they don’t comment, but encourage them to. It’s sorta like leaving the front door open and everybody can help themselves in my kitchen, or sit down and watch TV while I’m out. Make yourself at home, right?
MacBros’s last blog post..LOST Countdown. T- 4 days - 2 hours
on January 28th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
I comment when I have something to add to the post.I wont comment just to comment hehe!
kaylee’s last blog post..Gifts are great
on January 28th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
When I first started blogging, I felt I had to comment on each of my buddies’ posts so they’d know I had been by and visited/read their posts. But now that I have a lot of blogs that I regularly visit I realize I can’t keep up that kind of pace. I’m learning that I don’t have to comment every time a new post pops up, although some people seem to notice when I miss one. LOL. For my part, I admit that I love when I get comments from my favorite bloggers but I don’t want them to feel obligated or pressured. I’m just happy that they read at all. And sometimes I can tell they were by even when they didn’t comment. :)
teeni’s last blog post..?Tis the Season
on January 28th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
I can’t tell you how many comments I have erased. :)
Beth Ellen’s last blog post..Playing Dead: Asian Ladybug
on January 29th, 2008 at 2:35 am
This is a great post and it is exactly what I am thinking. Previously, I had more time to comment and visit blogs. Now, with my eldest in primary 1, I find that I have to spend more time with my kids and less time on the computer. I agree that we don’t have to comment on each and every post. I wish writing a post and commenting a post should be enjoyable and not stressful.
Jo-N’s last blog post..Go Red
on January 29th, 2008 at 7:05 am
I am getting busier too, and like you, I am also spending less time blog-hopping, and I don’t leave comments as much as I’d love to.
In fact, I have just cut down my RSS list to those that I enjoy reading, AND will occasionally leave a comment. I no longer read blogs that I don’t comment on.
on January 29th, 2008 at 7:23 am
I’ve always struggled with this…what’s the magic number for me? lol! Right now I’m shooting to visit 7 blogs daily and I only leave comments if I have a sincere comment to leave. I do try to return comments but there are times that I just can’t get it done. I’m like you, I want to spend time with my kids…well, we must do that since we are educating them!
btw…I appreciate your post on Amazon and linking to them. I need to just buckle down and work on all that and I need to do some reviews which I enjoy doing. What I really need is a blogging schedule! lol!
ok…I’m starting to ramble now…
Opal, I hope the rest of your week is just wonderful!
Jenny-up the hill’s last blog post..Heard Around the House
on January 29th, 2008 at 8:45 am
i’ve eased up on the number of blogs i visit daily. now that i work full-time outside the home, the free time i have i want to spend with my daughter.
hey, i stopped receiving your feeds. the last entry that came to my google reader was the MLK post :?: . i had to visit your site to realize you had new posts waiting for me to read.
dara’s last blog post..How Do You Throw an Eco-Friendly Birthday Party?
on January 29th, 2008 at 9:43 am
I do try to comment on most blogs I read. But sometimes, I just have nothing to say. I usually feel bad tho if I leave without commenting LOL
Calamity’s last blog post..Monday
on January 29th, 2008 at 11:40 am
I’ve let up on the commenting a lot - you’re one of the strongholds that still gets a response out of me. It became too overwhelming to try commenting on dozens of blogs and then responding to my own blog comments. Which reminds me, I’ve got a lot of responding to do. :smile:
pete’s last blog post..Blooming Sour Grass
on January 30th, 2008 at 2:12 am
Hi Opal,
When I started blogging, I didn’t comment. Not because I didn’t have an opinion, or didn’t feel what I had to say would add to the post, but because I was trying to learn so much, in a short amount of time. Now that I feel more comfortable with the whole blogging “thing”, I take time to visit and comment on blogs more often.
I try to comment on new blogs, or blogs where it appears the author is experiencing a “bump in the road..either with blogging or in their personal life. I like to be able to offer words of encouragement.
I do a lot of research for my blog posts, and if I am in the middle of that, I don’t take time to comment, unless a post is very compelling.
Finding a good balance between blogging and our home lives is very important. We certainly don’t want to miss the milestones, and/or one on one time with our children and/or spouses, because we are too busy blogging.
Barbara’s last blog post..Sign Up For Google’s Saving Account
on January 30th, 2008 at 10:17 am
I definately understand what you are talking about. I had to really reduce the amount of time I spent visiting blogs. I also liked what one of your other commenters said about responding then deciding not to post. I wonder how common this is. Start typing up the post then leaving the blog without submitting the comment.
Dennisjr’s last blog post..Super Tuesday
on February 2nd, 2008 at 4:20 pm
I have really cut back on the number of blogs I visit and comments I leave, in the past few months. It was getting to be hours a day I spent, posting, commenting, reading…..way too much. I also find that only posting once a week now-longer post, more photos etc….really helps. Thats usually the day I visit the most blogs too. ANd I agree Opal, there are more important things to do, but I also think blogging is wonderful, especially the great group of new friends Ive made, in the past 2 years, in ‘blogland’ . Very inspiring, talented and fun to know. :smile:
Veggies,Crafts & Tails’s last blog post..10 Fav. Food Photos, plus?..
on February 2nd, 2008 at 6:26 pm
You are right its very difficult to comment on each and every blog we read .but i do comment on some interesting blogs.
on February 3rd, 2008 at 11:50 pm
I don’t have anything to add, really. The other commenters said what I would have otherwise. CatherineL said it in a nutshell.
MrCorey’s last blog post..Review: I am Legend
on February 4th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
Hi Opal! I try to comment often, but I need a reason to, like an interesting post. I think most bloggers have their own interests and typically comment on what they like.
I have maybe 3-4 hours per week to blog, and I try to visit my friends first, then the news and finally other blogs with technical stuff I need etc.
I do believe some folks get upset if regulars don’t comment but they shouldn’t. There’s no reason to do that. Like you said, we all have lives and blogging is no substitute! :smile:
Bobby Revell’s last blog post..The Beauty of Friendship
on March 28th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
No way do I feel obliged to comment on the blogs I read regularly, only if I feel I have something useful or interesting to say. I’d rather have 2 meaningful comments on my blog than 200 ones that are mostly people being polite and leaving comments just to say they’ve visited.
Ian’s last blog post..Handyman tip #1: A gun is not a power tool