Your Thoughts: Do You Comment on Blogs?
This is the fourth in my “Your Thoughts” series where I ask you to be the post author by adding your comments to finish a sentence.
I had no idea. Really, I didn’t. I didn’t realize how important blog comments were. At least, not until I started this blog. After each post I find myself hitting the refresh button, eagerly awaiting that first comment. It’s silly, I know, but I’ve also come to realize that I’m not a freak (most days). Many bloggers feel the same way. Bloggers love comments! We actually WANT you to be a part of the conversation. And yet, I can give you a list of reasons why I don’t add comments:
- I don’t believe I can add to the conversation.
- My thoughts have already been shared by others.
- I’m not convinced my comments really matter.
- I don’t want to look like a fool.
- I can’t think of anything to say.
- I don’t have time . . . the list goes on.
Guilty as charged! Realizing the error of my ways, I’ve decided to present you with a challenge. It’s one that I will be attempting myself:
Add a comment to at least one blog post per day.
If one per day is too much, try one per week. By all means, please remember to be respectful (yes, you can respectfully disagree with someone). Are you up for the challenge? Why not start now? Add your comment below to finish this sentence:
I do/don’t comment on blog posts because . . .
Photo courtesy PhotoXpress.com
printleadership said,
June 8, 2010 at 7:34 pm
I get paid for my opinions.
Debbie said,
June 8, 2010 at 7:41 pm
Congrats to you, Peter! I take it that means you don’t ever comment on blogs? What about a simple, “good post” every now and then?
printleadership said,
June 9, 2010 at 10:32 pm
Good post, Debbie. (smile). Now do i win something?
Debbie said,
June 11, 2010 at 11:15 pm
Yes, you do! You are now the proud owner of my gratitude (not to mention my friendship). A double-whammy priceless prize.
Mari said,
June 8, 2010 at 8:39 pm
I do…and for you, Debbie dear, even in the midst of packing! I anticipate that for some of your readers who do not blog or ever comment, your post will be enlightening. Cheers!
Debbie said,
June 9, 2010 at 6:34 pm
Mari, I’m honored that you stopped packing for me! Hope I didn’t keep you from it too long.
Thank you, as always, for your thoughts.
spritzophrenia said,
June 8, 2010 at 11:20 pm
I do comment on blogs when they are my friends and I want to support them. Because I like comment on my blog.
Debbie said,
June 9, 2010 at 6:35 pm
Thank you for stopping by, Jonathan. I think it’s easier, somehow, when you know the person you’re commenting to.
spritzophrenia said,
June 8, 2010 at 11:21 pm
I don’t comment when I don’t have time – which is often the case! When reading much, having the time to formulate an intelligent (?) response is a luxury.
Debbie said,
June 9, 2010 at 6:37 pm
Therein lies my biggest road block to commenting. TIME! We just need to figure out how to get another few hours into the day!
tony tidswell said,
June 9, 2010 at 1:16 am
I make a point of never commenting on blogs – so I won’t comment here
– the problem is that I suppose this is a comment so my life has become a paradox – being a paradox therefor means I qm not commenting whilst commenting
-retweeted
Debbie said,
June 9, 2010 at 6:39 pm
LOL. That, Tony, is highly illogical.
I’m honored that you stopped to comment whilst not commenting! Thank you.
@ellies58 said,
June 9, 2010 at 1:24 am
I DO comment on Blog posts most times. If I am bothering to read a Blog; it is because I find the writings of that person/s to my liking. Therefore, I generally have a good feeling about what I have just read; and enjoy paying homage to the writer!
Debbie said,
June 9, 2010 at 7:26 pm
So happy to hear that, Eleanor. Thank you for taking time to stop by!
Hal Brown said,
June 9, 2010 at 5:32 am
I comment often. And I’ve embarrassed myself, pissed people off, made great comments and exceptionally bad comments.
Everything in life is a matter of perspective – we look but don’t really see, like viewing things through a narrow tube.
What most bloggers only hint about, you put it straightforward. That’s great.
Funny about the timing. My next post is about commenting. Considering what you’ve written here, they will I believe, compliment each other.
Debbie said,
June 9, 2010 at 7:28 pm
Awesome! I’ll look forward to reading it, Hal. I’ll be sure to share my comments, as well.
Thank you, as always!
Simon Howland said,
June 9, 2010 at 6:08 am
I like to reward and encourage good content with positive feedback and encouragement to keep writing. Comments are about the article, not the commentor.
Debbie said,
June 9, 2010 at 7:31 pm
And I can’t imagine that there are many who blog that aren’t moved by those words of encouragement! Thank you, Simon.
Simon Howland said,
June 10, 2010 at 6:35 am
haha! Reading that back, it sounds a bit high and mighty :/ but it’s true. If I read a good article, I like to respond. Oh, and you’re welcome
Randy Murray said,
June 9, 2010 at 6:52 am
I think it’s very important to comment. And I think it’s equally important for the author to respond – especially if the comment includes a question or raises a new point.
Comments are what make a community, not just a publication. It’s very hard to get your readers to take the time to make them, but golden when they do.
Debbie said,
June 9, 2010 at 7:41 pm
Well said, Randy! I’m more encouraged than ever to stick to my challenge of commenting daily.
Larry Bauer said,
June 9, 2010 at 10:42 am
I comment when I think I have something to add, but whether I do or don’t is not necessarily a commentary on the quality of the message. As a side benefit, I find that commenting generally increases traffic to my own blog site.
Debbie said,
June 9, 2010 at 7:42 pm
I do find it challenging sometimes to “think” of something to say – which is surprising given my inability to keep my mouth closed.
Thank you, Larry, for adding to the conversation.
Kevin M. said,
June 9, 2010 at 12:18 pm
I comment on a lot of blogs!
I do this because I always appreciate it when someone comments on my blog and I know how much it means to a blogger.
Debbie said,
June 9, 2010 at 7:44 pm
It is interesting, Kevin, that many of the comments here are from those who also have a blog. I think it’s important to get the message out that it’s important. Thank you for your contribution!
roezer said,
June 9, 2010 at 7:53 pm
What has turned me off commenting on blogs the most is when you submit a comment and get a white page which is a problem with the comments.php file.This is the one reason i do not comment on blogs much.I do sometime submit the post to Digg and Make a Comment.
Debbie said,
June 9, 2010 at 9:19 pm
That an interesting observation, Roezer. I don’t think I’ve ever encountered any issues while attempting to comment on someone’s blog. Nevertheless, I think comments on sites like Digg and StumbleUpon can be also be encouraging.
ileaneb said,
June 10, 2010 at 4:39 pm
Hi Debbie, I’m an avid commenter. I think that when we talk about social networking we are making a mistake if we don’t include blog commenting. One thing that will lead to more comments on a blog is if they are signed up for CommentLuv and have the plugin installed. Of course on WordPress.com we can’t use CommentLuv, but I sure wish we could. I use it on my Blogger blog and it comes as a plugin with Intense Debate. The bottom line is that comments are a two way street – the more you give the more you get. I enjoy it and I hope you will too.
Debbie said,
June 11, 2010 at 10:08 pm
Ileane, thank you so much for stopping by and adding your thoughts. I like your sentiment about a two-way street. So true!
PS: I also wish we could use CommentLuv on WordPress.com blogs. Maybe they’ll add it?
Adnan said,
June 11, 2010 at 3:41 pm
Just voted for this post on BlogEngage!
I think commenting is an effective method in getting more people to visit your site, as well as you learn a lot of new things!
Debbie said,
June 11, 2010 at 10:09 pm
Thank you, Adnan. That’s very nice of you. I have learned a lot from those who have commented here and on other posts. It’s also been great fun to meet new people!
Tony said,
June 11, 2010 at 10:21 pm
I’m incredibly lazy and my email address is listed in Akismet anti-spam list…that’s why I don’t comment as often as I should. It took me a bottle of red bull to finish this comment.
Debbie said,
June 11, 2010 at 10:29 pm
Wow! A whole bottle? I’m honored. You might want to work on that laziness issue . . .
Jim Raffel said,
June 15, 2010 at 8:19 pm
I read almost all blogs in an RSS reader on my nifty new htc EVO and before that on an iPod Touch. I actually read this post the day you published it (as I do with all you posts when I see them in RSS). I made a mental note to bring it up on my MacBook later and comment…..of course we know what happens to mental notes. I just went through this with my friend Sue’s blog as well. http://SpaightTalk.com – I saw her last night and swore up and down I had commented on a post. She shook her head no. She was right….So, I too need to make more effort to comment on blogs of others. Comments create a sense of community and I enjoyed skimming the ones here before adding my 2 cents. I’m happily busy with some fun projects right now but missing blog commenting and even a higher level of Twitter interaction.
To restate mostly I don’t comment more because I read in RSS, but I do share many posts via my RSS feed. I’ll go share that on Twitter right now.
Debbie said,
June 15, 2010 at 8:30 pm
Good point, Jim. I should have added that to the list. I tend to read most of my RSS feed blogs at night, just before bed, from my iPhone. I have tried to comment from the iPhone, but it’s difficult. One “work around” I’ve found helpful is to email the article to myself if I want to comment. The next day, the posts I’ve forwarded are those that I know I want to comment on. I’m too old for that whole “mental note” thingy.
@hiro_san_3 said,
August 13, 2010 at 10:49 am
Some people may be anxious to reply. But one year is 365 days, 24 hours a day. Time is limited, there is work, some private. I guess, you are fully attentive person. At the same time, maybe too kind. However, your time is yours.
To your kindness, please give it for yourself as well.