It is co-hosted by (Linda from Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell, Roberta from Offbeat YA, Jen from That’s What I’m Talking About, Berl's from Because Reading is Better than Real Life and me)
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Question: Do you leave blog comments? Do you respond to comments left on your blog?
Answer: Other than the task of actually blogging, I think commenting and responding to comments is the next most important thing.
There are very few blogs that can sustain themselves over a period of time without interreacting with others. There's the reciprocal commenting but it's also about forming relationships and you need to be willing to put in the time for that.
I don't like blogging into a void lol so hearing from others is what keeps me going most days. I'm sure it's the same for everyone else so I make sure I return the favor. The same goes for responding to those who took the time to visit - although I'm not sure how many read those responses.
I will say that, I've been rather horrible about this lately. I used to comment every day but now it's more like 2 days per week but I try to catch up on the posts I miss.
I reply every now and then ON my blog, but I know that not a lot of people see those. Instead, I try and visit their blog and comment. It's definitely harder these days - I've just been very overwhelmed this year. I do what I can though because the interaction is the best part of blogging.
ReplyDeleteLauren @ www.shootingstarsmag.net
I hear you Lauren. It's been tough to keep up with it all but I do my best.
DeleteI agree completely. Blogging would be so lonely if no one commented and why would anyone keep commenting if the blogger didn't respond, right?
ReplyDeleteI used to tell myself that I was blogging for myself and it didn't matter if people commented or not. It wasn't true, though. I blog because I enjoy interacting with the friends I've made/continue to make through blogging. I also blog because I enjoy discussing books and I want to find like-minded individuals, which luckily, I have. Without blogging and commenting, you and I wouldn't be friends. <3
I don't really worry about stats or any of that but I do continue because of the interaction and the friends I made over the years.
DeleteI miss everyone when I back away and it always makes me feel better once I get going commenting or responding.
It's about the relationships, and there are some blogs I go out of my way to visit because they're part of my squad. If I didn't want to interact with other readers, I could just write my reviews in a bullet journal or something. I want the interaction and for people to share their experiences with me.
ReplyDeleteThat's how I feel now. I have my squad and try to find new puerile when I can.
DeleteSome days that interaction helps me get through real life even if I don't share what's going on.
I agree. And it's striking to me how much I used to reply and haven't lately. It's definitely something I want to get back to. Like Lauren said above, I try to visit more because I figure at least the blogger will see my comment that way, but it's nice to get a reply too and I need to get back to that.
ReplyDeleteIt's been hard to stay on top of things lately. Just to mentally be in the mood for... anything lol
DeleteI used to comment prolifically and then slowed down. Now I focus mostly on my friends' blogs. And you're a friend!
ReplyDeleteThank you!!
DeleteI'm the same. I had also joined lots of features years back (like Follow Friday) where you commented to get more comments back but I stepped away from all of that and stick with my friend group.
I try to comment on other blogs at least once a week and I reply to all comments left on my blog.
ReplyDeleteI try my best to do both.
DeleteI've been slacking at visiting though.
"The same goes for responding to those who took the time to visit - although I'm not sure how many read those responses."
ReplyDeleteLOL, true! I do though. And I make sure I reply to everyone who visits (at least until I become internet-famous and get a hundred comments for each post 😜).
I feel guilty for not being able to blog-hop more consistently, but...sometimes I don't know where my days are gone...
And in case you wondered: YES I did notice your Easter banner and meant to say something before but I forgot. It's hilarious! (especially the Figment part LOL). Also, I saw you joined the bunny-eared fun yourself! 😂 Lovely avatar!
Delete(where my days *have* gone) cough cough
DeleteI used to visit everyone daily and then lots of new blogs - now I'm lucky if I visit 2 days a week. And I get really happy when people don't post for days lol
DeleteWe're all doing the best we can these days.
I know you read these responses - Greg does too. I'll revisit one of my comments if it's something conversational.
I was trying to think of something *Figgy* and it's not his usual negative spin I still thought it was very Figgy lol
I think this is the last holiday for a while.
"And I get really happy when people don't post for days lol"
DeleteHaha same! At least we're helpful to each other 😜.
Very Figgy because he's sulking about being dressed as a rabbit LOL.
After I visit a blog and comment (like this), I minimize but don't close the window. Then I'll check back in a couple of days to see the reply. I love reading replies to my comments. Although, sometimes I'll have a couple dozen browser windows open! hehe!
ReplyDeleteI like how you describe commenting as forming relationships. So very true!
That's a great idea! I might try that. I get notified of replies when I comment on disqus blogs but it hasn't been linking me to the actual post so I still need to go on my own.
DeleteIsn't that so frustrating! I use Disqus on my blog and I also used that link to the post to reply, but it's not been working for weeks. I wish they'd fix that!
DeleteThere are some blogs (disqus users are an example) that I know I'll receive an email when there are replies, so I close those windows. But all of the google ones, for example, I have to leave open.
When you respond to a comment I leave on your blog -I get an email from disqus but it's responses to old posts like when I asked you if you were at AAD not the current one you are responding to lol
DeleteBut at least I know you responded and I just revisit the last post I commented on and it works out.
Yes, i do not want the void.
ReplyDeleteBut I have become worse on actually going beyond my sphere
Same. lol I feel like I have a core group and it's tough to find new people now.
DeleteI used to do a lot more commenting than I do now. But I also found at one point that a lot of the comments I was getting and giving just felt hollow and obligatory, joining in memes and whatnot, and I was kind of burning myself out. So now I have a smaller sphere of bloggers I regularly interact with, but it feels more meaningful. Though I'm also happy to check out a new blog if someone I haven't met yet leaves a comment.
ReplyDeleteI'm the same. I used to join more weekly features/memes but it felt like more of a give a comment to get a comment - not really connecting.
DeleteI have a much smaller, but manageable amount, of people I like to follow and try to find new blogs when I can.
GAH Karen I try so hard but I feel like I fail every single month. I try to comment as much as humanly possible, but I feel like I am always behind. It's a real problem! BUt I enjoy it! And I want to! Because like you said, no one wants to feel like they're blogging into the void! So I'll keep trying, and I'll probably keep being behind, but at least I am doing my best!
ReplyDeleteThat's all you can do Shannon!
DeleteI don't know why we are all so hard on ourselves about this. We ALL have real life, posting to our own blogs and then trying to support others. It's time consuming and we can't all get to it every day.
There's a difference between only caring about your own blog and not engaging and not having time to keep up with all the things!
I agree with you - who wants to blog into a void? The relationships are what it's about! But it can be really hard. As for replies - if a blog has a service that emails me replies, I see them for sure. If it doesn't... probably not :( It's hard enough for me to make it for the initial visit!
ReplyDeleteIt seems like with all the shutdowns we would have been better at commenting but it's just feels so much harder now to keep up with everything.
DeleteI just do my best. And yeah - the replies to the replies is where it gets tougher for me lol
I try hard to comment as much as possible. And always, always reply to comments left on my posts. I've never understood bloggers who do not reply to their blog comments. I mean, someone took the time to engage with you. Or try to, anyway. How can you not acknowledge that?
ReplyDeleteI do my best all around. It kind of bothers me when people complain about not getting enough views or engagement with their post when they don't respond or leave comments for others.
DeleteThis is so time consuming so it's nice to get a little support and feedback.
Right! You can't sit back and expect the views and the comments to roll in on their own. It's about engagement (or it is for most of us) and that means putting yourself out there, too. Reading, commenting, getting to know your fellow bloggers and interacting.
DeleteI totally agree! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
ReplyDeleteGreat minds! Lol
Delete