A few years ago, my office was trying to figure out Social Media, and I read a few books, I have also picked up lots of tips from other bloggers. Comments can be difficult, but they can also be engaging and fun. My feelings on them.
- Allow comments. There are a couple of blogs I look at from time to time because I enjoy what the person has to say, that don't allow comments. I don't read them as often, I don't feel the same sense of connection to the authors that I do through an exchange of comments, though I think if we got to know one another we would enjoy it.
- If you want comments, comment on other people's blogs. The more blogs I comment on, the more comments I receive.
- Reply to comments. Many regular commenters check back to see if you read their comment, or what you thought of it. Think of it as returning a hello to someone you pass on the street.
- Your comments don't have to be an essay, just a few words to say, hi, I was here and I read what you wrote.
- Be kind in your comments. Be kind in your replies to comments.
- Spam and Trolls happen. Spam I simply delete, they usually go away after a few days. Trolls should be ignored, not encouraged. If the Trolls are rude, delete them. Unfortunately I don't know how to block them. I have never turned on moderation, but I have deleted spammers and trolls.
- Expect that some posts, may draw disagreement in the comments. There are topics I avoid, I recently posted something political and within an hour took it down because I knew it was going to draw a lot of negativity (even if I agree with the negative comments, I didn't want it on my blog.) I shouldn't have posted that post.
I have met some incredibly wonderful people through blogging. Comments are a huge part of that. Thank you for reading, I know the readers far exceed the commenters. I love every comment, and I always feel special when a long time reader leaves a comment. I also appreciate the readers. I blog for me. It gives me a place to share photos I have taken, and to talk about my views on the adventure of life. Knowing that people visit and read what I have to show and say, reinforces that I am not talking to an empty room. By the end of the year, I will reach half-a-million views, I have enjoyed over 15,000 comments.
What blogs should I visit this week?
I have to say...I seem to only visit blogs anymore where the blogger answers comments, not all but some of them, and I also like when commenters talk with each other. I know on mine Deedles, anitia and others will mingle and I've been told readers and commenters alike enjoy that. People like to feel and see interaction, not a blank blog run by a robot, even thought their not. I saw my views a while back and fell off the seat. I was like, who is reading this filth?
ReplyDeleteHenny, pick a blog on my blogroll and go !!!
Your comments are fun, and some days all I need to do is get two or three of you going and stay out of the way.
DeleteI second maddie re: my blogroll. check it out and find one you haven't read. consider it an adventure!
ReplyDeleteI often do
DeleteI try to answer comments, but my blog isn't set up to answer individually, so I do a group comment. But, you're right, I do like leaving a comment when an answer comes back to me.
ReplyDeleteMy blogroll has blogs from all over, and most comment on mine and I comment on most.
I should add a blogroll
DeleteYou have lots of good advice here. I also try to stay away from controversial topics but given today's political environment, one or two slip in every now and then.
ReplyDeleteFor my health I try to avoid he who must not be named
DeleteWhen I first started commenting, on a now defunct blog, I didn't know there were unspoken rules, or etiquette about commenting. I didn't know that commenters weren't supposed to reply to other commenters. I'm glad I didn't know, because I've had fun interacting with people for years now. It got me out of my shell and I've met folks I would have never met otherwise. I try not to write essays, but sometimes I can't help myself :) I usually jump off of Bob's sidebar thingy to other blogs. Maddie's too, though I sometimes end up in a rabbit hole of fil....uh, erotica.
ReplyDeleteAnd your essays are why I love you.
DeleteWe love your comments, the things you can find online
Deleteblogging is a GREAT way to make new friends! I have the bestest friends in the whole world due to blogging!
DeleteI try to comment on some of the blogs I read, but if I don't ever receive a reply, I often will just read and not comment. I have found, of late, that I am saving the comments I write in a Word document because my comments are often a mini-essay on some recollection of mine. If the blogger replies to my comment, I add that to my Word document as well. I appreciate that you always make a brief response to what I write. I do not have a blog myself.
ReplyDeleteSometimes my comments lead to posts
DeleteI pretty well agree with what you say, especially about comments. However, I do at times write something controversial and people will disagree with me and or each other. That is ok, as long as the exchanges remain polite and respectful.
ReplyDeleteI tend to shy away from that, and that is okay, some blogs are nothing but thought provoking - and that is okay, just not the tone I want.
DeleteThese are good rules and I try to follow them as well.
ReplyDeleteYou are thoughtful man.
My funny brain works this way.
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