Tuesday, August 04, 2020

Commentary on Comments



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? 



18 comments:

  1. 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?

    Henny, pick a blog on my blogroll and go !!!

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    1. 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.

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  2. I second maddie re: my blogroll. check it out and find one you haven't read. consider it an adventure!

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  3. I 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.
    My blogroll has blogs from all over, and most comment on mine and I comment on most.

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  4. You 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.

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    1. For my health I try to avoid he who must not be named

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  5. When 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.

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    1. And your essays are why I love you.

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    2. We love your comments, the things you can find online

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    3. blogging is a GREAT way to make new friends! I have the bestest friends in the whole world due to blogging!

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  6. I 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.

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    1. Sometimes my comments lead to posts

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  7. Anonymous8/04/2020

    I 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.

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    1. I 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.

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  8. These are good rules and I try to follow them as well.
    You are thoughtful man.

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    1. My funny brain works this way.

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