Bloggers: We're Lonely, Please Respond To Our Comments
Blogging is often a lonely pursuit.
Most bloggers have full-time jobs and are writing late at night, tired and hoping to get to bed at a decent time.
You find yourself sitting alone, staring at the screen, and decide to read some posts from other sites that are sitting in your inbox or your RSS reader.
You read an inspiring, entertaining, or interesting post and decide to leave a comment.
Your comment is not just a, "Hey, nice post…." blurb, but an actual attempt to add some insight, thank the author for how the content affected you, or to ask for further advice on the topic.
You do this not so much as a selfish way to attract more traffic to your own blog, but to offset your loneliness through interacting with others who have similar interests.
When your comment appears to go unnoticed, you are left feeling ignored and unappreciated.
This will often lead you to unsubscribe from the "offending" blog.
If you are blogging, please respond to your comments.
Show your appreciation to your readers.
After all, blogging is an interactive endeavor and a community.
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March 2nd, 2008 at 11:18 am
In addition to responding to the comments at the blog, I found that also sending a quick email to the person commenting is even more effective.
March 2nd, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Good point. I'm guilty of this to a certain extent. Just didn't know better. I didn't think people wanted to read my comments, but apparently it's that's not true. I'm making more of an effort to interact with people who leave comments.
March 2nd, 2008 at 12:11 pm
@ Roger - good point. I thought of adding this but personally I like to see a response on the blog. I already receive a TON of emails everyday.
March 2nd, 2008 at 12:40 pm
I do a little of both, but, more importantly, if the commenter has an idea…I would love to hear what it is. Also, if you want me to comment….allow it to follow…this "no follow" stuff makes me check before I decide to comment. Your site would have to be really great for me to comment without getting anything in return, because quite honestly….there are millions of others with great info that will allow trackbacks, etc.
March 2nd, 2008 at 10:54 pm
I think you are right, Mark. When I was blogging, i definitely tried to answer every comment I had - and I actually succeeded in this - because I can't recall more than a handful of comments on my blog
But seriously, yeah, I'm with you on this.
Misha
Mapquest
March 3rd, 2008 at 10:48 pm
@ Darlene - interacting with the people who comment on your blog is the key.
@ Anissa - the "no follow" is a hindrance for sure.
@ Misha - thanks for the support.