There’s been a lot of entires lately about blog etiquette when it comes to comments and it got me curious.
[Didn't curiosity kill that damn cat?]
We all know in order to get your blog out there it’s your duty to comment on other blogs, right?
Well, how do you feel about the author returning (or not returning) comments?
Because myself? I actually like to see that an author responds to a comment, be it in the comments themselves or via email. And that’s what I try to do. But since I tend to comment back to the commenter via email, I began to wonder if other readers thought that I was a snooty none-comment-returner because they weren’t there here in the comments, visible to all readers. But! Then I also wondered if the original commenter would even come back to see that it was here in my comments, or I was snotty because they didn’t get an email response.
[Shawna is shaking her head right now wondering WHY I even worry about this stuff.]
So put my mind at ease and tell me. Do you like when an author responds to a comment, and do you like it better when it’s via email or in the comments on the site?
I’d like to get some sleep tonight and not worry about whether or not you’re happy about the route I’ve taken to respond to your comments.
Drink anyone?
{ 24 comments }
I like comments, both leaving comments at other blogs, AND responding to comments on my own site. I think it fosters more interaction between blogger and reader, and increases the likelihood that a reader will return if they’re not just rudely ignored.
This is what I like to do:
I blog with blogger, so I type responses to comments in my comments. Then, if I have a commenter’s email address, I email them a copy of the response comment I left them. It’s not exactly simple, but blogger does not have an address field in their comment form, so I do what I can. The first time someone comments, I’ll visit their site to see if I can find an email address. If I can’t get one, I just leave a response from there on out, if the commenter is pretty regular, then they know the drill.
I also have the <a href=”http://thingsbymike.com/ireply-movement/” rel=”nofollow”>iReply</a> graphic on my site.
As for me personally, I enjoy a response to comments I leave, but am not particularly picky about whether they come via email or in the comments section. I’m just bad sometimes about returning to the comments section of previous posts.
That’s a good idea about C&Ping the response into the site and an email. I like that. Though, lots or work! You’re far more dedicated then I . But I think I’ll try it!
Hmmm, well, I have thought about responding via email, but I don’t think blogger allows you to view the email. Either that or I just haven’t figured it out. By the way, it’s been for-ever since you’ve responded to one of my comments in email. HMPH! (just kidding). My preference depends on what I am commenting on. If it’s a passing comment on a light-hearted subject, I probably won’t come back to see that the author has replied; but if it’s a post that I’m completely involved in then I will be back. I think I just talked in circles.
Seriously, I haven’t responded? Well, that just shot my nicey, nicey blogging etiquette to shit. LOL
Bad Sam!
Still love you though!
xox
I respond to comments usually by email, if the person has left one, because I’m not sure if people go back to read old comments. But I don’t always respond to comments, I mean if people leave a comment but it’s not a question type comment do they expect a comment back. Hmmm..to much to think about. So if anyone leaves me a comment and I don’t respond right away or at all don’t take it personally, I’m just really slowwww sometimes!
See what I’ve been agonizing over! LOL!!
Too funny. I try my hardest to get back to people and I found that email was easier… but I’m going to try and do both and see how it goes…
I tried getting all comments e-mailed to me and then responding via e-mail for awhile. Seeing all of those comments in my inbox made me all anxious, though. So I’ve started just responding in the comment section of the post instead. I do worry that people won’t check the comments for my follow-up, but I guess it doesn’t really matter. If they want to read a follow up, I guess they will check.
I love getting the email that someone has commented, and yes, it can be totally overwhelming at times.. but so worth it!
So now I’m trying to do both and see how I make out. LOL
Hey, I am just thrilled when someone POSTS my comments!! I guess I’m showing that I’m still pretty new to all of this…
And Sam, when I get emails from you after I’ve left a comment, I’m damn near over the moon. It’s such a nice personal touch!!
But, I would hate to think that you’re driving yourself crazy over pleasing all of us, all of the time…
Relax, Babe!! WE LOVE YOU, comments and responses or NO comments and responses!!
And, I’ll have a large gin and tonic, please, one slice of lime and easy on the tonic…
CGF xo
Aw, you made me feel special! Thank you!!
I’m not completely weirdo worried about it, I just like to think that I’m giving back to the people that take the time to comment and say something, know what I mean!?
All right. For me personally? I don’t care either way. As long as there’s some communication going on between people. That’s just my personal opinion. I respond in the comments when I get them, mostly cause I’m massively braindead and need the prompts to what I said six minutes ago, much less two hours. Except for LapTopGate, cause that cracks me up every time.
I usually reread the posts I’ve commented on for a couple days, just to see, like with Sue, aka The “Mind.” But with you, I figure I’ll get a reply in email, and that’s kinda cool. It makes you stand out, for me personally.
Still lost with LapTopGate. I HAVE to get over to that link you sent me. LOL
I have thought about this too.
Here’s my take.
I think if you had to choose, it’s better to comment on somebodys blog then to comment on the responses of your own blog. IF you had to choose – given limited time.
Why? Because the blogger takes alot of time and energy to expose their emotions to the world. Obviously you took interest in it… so you should say a little something to express your thanks. haha.You meaning people in general. Not “you.” ahem.
I will respond to people here and there. If I respond to each and every person I feel like I am in a forum. When I used to “own” my posts in parenting forums – everybopdy though I talked too much LOL. So I answer here and there – but I read an appreciate all the comments.
GREAT thought Tina (as always) I never really compared it to leaving comments on other people’s sites…now I have MORE to think about. LMAO!!
I go back and forth. I respond to pretty much every substantive comment, usually via e-mail. Sometimes, if it seems more generically interesting, I’ll post the e-mail to am “author comment.”
I sort of like your infixed responses, though — where you edit the comments and add your response in bold face. Maybe I’ll start doing that now!
I started doing that because for myself.. I hate searching out the author’s comment for their blurbs on each comment. LOL Just a personal preference is all! :D
You know, I don’t respond in my own comments. Mostly because I can barely believe anyone reads my blog in the first place and getting to thinking that anyone would come back AGAIN to see the comments is just beyond my blog faith.
I don’t respond to all comments via e-mail either.
I do try to visit all my commentors blogs.
Am I doing it wrong? I have no idea. Seriously. Now I’m worried I might be sending a bad message.
Oh Joy, you could never do wrong. Too many people love you and obviously don’t mind the choice you’ve made; they come in FLOCKS woman! (Me included).
It’s just something that was kinda eating away at me (did I pass the bug to you?)
And OMG! You CAME and COMMENTED on my blog. I think it peed a little.
Yes! You must read that link. It’s completely cracked. And just one of many incidents with her. She was like….think of her as, I don’t know, a rock god or something. Same thing. Everyone recced the stories, why I’ll never know, and she just ruled. *grins* Until one of her inner circle made a bigger splash.
I don’t mind either way. I read a ton of blogs and don’t always remember where I left my witty little bon mots (arf) in order to go back and see if anyone has responded. There are a couple that are notorious for combox conversations, so I try to remember to go back and read them.
I don’t respond to every comment that people leave me, although I do like the combox conversations that can generate. Usually, if I have enough to say that I feel I need to leave a comment on my own blog, I’ll just put up a new post.
Um. I don’t think I really answered your question. I just try to come visit people when they’re new to my blog (like you – hi!) and I’ll usually leave a comment. It may take me a few days, though.
I prefer to answer comments right on my blog that way other people can read them as well. But it is totally up to you.
Thanks for letting me know, I think I’m going to keep trying to do both… we’ll have to see how it goes though! LOL
If I comment on someone else’s blog, I think it would be nice to get a response either way. Via email or in their comment section. I always respond in my comments when someone comments to me, unless I know them, then I’m all about the email and or facebook poke.
I agree with commenting back too. I think it’s nice to know that my comment was even read… some people may get so many that they give up on reading ??
Ohh I don’t normally respond. Does that make me a sucky blogger? OH DEAR GOD. Now I must start commenting back. Oh the pressure of it all, giggle.
Hahaha! If you put too much thought into it, you’re going to end up like me!
Every comment I receive generates an email to me. I either comment on the comment via email or back on my blog or both. It depends on how much coffee I’ve had if I remember to do both.
I do a lot of reading of blogs and lurk at about 80% of them. Mainly because I never think I have anything intelligent, witty, or thought-provoking that the blogger would actually be interested in reading.
If I comment on someone else’s blog, I bookmark it or subscribe to their comments via Bloglines. Not every has that option so mostly I bookmark the post. But if it was just a silly post, I don’t. I only bookmark posts of bloggers who (a) I “know” or have been reading for a while, (b) they post something that I strongly agree or disagree with, or (c) I want to steal something from them.
I like comments but if no one commented that would be okay. I mean, really, my life pretty much sucks right now so I’m blogging negatively, but hopefully as my life gets better my blogging will too!
I never expect a blog author to respond personally to my comment. There is one blogger who replies to every single comment I leave her, every day, but we’ve been reading each other for almost two years and have gotten to ‘know’ each other personally, so it’s something we both look forward to, you know? But really, I don’t expect an author to reply to me personally via email and if he/she does, it’s a nice surprise.
I rarely go back to a site to see if a blogger has responded. I do if it’s a controversial topic or if I think he or she has responded but usually I don’t, because I don’t have time and because I read so many blogs, sometimes it’s hard for me to keep them all straight.
So yeah. Girl, don’t sweat it. Blog, love it and have fun.
I think it totally depends on the content of the post. If it’s really interesting and gets people talking then YES I will respond to the comments. But if I post a cartoon… well really what’s the point? I think it’s understood that I’m obviously taking a break and just trying to amuse you
As for other blogs… i will go back if the post left an impression on me. I like to see what others have to say and i like the interaction.
As for email… well i just never thought about it. But now that i am – i think i would prefer to keep things in the comment box. Just my 2 cents
You’re right. Content really counts (which I lack sometimes.LOL) but should it be a funny comic, or someone I really enjoy, I’ll still post a comment…know what I mean?
As your blog is a wordpress one, I just thought I’d mention that you can install a plugin which allows commenters to subscribe to get email notification of any replies to their comments. It just involves them clicking on a checkbox before submitting the comment. I have it on my blog and people use it from time to time. You can find out more about it here
I reply to most comments via the blog, and most of my commenters are regular visitors who will come back to read replies anyway.
On other blogs, I usually go back to check replies (when I remember). I’ve also been trying out the CoComment service which helps you keep track of your comments on different blogs, which is useful.
Thanks for the comment and suggestions!
I’ve thought about the subscription one before.. but a personal pet peeve was being automatically subscribed to comments. I hate that, thus avoided any plugins for it. I realize it could a be a setting that just needs changing.
Should reader request it, I may reconsider, but no one’s said anything about it….
Sam
Exactly… we tend to get to know each other sooner or later on more comfortable level and respond to people we really like.
I also like to respond to new visitors to make them feel welcome… and hopefully come back again.
If I had the time I’d probably visit a lot more blogs but it’s impossible so I choose about 5 each day and switch them around to try and keep up… I call it Bloghopping
Very smart.
I wish I could limit myself to five a day… I do more like 50. LOL
I’ll drink with you! I don’t really care either way although I do think it is nice if there is some interaction going. However, what happens one day when you have like 400 people commenting on your site???
I wouldn’t know, LOL I think this entry is going for a site record!! Hahahaha
400 comments, I probably pee a little.
I like both.. I typically respond in comments, but I don’t always go back to see if someone responded to something I commented on.. Make sense?
Didn’t really stop to think about there being Blog etiquette for this kind of thing.
Since I have a blogger blog, I can almost never respond back in e-mails because people rarely enable their email address. I used to respond in the comments section to people’s comments, but then stopped b/c I didn’t want to only respond to some and not others and it was getting silly to try to respond to everyone on every post in my own comments section. Plus, I didn’t think people would really come back to check to see if I had commented on their comment unless they specifically asked a question.
However, I change my approach all the time with comments. I’m always second guessing what I should be doing!
LMFlippin’AO….you know me TOO well LOL
Thought you might like that! LOL
I like getting e-mails back. It feels more personal. Besides, I don’t always go back to see if someone has left a response to my comment – it’s just too time consuming.
I feel the same way. An email feels much more personal then a message typed back on the blog. It’s hard to explain, but it’s more of a connection…
Comments on this entry are closed.