Unfortunately, lately we're running into issues with time. Mainly that we don't have enough of it. Stupid time. Anyways, we decided we'd put it to a vote. How do you guys prefer to be contacted after you've left a comment on a blog post?
Thursday, February 18, 2010
The Comment Whores
So, it's no secret that we love the blogosphere, bloggers, blogging and pretty much everything blog related. And our very favorite thing about our own blog is the AMAZING comments we get every single day. We always try to respond to comments in some way shape or form, whether it's a quick e-mail or a visit to your blog, we love getting to know you guys.
And we'd love to hear all about how you manage comments and keep up with blogs in the comments. Will you hate us if we stop responding to every single comment? And how do you find time to visit new blogs? We want to keep expanding our network of writer friends, but that bastard time keeps getting in the way.
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59 comments:
The honest truth, I think, is that it's impossible. I have been doing too much and it was literally taking hours a day. A couple of which should have been spent revising.
Here's my new game plan. I have a core group of people who I really connect with or whose blogs I absolutely love. I check those daily. Other than that, I've limited my blog checking to Tue/Fri and I catch as many as I can in the two hours my kids sort of nap.
Google reader has helped with speed and I do tend to just pick the short posts, though some long ones catch my eye on occasion... It sounds awful, but it seems to be working all right so far.
The point of this rambling comment? I have no idea. I was hoping you could figure it out. ;)
As long as I'm wildly adored, I am pretty easy to get along with.
Same here. I haven't had time to even come here in over two weeks. Too many blogs to follow...too many to read...too much work to do at work and at home....ugh
It's enough keeping up with my own blog sometimes
With all the comments you get, I'm amazed you've been able to respond to every comment -- that could take up your whole day! I have a small list of blogs (like yours) that I read each day and I browse others as time permits.
Yes, we will despise you forever if you don't respond to each and every comment.
No, seriously, I understand the time constraints. I follow hundreds of blogs, and love reading them, but don't have the time to comment on each and every one. I'd rather read more blogs than comment on more blogs, you know? Do what works best for you, in your time frames. The further into publishing you get, the less time you'll have and you want to use it as wisely as possible. Only the two of you can know how to do that!
Good luck!
It is impossible to keep up with all. I fully understand if you can't comment. This blogging is a time sucker but a good one. I am still trying to juggle it all. I feel bad I left such a long post yesterday because I know time is of the essence for some.
Good luck guys! I will check back.
Time management in blog-world is key. I haven't figured it out yet! LOL! I agree with a previous comment, keep it to 5-10 a day, or every other day, and maybe limit to an hour, so it doesn't take up too much time...cuz it could totally take up the entire day!
:)
On my own blog, I respond to comments in the comment section. I try to respond to every comment, but sometimes that's just not possible. I don't think you should feel obligated to answer every comment either. People will still read your posts.
:-)
I think of commenting as kind of a Golden Rule thing, I comment on blogs whose authors I'd like to hear from. I don't expect a reciprocating comment but they're always nice when they appear!
Basically, "holla' backs" are gravy. Delicious bloggy gravy.
I always exchange comments for comments, and I think you do a tremendous job with your busy lives :)
I have this problem too, and I think you have like three times as many blogs to follow! I don't know how you do it. I'm getting more casual about my blog following. I try to make sure I visit and comment on everyone on my blog list at least once a month (which is horrible, I know) and then I read what I want to read. I'm also doing a lot more reading without commenting because of Google Reader.
Unfortunately we don't have unlimited time. Somethings got to give.
It is so hard, isn't it? there are so many blogs that I want to read, but I am learning to pick and choose a few a day. But whenever I read one, I comment. I just can't walk away without saying hello! It's the Southern in me. ;o)
The good thing is we all understand this problem, so hopefully no one is getting hurt feelings out there. I am amazed that you reach out to as many bloggers as you do. I try to comment back to people who leave comments because dialogue is what I like to encourage, but sometimes a group thank-you must suffice.
I noticed that Neil Gaiman (who has been blogging NINE years!) takes comments via email and chooses one from time-to-time to post and reply to. I imagine his volume is astounding.
I voted, but really, only do what you have time for. The blogging is a big time taker - totally worth it, but there are times we just have to figure something out. I think it's sweet that you asked us what we want ;o) You guys are awesome!
I stalk my favorite's and skim read the rest unless it is an interesting topic. I admit to being a religious commenter. Now if only blogger would get rid of those darn word verifications just think how much time that would save there.
Ahh to have more hours in a day...
I have no good answer because it's hard and I usually play catch-up on weekends when I don't post or early mornings when the whole house is asleep (the time I REALLY should be writing). It's a vicious cycle so just do what you can!
I post on both blogger and livejournal, and I have to say, I really love a lot of things about blogger, but I LOVE the fact that in livejournal, you can reply to individual comments. On blogger, it's just hard and I end up not commenting to comments at all. That may be why I don't get many comments, but do people really come back to the blog to see if they have a response? I rarely do.
I don't know. I have a love/hate issue with comments, I think.
My time has been short lately too- I do my best to leave comments to commenters on my blog, but that's fallen by the wayside. Instead, I leave a comment on each person's blog. I may have to do Google Reader one of these days.
I voted selfishly but the truth is I am amazed that you have time to reply to followers. You have over 400! Helloooo!
I have a hard time and I only 40...at one time I had 41 but then I realized I was following myself and thats just wierd.
I try to respond in the comments section, that seems easier so do what works for you!
this is a whole discussion.
skype me if you want some insight into my process :) (see im not giving up on being skype buddies yet!)
I teach all day, come home to my hubby and two precious little girls, and try to write at night. Half the time I have schoolwork to do at night. I am totally hearing the time crunch.
I catch up on blogs when I can and post on my own way too often (lol) but I comment on maybe 5 per day. I just can't give it more than that. Wish I could, because people have great things to say, but I think nowadays everyone is crunched for time. Blogging and responding could be a full time job!
I don't get nearly as much traffic as you, and I find it overwhelming. I try to respond to everyone's comments and visiting everyone's blogs, but this means I spend a lot of time playing catch-up.
We will love you whether you comment back or not. It's your witty banter that draws us here and your unique view of our little publishing world - as well as the patent pending d-bag-o-meter, of course.
Go write your books!
Whatever is easiest for you is fine with me. I don't mind if you don't respond back to every comment. Although it is nice to get a comment on my own blog from you, I don't expect it.
I try to comment on other blogs as much as possible. Many of the ones I comment on, I don't get a personalized response back, so I always get excited when I do get them :) Again, it's not something I expect and I completely understand the lack of time thing. If only there were more hours in a day right? :)
First off... I love the title!!! Secondly I don't require everyone to comment on every post I make, I love it when I get several comments daily by my fellow friends, and in return I try and make sure I comment on theirs!
I take time daily to check out old blogs and new. Titles are key to pulling me in, I might skip over boring titles, but it doesnt mean I don't love those people... I can't comment on ALL of my blog peeps! ALL THE TIME, there are just too many!
Good Luck!
How funny I was just thinking about this very thing last night (around midnight after visiting another twenty blogs!).
I would think commenting on all the comments you get would be time consuming.
This is what I do. I comment on the comments that come to me, but I only post once a week on my personal blog, and once a week on my group blog. That saves me tons of time.
Second, I speed blog (Elana J. taught me how on one of her posts). What took me hours now takes me half the time. It is awesome!
I wish I had the problem of "It takes so much time to respond to all of those comments on my blog." Ha. I typically get 1 - 3 comments per post.
Personally, I don't think you need to respond to every single comment - especially here...you've got so many commenter's. I would NOT hate either of you for no responding to my comment. Never.
I think we all run into this issue to some extent. So we understand. Do what you can. :)
I've always wondered how you do it! The truth is that any time I see Lisa and Laura, whether in my Inbox or my comments, I get the urge to do a little dance. But I certainly don't expect it, and we're almost sort of GLAD to know you guys have 24 hours in the day as well. Okay, maybe 26.
Do whatever you're most comfortable with! As long as we get to keep reading fabulous blog posts and amazing books, I'm happy! :)
Once you find the secret please share. I'm struggling finding the time for everyone too. ; )
So ya' know, I'll keep reading if you don't respond to every comment, etc. In my first, lonely days of blogging, I lived for one or two comments, but I certainly don't expect everyone whose blog I comment on to visit mine. When someone never ever acknowledges you, that's different . . .
Last fall, you did a post on blog etiquette incl. the idea of comment response. I'm glad you're bringing up the subject of how to manage that response. I devote little time to the blogosphere right now because I need the time to write. I've heard agents say a lot of new writers fall into the trap of blogging more than working on their books. But for those bloggers who seem to be doing it all -- writing and providing us with great industry tips, promoting books, etc.-- I don't know how they do it. I don't know how YOU do it! But I've read the tips from your readers and am interested to see what you all learn. Off to vote!
I only follow about 70 or so blogs but I have trouble keeping up. If I could skip classes and read blogs all day, I would.
I've got a few blogs that I read religiously. Aside from that, every so often (usually when I'm blocked or about to rip out my eyelashes from frustration over some writing, art or child-rearing issue) I go to my dashboard and read through blogs I follow.
If I have something to say, I say it. If I don't, I go to the next one.
sf
Well, with 450 followers, its no wonder you are having time problems.
I would say definitely not choice "C". Who has time to go back to old posts to see if there is a reply to an old comment. I know that sort of used to be "standard practice" int he blogosphere, but I never understood that policy.
It's definitely an issue for me, this time management. Especially now as I prepare to query, I worry that I won't be able to keep up with my blog, even once a week. But I try to comment on those blogs belonging to friends or bloggies I've followed a while or communicate with regularly. I also try to comment on the personal blogs of those who leave comments on mine. IThen I comment on random blogs I'm following or ones that catch my eye. It's not the best system, but it works for me.
For the record? I think you guys are doing a brilliant job, and you have a much bigger following than moi. So, what's YOUR secret? ;)
I don't expect comment responses all the time, you know, ladies. I figure some of my comments are less entertaining or insightful than others, and don't deserve a response. Y'know. Keeps me on my toes. It's a tiny bit of validation when I get an e-mail from y'all, and I'm a total validation whore. Or is that gigolo? Huh.
Anyway, don't stress yourselves. Seriously! You get, like, a bajillion comments, don't you? We understand! Geez!
:)
I sure know about the lack of time and think this poll is an excellent idea!
It's really cool that you do spend the time to respond to all comments, but you ladies also have a lot of followers and get quite a number of comments! I think there's a point where you have to start being judicious about what blogs to read and how many/which comments to respond to because like you already noted, there's only so many hours in the day.
It's awesome getting reply-comments, but I don't expect them and I don't think anyone can fault you for not commenting all the time. Do what's best for you!
With book revisions / househunting / wedding plans / oh yeah my actual job / etc life underway, I've been trying to cut my blogging time down to an hour a day for reading and commenting. This means I'm realllllly picky about which blogs I add to my "follow" list.
I don't comment on every blog I read, but I do make an effort to comment on the blogs of people who comment on mine, or if a blogger wrote an especially insightful/funny/relatable post or a review of a book I hadn't heard of. Sometimes I wish I had more time for witty/unique comments, but when I don't, the generically appreciative "thanks for this post!" just has to do. I figure, a small comment is better than no comment.
On my blog, I reply to comments in the comment section on that post. Yes, the original commenter won't see it unless he/she returns to the post, but it's more for future readers -- that they see I'm reading, that my response maybe expands the conversation and keeps it going.
I also visit the blogs of new followers at least once and try to comment on one of their posts and thank them for following my blog.
All of us are fighting a lack of time, and our "real" writing comes first. Any effort is appreciated, so don't sweat it!
Meh, I can't even have an opinion on this matter, because I read plenty of blogs without commenting on each and every post. We all have time constraints. Do your best!
Just do what feels good.
In the end, there are only so many hours in the day, and you can't please everyone...
Shelley
I'm struggling with this too. I feel so guilty if I miss someone's blog post. And there are days when I come home from work and see 60+ posts I should check. It's really hard.
Elana's speed blogging tips helped, but I still don't do as much as I'd like.
This is a problem for me too, and it doesn't help that my computer is slow. Wish I could give you a better answer:)
I read the blogs I REALLY like pretty much every day, and if I have the time, I read the rest. If I have a comment, I leave one, if I don't, I don't. I love blogs, but I can't sit here all day reading... there's not enough time in the day... If I had as many followers as you guys do I'm not sure how I'd handle it! Maybe go through the blogs you follow and divvy them up, you read this group on Monday, this group on Tueday, etc? Good luck!
It starts to get so overwhelming.... I don't know how you ladies keep up with the comments from 440+ readers.
Just keep up the quality writing and we'll keep commenting!
I love your comment responses. They make me feel all giddy inside.
and, like,
I AM A BEAUTIFUL AND UNIQUE SNOWFLAKE
BECAUSE LISA & LAURA COMMENTED YAY
(:
For real, though,
as a newbie in all of this,
comments are the best thing ever and I wouldn't miss them for the world!
xoxoxo
looking-glass-fables.blogspot.com
I don't need a comment back to every single comment I leave, but it's nice to get a comment every now and then. :] My own personal goal (which isn't always successful) is to leave at least 20comments a day. I also try to leave them on different blogs, but I've got my favorite ones. So my 20 usually bumps up a bit. I'm not sure it's successful, but it's what I aim for at the moment.
The other thing is that I think it's more important to write good posts. That's what brought us here in the first place. (And it's what keeps bringing us back--unless we're all sadistic, which is an option.)
here's my honest opinion, without reading anyone else's thoughts. Okay. YOu have far too many followers and commenters to responds to them all. You are now in the 'famous' category and no longer have to take care of us little guys all the time. you are awesome at it, though. seriously. i come to read what you write b/c it's funny. though i love the comments and the visits to my site, I also love what you write and would visit regardless. a visit on occasion is nice. when you can. i'd love it if it were one of your fav. sites and you came for a visit daily, but you just cannot do that will all of us...:-)
I voted 'I don't give a crap' because I'm just happy if my smart-a*#ed comments make ya'll smile once in a while.
Responses in any format are just a bonus. :)
crazy ladies: you cannot spend your whole day making your minions happy.
we love you. we will still love you even if you don't comment on our blogs or send us messages or whateva.
except for me. I get special treatment.
(psst ... I don't know about everyone else, but you 2 are way too popular for me to ask for your follow up comments to be sent to my email. so if you comment back on your own post, I probably won't see it.)
Time is a very real issue. I think you have to divide it in a way that allows you to put your energy where it matters most--and that's for you to decide. I wouldn't hate you at all if you didn't comment--though I was super excited when you started following during my contest! I totally get the dilemma. I feel the time crunch, too.
You guys are awesome! :)
Time is a funny thing. There's always not enough of it.
I definitely know about time constraints. I am starting uni again and am trying to figure out how to get everything done (and fit in sleep in the process). So, of course we won't blame you if you have enough time to personally reply to each of our comments (after all you've got over 50 at the moment and that's a lot).
I don't mind at all if a blogger doesn't respond to my comment. In fact, it scares me sometimes.
I don'y give a crap, but I do feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside when I hear from you guys.
I think the REALLY funny, outstanding comments might warrant a response on the actual post. Otherwise, visiting the commentors sight and dropping a line every now and then wouldn't hurt. But seriously, every now and then. Don't hurt yourselves.
I was shocked and THRILLED to find a comment on my blog from you two lovely ladies. Thank you so much! I can only imagine how insane it must be for two to keep up every comment that is posted on your blog. Don't become a slave to it! You could easily spend all-day just replying back to every comment you receive.
Personally, I will keep coming back just to read what you girls have to say- not because you comment back. :) I feel compelled to comment because I find you both entertaining and fabulous! If you post a comment on my blog, that's sweet (and I am stoked!) but I would never want you to feel obligated to do so. :) Hope that makes sense...
Like everyone else, I'm amazed you actually do respond to everyone, and time is always a huge issue. Personally I just pick 4-5 blogs that I consistently check out and leave comments to, and respond to the rest on my blog.
I discover new blogs by clicking on the next blog button and at various forums that I participate in. Really, though, I don't spend a long time online...
I think it's impossible for you to respond to every comment...and I haven't yet figured out how to find out, anyway!
This is all very time consuming. I love the occasional visit, the occasional response, and all the cool stuff I learn when I visit other blogs.
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