(image)
I've been struggling to figure out how to deal with blog commenting lately. Though Blogger now allows you to post "responses" within the comments, the only way to see/read them is to return to the blog post unless you've chosen to receive updates by email, which I'm guessing most people don't do. I know that I rarely remember to check back for a response -- so I'm guessing other readers aren't doing much of that, either. When a brand new reader posts a comment on my blog, I usually try to send them an email directly, but that often takes some serious legwork because not everyone has their email linked to their Blogger profiles.
What to do? I know there are lots of opinions out there about what's best -- but I'm asking you, dear readers, since your opinions are the ones that matter most to me at the moment! Let me know your thoughts (any disqus fans? other formats? loving Blogger the way it is? wishing I would email you more often?)...
Most of the time people's comments don't really require a response, and I know I don't expect one. But if someone has a question specifically I respond by email. Otherwise I just respond within the blog comments.
ReplyDeleteI've struggled with this too- I like the discussion aspect of some blogs, so I feel responses are necessary. So, I decided to get disqus. Much better than blogger!
ReplyDeletemy comment isn't on here. did i not post it or was it deleted?
ReplyDeleteDidn't delete anything, Emily -- another issue I have with Blogger is that it eats comments sometimes! Grrrr.
Deleteso glad you are writing about this bc i've been thinking about the same issues/concerns re: comments.
ReplyDeletefirst off, this is one of the main reasons i switched from blogspot to a wordpress platform. blogspot didn't seem to make it easy to follow or respond to threads or comments. i also like that i can require people to leave an email address w their comment (maybe blogger has that option but i couldn't seem to install it).
here's the "protocol" i follow w comments on my blog:
--for any questions asked in the comments, i always respond. i do this under the assumption they have clicked the very obvious "notify me of follow-up comments" box below the comment form. i want to keep the response in the comment thread (vs email) so that other readers can see it.
--when first time commenters leave one, i click through to their blog and say hello by leaving a comment on their posts (i've found great new blogs this way!). if they don't have a blog, i leave a response in my comment thread or email them to say hello.
--if it's a comment from someone who has posted before i usually don't leave a comment, unless, again, it necessitates a response. i hope people aren't commenting on my blog JUST to see if i respond. i feel ok with this since i have most likely reached out to them in some other way (previous hellos on threads or on their blog, instagram, twitter, etc) and also, like you said, ppl rarely check back if they just left a comment to say "nice post" or "cute baby".
i'm curious to see what other commenters/bloggers say about this! perhaps a follow-up post on this is in your future ;)
I like all of Emily's ideas above. I definitely am interested to hear more thoughts on this, because it's something I'm very curious about as well!
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about this too!!!! I always reply by email directly if they have it linked to their blogger, but I am stuck as to how to reply to people who don't have their email right there. I didn't know you could set up email notifications for when you commented on other blogs, thats good to know. If I get a comment from someone for the first time, I try to go visit their blog and leave a 'thank you' comment but then I tend to forget about going back to read again because I don't click follow after just reading it once. Auugh what a pickle! I'm interested to see what others have to say.
ReplyDeleteI don't ever respond on my blog...people never see them. And to be honest, when I comment, I rarely go back to check on my comment to see if the blogger responds. I always reply via email!
ReplyDelete♥ Kyna
I like all of Emily's suggestions!
ReplyDeleteI have a Wordpress blog, and I (tried to) install a plugin that sends an email to the commenter when I respond on my blog. At least, it's supposed to! Have you experienced that when leaving comments on my blog?
But yes, I'm sometimes hesitant about reply to every one or two word comments because I don't necessarily want it to appear as though I'm trying to build up my number of comments.
I never thought about the "build up number of comments" thing -- that seems like a weird thing to do! But I wouldn't want to give that impression, either...hmm.
DeleteI can't remember if I've gotten emails back from you, PJ, but it doesn't sound familiar so I'm not sure if it's working or not!
I always subscribe to comments if I'm interested in follow-up, by email or RSS. If you're considering other platforms... I'm having a heckuva time with people leaving comments at Wordpress if their email address is associated with an inactive WP blog. I think I've set it up so that no one has to leave an email address, but it's a bummer to not be able to email a reader if you'd like to. Which I think is cool.
ReplyDeleteThis is kind of off topic, but still on the topic of comments. Since you mentioned that not everyone leaves an email address to respond to, I've noticed on your blog as well as a few others, the comment-options for your readers who are not using blogger are limited. I can't leave a comment with my name, and email address. I can leave one with my name and html, and I can leave one linked to my google, but my email is aol (I know, I know) or I could leave one linked to livejournal or wordpress, but my blog is hosted on my own site. I know I've left comments on blogspot blogs where I can leave my name, my email address, so maybe it's in the settings?
ReplyDeleteAnd then, in regard to responding to comments, I never go back to read comments on a blog I commented on. On my own blog, if someone asks a question I respond directly to their email with the answer. If they didn't supply an email I don't respond, but I don't think that's ever happened to me. I guess if multiple people asked the same question I might leave a comment of my own on the post explaining the answer.
Hmmm...I'll have to look into that with the settings, Robyn -- I honestly have no idea. When I've tried to mess around with commenting before, the option I picked seemed like the most "open" one (doesn't require a Blogger account, etc), but it was definitely choosing between the lesser of several evils. Though since you don't go back to read comments, I don't know if you'll ever see this. ;)
DeleteThis has been on my mind, too! I'm never completely satisfied with any system of responding, though I tend to do things a lot like Emily above. Blogging for me is pointless without a connection, so I always try to respond in some way. I typically love personal email from other bloggers, but I have a hard time with the idea of sending it myself vs. not. I'm always afraid of clogging up people's email boxes. Speaking of, what I really dislike is when bloggers set up auto email replies with a generic "Thanks for your comment at [insert blog name here]!" message.
ReplyDeleteWhat I try most of all to do is to visit the blogs of those who take the time to visit mine, but that's tough, too, because sometimes the content just is not anything I'm interested in. I don't want to fall into the habit of leaving generic comments, or being inauthentic.
Anyway, I'm always happy to get a personal email, but if I'm waiting for a response, I'll usually come back and check for one.
I didn't even know you could send out those kind of automatic emails -- how icky. Glad I haven't encountered that anywhere yet! And your second paragraph is very much my strategy, too (and the same problem I have!).
Delete