There are several blogs that I follow and I've been reading them for long enough that I feel like I know them personally, and yet I never bring myself to write comments and make the connection to people that share the same passions in life as I do. I have several favorites, that all seem to know each other even if it's in the blog world only - Gertie, Peter, Peter's Michael, Sarai (and all the other creative people who post on this blog) and too many others to mention right here. Carolyn at Diary of a Sewing Fanatic is one of these people that I love seeing the projects she accomplishes and how she takes patterns and makes them her own to flatter her figure. She recently shared this post, and I would love to respond in my own posting on the subject.
Her post:
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
The Value of a Good Comment
So I was with some friends this weekend and we were talking about blog reading, I mean when we weren't talking about patterns or fabrics, or trims, etc.! *LOL* You know what I mean, right?! The conversation was all sewing all the time...anyway one of the topics that came up was blogs, blogging and leaving comments.
Now as I explained to them and I've said numerous times here...I am a comment ho. I may not respond to all of them, but I do read each and every one of them and appreciate the time a person takes to leave a comment. And the discussion turned to what makes a good comment...this was a pretty interesting discussion to me.
I don't know about you but I like not only to receive comments but to give them too...because to me visiting a person's blog is like visiting their home. You always acknowledge the person for allowing you into their home and you should thank them for taking the time to host you. If you are really into the social do's and don'ts, you even try to bring a small gift to show your gratitude or appreciation for them hosting you. That's what comments are like to me...my way of saying thanks for taking the time to share your "whatever" with me.
So what about you? Do you or don't you comment? Is there a reason that you don't? I mean I totally get the don't say something at all if you ain't got nuthin' nice to say rule...but it was perplexing to me and my friends why so many people read blogs and don't say anything...nuthin, nada, zip!
It's sort of like ghostly appearances...anyway, I know sometimes people read at work and don't have the ability to comment (totally get that one!) I mean your day job is soooooo much more important than leaving a comment...and some people don't have a Google ID or an Open ID so when anonymous comments have been turned off...then you can't leave a comment.
But what about the rest of you? Is there a reason you don't comment? Now please don't feel like you have to leave a comment...*LOL* This was just a post wondering what was what based upon a conversation with friends. Or maybe I'm just delirious from all the cold medicine I'm taking because I've managed to catch the cold from hell...probably shared with me by the germ catcher himself - The Little Prince!
So comment or don't...I was just pondering...
...more later!
Now as I explained to them and I've said numerous times here...I am a comment ho. I may not respond to all of them, but I do read each and every one of them and appreciate the time a person takes to leave a comment. And the discussion turned to what makes a good comment...this was a pretty interesting discussion to me.
I don't know about you but I like not only to receive comments but to give them too...because to me visiting a person's blog is like visiting their home. You always acknowledge the person for allowing you into their home and you should thank them for taking the time to host you. If you are really into the social do's and don'ts, you even try to bring a small gift to show your gratitude or appreciation for them hosting you. That's what comments are like to me...my way of saying thanks for taking the time to share your "whatever" with me.
So what about you? Do you or don't you comment? Is there a reason that you don't? I mean I totally get the don't say something at all if you ain't got nuthin' nice to say rule...but it was perplexing to me and my friends why so many people read blogs and don't say anything...nuthin, nada, zip!
It's sort of like ghostly appearances...anyway, I know sometimes people read at work and don't have the ability to comment (totally get that one!) I mean your day job is soooooo much more important than leaving a comment...and some people don't have a Google ID or an Open ID so when anonymous comments have been turned off...then you can't leave a comment.
But what about the rest of you? Is there a reason you don't comment? Now please don't feel like you have to leave a comment...*LOL* This was just a post wondering what was what based upon a conversation with friends. Or maybe I'm just delirious from all the cold medicine I'm taking because I've managed to catch the cold from hell...probably shared with me by the germ catcher himself - The Little Prince!
So comment or don't...I was just pondering...
...more later!
So here are my thoughts. As I've already stated, I've been reading many of the blogs that I follow for more than a year and I feel like I know these people personally. I know their writing style and what to expect in their blogs. I enjoy the topics they share and the projects they proudly (or not so proudly when it's a dud) show off. So, why don't I comment?
Good Question! I follow so many people that there are not enough hours in the day to keep up with it! I love so many of the projects and feel like in a different life, if these people were my day to day community, I would be close friends with many of them and I just don't have the time to comment and then check back to see replies and continue conversations, etc!! Not to mention the nearly 500 personal friends I have on Facebook from living all over that I can't seem to keep up with! Madness I tell you!! So I think I must resolve to this sort of posting and comment on things that are truly spectacular (or are anyway to me) and then just shoot people a courtesy email when I mention them in my space.
Oh and as a sidenote, I use Google Reader to follow all these people and sadly the comments do not follow the blogs over to Google Reader. I would have to go to each person's blog and check on the comments each separately. <sad face!> However, as I have just recently posted on, I JUST got a new smartphone and have a Blogger App, so I can do quick posts on the go from my phone. Genious!! I've been keeping up with my Google Reader with an App too, so every so often during the day I take a little mini break and read the posts of the people I've been following for a while.
Hi Kristen! I am happy to know that you are following my blog — whether or not you add comments — and to be included in the illustrious group of bloggers you mentioned in your post today.
ReplyDeleteWriting for me is primarily a means of self-expression and of recording current happenings and emotions for my own future reference. But, for a variety of reasons, other people's comments enrich the experience of blogging for me greatly.
First, it feels really good to know that something I've written has touched someone, or made her laugh, or encouraged her to explore something new in the kitchen. Also, I have learned a lot from my readers; their shared knowledge has broadened my own and even inspired a few new posts. Most importantly, I consider my blog to be more of a community than a solo gig. It just seems so much richer with a back-and-forth dialogue, a sharing of ideas and experiences. (I especially love it when commenters respond to each others' comments.)
I hope that occasionally you will feel inspired to share what YOU have to offer with me and my readers. And, if you do, chances are that I'll comment back to you!
Oh, btw, Peter and I are pretty well acquainted, in real life as well as in the blogging world. (Although, as you might have read in my recent April Fool's contest post, we DID meet online.)
Thanks again for mentioning me, Kristen, and have a great weekend.
Peter's Michael
Thx michael. Point well taken... you'll see more of me...
ReplyDeleteHi Kristen - it's nice to meet you! :) Your reply followed most of what the 114 comments had to say...that they read through Google Reader and don't have the time to go back and post a comment...which is fine. It really was just a conversation that me and a few sewing bloggers were having and wondered about.
ReplyDeleteThank you though for taking the time to blog your response and for letting me know about the use of my blog post. It is appreciated! And I will keep an eye out for you! ;)
Thanks again!