13 April 2009

Musing Mondays: What'd You Say?


Here's this week's Musing Mondays hosted by Rebecca from Just One More Page. To read the complete meme and to see other answers, click on through.

This week it's all about comments.

⇒ How do you respond to the comments on your blog? Do you try to email individually or comment on post yourself answering the comments above?

I usually respond right in my own comments so that all my readers can see the answers to any questions. This is especially important when you have discussion happening. Once in a great while I'll add an an edit to the original post to address a particular point made by a commenter. And sometimes I'll zip over to the commenter's blog to leave a note. But generally I comment right here.

⇒ What do you think is the best way to respond to comments and do you respond to all of them?

I'm not sure I understand the first part of this question, so I'll focus on the second. No, I don't respond to all comments. I try to respond to all questions and any other comment that I believe needs an answer. But many comments say things like "Good review." These types of comments do not need to be answered, at least not individually. Sometimes I leave a thanks-you comment for everyone who responded.

When you start a discussion, I think it's a good idea to try to respond to all comments. I can't be glued to the computer (although I give the impression that I am), so sometimes I have to answer 6 people in one comment, but I do try to stay engaged.

⇒ Do you feel slighted if you don't receive a response back from the blog owner?

Absolutely not. First, not everything I say is worth a response. Second, I understand that everyone has a life outside of blogging. When I ask a question on someone's blog I try to remember to check the box that allows me to follow the responses via email. I don't expect anyone to email me individually with an answer to a question I leave on his or her blog.

What about you? Do you answer every comment?

28 comments:

Yvonne 4/13/09, 7:57 AM  

Great answer and I completely agree with what you said.

Melody 4/13/09, 8:42 AM  

I echo Yvonne. Great answers!

bermudaonion 4/13/09, 8:52 AM  

No, I don't answer every comment. I don't think people expect an answer to every little comment - I know I don't. I do respond to some comments in my comments section and by email depending on the nature of the comment.

zetor 4/13/09, 10:49 AM  

I only reply is one is needed.

Unknown 4/13/09, 10:54 AM  

Last week I would have agreed with every word you said. This week I have been experimenting by replying to every single comment left on my blog. I have found it to be a big improvement. Even if people just write little things like "I loved this book" I have replied, and tried to give a bit of further information - for example in response to the above comment I might write "Yes, this really is a great book. Have you tried reading other books by the author. xxx and xxx are just as good"

This means you are able to be more helpful on your blog, and hopefully provide much more information than in a simple review.

I know it is all down to the amount of time you have, but I do think it is nice to give a few extra words to people who have taken the time to visit your blog. I don't expect it - I just love it when it happens!!

Margot 4/13/09, 10:59 AM  

Good post. This ties in nicely with the BIP's focus on comments. I appreciate knowing how you do it. I'm very slowly finding my way through all this blogging code of behavior and trying to establish my own practices.

Beth F 4/13/09, 11:05 AM  

Jackie/FarmLane: that is one advantage of WP over Blogger. You can actually thread your comments. We can't, so it makes responding to individual comments more difficult. I agree that a response is always great, but I have only so much non-work time!

caite 4/13/09, 12:44 PM  

A very reasonable response, all the bases covered.
I also agree Beth that blogger does not have the best comment set-up..

gautami tripathy 4/13/09, 12:45 PM  

I do respond to specific questions or controversial comments. Other than that, no!

Musing Mondays

Mailed to me books

Lisa (Southern Girl Reads) 4/13/09, 1:21 PM  

I prefer to reply to comments right there on my blog too, but I agree, not all comments require a response.

Kim 4/13/09, 1:59 PM  

I am going to try the comment in my own comments box this week and see how it goes. I am hoping I can still find the time to visit blog friends and the blogs of new commenters on my blog. I wish I had about 10 more hours in my day!
*smiles and happy Monday-I am off to read your round up post next. :)
Kim

Robin M 4/13/09, 2:32 PM  

If I leave a comment that I expect an answer for, I'll subscribe to the post. I don't expect every comment I make to be answered, especially if it's something inane as good review or good post. My post is up now.

here

Jenny Girl 4/13/09, 2:35 PM  

Great thoughts. I starting to think commenting on the post is prob the best way also.
Thanks for your post!

Dawn - She is Too Fond of Books 4/13/09, 3:31 PM  

I comment in my own comments section (although I don't have nested/threaded comments and need to figure that out!).

If the comment warrants an individual response I address it (in comments) to that writer; I've been doing more "To All" comments lately, simply acknowledging that several people have said they liked a review, etc.

I don't comment in response to giveaway entries or guest posts (I leave that up to the guest poster)

Dorte H 4/13/09, 5:12 PM  

So far, it is possible for me to give a short answer to all my comments, but you receive 10 times as many comments as me on many posts which really makes a difference.
I don´t expect long answers from bloggers either when I write short I-like-your-review posts, but I enjoy the discussions which arise on blogs sometimes, perhaps quite unexpectedly, when readers ask great questions.
I am not at all sure there is a ´best way´ to handle comments. I like the variety of the blogging community a lot.

Robin M 4/13/09, 9:04 PM  

Dear Miss B.

I have an award waiting for you on my blog. :)

here

Nise' 4/13/09, 10:20 PM  

I just figured out the box that allows me to follow the responses via email..duh its fun to figure out new things.

Anonymous,  4/13/09, 11:30 PM  

No, I certainly cannot leave a comment or read all the blogs everyday, but I try to read them all in a week's time.

I pondered at this question a lot when I was an inchoate blogger. I wish to be able to reply to all the comments, given that the comments are open-ended. I also want to acknowledge all my readers and not to make them feel they are ignored. The etiquette of dealing with comments also lead to a bigger question of when and how to link a blog. Anyway, I appreciate your taking time to share your thoughts on my blog. :)

Amy 4/14/09, 1:57 AM  

In my dream world, I respond to every single comment. I prefer to answer via email, but sometimes I comment on the blog. In the real world, I don't have time for that, but I do try to address all questions.

Lenore Appelhans 4/14/09, 5:13 AM  

I do a mix. On a discussion post, I try to respond to every comment that can be responded to.

Sometimes I respond via e-mail.

And often, if someone leaves me a comment, I'll go to their blog and check out some of their posts and leave them a comment.

I've been better about leaving comments this year (even thought it is time consuming) and it's amazing how many more comments I get myself!

Jenny King 4/14/09, 5:25 AM  

You're right Beth. I have found some great blogs by clicking through to people who have left me comments.

Sandy Nawrot 4/14/09, 7:44 AM  

Beth, I have given you an award...I am always tempted to give you every award that comes down the pike, but usually don't because you've already gotten dozens! I'm not if you've gotten this one or not. Check it out!

Desert Rose 4/14/09, 8:56 AM  

I try to reply to all comments even just a simple thanks for passing if no response is needed :)

Love your answers!

Literary Feline 4/14/09, 2:52 PM  

This is a great discussion topic. I do try and respond to all comments left on my blog either individually or in a general statement, depending on the blog post. Like you, I respond to the comments on my own blog.

I do like it when others respond to my own comments, I admit. It adds an extra personal touch that I really appreciate.

Jenners 4/14/09, 11:21 PM  

I have really enjoyed reading the responses to this question...though I differ from you in that I almost never remember to come back and look for comments at the blog -- I always like getting e-mails. Also, I agree that not all comments are worthy of responses. But I agree that if you have a discussion going on, responding in the comments may be of value for everyone. Good post.

Anonymous,  4/15/09, 12:11 PM  

i try to keep up--but i've been bad the last few days--it's vacation! i try to comment on each blog i visit--especially on book reviews because they generally tend to garner the fewest comments. i sometimes respond to comments left on my blogs...moreso on my life blog though. i like this topic!!!

Will 4/15/09, 9:46 PM  

I respond in the comment thread. Never thought about emailing directly, although I get a lot of direct contact emails from readers who for don't comment in the thread. Those I email back directly. Sometimes I will add paraphrase their question or comment in a comment of my own on the thread if it seems like other readers would benefit.

I don't always respond to every comment, although I know people who do and admire them for it.

Once in a while a post will generate comments back and forth between various commentators. Those are the posts I know I was successful with!

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity 4/21/09, 11:29 PM  

I try to respond to every comment the same way you do, but this usually ends up happening in bulk (since like you I can't get on to the computer every minute I want to...maybe "want" isn't the best word).

I don't feel slighted when a person does not respond to my comment, but through the comment form I've entered into some fun relationships with other bloggers. When they answer back, a type of dialogue begins (sometimes it is brief) and there is more conversation than a post allows for. Over a year of these "conversations" and you get to know the other blogger fairly well. I definitely feel a stronger connection to bloggers who respond back to comments (although this very well could be entirely in my head!). :)

Thanks for stopping by. I read all comments and may respond here, via e-mail, or on your blog. I visit everyone who comments, but not necessarily right away.

I cannot turn off word verification, but if you are logged into Blogger you can ignore the captcha. I have set posts older than 14 days to be on moderation. I can no longer accept anonymous comments. I'm so sorry if this means you have to register or if you have trouble commenting.

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