I go to lots of blogs, especially my followers'. I also hit most of the PhotoHunters' each week when they post. I was looking at Nikon Sniper's blog and there was an article about comments and replies to comments with lots of discussion. Reading that made me think about how I treat comments on my blog. I have noticed that some people do reply to almost every comment on their blogs. I think that is very nice if they want to but when I comment I don't expect a reply. As a matter of fact I don't think I've ever gone back to the post to see if I got a reply. By that same token I thought everyone was like me and I didn't know that there may be some people out there who do expect a reply even if they're not asking a specific question.
So. . . here is my question to you. When you post a comment, that is not a specific question, do you expect a reply or acknowledgment of your comment?
Please leave a comment and let me know what you think because I do not want offend anyone. I read and appreciate every single comment - I love getting comments (except from spammers) and I want to continue getting them so if I find out that most people expect replies then I'll change my way of doing things.
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10 comments:
How thoughtful of you to ask!
I am in the "reply to every comment" stage, but I can see how I might have to change that if I get too much more in terms of volume. For now I'm keeping up but sometimes just barely.
As far as expecting a reply to the comments I leave on your blog, I'm pretty flexible. Some people never reply to their comments, and never visit to leave a comment at my site. I don't hold this against them, but it is a way for me to determine which blogs I will continue to make the effort to comment on.
So... No reply + no visit (even just occasionally) = no more comments from me. I will still visit a site if it interests me though.
ps - if you're interested in knowing if you get a response to a comment but don't have time to visit the post again to check, most blogs have an option to receive follow up comments by email. I use it on blogs where I know the blogger will respond.
i reply to a question...or if i realize that i need to clarify something...
otherwise, i just thoroughly enjoy all comments (except spam & one unwelcome lurker)...
you've made me think though...
I try to answer all questions, and welcome new commenters. But I don't think it's necessary to reply to all comments, unless you have something to say.
And sometimes I do subscribe to the comments on a particular blog post (like this one) to see what people have said after me.
I don't reply to each and every comment on my blogs. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. Depends on the content of the comment and how much spare time I have.
I do think that replying to comments helps to engage visitors and give them an incentive to come back again, so that would be a reason to reply regularly, even if not to each and every comment.
Hi, I also find the topic interesting. I personally never expect people to reply to every comment I make but it is nice to be acknowledged occasionally be it via reply comment, email or a visit to your blog.
Knowing that I like to be acknowledged and not ignored, I always welcome any new commenter by checking out their blog because you find nice blogs this way.
I respond to comments when I think it is needed and if I have time but I have started doing this personally via reply email and not on my blog post.
for me more importantly than replying to peoples comments is going to their blog and reading what they have posted and leaving them a comment.
I also agree with Picture Imperfect. I have left numerous comments on a few blogs and I have not had a thank you or welcome nor do I think they have even visited my blog. Needless to say I rarely leave a comment on those blogs even when I read them.
Good Monday to you...
Regarding comments and replies in comments...since Blogger doesn't really have it set up where you can leave a comment directly below the comment left by your visitor...I feel it's an useless gesture.
Most people, I'd think, don't really have the time in their day to return to see a reply anyway. If there is a question in MY comments, I try to go visit that commentor's blog and leave the reply in THEIR comments.
Does that make sense?
I too read Nikon Snipers recent post about replying to comments. I notice alot of bloggers do reply to comments so I have started to do so as well. However I do not expect any one to reply to my comment at all. Its always nice when they do of course.
@ Hootin Anni,
If you're reading this, you'll know it's a reply to your comment, by seeing your name at the top.
You're asking if it makes sense to reply on *their* blog. On one hand, you'll be sure they read it. On the other hand, you are then commenting on a blog post that probably has nothing to do with your reply-comment, which may look strange to other visitors of that blog. Also, you're sort of breaking the flow of the conversation. After a few days or weeks, it will be difficult for the receiver of your reply-comment, to find the place on your blog where they first commented.
So, for me personally, if a I want to reply to a comment, I do that in the same page as where the comment is.
(obviously, if the reply comment is only an acknowledgement, and not actually a reply, this all doesn't matter)
Hi there. I'm here with you. Did reply before but that cost so so so much time. And I do love to follow my followers too. And then there's only 24 hours in a day...sigh. But whenever someone has a question I do give them a reply on there blog and mention my post.
Hope I helped you out here funny guy. Like this photo of you. You're eyes make me smile big time. I can tell you are a guy making jokes and fun and laugh a lot. Sweet day to you. Hugs Dagmar
Thank you so much for your responses. Based on those I don't see myself changing much from what I do now.
The way I see it, for me anyway, when I write a comment the main purpose is just the same as if I go to a performance and I like it and I applaud. When I say something about a photo or an article I'm applauding. I do not expect a personal reply and rarely if ever go back to that post to see if I got one. I have to be 100% honest and say that often I am also saying "Hey, I'm a photographer and have a blog too, won't you come and look at it?"
If I have a question that I really expect an answer to I'll probably subscribe to the follow up comments so I see it, or if I can't do that I'll come back and look later.
Since I can't possibly guess what everyone is thinking I'm going to assume that everyone else is doing the same thing I am, because it looks like most of those that replied are.
Again, thanks for your comments and feel free to add any more that you have.
Scott
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