Here is the problem, I am behind on my blog reading and comments. Part of the problem is that I very seldom meet a blog I don't like. When I like a blog and think I might want to read more, I add it to my Google reader. Right now I have 56 blogs on my reading list. And according to Google I currently have 203 unread blog posts. Couple those numbers with my lack of energy and emotional struggles of late and you begin to see my problem.
I can't help but wonder, am I the only one out there that struggles with this? Should I trim my reading list? I hate to do that because I know that numbers matter to most bloggers (whether we will admit it in print or not). Should I mark unread posts as read when they start to pile up? That feels like cheating. Should I just let them pile up and not worry about them? Am I over thinking this??
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| think, think, think! |
Part of what slows me down is commenting. I am a believer in commenting on what I have read, even it's just to say "Hi, I stopped by for a visit". I do this because I know how much it means to me to get comments. The numbers are great, but the comments make my day. It let's me know that someone was engaged by my words and/or images. They also give me a link to other blogs to read (this is a good thing, despite my previous paragraph). I really don't see myself changing this practice, but I am curious about the comment practices of others. How often do you comment? Do you just say "hi" or only comment if you have something specific to say?
And what about subscribing to comments? Do you do that? I like to know if my comments are answered, but it I subscribe I end up with tons of emails with answers to other folks comments, most of which mean nothing to me. Is there a way around that?
As you can see, I really need your input!
Love your Pooh by the way! I visit and comment because I want to. I don't subscribe to comments as I can go back if I want to, or if if the writer wants to engage me, they will via email, twitter etc etc. I often don't write much, but one of my favorite aspects of blogging is the "community " of it and "meeting" and enjoying their posts. I find that since I started reading on BlogHer I have expanded the types of blogs I read and therefore reading, learning and enjoying different things I would never have. Maybe put aside a certain amount of time you can devote to reading and commenting? i like to visit when I am on my lunch hr, or before I leave in the morning with my tea.
ReplyDeleteThank you Winnie! You do have a point about why you don't subscribe to the comments. I will have to give it some thought. :)
DeleteI have a very limited amount of time to read and respond. I read lots and love the fact that I can help someone else's stats go up. I respond (comment) typically only if the content speaks to me on a deep personal level, if I have something I believe is worthwhile to contribute to the conversation, or to encourage someone who needs a smile. If I can't do one of those three things, I pass on the commenting.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE getting comments on my blog. Like you, it makes my day. However, I'd rather have one really beneficial comment than ten "I was here." comments. I do break my rule above if it is my first time on a blog. I like to tell the author I'm reading and how I found them simply because I like to know who is reading my life lived out on the monitor!
I also do mark that I want e-mails for replies...I just read and delete though. Very rarely do I respond a second time. I just like to know if someone comments back.
For what it's worth, there's my two cents that have now caused you another e-mail to read.
Oh, I don't mind the emails about my own blog! LOL! I do think I need to follow your lead and revise my commenting habits. I think I am making this way harder than it needs to be! I almost never comment back, but I do like to know if someone responds to my comment, so I will probably keep subscribing. Thank you for giving me your 2 cents! ;)
DeleteI don't really have a "system" for reading and commenting on blogs. I guess I'm paving the road to the really hot place because my intentions far outstrip my actions. Mostly, I wander aimlessly from place to place, but I do tend to surf in cycles and keep my eye on certain blogs and sites.
ReplyDeleteThe bulk of my online activity is spent searching for the next geeky thing to blog about, but I also read fun and uplifting posts like the ones you write. Unfortunately, between a full-time job with a long commute and a couple of teenagers I don't get to spend nearly as much time interacting with bloggers as I'd like. Just know that we're out here appreciating your work and while I rarely comment on a blog I know exactly what you mean about loving to get comments. I guess that makes me a bad person since I don't practice what I'm preaching! :o)
Well...enough rambling from me. Time to wander off into traffic chasing butterflies!
It took me a few clicks of the mouse to make sure I knew who this was. I knew you "liked" my posts on Facebook, but I had no idea you actually read them, so that brought a big smile!
DeleteI get what you are saying about managing your time online with your real life. If only we could figure out how to be online during that commute! So much wasted time!
Be careful out there in traffic, I would miss you here in cyberspace! :)
I read blog posts if the title interests me (yours often do!). I also read the blogs on triberr before I tweet them out. I think you can cut the guilt on reading what you don't have time to read. It's a free country.
ReplyDeleteI also try to read the triberr blogs before I tweet them. Thanks for the input. It helps! :)
DeleteI can't read everything on my reading list either, and I don't
ReplyDeleteeven have as many blogs on it as you do. I do try to comment on anything that really catches my eye and stirs my interest. I'm not very big into just commenting "Nice post". I love comments, but they are much more meaningful when they really say something. On the other hand, if someone writes, "Nice post," at least I know it was read.
This seems to be the general consensus, I think I need to cut back on commenting and keep it to something meaningful (unless it's a new blog I'm visiting). Thank you for your input!! :D
DeleteThis is the first time I read your blog. Most bloggers know you have visited by your stats. It is nice to have someone comment on your site. Also, I tell my readers to try and keep it nice. Almost all are positive comments. Sometime you get what we call trolls. They are the people who comment under anonymous and say nasty things. Those I just delete. I look at it like my real world. There are some people when we are out and about we wave to when time is limited. Others when we have more time we stop to chant. I wouldnt be at all upset if you jut commented on my blog every so often, it does not have to be everyday.
ReplyDeleteApplying real world techniques to my blogging relationships, what a novel concept! LOL! I have been fortunate that I have not experienced any trolls as yet. Spammers, those I have had in droves. But I just mark them as such and delete.
DeleteThank you for stopping by and giving your input. You have given me food for thought. :D
First, you are not alone in the over-booked blog post reading list. I hit these dry spells where I have no time to read, and then will spend two hours catching up. I do love the comments I get from anyone, and try to respond to every single one, as time consuming as it is.
ReplyDeleteI've contemplated adding the "like" post option to my blog - there is a widget that you can add where you can fill in the blanks and leave boxes to check for standard replies, such as "liked this post" or "love it!" or "I can relate" or "funny" which could solve the comment situation, as people could easily check a box or two and move on.
However, when a post really hits me, I will comment. Sometimes it's a simple "LOVE it" but whatever I comment, when I do, is because I connected with the post.
Don't think that helped at all, but... food for thought, for both of us!
Actually this does help. I like the widget idea, but I have no idea how to do it. I will have to investigate this!
DeleteI also answer all comments on my blog. It just seems polite to me!
Thanks for the input!:)
You said you had no idea how to do the widget idea. I'm not sure if what I am going to say is exactly what Purple Dreamer meant, but here is one way to do it. It is really easy.
DeleteSince we both use Blogspot for our blogs, this should work. You click on the Blogger icon at the top left of your screen, just like you do when you want to go to your reading list and post list. OK, go to the page with the list of your own posts.
Click "Layout" in the list on the left of the screen. In the "Layout" window, click the word "Edit" in the "Blog Posts" box. You will get a list of things to choose from to include in your post. The seventh one down is "Reactions". Check the box, and type in the words you want to provide as possible reactions. Separate the words with commas.
Scroll on down to see where those reaction buttons are placed. Click and drag them to where you want them. Click "Save" to exit that window. Click "Save Arrangement" and you are done.
I hope this helps.
IT WORKS!! Thank you Julie!! :)
DeleteYou follow ONLY 56 blogs? If I go more than 2 days without checking my google reader, I usually have 300-400 unread posts.
ReplyDeleteWhen I get behind more than 2 days, that's usually when I hit "mark all as read".
I've also organized my different subscriptions in different folders - because, like you, I rarely find a blog I don't like, but I have to manage my time so that I have time to write my novels.
I have a folder that I've marked "People I Read Religiously" and there's maybe 20 blogs in that one. Those are people that I almost ALWAYS have something to comment on, and people who frequently comment on MY blog, so I make sure and return the favor.
I do not, by any means, comment on all the blogs I read. Only, like one of your other commenters above said, if a post resonated with me, or if I feel I have something worthwhile to contribute to a conversation.
Well, I am glad my list isn't the longest one out there!! I like your idea about folders. I think I will need to look into that. I can see where it would make things more organized and manageable. Thank you, Rebekah!
DeleteWell, when it come to comments, your blog is the only one I bother with..:D For real..I use my google reader as a way to share stories of interest on my facebook and twitter, but when the pile gets that big, I just skim the list on a particular writer, check out ones that may interest and then mark the rest read...love your new look on the blog, by the way...less depressing! :D As for comments, Daisy is a new blog, but I've been running a Whole Living Web Magazine for over a year....I get scared when I get comments..mostly, people just come by and grab the stuff they want and leave..see, why I need to get personal? Just remember, keep it simple and don't sweat the small stuff...life is too short to bother.
ReplyDeleteAwe, I feel special! I love that you comment on my blog. I feel we are developing a great cyber friendship! And thanks for the feedback on the layout. It is less depressing, isn't it? I had not even realized. :D
DeleteI went over to Facebook and 'liked" your magazine page, so now I can keep up with that!
And yes, I need to remember to not sweat the small stuff. This is supposed to be fun, right???
lol apparently Winnie and I agree on lots of things!
ReplyDeleteI read what I want because I want. I comment when I can or have something of value to add! I love getting comments, but I know that I have tons of readers who don't comment. They keep coming back tho!!
I don't subscribe to comments, because I like to pop in and see how a post is doing.
Keep it up, don't stress yourself out over it ... it is supposed to be fun!