Much like writing novels, everyone has their own technique for writing a blog. And much like everyone's methods for writing novels, I'm always curious about other writers' techniques for blogging, too. So I thought maybe we could do a trade every now and then here on the Archives-- I'll spill mine, and you share yours. Today's trade of, er, trade secrets is on commenting.
My tactic is rather simple, and I'm the first to admit that it needs work. Hence the post. Are you ready for my groundbreaking commenting strategy? Are you sure? Here goes:
I comment when I have something meaningful to add to the blog post or other comment dialogue.
I know, right? Here are the troubles I have with this technique, though:
-I don't always comment on every blog I read. Sometimes, by the time I get to a comment thread, or read a post, everything that I would have said has already been said. This leaves me feeling like I'm not adding to the conversation, and therefore, I typically would rather not comment. But I don't like people not knowing that I have read their posts.
-I don't comment if the post doesn't invite conversation or if something doesn't leap immediately to mind to say. Or if I've recently said much the same thing on a lot of other posts. This, frankly, comes down more to efficiency than anything else. I follow a hundred or so blogs, and I do try to read each and every one.
So, I'd like to hear your commenting strategies. How do you visit other blogs?
17 comments:
I tend to comment only if I've got something to say, or if someone whacked the nail square on the head with their comment and I want to agree.
There are a few blogs that I read/comment on regularly, but as my blog list grows with each passing day, I find myself growing more discerning in which ones I even click through to read more on.
It's not a judgment call on the quality of that blogger's work, it's simply a matter of efficiency, like you said.
Chaotically.
I comment as much as I can, but sometimes, I don't have the time. It's certainly easier to do when you have something of value to add or a comment immediately comes to mind.
I comment if I can add insight to the conversation, or write something witty*.
Commenting on a blog can be a great way to get noticed, especially if the blog is very popular. It's nice to have a very well-placed comment in the first 10 of a blog post where there are thousands of followers likely to read it.
* As long as I think it it witty, it counts.
Matt-- exactly. Not hatin', but efficiency calls.
Bane-- LOL. I should have know that would be your answer.
Susan-- You are one of my blogging heroes-- I can't even fathom how you get as much done as you do!
Rick-- That's a really good point, actually. I never thought of it that way. And wittiness is as wittiness does. (That wasn't very witty, was it?)
*known
I comment as much as I can, but some days it doesn't happen. I make it a point to always comment on someone's blog when they've left me a comment.
Strategy? As in deciding what to do before I do it? What is this strange concept?
I go for witty or insightful, if I can. Even if I don't have anything to add, I try to at least leave a "great post!" comment, just to let people know I'm reading their work.*
*unless there's 7,562 comments ahead of mine, at which point I say "meh."
I am just like you! If something jumps into my head, great, I'll comment. If not, then I move on.
There are only so many hours in the day, after all.
Shelley
Stephanie-- that's a good strategy, too!
Taryn-- LOL. Fair enough.
Susan-- witty and insightful you are! I always enjoy your comments :)
Shelley-- exactly. Glad to know I'm not alone in my commenting strategy, that's for certain.
First, a simple hi, I was here for the first time.
Second, your topic is timely, since we are limited in time, we need a strategy.
Third, my strategy is to be polite and to the point. If I have no time to read, then I don't comment either.
I think your method is just fine. If you comment every now and then on all the blogs you follow, I would think that's enough. That's all I can manage. I follow like 500 blogs or something, and although I sift through them everyday, I can only pick a few to read and comment on. I don't have endless time. I do keep track of what's going on with everyone, though. I love this community!
Thanks for a great post!
I find myself commenting far less often than I'd like. I tend to be late to the party so by the time I turn up, everyone's thought of all the witty, insightful things. Like for instance, now.
Lakeviewer-- hello and welcome :) Glad to have you stop by.
Lady Glamis-- wow! 500! You are a busy lady!
Gary-- you're not too late. I'm still here :)
I comment on every blog I read for two reasons:
1. To let the author know I was there and read. Even if it's only, "Congrats!" Or "I agree."
2. To initiate contact with the blog author. If I don't comment, they don't know I was there, don't know my name, don't know anything. And blogging, for me, is a way to start relationships.
I'm too moody, or something, to have a strategy, so all I can do is kinda review my commenting behavior.
However I pick when and where to comment, I have to admit that it's almost always basically motivated by reciprocity--someone has commented on my blog and I'm returning the favor, or I just posted and I'm trying to generate some traffic.
Something about that reciprocal thing bothers me, but I'm not sure what.
Beyond that, whether I leave a comment depends on whether I like something about the post(if I don't like it I just go away)or find it interesting, intriguing. Like this one.
Time is also a big factor. I tend to not comment nearly as much as I'd like due to that, because I find it hard not to elaborate, as this one demonstrates. Oy.
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