My post yesterday was an apology. I might as well get on a roll and make a confession today. My confession is that I don' read very many comments that are made on other bloggers's posts. From time to time I will look at some comments. Mostly I make my comment and run.
Now I know that when some one takes the time and effort to make a comment, it would be nice if more people read it and appreciated it. Comments take a blog to a higher level. More people reading and commenting on comments would add even more to a blog.
I see some blogs where there is some back and forth between commenters. I have responded to comments on others blogs. Why don't I do more? I just don't have time. I follow many blogs. I have to limit how much time I can give to my blog. Don't get me wrong. I like blogging and could spend all day at it.
One thing that I have found interesting is to receive oral comments. A number of people who I know and see quite often read my blog. They throw oral comments back and forth. I also tell them to read the comments people make on my posts. Bud reads most of my posts. He makes some very neat comments. His comments are distant so you have to be thinking or it goes over your head and he goes away with a big twinkle in his eye and says to himself, "Aha , the old guy didn't get it." Today at skating, when I was taking my skates off, he went by and said, "I'll see you next Tuesday if you can keep your time straight." He was referring to my mix up on my Beatles post. However, he skillfully slid it by me as I was busy and he almost got out of the room without being caught. I enjoy Bud's comments as well as others who give oral comments.
So I will try to look at more comments on other blogger's posts as I think there is much value there.
I cannot read all of the comments on other people blogs, I comment and run most of the time! I get email comments from friends who like to agitate me:)
ReplyDeleteI think many bloggers find that they run out of time.
DeleteI don't always have time to read all the other comments, either, but it sure can be interesting.
ReplyDeleteSince I get behind at times and miss comments I tell other people to omit comments and carry on writing. It soothes my conscience.
DeleteMy Blogland is very small. I keep it that way because I think that the comments on Blogs where comments are more than just a 'That's nice thanks for posting' are the interesting thing about blogging. Your posts often generate some interesting comments. If they didn't I, for one, probably wouldn't keep on reading regularly because no interesting comments usually means no interesting posts.
ReplyDeleteI'd never thought of comments this way. I find very interesting comments.
DeleteThere is only so much you can do.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy commenting but it is time consuming when my Internet is so slow.
Time , time time. That's what we're in short supply of.
DeleteI confess that I don't read all of the other blog comments either. I do look for bloggers I know and read theirs.I skim many of the others. I can tell from some comments they they haven't read the others either.
ReplyDeleteSo you have a rough ranking system that adjusts to what time you have available.
DeleteI usually try to skim through the comments, but understand the lack of time. I agree that seeing what other people say adds a lot to the conversation. Your friends a comments must keep you on your toes!
ReplyDeleteI like the give and take...the banter. I was a middle school teacher for 37 years and had the banter every day all day!
DeleteI read some of the comments on other blogs. I most always reply to comments on my blog, but wonder if I should. Do those people leaving comments always come back to read the reply? I usually don't go back after leaving someone a comment to see if they replied. ?? Do you ice skate or roller skate?? Oops! Guess I will need to come back and see if you reply! :) I enjoy your posts.
ReplyDeleteI find that I have to stumble upon finding if people reply. If I know people reply I check it after every post.
DeleteI ice skate!
Thanks for visiting and the compliment.
I rarely go back and read the comments on a blog after I've left one, for much the same reason: I follow more than a hundred and try hard to keep up. If the post asks a question, I might go back to see what other people say. :-)
ReplyDeleteTime is the big challenge.
DeleteBud sounds like quite a character - I do read other's comments left on my friends blogs, when I have the time. I sometimes answer comments personally by email back and forth. Lets see....10seconds, 10 minutes, 10 hours, 10 days - its just a "spatter of time" till I leave another comment or read one. he,he Have a wonderful day.
ReplyDeleteBud keeps me on my toes. We were both teachers so it's teacher banter.
DeleteThere is value there...but who has the time? If the post is controversial or very interesting I will read the comments o others, but some authors respond to their commenters and that seems to work for them.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I don't understand a post so I check the comments and get an explanation.
Deleteoh, i almost NEVER read other comments left on other blogs. i always view the post, leave my comment and move on. every once in a blue moon, one will catch my eye and make me laugh and i'll mention it in my comment, but for the most part, i don't have the time, either. i know some folks actually do read the comments before them. don't know how they manage!
ReplyDeletebud sounds like a smart guy. :)
Some people probably follow very few blogs and have the time. Bud just keeps coming up with the zingers.
DeleteI scan over a lot, and read many of my followers on other blogs
ReplyDeleteSo you keep things in group. I never thought of that idea.
DeleteI'm sorta like that too. I follow a lot of blogs, and do well to post a comment, let alone read what everyone is saying! But sometimes I'll look at them.
ReplyDeleteYou're right. some days we have much more time and can look at a few extra things.
DeleteA lot comes into play regarding whether or not I'll read comments on other blogs. Time, familiarity with the blogger and/or their readers, interest in the topic and chance. Occasionally, I have become interested in other blogs because of the creativity or humour used in their comment where I'm reading.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly, I once thanked a blogger because I clicked on and became a fan of, and friends with one of her readers. It turns out that she was furious that I would "steal" one of her regulars. Stealing meant that I was now also being visited by her reader who continued to visit her blog consistently. Go figure.
Some people play by their own rules.
DeleteI've noticed from the comments on this post that there are many different strategies when it comes to handling comments.
You have great followers who leave wonderful and sometimes very though provoking comments so many times I do read the comments and sometimes click over to check out their blogs if they have one. Your topics are interesting and that helps the conversation. As for me being an artist I struggle with words but I keep at it even though it may not be very interesting.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I sometimes have time and look a comments and then check out a blog. You have a great blog. You need more regular posts , but since you don't have time we will all have to live by that.
DeleteI usually don't have time to read comments, but when I do, some of them are great, even funny.
ReplyDeleteMostly I watch some of the other comments, but not when it is quite a long line. But I shouldn't bother so much about these things. Enjoy your posts and other blogs. Sometimes I am more inspired than other times, but live and let live.
ReplyDeleteInteresting! I tend not to reply to comments on my blog. 'Nuff said!' I do tend to read comments, especially on your posts, where you have food for thought. You do have some lovely shared stories from your readers.
ReplyDeleteRed, I've just been blogging a couple weeks, and I can already tell that I will not possibly have as much time to devote to it as I would like. I could say that it is because I have a life, but who doesn't have a life? Just like keeping up with friends and family and neighbors and all the rest of it in real life, there are only, as one of my closest friends likes to remind me "168 hours" in a week. At least, I think that's right - I haven't ever checked his math, because numbers have never been as important to me as words. That's probably why my bank account is always much closer to the "0" mark than I would like...
ReplyDeleteKeep writing, Red; I may not comment as much as I should, but I will definitely keep reading; I like the way you think!
Red I agree with you and most of the commenters on your blog - blogging takes time and reading everyone's comments would take up so much time. I love your posts and I love the interesting comments - I sometimes get to read on your posts.
ReplyDeleteI love the fact that you always take the time to post something on my blog - it is an honour.
And reading your blog is one of my daily/weekly highlights. Thanks for your insights.