The Quiet Concert: Thoughts for Thursday (6) - To sign or not to sign, that is the question

Nov

2013

Thoughts for Thursday (6) - To sign or not to sign, that is the question

Welcome to Thoughts for Thursday! This feature is our outlet to talk with you about whatever we currently have on our minds. It might be bookish, it might not! Now for this week's thought:

I have no idea whether or not I should identify myself when commenting on someone else's blog. Signing 'Nicole @ The Quiet Concert' seems kind of formal to me for blogs I frequent regularly and when I do this I feel like I'm shamelessly promoting my blog, like 'hey, come visit me', and I don't want to give that impression. But is it egotistical of me to think I will be the only Nicole that comments? To assume that the bloggers who I think should know me, actually do? That they make the connection between me and a comment by a Nicole? (Probably) After all, I want them to know that it's me. Not so that they visit me back but to build a friendship. And what about the blogs that I only occasionally comment on and might or might not know me. Is identifying myself more of a courtesy so the blog owner doesn't have to play a guessing game (if they even would)? I know this seems like a silly topic but I actually find myself debating whether or not to leave a signature often (and I didn't finish writing my epic ARC discussion so this is what your stuck with). Of course some commenting systems have so many entry fields that this isn't a problem - I thank the!

What does Ashley think?

I have also debated as to how to sign my name when commenting on a blog. While this is primarily an issue when the comments are through Google, it does happen on other commenting platforms. I am always logged into my personal Google account so when I go to comment it is always with 'Ashley' and my nice little Google+ image. With blogs I visit all the time I sometimes do not put Ashley@The Quiet Concert but have the same hesitation with Nicole...Is it too much to assume that other bloggers can tell/remember without having trace back through my Google profile?

Now when reading comments, we definitely have bloggers that comment frequently (which we LOVE :) ) but there are other bloggers/followers that are new or comment less frequently. Those that are new or comment less frequently I personally really like it when they sign their name and when they include the URL in their signature. It makes it really easy for me to go back and check out their blog, continue the conversation, etc. So I apply my personal preference to the way I sign on other blogs. Now we switched up our commenting system here so I don't have to trace commenters back through their profile often but it used to be a nice long round about way to finally make it back to check out and comment on their blog.

Anyone else have this dilemma? What do you think? What's your preference?

Comments (19)

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Emily · 593 weeks ago

This is a really interesting topic! I prefer it when people comment with their URL so that I can visit their blog. There are some regular commentors that I already know their blog URL but it's still nice when they comment with a link because I can see specifically what post they were talking about or I can just click directly to their blog rather then google searching for their blog (since I am a terrible speller I rarely ever get the link correct).

I don't feel that by posting a link they are saying that they want me to visit back, it feels more like they are identifying themselves with their work (blog). I think this is especially true for people with very common names e.g. Nicole, Ashley, Emily. If commentors didn't associate themselves with their blogs I would probably be at a loss on how to proceed and the comment would die rather then spark discussion.

Now that I'm really thinking about it blog names are kind of like last names to me.

Emily @ Falling For YA =P
My recent post Waiting on Wednesday: The Vanishing Season

1 reply · active 593 weeks ago

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Nicole · 593 weeks ago

Hah I like the idea of blog names as last names! It's true that it's convenient having the link to the blog right there in the comment. That's actually what motivated me to change our commenting system!

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mel1704 86p · 593 weeks ago

When I visit new blogs, I always leave my name behind with a link. I like it when new bloggers do the same in my comments :) When I visit other blogs often, after a while I skip that step. It feels the same as.. reminding your real life friends that your name is 'X' I think if you've made a certain connection with bloggers, it's not necessarily anymore to show them where they can find you :)
My recent post Fairytale News 21. Why I love reading.

1 reply · active 593 weeks ago

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Nicole · 593 weeks ago

I think you are the only Mel I know so I can definitely identify you :D. But I wonder with all the comments that you get on your blog if I should identify myself further rather than just rely on my name and my picture.

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Brittany S. · 593 weeks ago

You know, I never really thought about it before! I think I've always been signing with my blog name as well because that's how people know me. I don't think I've ever taken it as shameless promotion for my blog... Just the way we identify each other since a lot of us don't know last names or multiple people with the same first name :) I like what Emily said! I feel like blog names are like last names in the blogging world. Helps us know who you are! :)

Although now I'm forced to actually sign this comment bc your comment system doesn't fit my long-ass blog name. Damn you, long title hahaha. Happens all the time! ;)

Brittany @ The Book Addict's Guide
My recent post Book and a Beverage [30] – Jana from That Artsy Reader Girl

1 reply · active 593 weeks ago

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Nicole · 593 weeks ago

Ah I didn't know it didn't fit! I wonder if I can change this somehow *looks up google tutorial*. But I'm glad it's not viewed as promotion but rather just a means to identify each other.

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Pam@YA Escape · 593 weeks ago

I haven't thought of this before either, but definitely something to think about. I don't mind people including their blog name because there are multiple people with the same first name so that way there definitely won't be any confusion. I don't think about it as promotion, either, but more like their full name. Sort of reminds of Jordan Catalano from My So Called Life. Anyone remember that show? Loved it. No one ever said his name alone, it was never just Jordan, always Jordan Catalano. But I digress...

My recent post Book Review: Wither by Lauren DeStefano

1 reply · active 593 weeks ago

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Nicole · 593 weeks ago

hahah I have not seen the show but I get what you're saying. Happy to hear!

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Abria @ RWD · 593 weeks ago

I generally only sign myself as Abria @ Read. Write. Discuss. when I'm commenting on other book blogs, because that's sort of my "handle" within this community. When I'm responding to something as a writer, I use my full name and link to my author site. And if I'm just goofing off online, I use my nickname. I guess it boils down to who I'm responding to online, and how I want them to respond to me -- as a peer in a community or as just another commenter.
My recent post Reading Challenges

1 reply · active 593 weeks ago

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Nicole · 593 weeks ago

Makes sense!

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ratherbereadingya 34p · 593 weeks ago

Most commenting systems already have my whole @ Rather Be Reading YA after my name from previous comments, so when I start to type the J it all comes up. I don't see any reason to take it out even if it's a blog I comment on regularly. I like to visit everyone who leaves me a comment, but sometimes when people comment as X @ Y there's no link. I can usually Google them and find their blog. Also, I don't really know people by name. I know them by their blog's name, so I like it when it's there so I can connect them to their blog even without clicking the link.
My recent post Cover Refresh: Waiting on the Sidelines

1 reply · active 593 weeks ago

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Nicole · 593 weeks ago

That's a very good point! Some people I know better by blog names too! I didn't think of it like that before.

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Kay · 593 weeks ago

I usually don't sign my name but when I do it's to blogs that are new to me or I don't go to very often. (unless it is in the name that I'm singing as, then it is usually Kay @ It's a Book Life) I don't do it to get people to read my blog per se, I just love making blogging/book friends. :) Same as you I enjoy it when people sign it with their blog when I don't know them well because I love finding/reading new book blogs. And since we like when new people sign their comment with a link to their blog then I'm thinking others don't mind when we do it. I don't ever use a link to my blog for sites I frequent regularly because they know who I am. (Like you guys obviously) lol
My recent post NaNoWriMo is Half Over and I'm Kicking Its A**

1 reply · active 593 weeks ago

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Nicole · 593 weeks ago

Yeah Ashley was smart to think about her preferences to guide her behavior. I just wasn't thinking haha. But I'm glad to see a general consensus that it's never a bad thing to include a blog name. On occasion someone will comment on our blog but not leave and Blog Name/Link and I won't know them well enough to find. That makes me sad.

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mvthebookbabe 72p · 593 weeks ago

Hmm. I don't ever sign my name - but it's just because I'm lazy, LOL. I don't think that you should have to sign your name, unless you're using an alias that's hard to trace back - most of the time, unless I know your url by heart I'll click right over to your profile and check you out. :)

I find that (if I happen to feel unlazy enough to write my name) that it's just too weird for me to post it like that. LOL. I feel (like you two) that it's just too formal. Awesome post, girls! :)
My recent post Do Other Readers' Opinions Influence Yours?

2 replies · active 593 weeks ago

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Nicole · 593 weeks ago

Hah it's easy to find you fortunately, and with our new commenting system, if you are unlazy enough to type in your blog we should get your latest post. =P So win, win haha

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mvthebookbabe 72p · 593 weeks ago

Heehee. :) It is a win, win, isn't it? :P
My recent post Day One by Nate Kenyon

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kxw116 47p · 593 weeks ago

I would say it depends on how easy it is to find your blog without you including a link in your comment. I like to comment back when someone takes the time to comment on my blog, but if it's too hard to find your blog, I will eventually give up. At the same time, if you've put your blog address into my comment form and I can get to it that way, I do think it looks a little too self-promotional to also include a link in your comment. I really appreciate getting your perspective on the issue though, since I could see some people just always including the link since they may not know how easy it's going to be for me to find their blog. I'll have to be a bit less judgy of people who include a link even when they're easy to find :)
My recent post Soundbites About Lethal Circuit and Giveaway

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motherhoodandmanuscripts 6p · 586 weeks ago

Really thoughtful post! Most of the time when commenting I don't sign. I figure if someone is interested, he or she can click on my name or profile and it will direct him/her to my blog. However, when I'm linking up to a challenge, meme, or survey, I do so as "Kristin @ Matched Manuscripts." General commenting feels more personal, but linkys often have so many more participants, so I like to distinguish myself by my blog.