The Quiet Concert: Thoughts for Thursday (20)

Apr

2014

Thoughts for Thursday (20) - Responding to Comments

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:

Responding to comments

This post was motivated by the fact that I am so far behind in responding to comments. Not that this is anything new, per say, but it has been worse of late. It's not the first time I've been busy for a long stretch of time, but it's the first time that I have been busy with work, school, and my social life all at the same time. It's left me with little to no time to read, let alone blog or be as active as I'd like to be in the blogosphere.

But back to what I really want to talk about - responding to comments. When I have free time I usually spend it doing the following: First, I read. Not just because I love reading and its MY free time, but because if I didn't, I wouldn't have any reviews for the blog. When I am not reading, I am either writing said reviews, or visiting other blogs. Then, when all that is taken care of, I will turn attention back to my blog and do general maintenance, like responding to comments, updating the sidebar and review archive, etc.

I know some people view it very negatively when bloggers don't respond to comments, and my response to this is - give us a break! I read every comment and I appreciate every comment and I try to respond to every comment but frankly, I only have so much time and I think it is more important to (1) keep my sanity; (2) keep writing content for this blog; and (3) visit other blogs; than to respond to comments if my time is limited and I can't do it all. And it's not like I won't eventually respond to comments. Usually. Don't be surprised if you get a notification of my reply like a year after you posted on my blog.

As an aside, but important to note, not all comments warrant a response. You guys know what I am talking about here. AND, not that this is an excuse but it is also important to note, of all the comments I have responded to, I think maybe three people have ever came back to continue the conversation. Does anyone even realize when I am behind in responding to comments? Unless, of course I go ahead and announce it (like I am doing right now). But do commenters ever see my responses? Unless I am notified of a reply, or I am frequently visiting your blog, I don't see the responses to the comments I leave.

And then sometimes I chide myself, "Shut up Nicole, you have like a total of 5 comments to respond to" (Yes, I talk to myself. It's quite normal). And it's true! I don't even know how you guys do it when you receive like 30 comments per post! Are you always behind? I can't even imagine.

So, what are your thoughts on responding to comments? Do you often get behind? Do you respond to every one? Do you frown upon other bloggers if they don't respond? Do you hate me because I only just responded to your comment from February? Just kidding. I hope.

Comments (21)

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Rachel @ Paper Cuts · 574 weeks ago

I really try never to get behind on replying to comments, simply because it takes so much time to catch up, but it really is difficult--and I think you're so right to spend your free time, first, reading because it's what you love! I think most people understand life can get in the way of blogging a lot and that it can take a while to get back to them. Or I do! :) I think it's a lot more important to visit other blogs than to reply to the comments on your own site, too. I try to do both, but I always make sure to visit back first. And no, I don't think, most of the time at least, people notice that you've commented back unless they get a notification. I try to check the box (or whatever else it is) to get a notification, because I love to see the replies but I won't often reply back.

I think so long as you're making an effort, no one is going to hate you (or otherwise, really!) :)
My recent post Review: Steadfast (Spellcaster #2) by Claudia Gray

1 reply · active 570 weeks ago

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Nicole · 570 weeks ago

It sucks getting behind :( but it's good to know that others understand :) In an ideal world, I can reply to all the comments and visit everyone back. I do my best :)

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Pam@YA Escape · 574 weeks ago

I completely understand and I never hold it against the person if they don't respond because I sometimes wonder if I should even bother because the only way (at least on Blogger) that the person knows whether you've responded is to check back. I do wish there was a way to actually have conversations because that's one of the things I wanted when I started blogging (and yes, there's Twitter, I know, but there is just so much time and I cannot add to what I'm already doing). And I also know what you mean about some comments not being worth responding. I've actually stopped responding to comments on memes (although I'm pretty much stopping all memes, actually). Instead, I visit their blog, which I feel like they would prefer over me responding on my blog. But I do respond to all comments on discussion posts and book reviews. And definitely don't worry or stress because this should be fun. And I've seen where people actually say on the post that they appreciate comments, they read them all, but they don't respond, that instead they visit the blog (or something like that). So that's always an option. Great post!
My recent post Book Review: Catch a Falling Star by Kim Culbertson

1 reply · active 570 weeks ago

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Nicole · 570 weeks ago

If you want to, you can change your commenting system, Pam! That's why I changed mine to Intense Debate because I wanted people to get notified when I responded (except now everyone knows when I am super late in responding too). And I am not a coding wizard either, Intense Debate makes it pretty easy.

And I think visiting back is important too but I also get super behind in that. I try my best!

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mel1704 86p · 574 weeks ago

I always go back and respond to comments on my blog, but only if I have a feeling I have something to add. When I get something like 'great review' I don't take the time to say 'thanks' One of the things I don't like about the Blogger comment section is that people are never notified that I commented back. So sometimes I do have a feeling I'm responding for nothing.

2 replies · active 570 weeks ago

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Nicole · 570 weeks ago

Yeah I don't know why Blogger doesn't have notifications, it's so frustrating. That's why I changed to Intense Debate because I want people to know when I comment back. It's a pretty easy install, if that's something you might want to do? I notice you get a lot of comments and are really good about responding. It shouldn't be for nothing!

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mel1704 86p · 570 weeks ago

I'm still not sure if I want to change it and if I want to pick Intense Debate or Discus. Did you lose any of your comments after the change?

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ashleyevans868 49p · 574 weeks ago

I agree with a lot of what you said. I used to reply to EVERY.SING.E.COMMENT but I don't do that anymore. Now I just reply if:

1) The comment contains a question
2) I feel like I actually have something to say in reply to the comment

The main difference is that I no longer force myself to come up with a reply to every comment out of obligation. Now I just reply if I actually feel I have something to say.
My recent post How to Host an eBook Giveaway

1 reply · active 570 weeks ago

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Nicole · 570 weeks ago

That is a good method. I've pretty much stopped replying to memes because so many of those responses are "Thanks" or some one word variation, but I should loosen up about review and discussion comments too.

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joyousreads 92p · 574 weeks ago

I know it's really difficult to comment and respond to comments but it's something that I try to do. Sometimes, I can only check my Bloglovin' account once a week - which means, there are sometimes at least five hundred posts to get through.

I do feel guilty about not replying to comments just because I think it's the least thing I can do. I say, don't feel bad when you're not able to visit blogs. We're an understanding lot. :)
My recent post The Ring and the Crown by Melissa de la Cruz

1 reply · active 570 weeks ago

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Nicole · 570 weeks ago

Thanks for understanding :) Even if I get really behind, I try to make up for it when I get free time. Like now :)

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littlebookstar 68p · 574 weeks ago

I totally understand you. I get that feeling of guilt when I don't reply to comments because I feel bad that that person took an effort to comment on mine, so I feel obligated to take an effort to visit their blog and also comment. Like you, I get behind sometimes (like now b/c I was on a hiatus). If I don't leave a comment back, it only means that I completely have NOTHING to say...like even if I try to say something, it sounds fake and forced which a no comment is better than a fake and meaningless comment.
My recent post I Spy a Blog Tag

1 reply · active 570 weeks ago

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Nicole · 570 weeks ago

I think everyone gets behind sometime so it's good if we can all be a little forgiving of each other :)

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angelsparereads 35p · 574 weeks ago

I just started my blog not too long ago, so responding to every comment and commenting back is not too hard to manage, but I can see this becoming a chore if you have a huge fan base. I do often go back to check on if other bloggers have responded to my comments or not, but even so most of the time the conversation ends there. I think really you should just do whatever you feel comfortable with :)
My recent post Review: Queen of Hearts (Queen of Hearts Saga, #1)

1 reply · active 570 weeks ago

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Nicole · 570 weeks ago

We don't get so many comments that it shouldn't be manageable but my biggest problem is that my weekdays leave me no time to blog so all my blogging gets done on the weekends, and then when they get busy weeks can go by before I get around to it :( But even if a month or more goes by I still try to go back and try to respond :) I feel better knowing everyone understands

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Kay · 574 weeks ago

Don't be hard on yourself. About once a month I get behind on comments and it can take awhile to catch up, and sometimes turns out to be a pain, but I still like reading what everyone says on my posts and I enjoy reading other people's posts and commenting on them, but life happens. I love your comments and your response to my comments, but I understand that things get busy and it may take you longer to respond than normal, not to mention occasionally I do leave a comment that doesn't really need a response. :) For instance, I'm really just rambling in this comment and saying everything you have already said in your post. To wrap up, I agree with you, but that really isn't anything new.
My recent post Review: Just Destiny by: Theresa Rizzo

1 reply · active 570 weeks ago

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Nicole · 570 weeks ago

Hahah i love all of your comments Kay, ramblings all all :)

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bookaddictsguide 51p · 573 weeks ago

I think it's a bit harsh when the "expectation" is to reply to blog comments. I don't mean this to sound harsh but it may. When you write your blog posts, you have to promote it to get people to see it. Comments are a nice thing that the blogging community does and yes, in a way it's "expected" that you'll comment on other people's blogs but it's not a necessary thing and you don't always comment on every person's blog all the time. So how can we as bloggers be "expected" to reply to every single comment we get on our posts? That seems like a bit much.
I don't mean to sound ungrateful -- I get giddy every time I get a comment and immediately go check it out! But like you said, my time is often spread among MANY things and reading is my first priority when I have downtime. After that I'll write reviews, promote my posts, and you know, that thing called life ;) I just don't have the time to reply to ALL of the comments I get!
It's especially hard when someone doesn't have a system that notifies someone when you reply back. I think the one on my blog does, but not all do so is that person supposed to go check your post to see if you replied! It's all a bit exhausting!
I reply when I can but honestly... Just haven't really had the time to lately!
My recent post March 2014: Recap & Wrap-Up!

1 reply · active 570 weeks ago

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Nicole · 570 weeks ago

I don't think negatively of others if they don't respond to my comments, or visit back and I am glad to see the people who have responded to this post at least get it and understand where I am coming from. You make a very good point - we can't do it all - be it visit every blog or respond to every comment.

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Estelle · 573 weeks ago

Basically my philosophy is -- if we get a comment that warrants a response, I find someway to get in touch with you but if it doesn't -- I hope the commenter realizes that there is a SILENT THANK YOU always implied. I mean, look at me.. I love you guys but it's so hard for me to find the time to sit down and read reviews. This is why I read and comment in bulk and usually you find comments from old old old posts like this one. :) I think people have to take a chill pill and realize that life is life and that comes first. But we are always appreciative!! Always!
My recent post Estelle: The Summer I Found You by Jolene Perry

1 reply · active 570 weeks ago

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Nicole · 570 weeks ago

YES, THIS and SAME. I read every comment and they are ALWAYS appreciated and that is why I try to reply and visit back too BUT LIFE. I totally read and comment in bulk too. My blogging happens on weekends and when those fill up, weeks can go by before I can sit down and catch up!