YA fantasy/paranormal romance author Theresa Milstein of Substitute Teacher's Saga is here today to talk about how to get blog comments to really work for you.
The two of us met earlier this month during Deana Barnhart's Gearin' Up to Get an Agent blogfest, and from the very first Theresa has been an inspiration. She not only responds to her comments with a personalized note, she sends an e-mail message letting her followers know they have a follow-up response.
I am delighted Theresa is kicking off the new series of guest posts held every other Thursday on Bird's-eye View. And if you haven't had a chance to meet one another yet, I hope you'll stop by her blog when you get a chance. And now for the interview ...
Why are comments important? Can they help bloggers grow their online presence?
There are bloggers who don't comment on other blogs. They often have low follower counts/comments or do a lot of giveaways.
Many wonderful bloggers don't comment back on their own blog but leave thoughtful comments on other blogs. (Hello, Old Kitty!)
My philosophy is that if people take the time to comment, the least I can do is visit their blogs and comment back. I, and a few other bloggers, take it a step further by answering comments on our own posts. One, it creates a dialogue. And two, it shows I read and care about what they have to say on my blog.
What is the most effective way to respond to someone's comment? Is it possible to inspire a one-time commenter to be a subscriber of your blog?
When I first blogged, I did return comments on my blog and the commenters' blogs. But I didn't always follow. And neither did they. (Surprise!) At some point, I realized I wanted to be in a community of writers. That meant following. When I have a new commenter, I leave a thoughtful comment on their blog and follow. And I try to visit that blog a few times during that week. I'm setting up a new relationship.
Are there any techniques for keeping a dialogue going, other than relying on commenters having time to return to your blog to see if you left a reply?
I suspected few people returned to my blog to view my comments, so several months ago (clearly during a bout of insanity), I started sending e-mails for the commenters who had e-mail addresses linked to their Blogger account. Now the commenter knows exactly what I said, and sometimes I wind up with a separate e-mail relationship that's more like a friendship than poster/commenter.
The downside is it takes a little bit more time. I respond to about 10 comments at a time. I cut and paste to the person's e-mail, keeping only the comment that applies and deleting the rest. Although it makes the conversation continue via e-mail instead of the blog, it's the conversation that's the point rather than a comment tally. (Blogger, is there a chance you can make e-mails easily accessible from comments?)
Should you respond to everyone's comments? Can you keep doing this as your following grows?
Since I accrued more than 400 followers, my comment count has grown considerably. Now that it's more than 500, I'm a little slower to respond. (Sorry!) But I've adjusted by posting less-one to two times per week. How much time do people have to visit my blog anyway? If I post daily, each post will have fewer readers. I do and will continue to respond to all comments. That's my priority.
Is it better to concentrate on growing the number of comments your blog is receiving or to comment on others' blog?
I do both. That's why I post less. If I had to choose, I'd comment on the commenters' blog posts instead of mine. Most of my followers are writers. We writers like to know we have readers.
How much time do you spend blogging and viewing and commenting on other blogs compared to how much time you spend writing?
It depends. If I'm in a writing frenzy, blogging gets less priority. I try to invest an hour a day. Because it's summer, I'm willing to devote more time. When I work in the fall, I'll post only once a week and spend most of my hour reading and commenting on other blogs. There's also nothing wrong with taking periodic blog vacations when there are more pressing matters. Just post a notice.
Do you think it's important for writers at all stages of their careers to have an online presence?
If you are blogging just for platform, don't do it. Blogging is about relationships first and platform second. I hope my posts make people laugh, cry, learn. For now, I like to use my online presence to help other bloggers. And my readers have been wonderful when I raised funds for a rare cancer last August and when I had a short story in 100 Stories for Queensland to promote this past May. If I have a book to promote in the future, then I'll worry about platform.
That said, you are at a disadvantage by not blogging. The writing and reading community has become mostly an online community. But you have to be willing to take time and effort to do it.
Talli Roland and Elana Johnson are my blogging inspirations. They're helpful. They're generous. Their genuineness shines through their posts and comments. I started following them before they had book deals. When they did, I wanted to help them sell books because of who they are.
It's no coincidence that both authors set a certain time aside for social networking/blogging. It's part of the life of a writer. I, for one, am glad I'm not alone in this crazy writing endeavor. I've been provided with remarkable support and opportunities through my blogging buddies. When I look at it that way, it's not much time spent at all.
Thank you for inviting me for the interview, Michelle. I enjoyed it! Good luck with your writing and blogging.
Thank you, Theresa!
109 comments:
Thanks for interviewing me, Michelle. I just linked your post to my blog. I hope you get lots of followers and commenters.
Can you fix the typo in the "Do you think it's important for writers at all stages of their careers to have an online presence?" section? There's "o-line" instead of "online". Oops!
Great interview! I've seen many blog posts about post content and the blogs' brand or message, but this is a different angle on building relationships. Thanks for giving me something to think about.
Very interesting interview. I try to respond to comments on my blog, and offer comments on other people's blogs, but it is quite time consuming.
Once you get to thousands of followers it must be impossible to keep up. Don't have that problem myself.
mood
Moody Writing
@mooderino
Talli Roland and Elana Johnson are fabulous people. They are so wonderful in their comments and their blogging abilities I often find myself in awe of their abilities.
I love comments and being one who used to genuinely visit and comment at every chance I get it's been hard watching the comments lower. I have to remind myself it's not because I'm not worthy of comments, it's because I'm not taking the time to comment. It's harder. Now having the follower count I do I have made a lot of email relationships rather than comment relationships.
I love that you changed how often you posted. I'm unfortunately addicted and love posting five times a week. Though that means I'm only averaging about 15-20 comments a day I think it's worth it because I keep up with what I like to do.
some great food for thought here.
I like to keep my blog fun and not think of it as something I have to do. I miss out on some networking opportunities sometimes when I'm too busy.
great interview. thanks ladies.
Great post. Thanks for the insightful interview with Theresa. And thanks to Theresa for doing it. =o)
I'm guilty of not commenting back when people comment on my blog. I love when people comment, and it's not that I don't appreciate every one, but I get busy and by the time I think of something to say, the time has passed. I really need to get back to acknowledging comments more often.
Hi,
Lovely post/interview. Like all things on-line reciprocation is just plain good manners: a comment for a comment, the only downside is the more followers one accumulates the harder it becomes to be fair to all. In my case it comes down to interesting "post header" that attracts my attention. I can't possibly visit every blog every day, and I'm not terribly good at putting out eye-catching headers, hence low comment rate on my blogs. As for Facebook I might as well be invisible. And, I really can't be arsed with Twitter. Why would I want to post up that I'm having a coffee, or just in the loo. Nor do I wish to know these things of others. Does that make me an unsociable person? Perhaps it does. ;)
best
F
Great interview!
I agree that blogging is all about relationships. I'm glad wordpress makes it so easy to respond to comments.
Interesting interview. Keeping up with blog comments is like doing laundry. No matter how much you wash, there's always more. But in the end it's a blessing because without clothes, we'd all be naked.
Good thought-provoking post. I go to my Google reader and go from there. I found trying to comment from the comments on my blog was much too slow. However, that means might miss someone who has been kind enough to comment. I never go back to blogs to read a response to my comment, but I like it when people e-mail me if they have a response.
Great interview, Theresa! I have noticed this myself -- that the commenting relationship in the blogosphere is reciprocal. I find myself with the highest comment counts during the weeks I was able to comment on everybody else's posts. It's time consuming, something that requires efforts, but it's worth it. :)
Very interesting interview. I am glad i stumbled on to your blog!Looking forard to reading more.I am a new follower :):)
great post! Thanks!!!!
So glad you mentioned the typo, Theresa. I was thinking, oh cool, a new, hip way to say online, I'll have to use that. o-line, I like it! Oh well, never mind then.
I like to visit the blogs of commenters and return the favor, plus I love it when they do the same. As for email notification, there's a place in your settings where you can request email notification when someone comments. Then you just reply to acknowledge the comment. I get the notifications on my Blackberry so it's easy to keep track, altho I don't always respond, *my bad* but I do try to go visit their blogs.
Keeping up with commenting is always a juggling act. I find that I have periods when I'm more actively trying to build following and times when I do my best to just maintain existing relationships.
Yes, Theresa is AWESOME. She's truly a vibrant part of our little writers' community. It's hard to keep up, but it's worthwhile if you can do it. Good stuff here~ :o) <3
Great post! Interviewing Theresa was a smart idea. You rock, Theresa!
Thanks for this food for thought! I always reply to comments but follow far too many blogs to comment on and hate to unfollow, so just dip in when I can. I do veer a bit into personal foibles more than I should - recent posts about my bruised bum might not impress an agent, for example! 8-)
Wonderful interview, Ladies! I've tried replying several ways to comments. In the end (now), I reply to comments via email and I try to do a return visit too. You are right, you can develop some wonderful friendships with people off blogger if they have their emails connected to their profile. (*waves* to Theresa!)
This was great! As a blog reader, I really appreciate the people who take the time to reach out and respond to comments--or who make the effort to follow you in turn and comment occassionally. It's a personal touch that makes you feel more a part of a community, and I'm trying to emulate some of the people who do it well in my newbie blog. I also like blogs that aren't always promoting--I wholeheartedly agree with the statement that blogging should be about relationships first and platform second.
Really interesting post, Michelle. I find the whole topic of commenting, and the etiquette of how to do it, completely mystifying. Thanks for helping shed some light!
I also wanted to let you know, I've given you an award. check it out here:
http://bit.ly/otCQXN
@Theresa, I'm the one thanking you for kicking off the guest post series on Bird's-eye View! And thanks for linking this post to your blog. :) You've written about a key topic, and it's good to see through this post's comments and the ones on your blog that all authors face the challenge of finding enough time to do it all. I've just fixed the typo; my apologies! I think my last name might be misspelled on the cross-promotional post; "Fayard" might have only six letters, but it's a bear to spell and to pronounce!
@Andrea, you've said it perfectly when you said this is a different angle on building relationships. Without a good commenting rapport, your content and platform might not be reaching as many readers.
@Mooderino, one of the shortfalls of Blogger, as Theresa points out, is unless you take time to send an e-mail message or leave a comment on your commenter's blog, they don't know you've replied to their comment. As you said, the commenting process is already time consuming, and this extra step makes it even more so, yet without it, our online relationships might not be as strong. And when do we have time to write books?! I recently read that once you have thousands of followers, you shouldn't feel as if you have to keep up with all of the comments. Your comments will start dialoguing with one another, and you can chime in occasionally.
I love the blogging community. It has taught me so much about writing that I didn't know and has really given me new perspective.
Theresa, thank you so much for your wonderful words! I'm beyond honoured!
I still struggle with the best way to return comments. Often, if someone asks a question, I'll email a personal response. Other than that, I'll return the comment on their blog. I'm not as timely as I used to be with that, but I do make a real effort to get around to everyone eventually! I tried to answer comments on my own blog, but as I'm five hours ahead and often asleep when the bulk of the comments come in, that wasn't really working for me!
Thank you again, Theresa!
@ Michelle, aack! I fixed it. That's what happens when I write a post in real time instead of planning ahead.
@Jen, you are spot on when you say Talli Roland and Elana Johnson are blogging inspirations. But never sell yourself short. You are wise to recognize that how we manage our online presence will evolve along with our writing careers. To have blog comments develop into e-mail relationships tells me you are more than doing all the right things. I'm glad you like the new posting schedule. :)
@TerryLynn, that's a great reminder to keep our blogs fun. Otherwise we'll burn out as bloggers and authors. Welcome to Bird's-eye View!
@B.E., I think feeling guilty must be part of being an author. :) Welcome to Bird's-eye View!
@Francine, I love your point about replying to comments being like good manners. I recently read that once you have thousands of followers, you shouldn't feel as if you have to keep up with all of the comments; your comments will start dialoguing with one another, and you can chime in occasionally. I hope that's true, because I hate the thought of hurting someone's feelings. You have such a wonderful voice, once someone stops by your blog, I can't imagine their not being hooked. And I know what you mean about FB; I have only 17 likes for The Underground Gift, but one step at a time, right? I'm doing better with Twitter, although I use it to do shout outs of late-breaking news, not stats about what I'm currently doing. Unless the world really wants to know how big the walnuts are in the orchard or how much fur the kitties have shed today. :)
great interview and advice Theresa! i love the communications, but i need more time!
Hi Michelle! Thanks for hosting Theresa!
I too try to follow, comment, and reply to everyone who drops by my blog. Sometimes it gets difficult and I get burned out, but the relationships make it all worth it. Thanks for the advice!
@LR, welcome to Bird's-eye View! I agree that's one thing WordPress definitely has over Blogger is the comments feature.
@Angela, welcome to Bird's-eye View! I love your analogy of comments to laundry; without comments we'd be left stripped of blogging friends.
@BossyBetty, welcome to Bird's-eye View! I hadn't heard about the Google reader option, but I wish it let you see those all-important comments. Like you, I don't often get a chance to go back to read responses to my comments, and I feel bad that person took time to respond but the conversation dead ended.
@Emy, welcome to Bird's-eye View! I agree that the commenting relationship in the blogosphere is reciprocal; we get out what we put in. But it's an inverse reciprocal for how much time it leaves for writing that next book. :)
@Murugi, welcome to Bird's-eye View, and thank you for being a new follower! It's always fascinating to me how we discover new sites, and I'm glad this happened for you today.
Awwwwww Theresa Milstein!! Thank you lovely Michele Fayard for hosting the ever so amazing Theresa Milstein! She's just fabulous and one of my very first ever ever commenters/followers over at my silly blog when I first started out! She's a most thoughtful blogger both with her posts and her comments. She's super talented too!
These days, I return the complement of a comment by following the blogger's blog. Unfortunately I'm lagging waaaaaaaaaay behind purely because of time.
I tend to spend at LEAST 3 hours commenting on all the blogs I follow and it's very very very very difficult to keep up on a daily basis especially when I'm at work and have to sneak a comment here and there! LOL!
Saying that, the experience is fun and fab and I so agree - it's all about building relationships first and foremost! Yay for the blogging community!!! Take care
x
@Christine, welcome to Bird's-eye View, and thank you for being a new follower!
@Karen, how embarrassing to have left that typo; it must be my humility patch for the day. :) I'm going to pick your brain, if you don't mind. If you modify your settings so you receive an e-mail notification when someone comments, is there a way to see just the moderator's response, or will you get pinged, say 50 times, every time any one leaves a response?
@Laurel, welcome to Bird's-eye View, and thank you for being a new follower! I agree that we have to allow ourselves to adjust our strategy according to the other things that are happening in tandem with our writing careers.
@LTM, welcome to Bird's-eye View! Theresa is easily at the top of my Top 20 list of favorite bloggers. :)
@Emily, I couldn't agree more!
I, for sure, know more writers than I did before the days of blogging. Some, I established a bond with. Some I just know via comments. But it has definitely broadened my writer-friend list beyond my small town.
Wonderful post and discussion. I began blogging to have a platform, and I had no idea I would develop relationships. While all the related activity is indeed time-consuming, the warm sense of community is always gratifying.
@BrokenBiro, welcome to Bird's-eye View, and thank you for being a new follower! I agree it can be a balancing act between having a professional blog that isn't too stuffy. :)
@Sharon, welcome to Bird's-eye View, and thank you for being a new follower! For now I've found that what you're doing is working the best for me too--replying to comments via e-mail and trying to do a return visit as well.
@Theresa, yes, I love it when guest posters or author interviewees stop in to help comment, because I think it means a lot to followers as well. Thank you! I also love your advice: "Posting less is the best way to keep up. People still know you exist because you're commenting ... (and) when you do (post), you can make (them) count."
@Julie, welcome to Bird's-eye View! Your comment shows it really is all worthwhile to make that little bit of extra effort.
@magpie, it makes my day to know a post has shared useful information to others. And thank you for the wonderfully uplifting award! I think you're "on it" too. :)
Thanks for sharing your experience, Theresa. And good to meet you, Michelle. :)
When someone comments on my blog, my first priority is to comment back, and then visit their blog and comment. Some weeks I run behind, but overall it is my goal, and one that has produced great relationships.
Have a great weekend,
Karen
Hi Theresa
(Waves at Michelle)
I agree! If someone takes the time to read my posts and then comment on them, of course, I'd reply.
And if they follow me, I follow back and add them to my Reader. But while I respond to comments on my blog or guest blogs, I don't automatically comment on their blogs unless I feel I can contribute to the conversation.
Many times, the post whether on purpose or inadvertantly doesn't welcome interaction because it's written as a declaration rather than a discussion. To elicit comments, you have to open the door first. :)
So nice to meet you!
I agree for once, now are you are talking about something I know, Theresa. Blogging a community of wonderful people and it is about the relationship. :)
Great job ladies.
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow
@Michael, welcome to Bird's-eye View! I feel the same way about the blogging community.
@Talli, it gives me hope that if an incredible blogger like you sometimes wonders about some aspects of social media that it's OK for the rest of us to feel that way on occasion too.
@Theresa, no worries, truly. To top it all off, it's not pronounced anything like it's spelled. Should I have gone with a pen name? :)
@Tara, amen to the more time thing!
@Marlena, I love Theresa's advice for not getting burned out. It's easier not to do so when you're doing something you really love, I can't imagine any other future except one as an author. :)
Hi Theresa. *waves* I absolutely love everything you say here, especially the part about blogging just to build a platform. I was planning to do a post about how I started out that way but then it evolved into so much. I so happy it did. :D
I installed intense debate on my blog to making replying to comments easier and it also gives commenters the option to leave their email and link to their blog (that only you can see) to make connecting with them easier. I've found a lot of folks don't have their email or blog linked to their blogger profile.
Thanks Michelle and Theresa for such a great post! :)
Great interview, Theresa! You're an expert on this, and I got some great tips, so thank you :) Thanks to Michelle for hosting!
Great post/interview Theresa and Michelle.
Theresa is great commenting and replying to comments. I hang my head in shame at my haphazard response. I have made wonderful blogging friends through the commenting and I count Theresa among them! Always on hand to offer support too!
Hi Theresa, Hello Michelle,
I learnt the art of following back and commenting from Theresa. Her blog was one of the first I followed when I started blogging.
Her posts are always so uplifting and I feel she is an inspiration in the lives of her students.
Thanks Michelle for letting Theresa share with us today!
Fantastic post. I'm always interested in other people's view on comments. It takes a whole lot of time to go that extra mile with the emails. I respond in the comments section on my blog. Occasionally I'll also send an email, but it's rare. I know people do come back to check out my responses. Sometimes they will comment a second time. I was thinking of cutting back on the responses but when I asked my readers they all said don't. I like that you have cut back on posts to balance the time it takes for comments. I might consider doing that.
@Old Kitty, (I love your name, BTW!) I couldn't agree more that Theresa is a thoughtful blogger both with her posts and her comments. That's a good idea about returning the complement of a comment by following the blogger's blog. It is challenging to work a day job, write a book and have an online presence--and, oh yes, what about our wonderful families! But where would we be without the awesome support of our blogging friends?
@Helen, it brings me such joy when I see the number of countries a blog reaches. It's like fulfilling a dream of traveling without having to pack a suitcase. :)
@Katie, welcome to Bird's-eye View! You said it perfectly when you wrote: "I began blogging to have a platform, and I had no idea I would develop relationships." It truly is worth the time spent.
@Karen, I love your priority plan, because I truly believe it is the way to make and retain new friends.
@Maria, I agree it's good not to comment on a blog unless you feel you're contributing to the conversation--and that we as bloggers need to remember to write a post that invites comments and interaction.
@Jules, welcome to Bird's-eye View! And you're 100 percent correct that blogging is a great community.
Wow, look at all these comments. I said on FB that I would respond to all comments, but I don't think I need to. Michelle's got it! Thanks for all the comments from bloggers I know and bloggers I'm meeting for the first time.
Wow. This is a wonderful, useful post. Thanks so much for posting this interview, Michelle. And thank you, Theresa, for sharing all this helpful information. I'll be putting a link from this post on my blog soon.
Great post, ladies!! Blogging is definitely something that takes some strategy to tackle, what with all our other time commitments. But it is so worth it!
And congrats on 100 followers, Michelle!
Awesome post, good points. I agree with all that Theresa said. I do try to reply to commenters but am not sure about emailing them in case they don't like it. Very helpful info, Theresa, Michelle! :) Thank you!
What a great interview. I like so much the emphasis on building relationships taking priority over trying to build a platform. A major thing I've enjoyed since I started blogging is meeting new writing friends and exchanging ideas and information with them. You always have good posts, Michelle, and I was glad to "meet" Theresa.
Great interview!
Yes Blogger... please listen to Theresa's request for email/comment ease ;)
I started blogging to create a platform... but thankfully within weeks I found the community - I love the community. x
@Cheryl Anne, welcome to Bird's-eye View! I am looking forward to the post your planning to write about platforms. I'd like to know more about IntenseDebate. Is it only for WordPress though?
@Jess, welcome to Bird's-eye View! I love a post like this that's a "saver."
@Ann, welcome to Bird's-eye View, and thank you for being a new follower! As author Karen Walker says: "The way I find balance is to only have a few key things I want to accomplish each day. That way, I don’t overwhelm myself and can feel successful, rather than a failure because I didn’t do what I wanted to do."
@Nas, what a beautiful compliment to Theresa; both of your blogs continually inspire me. Theresa's students are very lucky.
@Lynda, welcome to Bird's-eye View! It's interesting and heartening to learn that followers would rather have fewer posts and more comments.
That's true, Michelle. I now have friends in Africa, Australia, Norway and all over the world!
This is GREAT and T, you are a saint!! <<33 I think it matters if you at least respond in "some" way to comments, and most appreciate a visit to their site! xoxo
@Michelle No, intense debate is not just for wordpress, I use it on my blogspot blog. If you check out my comment section you can see how I can reply to each commenter in their own thread, plus I get an email with the commenter's email address. And, I can reply to comments from my email and they post right to my blog. It's a pretty neat tool.
In my earlier comment I meant to say that I started out blogging to build a platform but it evolved into so much more than that. I really shouldn't be posting
comments from my iPhone. They never come out right. (as I type this from my iPhone) Lol
@Rosi, what a beautiful compliment to hear someone say they're putting a link from this post onto their blog--especially since your blog is one of my favorites. :)
@Alexia, I couldn't agree more than the day I started blogging, my writing world got better. And thanks for noticing the big 100. I'd planned to announce next week I'd be doing a giveaway to celebrate this milestone, but it happened more quickly than I thought--a good thing though! So now I'll just go straight to announcing the winner. :)
@Len, welcome to Bird's-eye View! At first I was e-mailing commenters to let them know they have a response, but lately I've been segueing into adding that I've left a response to their comment on my blog as I leave a comment to their blog post.
@Elizabeth, your blog was one of my inspirations along with Rosi's. I'm so glad you enjoyed today's post.
@Michelle, welcome to Bird's-eye View, and thank you for being a new follower! I have my fingers crossed Blogger will listen to our heartfelt pleas.
@Christina, welcome to Bird's-eye View!I think you said it perfectly.
@CherylAnne, that's great news IntenseDebate works on Blogger too. I see what you mean that your reply goes immediately beneath the comment you're replying too. I know I'm going to be asking for too much here, but does it automatically let your followers know when you've replied to their comments? I have my fingers crossed!
Hmmm. I'm not sure. I've just recently started using it and am still learning about all the features. I'll definitely check into it and let you know what I find out.
@CherylAnne, if it does, I would love to shout out the great news via a guest post!
this is a very interesting interview
You are my blogging inspiration. I love when I get emails from you. I keep promising myself I am going to do it too.
What an awesome interview Michelle and Theressa. I think I have to adapt my approach to less blogging and more commenting too. The quality and relationshis, I agree are the most important things. Thanks so much, loved it.
Michelle thanks for the visit and the follow on my blog. I'm a new follower too.
Hi Michelle and Theresa .. great article .. and so many wonderful commenters .. I follow and subscribe - but most importantly I like to reply to comments on my blog and I endeavour to comment across on their blog too -
I feel I develop my relationships through the blogs, but have added a little with a few bloggers via email - but if I did that too often .. I'd fail to reply to comments on my blog, or commenting across ..
Good to read .. thanks - Hilary
Great interview, ladies! I agree with Theresa in that blogging (for me and for many others) is about building relationships. I don't want to post just to post. I like hearing what people have to say, and I like following their blogs and finding out what they're up to. It really is a form of dialogue, and I enjoy it immensely.
And I do think it's important to be reciprocal. Everybody who visits and comments my blog deserves a comment back on their blog. Just as I appreciate someone letting me know they stopped in, I know they'd appreciate it, too.
Fascinating interview. I always reply to comments via email, and then visit their blog. I don't always get round to it straight away because of other commitments, but I always reply.
I decided to delete my comment that responded to many of the first commenters, so it doesn't muddle the comment thread. Thanks for everyone who has commented so far. I'll visit your blogs soon!
Michelle, that's a great idea to visit other blogs and comment + add that you've left a response on your blog.
I admit, I'm really tight on time, so i've made the decision to visit the blogs of my commenters rather than email or re-comment on my blog. I'll add a comment if there is a direct question to me; and if a commenter has a blog without any new posts, I'll email them. It's worked for me. Not perfect, but sometimes I can barely do one thing--visit blogs--and actually get some sleep that night.
Oh, and hi Michelle! (*waves*) You just got a new follower. :)
Great interview and Theresa is awesome. I try my best to respond to comments. It's usually by email. I also try and comment as much as I can.
We have a great writer/blogging community.
Gotta agree with just about everything you said here, Theresa. I rarely respond by email because of the time factor, like you pointed out. I seem to be continually behind and can't afford to spend much more time on the responses. I do believe that commenting is of at least equal importance to what a blogger posts. Before I started commenting on other blogs I had some fairly decent posts that were read by very few others and sometimes no one. Commenting made all the difference.
Thanks, Michelle, for having Theresa as a guest to spread this important message.
Lee
Tossing It Out
I found your blog through Theresa's and am so glad I did. Now following. Great interview!
Very interesting post, but I'd expect nothing less from Theresa! Thanks for having her guest post Michelle, awesome topic and definitely not one I've come across before!
Great post Theresa! I do a lot of the same stuff as you - comment on my own blog and visit the blogs of each commenter. You're certainly right, we writers like to know we're being read!
Great post. There is an award for you on my blog.
Blogger just lost my beautifully crafted comment! Three paragraphs that I can't replicate. Do I dare say I don't like Blogger?!
I met the gifted and friendly Theresa when I first started blogging a year and a half ago. And along with her, I've made so many awesome friends during this time that I want to keep blogging. To handle it, I've been thinking about doing just what Theresa says here: post twice a week; do one hour a day minimum to comment on blogs. Emails are acceptable by most bloggers; a few don't want this, but her suggestions for doing this--cutting and pasting what you want to comment on--is perfect.
Thank you so much, Michelle, for hosting Theresa.
Ann Best, Author of In the Mirror, A Memoir of Shattered Secrets
AWESOME post! Very informative! ;D
This was a lot of really great information! Thank you!
Boy, I'm running really late today. This is such a wonderful post. I agree that blogging is all about building a dialogue. I do basically the same as you, except I don't email.
Michelle, thanks for hosting Theresa.
I rarely comment on my own blog because most bloggers don't go back to see how you answered their question. Often I'll just respond to them personally (if there's an email address attached to their comment). I ALWAYS comment on the blogs of each blogger who commented on mine. Yes, it's time consuming when you get 30-60 + comments per post, but it's worth it. :)
@Bending Enthusiast, thanks for stopping by Bird's-eye View!
@Missed Periods, welcome to Bird's-eye View! I agree Theresa is an inspiration, but I think most of us are in our own way without giving ourselves credit.
@Wendy, welcome to Bird's-eye View, and thank you for being a new follower! As a result of this post, I also feel much better about choosing to blog only twice a week but to make those posts hopefully of a higher quality as a result.
@Hilary, welcome to Bird's-eye View! I admire bloggers like you who not only respond to the comments you receive but go that extra mile to leave feedback on the commenter's blog as well.
@Jennifer, you say it perfectly when you write that the best way to have a friend is to be a friend.
@Ellie, you and Theresa do this exactly the same way, and you're both highly successful bloggers. I see a trend!
@Lydia, welcome to Bird's-eye View, and thank you for being a new follower! I've just pasted your advice "I've (decided) to visit the blogs of my commenters rather than email or re-comment on my blog" to my blogging words of wisdom list. Thank you for reminding us that it's OK to choose to do something well than too many things not well enough.
@Christine, it's uplifting to see how many people care enough to go the extra mile. This could be why certain blogs are my favorites; it's not just the content but the connection.
@Arlee, I agree with your observation that commenting can be as equally or more important than what a blogger posts. It does make a world of difference when people know you genuinely care.
@Susanna, welcome to Bird's-eye View, and thank you for being a new follower! I look forward to "talking" with you in the future. :)
@J.C., welcome to Bird's-eye View, and thank you for being a new follower! This truly is a topic that impacts us all, and Theresa is one of the best people to advise us in selecting how to best manage our comments. :)
@Deniz, I think probably everyone likes to know we've read read and appreciated. :)
@Rachna, thank you very much for the Seriously Cute Blogger award! I'll thank you officially with a blog post. But what will I tell our 12 rescue kitties about the adorable dog in the button? :)
@Ann, I'm so sad and frustrated along with you about Blogger eating your comment. I'm sure it makes you doubly glad you've switched over to WordPress. I must be really slow, because I find it takes more than an hour for me to respond to my comments and comment back on my commenter's blog. I would love any wisdom you have to share about how to keep the time under control. In fact, this could be a perfect guest post, should you ever have time in the future to do so. Wishing you a great day!
@lbiamond, welcome to Bird's-eye View!
@Peggy, welcome to Bird's-eye View; I look forward to "talking" with you in the future. :)
@Carol, I feel I'm running really late today, having been out of town until a couple of hours ago. You have a wonderfully warm rapport with your followers that I greatly enjoy.
@Stina, welcome to Bird's-eye View, and thank you for being a new follower! Your comment about rarely commenting on your own blog because most bloggers don't go back to see how you answered their question gave me serious food for thought--and a big plea to Blogger to make it easier for commenters to see our responses to them.
So true! The genuiness of posts and comments will shine through when in fact they are genuine! That said, when blogging ceases to be fun and rewarding, don't blog. Great post!
Fantastic interview. I love Theresa's emails and comments. She's a genuine, caring person.
I try to respond to everyone's comments. I also dedicate a small portion of my day commenting on blogs. There's a wonderful sense of camaraderie among bloggers. Many of them are giving and enjoy sharing their ideas, personal lives, writing tips, and book recommendations.
Thanks for such kind words, Michelle. I love my followers :)
...loved the interview ;)
This writing community has grown ten-fold over the past couple of years. The support has been uncanny, and posts like this one are a major reason why!
Well done ;)
EL
I always try to comment back on another person's blog (but being human, sometimes I miss one). This was great!
@Liz, your words have great wisdom--to be genuine and ensure blogging doesn't become slogging.
@Medeia, it's almost as if we don't comment we're saying "I'm not listening."
@Elliot, welcome to Bird's-eye View, and thank you for being a new follower! I'm glad you enjoyed Theresa's post.
@Alleged Author, it's always good to see you. I'm glad you also enjoyed Theresa's post.
Great post. I usuallly comment back when someone comments on my blog and have wondered if they ever realized it. I like the idea of sending them an email letting them know. Thanks for the tip.
@Reagan, welcome to Bird's-eye View, and thank you for being a new follower! I'm glad Theresa's suggestions helped. :)
I've been away, but just got a little time to check on the comments. Thank you everyone who has commented. As soon as I have more time later in the week when I'm back home, I'm going to visit your blogs.
Hi Theresa. Hi Michelle! What a great, helpful interview. Thanks for sharing Theresa. You are an inspiration, too, along with some other shining lights of the blogging community.
I try to comment on my blog in response to comments but I often wonder is it a waste of time? Does anyone come back? I don't. I always visit a commenter on their blog. I prefer this to email. I like to support a blogger's posts, not clog up their email unless it's a private matter.
Denise
You're right Michelle!
@L'Aussie, I used to send an e-mail message letting someone know they had a response to their comment, but more and more I find myself just leaving a comment on their blog with a quick P.S. letting them know I've left a response on my blog as well.
I always try to reciprocate when someone leaves a comments. I appreciate comments very much and so I let bloggers know this by stoping by their site and leaving comments. Thanks for the tips!
Interesting post, Michelle and Theresa. I respond to comments on my blogs, but lately, I've also been responding by email. Time being in short supply, I guess people don't return to see if I've responded, so email works. If I'm leaving comments on someone else blog with no response at all, most likely, I won't stick around for long. It's plain good manners to acknowledge the time someone takes to stop by my blog.
@Stephen, welcome to Bird's-eye View! Reciprocating truly is the way to go.
@J.L., you're so right that if commenters don't see our responses, we've basically written a note for only ourselves to read. It's better to use that time to find a way, as you're doing, to reconnect with our commenters. I've learned so much from you; thank you!
Over time, I've discovered that very few people return to check on responses. I don't most times, unless the subject is very interesting.
No problem, Michelle. It's hard to quantify just how much help I've been given by other writers. Publication wouldn't have been possible without the writers who have helped me on the way. Without even thinking about it, that what we writers do, pass on our knowledge to the communities and friendships we forge on the journey.
Oooh! I get to be commenter #100. I love this post! I really wish I could comment more regularly, but as most of the time, I only get to blog hope once a week! I do, however, take the time to visit the my commenters' blogs and leave a message there. I think it's a great way to keep online friendships going.
nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
@nutschell, I was wondering if this post would hit 100 comments, and you made it happen! Although I think we all wish we had more time to comment and post, I admire that you make it a priority to take time to visit your commenters' blogs and leave a message.
i tend to leave comments but then forget to ever check for replies.
Thank you for this interview, Theresa and Michelle!
Theresa, you have so much wisdom to share. You are truly one of the greatest bloggers I know and have one of the friendliest blogs. Thank you for sharing.
Michelle, it's so nice to meet you! Thank you for hosting this interview!
@j. littlejohn, welcome to Bird's-eye View! It sounds as if most of us don't get a chance to read the nice things the blog administrator says to his or her followers' comments. I love the advice in this post's comments that suggests that instead of replying to your own blog's comments, unless you've been asked a specific question, it can be better to use that time to comment on their blog instead.
@Shelley, welcome to Bird's-eye View, and thank you for being a new follower! Theresa is a true day brightener for how she reaches out to others with a genuinely caring and can-do attitude.
Great post Theresa! I agree with you about returning the courtesy. I try, though sometimes when I'm super busy, I fail. But I love the e-mail relationships that come from replying that way. I've had some great conversations.
@Janet, welcome to Bird's-eye View, and thank you for being a new follower! I think it's OK to allow ourselves to not comment as often when we're in the middle of a big writing or editing stretch.
Oh my goodness, there are even more comments! I'm working on visiting all of your blogs as quickly as I can!
Hi Michelle,
You have one amazing blog and interviews are so informative. I love receiving comments. That's why I'm here. To thank you for the one you left on my blog. You have no idea how much it touched me. Comments like yours are what keep me writing. Thank you for finding me. It's great to meet you. This is definitely one of those blogs I keep returning to. You made my day. Liz
Novelmoments.blogspot.com
@Liz, you just made my day in return; thank you!
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