I'm wondering about comments. I want to ask those of you who read my letters, and leave frequent or occasional comments, a couple questions. I am very, very interested in your answers.
As far as I can figure, there are three ways to deal with comments. If you ask a question, or make a comment which I'd like to respond to:
One. Do you like to go back to the particular blog entry comment section to read an answer or response?
Two. Would you prefer I come over to your blog, and answer or respond? (Of course this won't work with those who don't keep a blog)
Three. Would you like to see a weekly question and answer (q & a) entry on my blog which answers or responds to the previous week's comments?
Thanks a million for your input.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteThere are blogs I read and enjoy very much were I have nothing to add - my commentary would be appreciative but would add little to a conversation.
There are topics or commentary that resonate deeply and I may comment as I did with your "Letters" on Thanksgiving and Sarah Vowell.
Usually when I contribute and it seems that there is an active commentary, I do go back to the original post and read new entries.
Some bloggers do respond to commentary posted - some do not. Depends on the blog topic as to how I feel about the blogger responding.
In preference and how I keep my "favorites" bookmarked is worked out by consistency. I read quite a few daily and a few that are weekenders only.
I am in the mid-point of transistion and when settled will start a blog. I've postponed it because I want it to be consistent.I find reading bloggers that write daily is finding a new friend, one who we could consider "coffee klatching" or being neighbors who say goodmorning and have a brief chat each day. It is in, some ways, a step back in time.
I really don't have a pat answer for you. It would be interesting to read your commentary on the comments. You are a wonderful writer and so giving of yourself as is. In other words, totally your call as you see fit to comment and free time.
Nan, either number one or the second one is right for me.
ReplyDeleteOnly sometimes I forget to go back to the blog where I made a comment.
Nan,
ReplyDeleteThis is something I too have been thinking about - and after some thinking I prefer your first suggestion. If I answer on another blog some people won't understand what I'm talking about.
I have found that I usually go back to read new comments so my answer is number one.
Margaretha
Funny, I was thinking about this too. I try to reply to every comment I get, even if it's only to say 'Thank you'.
ReplyDeleteI suppose that's because I like to chat to people and that's what it feels like to me.
Having said that, I really think that one should do whatever one is most comfortable with.
I like number one best. It seems to keep the comments on the topic. If you respond by going over to my blog, other readers might not know what you are refering to. I like coming back and seeing what others have said.
ReplyDeleteHi Nan:
ReplyDeleteI answer all comments on my blog. I feel if people take the time to visit, read my blog and leave a comment, then they deserve a response from me. I am not sure just how many people revisit to check my answers,my guess would be very few, but this is the way that I have decided to respond to comments. I am not sure just ow helpful this will be to you, but in the end, I guess everyone has to do what feels right for them. Donna at Avon Musings.
Option one is my choice. I try to go back to the blogs where I have left a comment and read the response. There is a box to check on the comment page that allows follow-up comments to be e-mailed directly to me. This is the most convenient of all...I just need to remember to check that little box!
ReplyDeleteHi Nan! Here are my thoughts ...
ReplyDeleteOption One - this is the simplest way, but I sometimes forget to go back and look for an answer. If it was a really important question I DO go back, but sometimes it hasn't been answered on my return visit, and then I DO forget to come back a 2nd time.
Option Two - this is perfectly fine with me, provided that you say something like "in answer to your question on my blog ..." so that the other commenters don't get confused. :)
Option Three - personally, I like this one the best, but it also creates more work for you so I'm not sure that it is the correct answer either.
Sorry I don't have a firm opinion ... I'm a more "go with the flow" kind of gal. :)
I go back to posts where I have left a comment. It is nice to see a reply or acknowledgement, it feels like a friendly chat.
ReplyDeleteNan, I don't expect a response to my comment UNLESS I ask a direct question. In that regard I always look back at your blog to see if you answer me.
ReplyDeleteIf you came to my blog to answer it would be just fine too. I rarely see that you are at my blog because you so seldom comment there. I think of it as you operating like I do. I always read your blog but I don't always comment.
I hope I answered your question.
I'd say the first option. If I asked a question that invited an answer, I'd tick the box and get follow up, or come back and check the next time I was by.
ReplyDeleteThe 2nd option gets confusing, and the conversation is hard to follow.
3 wouldn't be bad, but it might be disjointed as well.
thanks for asking!
I usually click on the "email follow comments" so I don't have to try to remember which post I'm waiting for an answer to. So, I guess I prefer you answer my question here on the specific post I asked it on.
ReplyDeleteHi Nan,
ReplyDeleteSeems I agree with most comments here - option #1 - I tend to go back to the blog where I've left a comment or question to see if there was a response. Most comments I leave are just that - and don't require a response, but as someone else stated, it does seem like a friendly chat when there is an acknowledgment. On my blog, I tend to acknowledge 3 or 4 comments (if I get that many) with one comment back from me. Sometimes I don't respond if it doesn't seem necessary. And I chuckle a little when I respond to you, my namesake friend, because some people think it is me talking to myself. You and I know the truth!
Oh, dear. #1 is winning hands down. But I like either 2 or 3, preferably 3. I enjoy reading a blog of comments which is something not many of us do. It's so easy. I don't have to go back to all the blogs to see if there have been new comments and answers.
ReplyDeletemd
Well, I've only just recently found your blog, but as a newbie to your site, I have to say I love the way you jump in and visit when comments lend themselves to chatting. So my vote goes to option #1.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about this too. I'm a bit inconsistent on my own blog. Some comments are easy to reply to and I think of them as having a chat, whereas others all I can think of to say is "thank you". So sometimes I respond and sometimes I don't. Sometimes I'll email a reply to the person concerned.
ReplyDeleteTo answer your questions I do like to go back to a blog to see if there is an answer or response back to my comment. I don't mind if you comment back on my blog. I think option three would be a lot of work for you and I'm not sure how it would work in practice - different topics and different comments to cope with.
An interesting conundrum! I hope you're going to write a post on what you decide because replying to all of us who've commented here will be time-consuming I should think.
Oh and as I don't use my Blogger blog there is no box to tick to see if there are follow up posts when I comment with another identity - I hope that makes sense.
I often forget to go back to the original blog so it's better for me if somebody just drops by my blog and responds there. Thank you for asking.
ReplyDeleteI generally go back to the original post, but you're always very welcome to visit my blog ;)
ReplyDeleteI think you might find a weekly comment round-up a slightly dull task, whereas writing a reply as you went along - well, that's a blog community!
Joanna
if I think of it I go back to a post where I posted a comment - especially if I raise a question, but that's time dependent.
ReplyDeletelife sometimes interferes and I fall behind in keeping up on blogs that I enjoy - so there are times where I play 'catch up' and read a whole slew of posts from the blogs I enjoy. when that happens I often don't comment or check comments - again that whole time bit.
good luck. just do what works for you!!
I do have a question -I have found that word verification prevents comment spam so I always wonder about comment moderation. what prompted you to institute comment moderation? were you receiving nasty or negative comments? just curious....
you don't have to answer, but if you do you can:
1) post your reply in this post
2)come over to the mouse and drop that answer, or
3) include that in a weekly q&a post