A few days ago I posed a question about proper commenting etiquette and today I would like to share with you what I found on the subject. Here is a link to my previous post and comments What IS Proper Blogging/Commenting Etiquette. My new blogger friend, Sara also posted this question on her blog, so if you would like to read her post and comments as well, click here.
First of all, I would like to say that I don't have the perfect answer to this question and I'm not here to inform you, as to whether you are doing it right or wrong.
I'd like to start out by telling you what made me start thinking about this in the first place. After visiting and reading other blogs, I noticed that some people never respond to their comments on their blogs. In fact, I have even left questions on a blog, only to find no response after returning several times looking for a reply, thus discouraging me to ever return to their blog.
When I am reading a blog's comments, I like to see the blogger responding and relating to their commenters. This to me, shows that there is a relationship there and that they actually care enough, to interact with their readers. After all, a relationship is a two way street. I mean if you're not going to respond, then you might as well not even have an interactive comment section available, right? I also noticed that some bloggers don't respond to their comments on their own blogs, instead they respond, on the commenter's blog, so I actually started doing it that way myself. This is what confused me and made me start searching for proper comment etiquette.
After searching and reading up on this subject, I have decided to go back to responding to comments on my own blog most of the time, instead of responding on their blog or emailing them, unless I am replying to a personal question or subject matter. I'm sure there will probably be times when I will respond on both my blog and theirs, like I did with someone last night. I just want to make sure my readers are not left out of whatever the discussion may be.
I'd like to leave you with some links that I found on the subject of Comment Etiquette. Hope you enjoy them as much as I have.
Lost Art of Blogging ~ The Comment Etiquette: The Guide to Proper Blog Commenting
Rose DesRochers - World Outside My Window ~ Blogging Etiquette - Return Visits
Problogger ~ Should you respond to comments via email or in comments?
tenForty ~ Basic Blogging Etiquette, Do's and Don'ts, Plagiarsism
I guess the answer is "to respond". I found on my blog that everyone did it differently, but all agreed that you need to respond!
ReplyDeleteThis was interesting, especially realizing that almost everyone wanted to know the same question!!
thanks for doing all this research, debra. :) i try to do both myself... depending. it's confusing huh?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info, I haven't been responding to questions on my blog cause I wasn't sure if people returned to read them. I am glad to know they do and I will answer on my blog instead of going to their blog to answer.
ReplyDeleteMolly
Sara, H-Mama and Molly, thanks for your comments this morning. I think Sara put it so well, "the answer is to respond!" Everyone has to do that, in whatever manner they feel is right, for them.
ReplyDeleteI am leaving for the day, but I will check back tonight, to read and reply to all of these comments. Hope you all have a great day. :)
Thanks for the answers. I might have to start leaving response on my blog, for those that I can't respond by email. thanks for the suggestions. Have a wonderful day!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the research!
ReplyDeleteLeah, Tanya and Carol, thank you for your comments...this has been a confusing subject. I'm still not exactly sure what the proper commenting etiquette really is because everyone has their own opionion, so I will just do it the way I think is best for me and for my readers and see what happens.
ReplyDeleteLeah, I was also tagged for this, Only Eight meme by Tanya and I just haven't gotten to it yet because Monday after my Dr. appt. I wasn't feeling well and slept all day and then today we were out of town taking my daughter to a Dr. appt. and then, lunch at Olive Garden and shopping at the mall. I WILL play the game of tag though, hopefully tomorrow or Thursday, i will get it posted :)
Thanks for tackling this. I'm not sure that there is one preferred way, but commenting on your own blog makes sense so that people can easily follow that. I may have to start doing that. I think I've been afraid that people wouldn't come back, and so I go to their blogs, like I just did yours. It's really confusing!
ReplyDelete2nd Cup of Coffee, you're sooo right, it is confusing!
ReplyDelete