Recently my posts just haven't been coming out properly. I start a post, but I never end up finishing it. They always seem silly or boring. But today I'm going to try getting this out, because it seems really important to me.
So without farther ado...FIVE REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD REPLY TO YOUR COMMENTS.
It let's people you read and acknowledged what they said. This I think is really important. They spent the time to write those comments and leave you some feedback, the least you can do is say thank you. It makes people feel like their comments mean something to you when you reply.
Replying helps you get to know your readers. Who knows, maybe you will start a conversation with someone in the comments. You might even make a new friend. And making friends is what blogging is all about, remember.
People are more likely to leave a comment if you reply. Everyone loves getting comments, but when there is no way to know that you're reading the comments they're more likely to just leave. Which none of us want to happen!
I've also noticed that people are less likely to read a blog with someone who doesn't reply. Because it looks like the author is only writing for themselves and doesn't care if anyone reads.
Replying makes you more likely to read the comments properly. Admit it, all too often we just skim the comments we get given, but if we have to reply, we tend to read the comments properly, seeking out things to say back.
You learn a lot about how a post went down. I don't know about you, but when I strike up a conversation in the comments, most of the time I end up finding out what people really think about my posts. What I could do better and what people like most?
This is a great way to learn what to do better in the future and make your blog even better! Everyone wants that, right?
Well those are my FIVE reasons, there are many more, but these are just five of them. If you have anything to add, please tell me!
I know replying is hard work (especially for you popular bloggers out there), but it's really worth it. You can learn a lot from just replying to comments.
But on this note, I'm also planning on writing a post on 'How to Make Time to Reply to Comments', so look out for that.
And to clear things up, this is not directed at anyone! I'm not pointing fingers, this is just my views. If you don't reply to comments, that's fine. There's nothing to be ashamed of! These are just my thoughts for my blog, things might be different on yours.
-Kat
I totally agree!! One of my pet blogger peeves is when a blog post asks a question and you never get a reply. One or two blogs in particular have DISCUSSION features that ask your opinion and one of the bloggers never replys to any comments, ever, and the other one sometimes replys to the first two or three. Both of these are blogs with large followings and I think they might be just riding on their laurels, caring only that publishers, author's, and blog tour sponsors see huge numbers. The industry folks need to stop by these blogs and see via comment numbers just how low their readership actually is. There are tons of other blogs with much smaller follower totals that get a multitude of comments! There is one of my favorite blogs, Paper Fury (Cait just changed her blog from The Note Book Sisters) who gets around 100 comments per post and she answers every single one of them, on every post! I answer all of my commenters and if they are new, or not repaying a blog visit, I make sure to thank them for stopping by and I repay the blog visit if it is made within a week or so of the post date.
ReplyDeleteThat's is really annoying! I find myself asking, 'Why bother?' The discussions are the worst, why are they called that? Why do these people even have them when that's not what they really are.
DeleteI think that Cait (and everyone other blogger like her), really shows what it's like to be an awesome blogger. She shows what it means to really do this blogging thing and do it right. No one does more than Cait!
I try to reply to all my comments as well, and if I the time (like if I'm not rushing out the door), then I try to comment back on their blogs too. I think that this is necessary to do this to be counted as a 'good blogger'.
Thanks so much for stopping by! Your comment means a lot:)
Yes, the blog visits and commenting back and forth are the heart of book blogging and I think some bloggers forget that after awhile. Even if the reply is only a thank-you, at least you know they read your comment. :)
ReplyDeleteI know! I find it so sad when bloggers stops replying to their comments. It's like something is missing.
DeleteIf posts are the brain of a blog..then comments are it's heart :)
ReplyDeleteThese are some brilliant reasons for replying to comments I like that 2nd 'friend' reason the most...it's like having a digital age pen pal :)
I love blogs where people take out to actually read your comments and reply accordingly instead of a simply thank you for comment...it's really annoying when people don't reply to your comments :/
What's worse are some people who don't even read your post and simply copy paste a message on your blog asking you to follow them and then they'll follow back...what are they trying to buy a follow? If you like a blog follow it...you can't ask someone to follow you and then only you'll follow them back (Although most of them don't follow back :P)...
Waiting to read your 'How to Make Time to Reply to Comments' post :D
Neal Kind
Daily Diaries
That's a wonderful way of putting it, would you mind me borrowing that?
DeleteA digital age pen pal, hmm. I'd definitely say that's what bloggers are. It's the faster more efficient way of being pen pals, but sadly that can't happen if people don't reply.
Oh the 'will you follow me?'. I hate that. Especially when they never even post on their blogs. It shows that they don't really care for their blogs that much to properly earn their readers.
Sure you can borrow it :D
DeleteI think they care about their blog but not the people following it :P
Thank you so much!
DeleteYou're too right:)
I'm looking forward to your post on how to make time, too, lol. XD I am sooo behind on replying to comments right now it's becoming overwhelming. D: I want to reply to all my comments, but it does get exhausting.
ReplyDeleteSTILL.
I think replying to comments is the best and most nicest thing a blogger can do. Aren't we trying to have a conversation, after all?!! It's all very one sided if a blogger doesn't care/answer commenters. I'm totally not likely to talk to bloggers who never talk back to me.
I admire you for replying to all those comments. It can't be easy with so many! I have only a few, but I still find making time hard.
DeleteYes, that's exactly what posting is about! It's not so you can talk to yourself, but others.
This is such a cool post! I will always respond to my comments (unless it's a giveawaysnd im ust asking you want u want to win) all my other opinions I will always answer. You took the time to read my post (most likely) and leave me some love there isn't any reason why I can't do the same. What I have noticed is that between my blog (which has gotten a bit busy as of late) and answering my comments im losing time visiting others. I try to make my round best as possible but I wish I had more time for that. Great topic dear!
ReplyDelete-Britt @ please feed the bookworm
Thank you!
DeleteYes, it's like they've done something for you and so you have to give them something in return. I will try to make a section in my 'How to Make Time to Reply to Comments' post on how to make time to visit other blogs. I how that it will help you.
Great post! I started answering comments because I realized how much I liked when someone replied to my own comments on their blog, and how you can open a conversation and get to know other bloggers like that! Like Britter, I always respond to my comments, sometimes right away, sometimes when I have a few, except when I am running a giveaway cause I don't want to mess with the comments when checking them for entries!
ReplyDeleteIt's a common mistake with newer bloggers not to answer comments and then they wonder why they're never getting any!
DeleteI try to get my comments all answered as soon as possible, so that if readers come back, they find I've replied.
Yes! I love this post!
ReplyDeletexx
Thank you so much!
DeleteTHIS! I really try to reply to each and every comment. It does get hard when your site is big I'm sure, but I think it's important at least to engage in some discussion and reply to questions etc :)
ReplyDeleteEven for a blog the size of mine, I find it hard to keep replying, but it's so important to having a blog that people love to read and want to come back again and again. It makes you seem a much more friendly person if you engage in a conversation!
DeleteThis is a great post. Answering comments is the least I can do for my followers. I mean, I always feel like I'm totally spamming them with my posts, so if I get some positive feedback I answer as soon as I can. If it's negative feedback, I'll answer too because I can learn from others. And if it's a discussion I ignited with one of my posts, answering a comment and trying to see things from a different point of view is kind of the point of why I have a comment box.
ReplyDeleteI know! Even if we don't have time to do anything else, replying is one small thing we can do to show we care. Getting feedback is one of the best things you can have. When someone comes and adds something to your post, there isn't a better feeling. And if someone disagrees, that's fine. It's their view and you can learn a lot from listening to their reasoning.
DeleteI love reading my comments and responding to them. When people take their time to read my blog and comment on it, I find it rude not to respond, and I love my followers! They're what makes me want to keep posting.
ReplyDelete- Love, Felicia
( http://asillygirlsthoughts.weebly.com/ )
I love reading comments as well. It's nice to be able to hear what other people think.
DeleteThat's so true. Nice thoughts!
Hey, I just read through this post and it's comments and it got me thinking. For a while, I was so obsessed with trying to be like the 'popular' blogs that I just did everything they did, i.e: not reply to readers comments. I realize now that I don't want my blog to be popular in that way, and seem like I think I am above everybody else, I want my blog to be popular because it is a nice place to hang out and read posts and comment, knowing you will get a comment back. Thank you for making me realize this Kat, and also thank you for taking my survey ;-) xx
ReplyDeleteI wanted to be a 'popular' blog for a while to, but then I realised that those blogs are only popular because everything thinks it's the 'done thing' to read those blogs or they think that by commenting on their blogs they'll get more traffic to their own blogs. Sadly this doesn't seem true. Actually I've found that if you comment on a less popular blog, the author is more likely to read your comment and visit your blog and be a proper reader.
DeleteI didn't mean to say you were wrong or anything, I just hope you didn't think I meant that!