So you thiNk you CaN BlOg?
So you think you can blog? You think you put a lot of time and effort into your blog? Well I would say I have, but you be the judge of it... Every picture tells a story they say.....well so does a chair!~ and yes it is damaged from me sitting on it!~
But don't worry, yes the chair is 100 years old and an antique, but I fixed it...yes just throw a pillow on top and BAM! it's fixed!!
This brings me to my Topic!I want feedback and opinions. Being a new bloggie myself, I am not sure on blogging manners. First off, let's start with Meme parties. Is the host of the Meme party suppose to go to every post and comment? Perhaps a blogger has stopped by another blog several times and left a nice comment, and kindly asked her to stop by at her blog , and the other blogger never comments back to her or on her blog, do you think you should still follow that person? or do you think people get too sensitive in blog land? I am not sure on any of it, and I want to be the best that I can be! Let me know your opinions. And for the record....I do have blogger butt!
Labels: blogging manners, Open Forum, opinions
posted by Debbiedoos @ 4:42 PM
40 Comments:
Good questions. I'm new too. I can't wait to hear the answers. I do comment to someone when they become a follower. But, I wouldn't drop someone for not commenting. I follow when I like the blog content.
Sometimes I never comment, just enjoy the projects and their lives.
By the way love the chair fix.
For the really popular blogs I think it's understandable they can't visit everyone, it's just not possible but I think it's really nice when they let you know they do read and appreciate all the comments. Plus, I think a really good blogger is one who somehow makes that connection with their readers as if they're speaking just to them so you don't mind not hearing back. You feel a part of their lives anyway! Being a good photographer definitely helps (I'm not there yet!!!).
This is a common concern Deb, that I see raised from time to time. I think it's more a matter of personal opinion and style than it is what some might call good blogging etiquette.
It's only my opinion, and I know some will agree and disagree. I don't host a meme, but if I did, I would feel an obligation to visit and comment on every other post since they are linking back to my site. The issue that this brings up is if it becomes a very popular meme with hundreds of entries (and I've seen some like that), then what do you do as the host? Hmmmmmm. Perhaps visit some this time and the others the next time? I don't know.
Whether or not to keep following someone who never visits you and comments on your posts is again a matter of opinion. There are several blogs for me that fit that category. I just enjoy their posts so much that not seeing them visit here doesn't bother me much. There are many bloggers who have a "if you don't follow me, I'm not following you" approach. There are a number of people who follow me, who I just have no connection to their blog whatsoever. Their theme, style and writing topics just do not appeal to me. But because they follow me and leave comments, I make it a point of visiting them once in a while and commenting where I can. Again, to each their own.
I'm cautious of adhering to some blogging standard that suggests this is how you do things, and if you don't, you are not minding your manners. I think you should develop your own style and standards and "follow" your instincts.
Matty out!
Personally, I have visited other blogs and I have different criteria for returning to that blog. My requirements for following: Is the person down to earth? Are they personable? Is their info applicable to me? Do I feel connected to that blogger? More or less some of the questions you are asking. I like your blog because you fit my criteria and then some. The other blogs that I have read, I don't see a personal connection from blogger to reader(why not to some degree?) and the material may not appeal to me on a broad range(they talk about 1 subject, which gets monotonous and seems kind of selfish). I know you asked questions and I am on subject, but not guiding you, but I feel that it is important to tell you what I like about your blog, so that you know that one person(more likely lots others;))come to your blog because it is a good experience and it is a welcoming place. I have seen you respond to many different people and I don't think response to every comment is necessary(you'd develop roots to the chair then!) Go to RMS and look up MyPointofview(Elizabeth Maxwell), her blog is good, different from yours but good in a varied sense. Your aesthetics are pleasing as well! I am glad that you care what others think and are considerate of etiquette! Hugs to you!
This is awesome feedback so far, and I am glad I opened up the topic. I never want to be perceived as selfish, but yet I don't want to over function either. I do see some dropping blogs because they feel the blogger is self consumed. Now a blog is personal and varies in content from person to person. I am digging the feedback, gives me a better idea too of what people are looking for out of a blog.....thanks everyone so far:)
Chair looks AWESOME!!
I brought up some great questions. I've seen some meme hosts go around to check the links in.
I followed the people who follow me, and check out their blogs. Often I leave a few comments to open up the communication line, but if I don't see anything in return, I won't come back, but still followed.
I think at the end, it's all up to individual..I'm still finding my way around..
Hey Debbie!
Blogger ethics is one touchy subject. I've come across a LOT of bloggers who "follow" you via blog hops just so you follow them- nice give and take, that- so a number goes up on either dashboard. What is not cool is, when people comment on your blog and all you do is advertise and not bother replying back there even. You know you generate your income out of these visitors, so you might as well appreciate them- forget the visiting them part.
I know i hit "stop following" on a lot of these blogs cluttering my reader recently and they DIDN'T EVEN REALIZE IT. Ha! So much for following!
I like to leave comments on every blog i read, no matter what genre of writing because i know comments matter to EVERY blogger- they make each of us, feel heard.
About your blog- Erin, here, is right. You come across as a very warm person, that i really connect to. (Blush- feel free!)
I know you won't be jealous if i tell you my blogger butt is way larger than yours can ever be!
I try to reply to every comment that I receive. But sometimes when you're reading someone else's blog you might not have anything to add to that particular entry. I think as long as you reply to comments that are left in your blog that's what really matters. I wouldn't stop following a blog just because they don't come back and comment on my blog, I follow their blog because I like to see what they'll say, not just because I want them to comment my blog!
I guess what I'm trying to say is that it all varies with the blog owner. Hope my opinion helps!
Hi Debbie,
Love the chair!
Ooh...good question. I think that if you enjoy a blog, if it really speaks to you...follow it. If you have something to say...comment. Blog friendships are built this way...by people who care about other people. : ) Some bloggers never reply to anyone. I don't understand that, but we can never know what is going on in someone else's life and some bloggers have hundreds, and even thousands of followers. Some of my blog friends receive over 50 comments on each post...(but they are my blog friends because they do make their way around to visit other blogs.) If you enjoy a blog, I wouldn't drop it if you don't hear back from the blogger. I know that I definitely appreciate all of my readers. I hope they know it!
Thank you so much for commenting on and following my blog!
: )
Julie M.
Great questions- I'm sure you'll get a lot of different answers. Mine is a small enough blog that if someone comments- I go back to their blog and tell them thanks for stopping by. As for following-my time is precious, blogging is something I do for myself so I only follow if they have something I like or enjoy. That could be photos, funny stories or they have some of the same interests as myself. I follow all sorts of different blogs for different reasons. The point is- I don't let guilt decide. If I want to see what you post- I follow. If I don't- no hard feelings- but I don't!
Love the job you did on that chair. Thought you were going to tell us you wore it out blogging Lol!
About the blogging and commenting questions, I'm still learning myself but I'm sure others will give you some great advice.
Good question....I always get torn because sometimes I just honestly forget...I get so busy and then make a new post and totally forget about my comments on the previous post....This is a tough one....
amy[www.theprikazskys.com]
Gals I am laughing because yes the chair did break from my fat butt, and the repair is a pillow on top!!~ It is not fixed at all:)
I like your kind of fix...nice and easy! :0)
I agree with what Homesick Cajun said. As long as I reply to comments that are left in my blog that's what matters to me. I don't stop following a blog just because they don't comment on my blog. The reason I am following their blog is because I like the content on their blog. It has nothing to do with just wanting them to comment on my blog!
I think you can put too much pressure on yourself if you worry too much about these things. That's when blogging no longer becomes any fun and you decide to quit blogging.
Debbie,
I am so new I didn't even know what meme was until I read the answers to your posts. I like Erin's answer.
Now, about that chair fix.....lol I love it!
I try really hard not to expect anything when I blog, therefore when I do get comments I'm always so pleasantly surprised! Do I expect anything from those who host blog parties? No, I'm using them to get visitors to my blog just like they are using me to have popular parties and get visitors to THEIR site. I would much rather one genuine comment any day than 5 from blog hosts that feel they "should" comment. :)
Debbie, I'm new at this, too. I love blogging and am enjoying this new creative side to myself. I'm still not sure what correct etiquitte is for blogging. I know I follow what I like and try to leave comments as much as possible. I work, so it makes it a little harder to comment back to everyone or visit everyone participating in a meme party. I know I have left many comments on on other peoples blogs with no response back either. This is a great question you brought up!
I like your fix for the chair! I also like the questions you pose. I try not to feel bad if the host of a meme doesn't get by to visit(depending on the size of the group participating). Some are so big I can't imagine how they could visit everyone unless that's all they did in between. If someone comments on my blog I try my best to visit and comment to them. Sometimes using WordPress some people don't leave a blog address I can go to. But my feeling is if someone took the time to comment on something I posted I want to take the time to show them the same courtesy and respect. Plus it's a great way to find new blogs to visit regularly.
I actually read in Artful Blogging magazine that it's considered proper blog etiquette to comment back(see there actually is such a thing hehe).
You are too funny! What an inventive way to fix a chair.Oh well, at least you didn't use duck tape!
HI Debbie! Well, I don't know for sure I'm blogging correctly, but I sure am having fun with it! :) I've been blogging almost two years now and I still try my very best to respond to all who leave comments to me. I know that some of the popular blogs just don't respond - ever! At first that bothered me when I would comment day after day and they would never comment on my blog. But I don't let that bother me now. I don't feel the need to follow someone just because they follow me, although some folks ask you to. I think you're doing a great job and I enjoy your comments to me and I love seeing what you're up to on your blog.
You did a fab job on that chair.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
I am new to blogging too. I always email back to the person if they have left a comment. I have about 70 followers but they don't all leave comments. I always have it on FB so they read it and don't comment.
I always wonder what causes people to leave a comment. I comment on almost all the blogs I follow because I like to. I only subscribe to the ones that I really like to read.
Blogger Butt! That made my day:-) Bella
Regarding the memes, I don't participate in those, tags, or awards. While I certainly appreciate the thought, I simply don't have the time. However, I do think the host should make comments to all. I have 400+ followers and only received an average of 20-30 comments per post. I try to visit all the people who comment on my blog and also some interesting blogs that I follow.
Well Debbie,
Im new to having my own blog, but have followed blogs for about 7 years. I think its rude for a blogger to make a nice comment on another blog and that blogger not return a comment. Its like saying hello right in somone's face and they blantantly ignore you.
Each blogger had to start somewhere and veteran bloggers should relish in that. They are a few persons that have super huge blogs that have commented or have replied by email.
If I person doesnt respond...I dont comment any longer.
BTW, whats a meme?
Mr. Goodwill Hunting
http://g-w-hunting.blogspot.com
Hi Debbie,
It's been a while since I've stopped by :(
I hate that I get wrapped up in blogging and commenting sometimes.
I think that if were to host a party that I would feel obligated to visit and comment on each pearsons post. It would get too crazy it it were in the 100's-yikes.
But I do try to comment on blogs whenever I can because I too love to read what people have to say.
I am guilty of just peaking though and not commenting...sometimes it is just a quick peak and then I run, but I almost always try to go back. The hard part is that I find way tooooo many blogs that I love so it's hard to catch up if I get behind!
Love reading all the comments on this post though, great questions!
Wow, I spent quite sometime here reading all the comments Debbie, I learned a lot today here.. thanks for dropping by my blog ... see you again..
In This Side of Town
Anything Davao
Some Things Are Free
Woman’s elan vital
What more can I say? I do host a party each Thursday and at times I've had 100 or more entires, and I do go to each link and comment and thank each person for joining me. the way I look at is you've asked them to come by and join you, so I think it's a way to say thanks. It takes me a while to get to everyone, but I just love seeing what everyone has done. I can spend about 5-6 hours looking at all the blogs, and if the number reaches more I will still go to each blog and thank them. I think it means a lot to everyone that joins my party for at least the hostess to stop by. If you had a party at your house wouldn't you want to speak to everyone you invited? Maybe I'm different.
Oh thanks for stopping by!
Debbie,
Thank you for stopping by my blog and saying hi. You have raised some questions that I have been struggling with the last few weeks.
If someone leaves a comment on my blog I make every effort to stop by theirs and leave a comment because I think it is polite.
There are some blogs I follow that are so big that I am delighted when I do get a comment from them. These blogs I follow because I learn from them. They are generous with their information and will help you with a problem.
There are other much smaller blogs who never have left a comment on my blog and I sometimes get hurt by this. BUT then I have to remember why I started blogging and I am fine.
Why do I blog? I blog to remember, to organize information (recipes and memories), to tell some stories and to try to improve my photography and computer skills. It is a wonderful bonus when you meet someone that you have lots in common with.
My thoughts....
Carol
I think if I was the host to a linky party I would do my best to visit each post, but I know some have just gotten way too big to do that I guess. I would at least make an attempt to visit a new blogger linking for the first time. I just think I would skip commenting on some of my old buddies if I didn't have the time and be sure and comment and welcome a newbie.
Good questions Debbie! I don't there are official blog rules, although I've read many bloggers voice their opinions about what they feel are blog rules over the two years I've been blogging.
Some "rules" are really more a matter of opinion .. some do not like music on a blog and some do, some do not like having to follow a blog to enter a give away and others don't like the follower widget at all and won't follow anyone. Some hate typos, others don't like when people write too much about their pets or kids.
It can go on and on and unfortunately sometimes feelings do get hurt in the process.
My personal opinion is that I like to blog to learn new things and help myself remember places I've visited, etc. I do it to make myself happy and I love to visit new blogs and make new blog friends. However sometimes real life gets busy and I don't get a chance to get online for a day or two. In weeks like that I may miss responding back to a few comments as I am so far behind. I always hope the bloggers whose comments I might miss will give me a second chance, as I often do to blogs I leave comments on before hearing back from that person.
Honestly though, if I find myself in a one way conversation all the time I might stop visiting them after awhile.
I figure we all have to do with our blogs what makes us happy! It should be non stressful and not a job.
that was so funny and whah a fast fix:) now does that mean i can call you bloger butt you said it first :)
yes I agree with pretty much everyone, I dont unfollow people who do not comment back because sometimes I just dont have time to comment everyone I follow. Sometimes some posts dont speak to me and I have nothing to say, but thats not reason to unfollow unless their blog has totally changed and you no longer connect to their blog.
Good luck figuring it all out, what ever you choose to do will be right for you and thats all that matters!
Great questions!! I too am new!! And this really helped me. I love your blog and your honesty, I also love N.C. as my mom moved down about 5 years ago.
Love how you fixed that chair!
I try to answer everyone and visit their blogs but you know with life things slip throught the cracks.. there are many blogs I visit that don't follow me and I follow and still follow...
It really doesnt matter if they follow or not.
It is so hard to keep up. I try to comment as much as time allows..
I'll apologize right off for this being so long but you have hit a nerve here with me. Lol.
Somewhere I read that only a VERY small percentage of blog readers ever leave a comment...like maybe 7%? It was a surprisingly low number. Most people "read and run." I have seen some blogs with well over 2000 followers only get an average of maybe 40 or 50 comments per post on a regular basis. We all need to remember this if we get too focused on the number of comments we AREN'T getting.
As far as reciprocal visiting/commenting goes...when I first started blogging I tried hard to visit and leave a comment for everyone who became a follower and/or left me comments. It didn't take long before that became unrealistic and downright undoable. Not because I have such a huge following or so many comments but because visiting and commenting is time-consuming and I have a life and obligations outside of blogging. I do struggle with feeling guilty that I can't visit everyone but I feel even more guilty if I neglect my family, home and obligations for blogging.
As a blog reader, I enjoy a very long list of blogs. Commenting on every one is impossible. I do comment on some when I can but there are some bloggers I visit on a regular basis who don't even know I exist because I've never left a comment. There are some blogs I comment on and have never received a reciprocal visit from the blogger but I still visit because I enjoy the blog. Likewise, maybe 30% of the hostesses of the blog parties I have linked up to have never left me a comment but I join in anyway because I have something to share, and as a bonus I know my blog will get some extra exposure from the party.
Frankly, the whole "follower" thing drives me nuts. It's shades of a high school popularity contest. If Blogger would do away with the public follower button and make it simply a private way to manage the blogs a reader likes, it would eliminate the numbers game and the needless pressure and expectations public following puts on everyone.
It saddens me when bloggers try to increase their numbers by requesting you follow them because they are following you, or they ask you to follow them to receive an extra chance at a giveaway prize, etc. IMHO, those are totally WRONG reasons to follow a blog.
Personally, I want people to read, comment on, and/or follow my blog for one simple reason only...
because they enjoy the content.
I'm still sorting all this out, too. I think a host should get around to all the blogs that participate, unless they've reached a size that makes that impossible.
I reply to comments in the thread when I can,and always try to visit everyone who has stopped by. A comment is a gift, and I do want people to know I appreciate them. However, time just won't always allow as much interaction as I'd like.
I really don't know what to make of the Follow thing. I follow blogs because I like them, and sometimes because they've followed me. I guess it's different for each blogger.
A very interesting discussion, I really enjoyed reading everyone's responses. I had a lot of these same concerns when I first started blogging.
With the memes I take part in I really don't expect to receive a comment from the host, especially when I know some of them have more than one blog. There are some that if I leave a comment on the meme page they will comment on my post. Others don't and that's fine. The purpose of a meme is to meet other bloggers so if I enjoy it I will stay. It's the meme I follow, not the host.
Last summer I did host a small monthly photo challenge. I visited each participant and commented on their post. If it were to grow into hundreds of participants I'm not sure if I would be able to visit everyone. But I would definitely visit those who left a comment. In the example you gave I would have visited.
On comments in general, I try to visit everyone who leaves a comment on either of my blogs (I have four but only two are really active). But there are times when life gets in the way and I get behind with comments.
I also tend to get wordy with my comments which is another reason I'm always behind, LOL!
Love your solution for the chair, that's the same thing I would have done.
Judy
I think that the host or hostess of a link party should visit every linked blog and comment on the post. If there are too many entries for the hostess to comment on, then he/she should limit the number of links, which is not hard to do with the link site.
I know -- I am so hard!
I also think that you should try to comment on the blogs you follow unless you never hear from them. Some folks just want to follow, read, and move on. If they don't EVER comment, I tend to not comment on their blog either -- although if it's something I really like, I just gotta tell them.
I think that a true follower base (and not just a picture or a number) will be earned over time if the material you are putting on your blog is interesting, not overly long, genuine, and you treat your readers with respect.
I think you're off to a great start, Ms. Debbiedoos!
Just for the record, I did participate in 4 link parties today. They all ended up being well over 100 links each and I've not heard from any of the host/hostesses, neither did I receive a comment from a blogger. I think the parties are getting just too long. Truthfully, who can look at all those? However, if you're hosting the party, you should find the time!
I guess I'll just have to start one up myself!
goodness.
I love these questions. I am still new and I have my opinins...but willing to change them too.
I feel if you host a meme you should go visit each person who links up...even if it takes days. I would. That said I do participate in a couple where I do not get a comment, but the meme are good so I will come back.
Blogging is a give and take...I will comment on a blog a set number of times and if they don't respond, I may still read but won't bother to comment.
I have unfollowed...a few bloggers did something I found tacky and rude and posted about it - they also were very into themselves when it happened. I do participate in Friday Follow. I follow blogs I am interested in, but as per the rules..I will follow back anyone who follows me as well via friday follow. I view it as a way to meet new blogs I may not otherwise meet...it was not so log ago that I was starting and had zero followers.
Ultimately it is about connecting. I know I have people who read my blog who don't have much to say about DIY day..that's fine...comeback when I write somehtign that interests you.
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