Sixth post in my series on Create Mixed Media.
Today's topic: Comments
What did 46% of survey respondents answer to the question "The most typical reason I do not leave a comment on a blog post is..."? Click here to find out.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
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28 comments:
had to leave a comment! you do nice work! your discussion of "comments" was interesting and educational. And not overly long! I do think , in addition to what you said ,there is one more possibility to increase your comments and that is to reply to them if possible.
Such great advice, Seth. I wish more people would leave comments on my blog. Just a little "HI" would do it. If they like my art, of course, great, but just letting me know that they took a peek is worth lots to me. I have a map showing where people are from. It is a continued source of pleasure. Thanks for creating your insightful blog. bb
Another great post. I totally agree with you about making sure you visit the folks who visit you and make comments. This blog world is all about communicating who we are and communication is a two way street. Whether the art resonates for you or not, the creative spirit of the person always shines forth. Thanks for your blog tips and for that stackalicious project, what a response you have had there. I still have a few to visit. wow xox Corrine
I appreciated this post. It is time consuming to visit blogs and leave comments when one might rather be creating art or writing. BUT, you are right. Leaving feedback it is essential to create the community that allows a blog on any subject to thrive. And Lyle make a good point - leave a reply, even if it's just, "Thanks!"
Thanks!
Nanina
It's better to leave comments when you visit than to promise yourself to get back to the blog that made an impression. I'm kind of ambivalent to the comment area. I can tell how many hits my posts get by looking at the stats. I put up the blog in the first place because it was an easy way to get some exposure, it's inexpensive (absolutely nothing but time), and with comments enabled I can get some feedback. I try to leave positive comments when I visit another blog, and I always try to send a message to new followers, whether or not they leave a comment. Courtesy is always good.
Comments on blogspot are quite tricky, because you cannot reply to them directly. On my German blog I get so many comments because I then reply and then the comment makers replies back and sometimes this is like chatting.
Here it's not so easy, if people comment without leaving their e-mail adress, I cannot reply at all.
You have put this interesting topic very well together. Is it ok if I translate your text into German and post it on my blog?
Linked of course.
I usually comment. I like to know someone has read my posts and commented, so I figure you reap what you sow. If I don't comment, it is usually a technical problem, or I have nothing to say. Some blogs are more of an advertsing venue and require no comments of value.
As always your analysis is very good! I think in my case, maybe the reason for not leaving a comment is the same of the 46% of the survey... or maybe also peaple doesn't know what is posted!
Excellent analysis. Finding the balance between leaving comments and having comments left for you sometimes takes effort. The effort to be honest doesn't take much time and need only be a few words.
I find the comments I receive can be a whole new blog post in themselves. Other people's experiences expand on what I was discussing and can lead to further blog posts which open the discussion wider.
As with anything we write about -- we need to make sure we are giving people something to grip on to. We need to share our personality so that people have a feel for "who" we are and not just faceless, empty words on a page.
Great thoughts shared here Seth!
Comments are important! I have made many new friends and contacts through comments I have made and made to my postings. Through "Stats" I can always find out how many views a posting has received but that's not as good as a comment...even a short one!!
Very interesting post, Seth. I have been thinking about this. I see a lot more "page views" than comments and people have told me they have trouble commenting on Blogger. Many times people tell me in person all about the posts of mine they have read but they haven't commented. I think we bloggers need some encouragement to keep going. I noticed with my "Stacks" post encouraged by you I got got a lot of comments from new people so the folks reading your blog seem to enjoy commenting. I am new to your blog and enjoying it very much. Thanks.
Tech troubles leaving a comment happen very frequently, especially irksome are blogs that require yet another site-specific login account. Can't help but think that bloggers would rather have comments with a little more meat to them than just the proverbial "hi". You have the stats that prove there's traffic, what you really want is feedback to better understand who your audience is and what they would like to see. Polite and courteous are good, but since the appreciation of art is so subjective, it would be more interesting if topics and comments did more to stimulate opinions or even controversy.
I really enjoyed your analysis of the benefits of comments to bloggers and blog readers. I know that I feel very affirmed by the comments left by my readers, and I like to know who has stopped by. I need to be much better about responding to the people who come by. They are always very appreciated. As a reader, I think that if I take the time to read someone's post, it only makes sense that I would take one additional minute to let them know that I was there!
Nice to see those stats, Seth. Good article... I don't leave comments sometimes because I feel like I can't add any value to what has already been said.
hi seth,thanks for all this advice. i am having a problem leaving a comment for *dave - clearer reflections*, so hope he reads these comments....."dave, your photos add a depth to the subject, so refreshing."....seth, hope you dont mind me making contact through your blog. thank you.
i'm not surprised to see the reason behind the 46% figure... and i also agree with what julie said. sometimes words seem unnecessary... xo
I agree your discussion of comments was very interesting and educational...In particular, what I really appreciate about you, is that you respond to comments, I marvel at the time you make to do this, as you have quite the following, but you still manage and make time for them all...WOW...
Your consistency is admirable, this is why (on top of many other things ) I am sure why people LOVE you....your work is fabulous and you, as a fellow human being are wonderful. thanks Seth for sharing your gifts with the world
great stats Seth, just about what I figured, but so nice to see it confirmed. and ... so true about leaving comments and receiving comments... I question the practice of blog authors answering comments on their blog, since I rarely think to go back and check the old post and comments... great article... and I loved the podcast, it was fun to hear you voice...
Well heck - so of course. I comment when I can - often cannot get blogger to cooperate - I am new to your blog and enjoying it. Still trying to figure out all the ins and outs of the feed-blitz AND figuring out where to and the etiquette of answering questions left in the comments...sometimes easier to go get more coffee. Thanks for the post. Lori W at Art Camp for Women
Read it and had to come back and leave a comment. Not because I'd feel guilty if I didn't after reading about how much my comments are desired, and appreciated. I already knew that, as I LOVE getting up in the morning to view comments left on my blog that I posted the night before! I love how you Seth gather community of artists and how we all interact with each other. Just joining your blog endeavors has gained me new followers who now visit and leave comments about my art. What's not to love about that?!!! Such a mutual admiration society! And of course I joined their blogs back so the circle continues and grows.
And that is my comment about that!
Interesting and informative, as always. Thank you.
A blog post dear to my heart! I dis-enabled the comments on my blog for a time to see whether I blogged for feedback, or to contribute to the abundant art "stew" out there & was relieved to find that I enjoy the blogging itself which provides lots of motivation to keep doing art. When I did re-install the comments feature, I found that I appreciate far more the comments that I do receive. Having defined to myself why I blog has impacted how I respond to other art blogs. I comment when I feel I have something thoughtful or heartfelt to contribute, but I visit & enjoy lots of blogs on a regular basis. I guess I remain a bit of a recluse even on the internet although I am grateful for the community it offers.
I've been out of touch with the blog world these days, bu I can't wait to finally meet you in Danbury!
Leighanna
Great advice, Seth. I am the self-titled World's Worst Blogger. Inconsistent, probably boring (or just wacky), etc. However, I do love to leave comments when I see a post I like and long for comments on things I post to my blog. I'll have to take to heart the 5 C's of blogging and get my act together and see what happens. Thanks for the inspiration & the proverbial kick in the pants advice on blogging!
Well, I love getting comments, espespecially those that point out something unique the visitor has liked or found interesting. And I love making comments too, especially when I am relaxed and cool. Like now!
The start of fall is hard though, in terms of both making new posts and commenting, because my teaching job begins. And life becomes so busy.
And I just want to say too, that I love getting comments from you!
roxanne
I've read through your wonderful column in create mixed media, the comments there and on your post here. Blogger truly seems to be a hinderance to being able to comment when one wants and I too am one not to look back where I have commented to see if the writer responded to me there. Perhaps if someone comments to comments in the comments field, they can indicate that to their readers. More often than not these days, I find myself commenting on blogs that require blog owner approval before my comments can be posted. This seems to take away from the comments flow.. Wonderful post for sharing thoughts and of course- for commenting!
Wonderful article Seth!
Hi seth interesting article even though i dont blog i like toread quite a few. 2 reasons i dont comment and i often do if i like what the person has done. Is one i read my blogs through google reader using an ipad app soit akes a little effort. The other reason is i dont leave comments on the blogs of people who dont email me back. I have received some beautful emails back from some quite well known artists but others never respond at all which makes it seem all one sided.
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