To Bloggers Who Don't Reply to Comments . . .

[Enbrethiliel]

+JMJ+

Why don't you? =P

I've recently run across a couple of blogs with week-old comments that were never acknowledged, even though they were friendly, chatty and addressed what the blogger had written in the post. It discouraged me from leaving a comment or even returning to those blogs. (If we love feedback as bloggers, then we like it as commenters, too, you know! LOL)

One of those bloggers did state on her sidebar that she only replies to comments when she has something to say . . . which I guess is fair enough. I just don't understand it. I would have asked her about it then and there, but I was afraid I wouldn't get a reply! LOL

So to all bloggers who don't reply to comments, I'm really curious about why you have this policy. Please reply to my discussion! ;-)

[Lesa]

Same Same!!! That is too funny-- would have asked her about it then and there, but I was afraid I wouldn't get a reply! LOL
I can't imagine any blogger having nothing to say--- isn't that a bit of an oxymoron?

I recently left a chatty comment (asking a ? too) on a blog recently and was disappointed not to get a response-- then a week later I saw the blogger had commented back to my gmail--- so I didn't think she was rude anymore-- but I thought it a bit odd.

I know what you mean about discouraging---I've stopped leaving comments on some blogs that never acknowledge--- who wants to be ignored and unappreciated?!

If the blogger really has nothing to say to continue the conversation, at least a 'thanks all for sharing' or 'Thanks for commenting' would be polite.... don't you think?

[Enbrethiliel]

+JMJ+

Oh, you've reminded me of a similar experience of mine: I left a comment and got a reply through e-mail after a couple of days.

While it was great to know the blogger had read my little note, I wonder whether he would have served his blog better by replying in his own combox. That way, people visiting his blog for the first time would see that he is friendly and happy to encourage feedback from readers.

PS--Sometimes, all I have to say is "Thanks for your comment," too! =P

[pussreboots]

I do both. I post my response and then email it to whomever left the comment.

[Kayleigh Murphy]

I had never thought about emailing the reply before, although it would be handy because I'm always losing track of which blogs or posts I've commented on and hate to think people think i'm being rude and ignoring their reply. Would you recommend emailing the reply for all replies (even those thanks for commenting type ones) or just the continued conversation ones?

[Simcha Lazarus]

I was wondering the same thing myself recently, as there are a couple of bloggers that I follow who rarely respond to comments and I don't feel particularly encouraged to continue commenting if I don't receive a response. I feel like I'm just talking to myself. There is one blogger in particular that posts discussion topics but then doesn't respond to the comments, which seems really strange to me. I love participating in interesting discussions but I'm not going to bother leaving a comments if I don't get any feedback.
I will admit that I do occasionally take a few days to respond to comments, though I usually try to respond immediately.

Simcha
SFF Chat

[Enbrethiliel]

+JMJ+

Thanks, Simcha!

I, too, would be really confused by bloggers who don't join their own discussions. Isn't that like not attending your own parties? Which you throw in your own home??? =P

[Simcha Lazarus]

LOL!

[Lesa]

Slightly off subject but related--- and might be common knowledge to most but keep in mind that I'm not the most tech savvy girl around. Is there a way to keep track of comments left on blogs? Or to be notified when the blogger comments back? I've commented on so many interesting posts on so many blogs lately that I'm afraid I will lose track of them all. Don't want to be thought socially inept for not returning to continue a chat or discussion--- when that is expected.

thanks!

[Enbrethiliel]

+JMJ+

I think some Wordpress blogs let you click on a box under the comments field that will let the program automatically send you an e-mail if anyone posts a reply to your comment. I don't know if there is one for Blogger, too, however.

[Jerry Faust]

I use wordpress as well, and I have a "routine" where I check my blog regularly throughout the day when I have a few moments to spare that aren't dedicated to work or whatever.  I don't recall where the settings in particular are for managing your comments so that you get an email saying you have one to moderate, but going through the dashboard to the comments "tab" is one way.  Another is to mouse over your blog menu and click on Manage Comments to see if you have any you need to approve.  I check mine regularly because, as you guys have mentioned in this thread, I hate the thought of people leaving comments on my stuff and giving the impression that I am above responding to them.  I endeavor to catch and reply to each and every comment in the hope of appearing approachable.  Anything less can be, in my mind if nothing else, a bit of an insult to a reader, and since I"m using my blogsite to get fans for my work and get myself established, as it were, this is the sort of thing that actually works against me.

 

Hope this helps and of course, I'm open to suggestions as well.

[Enbrethiliel]

+JMJ+

 

I'm on Blogger, but I do something similar. There have been, I admit, a couple of comments that slipped under my radar and that I didn't notice until much later, but I hope that the obvious fact that I do respond to comments means that the lapse was not taken as a snub.

 

A couple of readers who left comments on old posts will sometimes add a postscript to a comment on a new post to tell me about the former--and that often helps! I'm glad they're willing to meet me halfway, too. =)

[Grace]

I know that Wordpress has a feature through Dashboard that lets you view comments you've made on other people's blogs and see their replies.  Don't know about any other sites though.