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Thursday, January 31, 2013

Comment Responses

I have a question for all of you.  Lately I've been thinking of responding to comments by email instead of posting them in the comment section.  There are arguments both ways that I won't hash out now because I'm sure you're all aware of them.

If not let me know and I'll get out my debate hat.  No, I don't really wear a debate hat. I don't like hats.

It's probably not a big deal either way, but I do want to keep my readers happy. Do any of you have a preference how I respond to you? 




50 comments:

  1. Sara, I haven't even thought about the email method before. I guess I prefer to see my reponses on my own blog with the comments. You can do whatever works for you.

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    1. I like having the responses be open so others can see them and start a dialogue if they want, I've also had people see those responses and email me and had some good dialogues start that way. If I'd emailed a response they never would have seen it and that dialogue wouldn't have happened.

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    2. I agree with this. But hey, do whatever's comfortable for you!

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    1. I respond mostly in my comment box but sometimes I try to respond via email because it's a lot quicker. The problem is a lot of people are non-reply commenters and don't even know it. But I know some bloggers who never respond on their blog, it all depends on the blogger. Bottom line, your readers appreciate you and you should manage your blog as you like. We'll adjust. (:

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    2. Thanks! Right now either way has benefits and neither outway the other. I guess I'm trying to choose between half dozen on one hand and six on the other.

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  3. I like comments to my blog posts to go on my page, but a lot of times, I miss responses to my comments on others blogs because I visit a lot of sights, so it's hard to keep up. Email might be a good idea in that case. :)

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    1. I hardly go back and see responses to my comments because I do visit a lot and forget where to go back. That's why I thought some people might like emails more.

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    2. I've noticed that on a lot of blogs there's a box to see all the comments after yours. The only problem is an over flowing inbox. I do it sometimes, sometimes not.

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  4. I switched to responding to comments via email a long time ago. I find it much easier, and a more personal way of communicating that sometimes leads into dialogue. That does mean I cannot respond to those followers who do not put their email address in their profiles, and I try to inform them of that fact every so often (probably time again).

    As a blog reader, I RARELY go back to see if the blogger responded to my comment. Just don't have the time. :)

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    1. I rarely go back either, which is why I was thinking about going over to email, but I worry about it becoming a bother to people. Thanks for your experiences.

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  5. I'm one of those who never comment back on my blog. See comment below. :)

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  6. Like DL says, I don't think most blog readers know that you commented back unless they revisit that same post. Sometimes I respond via email, especially if a blog commenter asks a question. On the other hand, sometimes I get irritated by the influx of email when blog writers do comment back on my comment. Know what I mean? :-)

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    1. I know what you mean. I don't want to bother people, and I don't want them thinking my response is so extremely important that I have to force it on them by emailing it to them. But I know I rarely return to blogs to see responses to my comments even though sometimes I plan to.

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  7. I think commenting on the blog post is fine. If a reader wants to see your comment, they can come back. Sometimes all the emails can get a little overwhelming.

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  8. I do comment back by e-mail to my followers because I know that they won't come back and read the post to see my comment. I rarely go back and check. So if you want personal communication, I'd say e-mail the person directly. Though I understand Barbara's concern about too many e-mails.

    I have had some followers tell me they appreciate the personal comments back. And I don't comment to everyone, especially if I get lots of comments or if it's a book hop giveaway contest. Hope this helps.

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  9. If I know a blogger frequently responds to comments on their blog, I might sometimes check back to see if they'd responded to my note yet.

    If you decide to send your comment responses via email, I hope that won't pose too much of an inconvenience for you, especially on days when you get many many comments.

    Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

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    1. I don't think it will make too much of a difference for me. It should be about the same time either way. Thanks for thinking of me!

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  10. Do whatever feels right for you. I like responding on the post because then the conversation is there for all to see. Sometimes if I have a question about a post I'll see it's already been answered in the comments. So then I can try to add something new. I do go back to posts sometimes too to see if the author responded to my comment. Email does feel like a nice personal touch, though, and sometimes leads to a good back and forth exchange.

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    1. I like responding in the post for that reason too.

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  11. Personally, I like having all the comments and responses visible on my blog for all to see, because then sometimes there's interaction between commenters, too, which I reeeeally love. I don't go back to every blog to see if there's a response to a comment I've left, but I do return to a lot of them. (I came back and saw your comment about ham clubs.) There are a couple of bloggers who respond to me via email, but not many at all. Do whatever works for you. The only thing I don't like is when a blogger completely ignores comments. Doesn't respond, and doesn't visit any of the people who leave a comment. In that case, that blog goes way down on my priority list.

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    1. I'm glad you saw my comment. :) I like being able to have interaction between different commenters too.

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  12. I'll tell you right now that I only go back to see if someone has answered my comment 1/500 times. There are probably tons of replies to comments I left that I have absolutely no idea about. No one goes back to comment unless they're itching for a response.

    Email responses are great. Often times if someone leaves me a comment with a question they want answered, I just comment back on their most recent blog post and answer it there. In-line commenting doesn't really make any sense. I only do it if I have no way to contact the person or if my reply is relevant to the post, and therefore should be seen by other commenters.

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  13. I don't have a preference. I do bookmark blog pages I've commented on to visit back a few days later before I delete the bookmark.

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    1. Call me clueless but I'd never thought of doing that. It sounds like a great system though. Thanks!

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  14. Not everyone makes their email address available for that sort of reply though, right?

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  15. I tend to reply to my really regular readers with an email because we already have a conversation going...but with those who don't show their email, I go visit. Of course, those I'm dialoging with are usually the ones I'm following so I'm there visiting already...But as a co-host of The A-Z, I know I can't keep that schedule with all my other duties, so I'll have to come up with some sort of compromise...
    Welcome to the Challenge!

    Tina @ Life is Good
    Co-host, April 2013 A-Z Challenge
    @TinaLifeisGood, #atozchallenge

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    1. Thanks for dropping by. Compromise is always good. Neither solution is perfect and maybe I need something inbetween.

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  16. Your blog, your rules [g]

    I don't mind either way--I think it's what feels right to you. I like responding on the page, unless it's an involved dialogue, but that may just be my preference.

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    1. My blog wouldn't be what it is without all the commenters so it's their blog too. :)

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  17. I don't mind either way as a blog writer. I do both and have a weekly segment on emails or comments I feel are blogable. As a blog reader, email is easier than having to backtrack through fifty plus sites everyday, sometimes twice a day, or couple of days.

    Some questions though are better handled in private.

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    1. I think a mixture of both may be the best way.

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  18. I never thought of using email, although I do believe it would create more of a relationship since like most, I rarely go back.

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    1. I thought it might create more of a back and forth relationship since so few people do go back. I've really enjoyed when people have come back and commented again.

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  19. I've never really thought about it, actually. I try to reply to all comments on my blog, but never thought of the email option.

    I also, rarely if ever, check to see if my comment on another's blog as been commented on.

    Either way, though, I always enjoy the exchange.

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    1. The exchange is the important part, how we do it, only the tool.

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  20. Sara, either way is fine with me. Sometimes, I also send an e-mail to thank the person who commented on my blog, especially if I want to respond in a more lengthy or personal way. Have a great weekend!

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    1. Thanks Victoria, Hope you have a great weekend too.

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  21. I would love to hear back from you...if you have time. There is a way to subscribe to replies via email--while posting. I've seen it on some people's sites. I should investigate because I have been considering the same thing. How many interesting conversations might go unheeded because I have forgotten when and where I placed them. I always reply back to people who comment on my blog--and they may never know...

    Sigh.
    ~Just Jill

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    1. I try to get back to blogs but it's often the next time I visit. When they put up a new post I sometimes go to the last post to see any responses. But if I'm pressed for time it doesn't happen.

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  22. I try to reply both ways - by email and then just copy and paste it into the comment reply spot. I suppose some people may get two responses sometimes. And then a lot of times I forget.

    But a lot of comments don't give me anything to reply to, you know the "great post!" ones or "interesting review" or "thanks for sharing." I still like that someone took the time to comment, but I don't know how to respond to these.

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    1. Yea, those are hard to respond to. I try not to comment like that but sometimes I just have nothing to say that hasn't already been said, but I still want to leave a post so they know I appreciated their thoughts. I don't feel bad if bloggers don't respond to those comments. :)

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  23. I prefer to reply ON my blog, but I don't care how other bloggers reply to my comments. :)

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  24. Not all my commenters leave an email address. As for me, I go back if I've asked a specific question. It doesn't matter to me as the commenter whether the author answers via the blog or email. Someone said it was easier to email. I must be missing something. It means searching for their email address, correct? How is that easier? I notice lots of bloggers don't answer their commenters at all. I've always wondered why. It's as if once they write the post, the rest if history.

    Again, it doesn't matter to me how a blogger conducts their own blog. We all have our ways of doing things, I suppose. I'm just glad to be acknowledged.

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    1. I had to ask about how to do it also. I have my blog set up so every time someone comments I get an email notifying me. I can just hit reply on that email and if their email is public I can email them. Sometimes I'll get a "no-reply" email address which means their email is not attached to their comment and I would need to reply on the blog.

      It's nice because I just go to my email and respond to all the comments right there. But I also kind of like having the replies public on my blog so others can see and comment.

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  25. I hardly ever return to a blog to see if they comment---I should more! I'd prefer to get them in email--and that's how I respond, but there are SO many people who have the "no-reply" thing on, so that's frustrating! Though I always return a comment with a comment! :D

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