Thing 12

You know, I've been blogging for a while now, maybe 7 years, and I hate to admit, but I've never put too much thought or effort into commenting.  Sure, if I have a question or feel like I have something worthwhile to add, I'll leave or reply to a comment, but I've never made much of an effort to create a "community through commenting."

I suppose that's why the importance of replying to comments caught my interest.  In the Blue Skunk's blog, Drape's Takes, and in 10 Techniques to get More Comments on your Blog, the importance of replying to comments, was examined and questioned.  After reading the three blogs and the comments, I understand how commenting back creates a sense of community and lets your readers know you value them.  As for myself, my creative genius is sometimes on holiday and leaves me scrambling for something for something that's more elaborate and cunning to say than,"thank you,"  or "I agree."  I wonder if Meredith Farkas had me in mind when she wrote, "maybe you think your knowledge wouldn’t be useful . . . Maybe you feel it’s not worth sharing."  Probably not, seeing as how she's never met or heard of me, but she expressed my feelings better than I could.   I have always had issues leaving comments.  I tend to feel like I have nothing valuable to say, which is probably just low self-esteem.  Funny thing is, I absolutely love getting comments, even if it's only a one or two-word phrase.  I don't know why I think other people wouldn't appreciate a little "virtual high-five" or a nod in agreement, too, just like I do.


That being said, I think commenting and responding to people's comments are the only ways to really draw readers in, start a dialogue, create a community, and keep a strong reader-base going.  No one wants to feel unheard or unimportant.  The only way to alleviate that feeling it to show them that their time is appreciated and you value their opinions.

Although we were only supposed to comment on two ideas on commenting, there were two points made in 10 Techniques to get More Comments on your Blog, that I think could easily be lumped together.  The first is to "invite comments" and the second is to "be open ended."  In my opinion, they both ask the reader to reply to the post.  Inviting comments might actually mean stating "please comment," but leaving a blog open-ended, is also like inviting a comment.  When I write something, I never intend to sound like I'm the authority on a subject; however, I do feel that my writing has a tendency to sound overconfident.  In an attempt to balance my overpowering "blog" personality, I used to ask questions in my blogs.  Granted, they were of a much more personal nature (more like journals), but I still asked numerous questions, sometimes answering them with my opinion and sometimes leaving it completely open.  As was explained in the blog, leaving it open ended left room for my readers to share their expertise on a subject.  I think asking for their opinions, asking them to leave comments, also left room for them to share their expertise.  


So far, I've commented on the following blogs:
Karen's Home on the Range
Christopher's Cabin Crew 
Lamb's Lair
Technology Integration
kirstin's blog


I've subscribed to a lot of posts since starting this blog, but my favorite so far is The Blog O' Cheese.  I absolutely love his writing style and his sarcastic wit.  I don't exactly remember how I stumbled along his blog, but I'm glad I did.  It's a hugely-needed break from academia and my life. Oh, I haven't commented on his blog as of yet, but I plan to.  I have "liked" a few of his entries, though.


A different blog that I just recently found via Google Blog Search is Catching Readers Before They Fall, which I really like and have already commented on.  The first blog I read mentioned the importance of "interacting with the text alongside struggling readers" and it struck home.  I worked with my nephew last year on his reading, and I believe our discussions and they ways we interacted with the text was what helped him reevaluate and change his views on reading.  (My sister is constantly claiming that I'm the reason he likes reading now - I think he just needed to shown how it could be fun.)