Do you ever wonder why some blog posts get 40 or 50 comments and others get 4 or 5? Do you care? Or do you just blog for the sheer enjoyment of meeting new people and exploring your own creativity?
I've been inspired by the refreshing honesty of some of the recent posts Brenda has been writing at one of my favorite blogs, Cozy Little House. Inspired enough to risk a bit of soul-baring myself. So, I'll admit it...
I feel terrible when I work hard on a post and look down a day later to see that dreaded phrase "0 Comments". Does that sound stupid to you? Or (keepin' it real now), do you do the same thing...sneak to the computer, scroll down, and wait with trepidation for the comments to come rolling straggling in?
I started my little blog as a way of remembering the fun I had with my sister, Nancy. When I blog I almost feel as if I am sharing my experiences with her...as I used to do over her kitchen table most afternoons. I never gave much thought to my "audience" and told myself that it really didn't matter if anyone read my posts..."I'm doing this for me", I told myself.
But I realized this weekend, when no comments came in on my last post, that...hard as it is to admit...it does matter. I do care. I want to know that others are reading my blog. And when I do get lots of comments, I find myself going into my Sally Field-at-the-Oscars mode..."They like me, they really like me". Silly, huh?
I guess, as a teacher, I know intellectually that positive reinforcement works with kids...it's hard to admit that it works for me too. When a post gets lots of comments, my head fills with ideas and I can't wait to start working on the next one. When a post gets few comments (or none?), I'm like a little kid thinking, "Ouch...I never want to do that again".
So, what do you think? Do you care how many people comment on your blog? Do you find that some types of posts get more comments than others? Is it an art or a science, this blogging thing we do?
I haven't exactly been moping around while pondering these "heavy" questions about blogging. Over the weekend, I've been busy decorating for fall and preparing for a dinner party we are hosting next weekend.
I found these free printable fall place cards to download and thought I would share them with you. You can download and print them (I used heavy oak tag) from the HGTV site here.
Although they are tagged "Thanksgiving Place Cards", three of the four on each sheet are simple fall motifs. I used bent paperclips to stick them into little apple baskets that I found for $1.00 each...each place card will do double-duty as a favor for guests to take home.
I'd love to hear how you feel about your blog comments...
Meanwhile, I'm off to work on a menu to go with those place cards...see where my priorities lie?
Yup, craft now...cook later!
Matamorphosis Monday
Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays
Tuesday's Treasures
46 comments:
Hello Cheryl,
I feel the same way you do about the comments. I started out enjoying reading other people's blogs and when i started writing I was writing just to put my feelings, crafts, etc out there. But now I have been blogging for a year and I didn't celebrate it because I felt that maybe my blogging wasn't significant enough to hold a giveaway. I know everyone is busy with their lives but it would be nice if people could at least write hello or nice post..etc.
Thank you for letting me vent and I just wanted you to know I feel just like you, why am I blogging?
Enjoy your day love the place cards you made.
Suzann ~xoxo~
Hi Cheryl - Yes I am with you. I think your blog is great and you have so many good idea's and projects.
I used to have a blog and got too busy, so I closed it. Now I have a brand new one and I am over there posting about the weather 'till I get up to speed. Do you have a Followers button ? If someone leaves their name and picture, your will get traffic. It's on the Gadget list--easy to find. I will come and be one of your Followers if you like? Let me know how it goes.
My blog is -- Memories of the Lake or http://memoriesofthelake.blogspot.com
Right now I have ONE visitor plus I clicked on just to see what would happen, and It's me l'ovin my own blog :-) ???
Dear Cheryl,
I do follow you but I dont have your blog on my side bar..that is changing right now..When You are on my sidebar I remember to check in to see what you are doing..As of now I will be commenting more often. I have been blogging almost 4 yrs and still wonder why it's so hard to get followers never mind commetns..Oh well..guess we just Blog On and Carry On..Hugs...
Cheryl I do understand so much what you are saying! I started blogging for me and to make friends and I have done so. I try to do posts that I think others might enjoy but some are really just snippets of my life that I really don't expect much comment on. I have come to realize that some posts are not as easy to comment on, but it does not mean they aren't read. So I'm pretty good with the whole comments thing...that said it would hurt if no one commented at all. Since I've been on vacation I've had less time to visit and so I've not commented as much as usual. Still I hope you know that I love your blog and you! Just remember some posts are not as easy to comment on as others. Now I'm going to read your last post and see why I didn't leave a comment. hugs my friend. Linda
Hi Cheryl - This is the first time I have visited your blog. I did not read any comments before mine (never do). I am a new blogger. I guess I feel the same way. I try not to let the comments or lack of bother me. I do notice my stats where there have been lots of traffic, but no comment. When I visit a blog I always leave a comment. To me it would be like sneaking in someones house and they not knowing you are there. I know it it different since we put our thoughts and home out there for anyone to peek at. I started my blog to not only share what I am up to, but as record of our home changes from season to seaon year to year. Big hugs.
Sometimes when I'm writing a post I'm not sure I should ever have clicked "Publish" on, I worry more then. Of course we always look for the comments; it's part of the interaction. I find that when I'm not receiving many comments, I haven't had time to comment on other blogs. So I don't think it's any one thing. Just serendipity!
Brenda
I Cheryl...This is the first time I've visited your blog and I'm sure I'll be visiting again! I'm a very new blogger but already starting to feel like part of "This Circle of Friends" via the blogosphere! I love leaving comments and agree that it certainly makes my day when someone takes the time to say Hi to me. Validation! Thank You for opening your heart and home... ! I'm one of your new followers. ":o)
I love comments. I admit it. What I can't figure out is why some bloggers get hundreds and others get a few, when I don't see much difference in the blog interest. I have been blogging for 4 years. I still have a very small following. But I do have friends that are there often...that is what counts.
But I get it...and I know, we all want to get some comments sometimes!!
Have a great week!!
Cheryl, truth be told, I feel as you do. Then I try to justify it by thinking 'you're doing this for fun aren't you?'. I love to share my photos and it takes a long time to photograph, choose, watermark and compose the post. We are human and we expect feedback of some kind. I need validation for my efforts! I like your cute baskets of fruit and the sweet place cards. Your dinner guests will really like them. I hope you have a great week! Blessings, Pamela
Hi Cheryl! I'm visiting from House in the Roses. I think everybody loves getting comments. When you're new, it helps so much to join in memes so people can find you, and to visit, and follow lots of other people. Even when you have a lot of followers, you have to keep visiting around if you want comments. Older blogs with high followers get taken for granted sometimes. I'm guilty of visiting some fantastic mega blogs regularly and never making a peep. I like to get back to all my commenters, but I don't always have time. I think I must be slow. :) Weekends in particular are always low hits and comments for me. I love putting a post together for myself, but I'm always thinking "what would I want to go see?" Sometimes I just do a bum post that I loved and no one else did. Ouch! Oh well.
I think that if any blogger is really honest, they will admit to loving comments. And yes, it's a bit of a let-down when a post only gets a few comments, especially when you are really excited to share something. I personally try to comment as often as possible and I also try to respond to all comments, even if it's just a simple thank you. But sometimes it really is hard to keep up, especially when real life gets in the way. So I try really hard to keep it all in perspective, although that is often easier said than done. And why do some blogs just seem to get a ton of attention ... that's a great question! I once had a really big blogger tell me that she doesn't really read all her comments or view all the links at her party. I just thought that was sad. ... But Cheryl your blog is lovely and you should be proud of what you share here!
Hi,
I do the same thing. I tell myself I'm ok with only having a few followers. My blog is my way of sharing my art with like minded people. I do want followers who actually like me, or the things I do. I don't want followers who are only following me because I commented on their blog, or follow them. But I admit to checking my blog often to see if there have been any comments, and feel a degree of rejection and disappointment if there aren't any comments. We love what we do, but it's always nice to get positive feedback from others. I am a follower, and although I don't comment often, I enjoy your blog, and admire your sister love. Keep up the good work, and I'm sure Nancy is part of everything you do, including this blog.
Sometimes I fret over the comment thing too. I think that if everyone were honest, they would all admit to feeling that way every once in a while. There's nothing wrong with wanting vindication that people like what you are doing. But you can take it overboard sometimes as well and become so consumed with worrying whether anyone likes what you are saying or doing that it can drive you insane!! So for the most part, I try to just blog about things that interest me and not worry too much about how many comments I get. Some days it works, others, not so much! :)
I feel exactly the same, anxious to read comments if they are there and disappointed when they aren't. And the same goes for linking up a project that you are especially proud of to a party with no responses. I don't always comment on other sites, even though I was interested or impressed, so I try to think that somebody "appreciated" my post even if there are no comments for me to read.
In the end, I do love the process of blogging, so as long as I am getting something out of it, that's good enough for me. When there are comments, it is the "cherry on top"!
I've been reading your blog for quite some time and I have you on my blog links sidebar too. You are so honest and clear in your posts. I comment but not on every read. Another commenter today said sort of the same thing - we read and speed on to the next blogger.
I try to comment on at least 10 blogs each day, sometimes a lot more and some days only a couple. That was the advice from Funky Junk I think, to comment at least 10 blogs every day.
When I linky I try to comment on every other linky on that day, but I am not finding 'return' visits and comments. Interesting.
I am finding my 'traffic' has picked up (I started to join in on Linky's) but my 'comments to me' has stayed pretty consistently low. I have been reading similar comments over several bloggers - low comments but the stats are ok.
Maybe write about this again and let your readers know if there are any 'improvements in commenting frequency'.
I am going to keep commenting, doing linky posts and am watching and noting my own numbers.
- Joy
I find my comments fluctuate, too...sometimes there's more than others depending on what I am posting. I post only when I have something to share, so it's always nice to get feedback, but it's not the reason I post.
I think that alot myself! You were brave to say it! makes me think am I not interesting enough etc. But I am doing it because i enjoy it and have met some wonderful people along the way!
Greetings! This is my first time on your blog, and I really love the honesty of your post. I'm a fairly new blogger (about 3 1/2 months), so in the beginning, I was feeling really self-conscious about the things that I posted and the lack of (or rather, the nonexistent comments)...but nowadays, I just try to do what I love...some people may like it, others not so much, but what can we do {and as I say, "oh well!"}? :) Anyway, I really did enjoy this post and plan on coming back. I hope you have a marvelous day...Oh and love all the "autumn" things that you have posted. :)
Hugs,
Jessie
Cheryl,
I am just catching up on all of my visits. I was off on vacation for 2 weeks and had so much to do at home that I just did not have time to post or to comment and even to visit.
I do participate in a lot of weekly parties and I have found that that does not even get a lot of comments. What really seems to work as far as the amount of comments a blogger gets is how many comments a blogger leaves for others. At least , this is what I have found for myself. When I have time and leave others a lot of comments, then I get a lot of comments in return. When I don't have time to visit others or to leave a comments, then I do not have a large amount of comments either.
With working full time, I do not always have time to comment on some of the blogs I visit. And if nothing in the post catches my attention, then I don't take the time to comment since I do not have a lot of time.
What I watch is my visitor counter when I do a post. I understand that many are like me and do not have a lot of time to comment on every blog that they visit so I like to see how many visits I get after I add a new post.
I guess it is human nature to want that feedback that we get when someone leaves a comment.
So you are not alone in wondering if anyone is paying attention to what you blog about....
Hugs,
Debbie
Comments do mean so much. I know! I don't really get that many, but then I haven't had much time for posting regularly anymore. The counters really are nice. I look at the counter as often as I look at my followers and comments. Many people who read my blog do not know how to comment or post. So anyhow... it's just one of those things. On September 8th I wrote about my young friend, Heather, who will have her five year check up this week after battling ovarian cancer. I've worn "teal toes" all month!
Take care... Love your blog!
Hugs,
Karen
Ladybug Creek
Right there with you girl! I am a teacher too. Motivation and praise is everything to any human. Do you think some of the BIG bloggers would have kept blogging if they hadn't gotten comments? Sometimes it's hard not to think of it as a popularity contest."oh look! lots of activity, let's go there." BTW, found you from a big blogger today!
keep bloggin'
Pat
I know what you mean about comments. I'm surprised sometimes at the posts that will get more comments than others. I read so many blogs and I feel like others have said what I wanted to say - so I might not comment. I wish "comments" had a "me, too" button under them.
I agree with you Cheryl! I'm a fairly new blogger and am thrilled when I get comments. I have found linky parties to be a great way to meet more bloggers. I do notice that when I visit a lot of blogs, I get more comments on my posts.
Great post!
Pam
Cheryl, I'd be lying if I said I didn't care whether I got comments or not on a post. We spend time taking pictures, fixing those pictures, composing the post, and generally pouring our hearts into these posts, and to not get a comment can be crushing. It's especially frustrating when you join one of the weekly parties, where there are 100 participants, and you get only 10 comments. I'm the type that comments on everyone's blog when I link up to a party. What amazes me though, is that there are alot of people that are out there lurking, reading the posts but not commenting. So we are reaching alot of people, but it's nice to see validation in the form of a comment!
Lovely pictures in this post Cheryl, and I always enjoy my visits here!
You have a lovely blog.
I personally write my blog just for me. So much so that at least 2x a week I turn comments off.
I have made many wonderful friends thru blogging and treasure their thoughts.
But if you treat it as time for yourself you will never be disappointed.
Hmmm . . . I typed a comment and it disappeared! Oh well, here it is again! I personally think a lot of bloggers don't follow 'etiquette'. If someone leaves me a comment, I reply thanking them via email (IF they are NOT a no-reply blogger -- I hate when bloggers are set up this way!) and I visit their site and leave a comment for them. I leave about 20 comments a day and I'm lucky if I get 3-4 return comments. Just the way it is. I feel like if I encourage, uplift, give an idea or make one person smile, I've done what I set out to do. I've made some wonderful friends and that's a real bonus. Just keep doing what you're doing and enjoying it!
Hello Cheryl,
I think most of us are on the same page as you. Balancing life and blogging can be hard at some times - we do work hard on our posts - and I think we'd love some recognition for that - I find so many use the readers to see as many posts as possible - which doesn't afford the ability to comment - If you look at your Stats provided by Blogger you can see the number of times someone looked at your blog that day, week, month etc... It is amazing to me when I do - compared to the number of comments. I appreciate all visitors and try my best to revisit those who visit me - but, my internet source is slow - they told my husband we have the fastest available in our rural area - it makes one laugh. But, keep going - you do a marvelous job! I do enjoy visiting!
Hugs,
Kathy
visiting via Show Off Your Cottage Monday
I don't blog. I read a lot of them though, but I never comment (until now.) I think most people are like me as far as that goes. So you probably have a lot of followers that just don't take the time to comment. But while I'm here, I just want to say I stumbled accross your blog and decided to stay because I lost my sister to cancer, also. And I miss her. So, thanks for blogging and sharing. Many of us just want to sit back and enjoy.
Hi Cheryl, I discovered your blog through Funky Junk Interiors. Right away I felt at home and I will enjoy getting to know the story behind your blog when I am not at work. :)I am a new blogger and I haven't been able to get my comments to work so I am thinking they are important.
I think that we all want to see comments! They give substantiation to what we have produced in our posts! Sometimes I wonder as to why a really popular blog receives 100 comments on what I believe to be an uninspired post. I think it is just because the commenter wants to be seen on this person's blog. Otherwise, why else would 100 people comment on the lovely navy blue sweater that the poster wore to her daughter's engagement party?! LOL Just a silly example, I hope you realize... I try to return everyone's comment when they visit me. Sometimes, I am so busy that I just can't- and I only average about 20 -25 comments a post. Life gets in the way, you know! Sometimes, I am guilty of just visiting to get ideas from people or to just check in on them, so I don't always leave a comment. Just depends... I hate one-liners from people, though, such as- "so cute, good idea, etc" Make it a personal comment worth reading, people! ok, I've ranted long enuf! Don't take it personally- life is way too short to worry about lack of comments. Just know that your loyal followers will always be there for you! Visiting from Susan's party. :-) Sue
Cute cards and thanks for sharing them at my party. Yes...I think we all like getting comments...I will say...it's really funny sometimes when I get more comments on posts that I don't really don't like that much and others that I think are great only get a few...oh well it's okay:)
Blessings,
Linda
I follow a lot of blogs, but I do not have a blog myself. The inspiration and ideas I get from all the wonderful blogs I follow, I could not get from any other source. I don't need magazine subscriptions, the nature pictures are beautiful, and the emotional support you receive from the funny and heart warming stories everyone shares, I don't know where you could experience anything like it any where else. I discovered blogs in September of 2008 after my father passed of lung cancer. We took care of him in our home for 2 1/2 years. But I should probably comment more than I do, because you and all bloggers should know that you are appreciated and we enjoy your talents and ideas.
G'day from Australia! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on this post today. It sounds like you are voicing the opinions of many, including me! I love blogging, I love meeting new people around the world from blogging and I love comments too! I do find though, that when I don't leave comments at other blogs I don't receive as many comments myself. We are all so busy that it is hard to get around and visit everyone but if we can try to say hi as often as we can manage it then I think that's a good thing!
Take care and enjoy blogging for you!
Best wishes,
Natasha.
xo
I will admit that, especially as a new blogger, comments do matter to me. It is a reminder that people are out there reading and that (hopefully) what I am writing is interesting to at least a handful of people. It is hard to read blogs that are so successful and have so many readers and then come back to my little ole blog and see 1 or 2 comments.
I know I blog for myself and to chronicle the things that happen in my life (an online diary of sorts) but I also blog to meet new people and share ideas with others. So, I can totally relate to that feeling of watching for comments!
I agree with you. I love it when someone takes the time to leave a comment. Somehow that gives me enthusiasm to keep creating new blog posts. I have found that it is more difficult to leave a comment on some blogs than others. I tried to leave a comment on a blog a few days ago and it would not take so after 3 tries I gave up.
I do check the stats to see how many pageviews a particular post gets. It is a way to see what subject gets the most interest although pageviews depend on other things like link parties as well. This whole blogging thing is a learn as you go process. I'm sure there are techniques that would generate more comments. One that I have seen other bloggers use is to end with a question or ask for an opinion. That motivates me to leave a comment.
What a timely post...I was feeling the same way after noticing I had 35 post views and only 2 comments, the other day!
Kinda makes you feel like you're post isn't worth a comment. Truth be told I realize sometimes what meant something to me just didn't mean anything to somebody else. I still keep on a bloggin' ...it's like a journal.
I try to roll with it. I don't want blogging to become a chore, but remain a joy. So sometimes I am not on as often as others, because the more time you put in, the more comments you get out, and I try to keep 'everything in moderation'.
Boy, you got the comments this time, girl! I have wondered the same thing...what gets comments and what gets followers? What makes some blogs more popular than others? I've been blogging for 3 years and I hardly get any comments, anytime! I have a few really faithful followers and I love each of them...we chat on Facebook and thru emails...only know them through my blog. Like I know you Cheryl. Yes, sometimes I'm disappointed when there are no comments...we all need to feel noticed. Guess it's the same as high school...why are some popular and some not? I blog for me, for the writer I want to be when I grow up and to fill my creative wants. But there is still that why isn't anyone talking to me? I'm not really into promoting my blog, don't care nothing about making money from it, so I'll just roll on as I am...we should all start commenting on each others blogs and make everyone wonder why WE ARE SO popular...LOL! Smile Cheryl, your blog brightens my day! Best, Vicki
Hi Cheryl, I just found your blog through Coastal Charm. I love it and will be a follower after this post.
I too hold it highly important that people comment about my blog postings. I am not the most creative writer in the world, so I post the decorating, the crafts and my thrifting finds.
I hold it dear and near when someone leaves a heart felt comment about my post.
Some email me thanks when I visit their blogs and that is great, however I prefer they comment on my blog. Just to know they like it or care.
I am faithful blogger to those I have on my list and I also search out new blogs. I glean so much information from everyone.
I feel comments are important, too, so it's funny that it's taken me four days to find this post. I've got to find a new way to visit all the blogs I follow!!! Your blog is wonderful...we love you!!!
Hello,
I am a little late to comment (and buried way down at number 41!!), but I often feel the same way too about lack of comments. I've been a blogger since 2004 and had a rather high (for me) following and comments, but then I suddenly burned out on my blog. I flet like I was starting to get too personal (I was dealing with a lot of personal issues at the time) and I noticed the more personal I got (and the more I really needed comments-some sort of support), I received less and less. All of this was partly the reason I quit the blogging world. It kind of made me feel lonely in a weird way.
About a year ago I decide to start again. I am keeping it simple this time around, but occasionally I do post something personal (generally job stress related) and I have never received any comments on those posts. It does make me sad, but I think people just prefer to be simple. I am trying hard not to let it bother me this time around. I do wonder if I am boring from time to time (I know I need to get a photo editing program again-lost on a broken laptop to spruce up the ol' snapshots).
Your post made me aware I need to reach out more than just "sneaking" (as one commentor put it aptly) into folks' blogs. I tend to ramble (um, example here) and I wonder if this annoys the blog writer (it would not annoy me!) and this has stopped me from hitting "Post comment" before.
I am going to hit this rambling comment today, though, because I want you to know I love your blog and this post really hit home to us bloggers!
Also, I love your photography and I do read regularly!
How long will the inspection take? The typical for a single inspector is 2 to 3 hours for a common single-family house; anything much less may not be adequate time to perform a complete inspection. Some inspection companies send out a group of inspectors and the time frame may well be faster Commercial roof repair Dallas
This is such a tricky topic for bloggers. I have come across a few who have decided to move the conversation onto their already busy FB pages. I find more of my audience are accessing it via mobile phone so it's much easier for them to comment on Facebook because there's an app. I'm thinking about closing out comments in this upcoming week to see if it changes my traffic. I find it tough to continue going to tons of blogs each day, reading and commenting on them so I'll get comments back. We'll see what happens.
The cottage style is a style where everything old is new again! If you're a champion bargain hunter who loves to navigate flea markets and Grandma's attic for that perfectly charming wagon, hat box or antique plate, and you want a style to match your passion for quaint decor and your casual lifestyle, then the cottage look may be perfect for you.
Nice post, I would like to request you to one more post about that Keep it up
and thanks for the useful information share to me ...
White Label Mobile Apps
Interesting! although I have no expert, but I want have to know more and more, on your blog just interesting and useful
information. Keep it up!
thanks for sharing!!!
White Label for smart phones
Post a Comment