Comments on: Blog Comments http://www.bethanyjensen.com/2008/04/09/blog-comments/ If ye are prepared, ye shall not _____ Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:51:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: The Wife http://www.bethanyjensen.com/2008/04/09/blog-comments/#comment-211 The Wife Wed, 09 Apr 2008 20:48:16 +0000 http://www.bethanyjensen.com/?p=389#comment-211 On the blog that my husband and I write, we feel like our posts give us enough of a voice that we like to leave the comments section as a place for the readers to react and discuss. Occassionally we join in that discussion, but not as a habit. On my <a href="http://imnotjustamom.com" rel="nofollow">personal blog</a> it's a bit different. I only respond if I have a specific reason to, and then I let the reason dictate how I respond (in comments or email). If they are asking for clarification on something, and I feel like that clarification would benefit other readers, I put my response in the comments AND I email them the response, so they don't have to keep checking the comments section. If I just want to thank them, or say something more conversational, I will often just send an email. I think it's great to acknowledge new readers, questions, and noteworthy comments, but I don't think it's necessary to acknowledge every comment that comes your way. As far as commenting on other blogs, I go up and down--usually depending on how busy I am. I am glad you don't excerpt your feed, because I almost always unsubscribe from those; it's just too much mouse-clicking. People will click through to comment if there is enough of a reason (I did today). On the blog that my husband and I write, we feel like our posts give us enough of a voice that we like to leave the comments section as a place for the readers to react and discuss. Occassionally we join in that discussion, but not as a habit.
On my personal blog it’s a bit different. I only respond if I have a specific reason to, and then I let the reason dictate how I respond (in comments or email). If they are asking for clarification on something, and I feel like that clarification would benefit other readers, I put my response in the comments AND I email them the response, so they don’t have to keep checking the comments section. If I just want to thank them, or say something more conversational, I will often just send an email. I think it’s great to acknowledge new readers, questions, and noteworthy comments, but I don’t think it’s necessary to acknowledge every comment that comes your way.
As far as commenting on other blogs, I go up and down–usually depending on how busy I am. I am glad you don’t excerpt your feed, because I almost always unsubscribe from those; it’s just too much mouse-clicking. People will click through to comment if there is enough of a reason (I did today).

]]> By: Bethany http://www.bethanyjensen.com/2008/04/09/blog-comments/#comment-206 Bethany Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:15:18 +0000 http://www.bethanyjensen.com/?p=389#comment-206 Rachel, your comment is fascinating--thank you! It actually never occurred to me that my blog would be seen by anyone as a reference or informational site. Since I'm doing my Primary stuff anyway, and it might be helpful to someone else, I post it here, and same for FHE stuff and anything else informational. I think of my blog as an emotional/intellectual outlet, as well as a place for my out-of-town family and friends to get caught up with our life. Oh, and I guess I do use it as a kind of archive of ideas for myself--things I like, things I want to come back to, etc. PLEASE don't stop yourself from posting cheerleader comments--I love them as much as you do. And certainly don't feel silly for commenting here. I know from reading your excellent blog that you have as many thoughts and ideas about the things I write about as I do! Ah! I've written another mouthful! :-) Rachel, your comment is fascinating–thank you! It actually never occurred to me that my blog would be seen by anyone as a reference or informational site. Since I’m doing my Primary stuff anyway, and it might be helpful to someone else, I post it here, and same for FHE stuff and anything else informational. I think of my blog as an emotional/intellectual outlet, as well as a place for my out-of-town family and friends to get caught up with our life. Oh, and I guess I do use it as a kind of archive of ideas for myself–things I like, things I want to come back to, etc.

PLEASE don’t stop yourself from posting cheerleader comments–I love them as much as you do. And certainly don’t feel silly for commenting here. I know from reading your excellent blog that you have as many thoughts and ideas about the things I write about as I do! Ah! I’ve written another mouthful! :-)

]]> By: Rachel http://www.bethanyjensen.com/2008/04/09/blog-comments/#comment-205 Rachel Wed, 09 Apr 2008 15:43:52 +0000 http://www.bethanyjensen.com/?p=389#comment-205 Bethany-- WOW--that was a mouthful! But a great post nonetheless.(or was that a cheerleaderish comment??) haha... I LIKE when people ask questions and I really try to respond in the comments section back. I love it when others do the same--what if I had the same question that someone else had? I like seeing the response and it makes me feel like I am "in" the group discussion! As for the whole reader thing--I think it is funny how you like it so you can read, and I like it so I can comment on more people's blogs a.s.a.p and not have to search each one. It helps me keep all caught up through the day to go check someone's blog and be able to comment right away. Like I said in my comment BACK to you on my blog (if you read that at all) your "blog" seems more like a really informative website--which is another reason I haven't commented too often. I feel really silly leaving too many comments because lots of people check here for ideas, and I feel like my comments aren't valid on a primary activity when I have nothing to do with primary. Ya know? Your "blog" is so technical and organized and feels more like a REAL website...I guess I just have the knock-off kind! :) But I am happy to comment more if it's wanted. I think your "blog" is PROOF that you can make it whatever you want--discussion board or not-- I always sign up to see the comments after I post--and am thrilled when there is a response. I guess you just never know who will be happy or not and you should just go about things the way YOU are happiest. If someone else feels happy in the process, you get double points! Hope you have a great day! And yes, thank you for your comment on my blog! Bethany–

WOW–that was a mouthful! But a great post nonetheless.(or was that a cheerleaderish comment??) haha…
I LIKE when people ask questions and I really try to respond in the comments section back. I love it when others do the same–what if I had the same question that someone else had? I like seeing the response and it makes me feel like I am “in” the group discussion!

As for the whole reader thing–I think it is funny how you like it so you can read, and I like it so I can comment on more people’s blogs a.s.a.p and not have to search each one. It helps me keep all caught up through the day to go check someone’s blog and be able to comment right away.

Like I said in my comment BACK to you on my blog (if you read that at all) your “blog” seems more like a really informative website–which is another reason I haven’t commented too often. I feel really silly leaving too many comments because lots of people check here for ideas, and I feel like my comments aren’t valid on a primary activity when I have nothing to do with primary. Ya know? Your “blog” is so technical and organized and feels more like a REAL website…I guess I just have the knock-off kind! :) But I am happy to comment more if it’s wanted. I think your “blog” is PROOF that you can make it whatever you want–discussion board or not–

I always sign up to see the comments after I post–and am thrilled when there is a response.

I guess you just never know who will be happy or not and you should just go about things the way YOU are happiest. If someone else feels happy in the process, you get double points!

Hope you have a great day! And yes, thank you for your comment on my blog!

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