I would like to thank my readership for all their comments on my blog. I’ve just added a Wordpress plugin that will show the top ten commenters.
The question that I here most often in the blogosphere from new bloggers is this: “How do I develop a blog readership?”
I always tell them to get to know other bloggers. I don’t even know how many hours in a day that I spend commenting on blogs. I have lost count.
Commenting on a blog is about more than getting hits to your blog though or increasing your PageRank. It’s about building lasting relationships. I really want you to get know me and I would like to get to know you. When someone leaves a comment on our blogs, it makes us feel good. It is nice to know that someone is actually reading what we blog about.
Now what I’m about to say is not directed at anyone in particular, so please do not take offense. I feel the need to stress that, because recently when I blogged about blogging etiquette a blogger misinterpreted my post and thought it was directed at her and that is not my style. If I have a problem with a person, I will go to that person.
Blogging Etiquette
Gina Trapani of lifehacker.com has written an excellent article on guidelines to weblog comments. I love where she says, “Leaving a comment on someone’s weblog is like walking into their living room and joining in on a conversation.”
With that said, you would not walk into a living room and say, ” I heard that scientists have created a breed of designer chickens with eggs that can produce life-saving drugs.” when we are discussing skinny super models.
When you visit my blog or any blog for that matter, I think you should do your best to keep your comments relevant to the subject at hand.
Gina says, “Bloggers enable comments on specific blog posts to hear more about the content of the post.” She is absolutely right. If you’re visiting my blog and need to get in touch with me about something unrelated to the post or would just like to thank me for visiting your blog and do not wish to comment on my blog that is cool, but please use my contact form. Pretty please! If you need help with your blog, join my blog community.
Also, if you are a regular visitor to my blog then you might want to subscribe to comments, so you can follow up if I leave a reply to you. To do this just put a check mark in the subscribe to comments when commenting. Oh and one more thing. Please don’t forget to leave your blog link, so I can drop by your blog.
Happy Blogging and thank you once again for being a faithful reader.
If you liked this post, why not buy me a coffee?
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28 responses so far ↓
Chris (another one)
// Jan 15, 2007 at 4:44 pm
Very good points, and very good plugins.
I’ve crept on to the bottom of the list, it’s a long way to the top….
Rose DesRochers
// Jan 15, 2007 at 4:57 pm
Thanks Chris and you will make it to the top. After all you are a post ho. Let us see if you are a comment ho? :shock::twisted:
Chris (another one)
// Jan 15, 2007 at 5:03 pm
I resent the implication!
But, I’ll take the chance to comment again
Rose DesRochers
// Jan 15, 2007 at 5:16 pm
Of course you will. A opportunity has been offer to you, you’s be a fool not to take it. Isn’t that right blogging ho?
egan
// Jan 15, 2007 at 6:11 pm
Hi, I like your blog and thought I would say hello. Ha, just kidding… well I do like the blog. I just blogged last week about the etiquette thing too.
I would guess I comment on about 20-50 blogs a day. It’s a full-time job, but don’t let my employer know this. Merci.
Dan
// Jan 15, 2007 at 6:26 pm
Nice post on blog ettiquette Rose. And there really is no other way to get to know other bloggers than to comment on their blogs.
I think of it as an invitation to coffee. If they decline (they don’t visit your blog) after a couple of “invitations” then that’s fine. You won’t be in their club and you just move on. Life’s too short.
I have noticed you commenting on many of the blogs from folks who comment on my blog. That’s how it works. Communities develop in this manner.
Nice meeting you Rose and I hope our blog friendship blossoms!
Rose DesRochers
// Jan 15, 2007 at 6:53 pm
Egan where was it that you worked again? Oh by the way, Hello!
Dan, so true. Sometimes it is not easy being the new girl. At times I feel like I’m the new girl trying to fit into some high school clique. For some it comes easy. Oh well they either like me or they don’t. Dan and yes I have visited some of your readership blogs. Not all of them have found their way back here, but oh well. Maybe my coffee is to strong. LOL I look forward to getting to know you better too Dan.
Ryan
// Jan 15, 2007 at 7:00 pm
I think I am going to have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for dinner…
Just kidding.
Good post and it is important to keep in mind that comments should be largely relevant to the conversation.
Claire
// Jan 15, 2007 at 7:05 pm
Hello, very good post Rose, you explain things very well!
Your right about Chris being a comment ho, i would never do anything like that.
I think it is hard to fit into some blogs as you sometimes just dont have anything to say, but feel its rude to lurk.
Hopefully i have created a blog that is friendly and anybody would be happy to join in on.
Cheers
Clairex:lol::razz::eek:
Claire
// Jan 15, 2007 at 7:14 pm
That actually wasn’t a plug! I just meant that there are some blogs i really like but sometimes i just dont have anything to say on what they are posting about.
Rose DesRochers
// Jan 15, 2007 at 7:26 pm
Ryan, What did the jelly say to the peanut butter? Stick with me and we’ll go places! Opps, there I go getting off topic. What were we talking about? :roll:Ahh yes, comment etiquette.
Claire, I don’t mind that Chris is a comment ho. Aslong as he is adding to a convo in which he is, therefore he can ho on my blog any time.
Claire, how dare you plug your blog here.
I know what you meant. 
egan
// Jan 15, 2007 at 7:42 pm
I’m not able to divulge where I work for obvious reasons. Et “salut” right back at you!
hammer
// Jan 15, 2007 at 7:54 pm
I’m new to blogging but have been in the online community since the BBS days. Since many of the netiquette principles seem to be the same, I think everything you mentioned should be shouted from the rooftops.
Thank you for broaching this subject, I didn’t know a tactful way to bring it up.
Haley-O
// Jan 15, 2007 at 8:30 pm
Nice to meet you, Rose! Thank you for these great tips. I take my commenting very seriously. And, I, too, spend a lot of time reading and commenting on other blogs — and have gotten to know so many great people this way.
karmicjay
// Jan 15, 2007 at 8:57 pm
Like your blog! I will add you to my newsreader. You made great points about comment etiquette esp .. “Commenting on a blog is about more than getting hits to your blog though or increasing your PageRank. It’s about building lasting relationships.”
I did not read blogs for 3 days and suddenly I had 78 posts to read, but I read them all since I love all the blogs that I read and in a way it is about community.
Teena in Toronto
// Jan 15, 2007 at 9:03 pm
Excellent post!
Rose DesRochers
// Jan 15, 2007 at 9:22 pm
Egan, news at 7. Blogger fired today after he was caught surfing to more than 50 blogs from the office computer.:lol:
Hammer, my pleasure. I was actually afraid to bring up the subject. I did not anyone to misinterpret and think it was directed at them.
I know that many are new to blogging and they might not know the proper etiquette to commenting on a blog. It’s nice to see so many commenting and sharing their views on this.
Haley, I noticed that you too were Canadian? It is nice to meet a fellow Canuck blogger. Feel free to drop in anytime and I’m glad that you enjoyed my tips.
Karmic, blogging is sure time consuming, but as long as you enjoy it. I have learned a lot of interesting things via blogs. Thanks for adding me to your news reader.
Teena, thanks!
Em
// Jan 15, 2007 at 9:33 pm
Thanks for the info. I’m still really new to this blogging thing and embrace any opportunity to learn more about how other bloggers do things.
One thing I’m clear about…I’m not blogging in an effort to create a giant fan base. LOL I love getting comments, but I don’t go around leaving comments just to get return visits. I really do enjoy getting to know folks…and have found most bloggers to be extremely friendly and eager to talk! I like that a lot. And I look forward to many more days/weeks/months of blogging!
krystyna
// Jan 15, 2007 at 9:52 pm
Very needful post. Thank you!
Rose DesRochers
// Jan 15, 2007 at 10:46 pm
Em, I look forward to your many more days of blogging. I’ve enjoyed reading your blog.
Thanks krystyna .
Steve Reichard
// Jan 15, 2007 at 11:09 pm
When I comment on your blog I try and keep on the subject. Good tips Rose.
eph2810
// Jan 15, 2007 at 11:21 pm
Very well said. I agree. Sometimes I get comments that really don’t relate to my post at all. So, did my visitor even read my post? But most of the time they do comment on the content.
Ryan
// Jan 16, 2007 at 12:01 am
“What did the jelly say to the peanut butter? Stick with me and we’ll go places!”
Ahahahaaa…. way to get off topic on your own post about not getting off topic… LOL
Rose DesRochers
// Jan 16, 2007 at 12:35 am
Now Ryan, I’m not off topic. Somehow I will find a way to tie the joke in with my post about blogging etiquette. Vague comments on a blog are like a peanut butter sandwich without the jelly.
Crashdummie
// Jan 16, 2007 at 3:31 am
Wonderful blogging etiquette - thank you for sharing the info. Btw, just love the Garfield cartoons!
Wizened Wizard
// Jan 16, 2007 at 8:50 am
Thanks, Rose, you’ve given me some needed guidance!
David
// Jan 16, 2007 at 6:42 pm
Thats really true. Getting to know each other and sharing joy/pain/happiness.. anything for that matter leaves with both the commenter and the writer joy in every way..Also a neat way to get to know people half way across the globe.
D
Rose DesRochers
// Jan 16, 2007 at 7:54 pm
Wizened Wizard my pleasure.
David it sure is.
Crashdummie thanks.
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