Commenting on Commenting
(hey, this is post 197. Apparently drafts count towards the post total. I'll have to see if I have any other drafts hiding out.)
I like to blog. I like to read blogs. I like to comment too. When I have something to say.
But some blogs intimidate me. You know, the really popular ones. The ones with the dozens and dozens of comments.
I'll read the post and think, "I'd like to comment on this." And so I click the link, and then read the hundreds of comments already posted.
And I realize I really have nothing much to say. Nothing clever. Nothing funny. Nothing meaningful. What I was going to write was not much at all. My measely little comment would never measure up to those great one liners. And humorous stories. And heartfelt advice.
And who would read my comment? Number 101, out of 102? Does anyone read all those comments? Really, do they read them all?
And so, when I find a blog that gets lots of comments, I'll read the post AND all the comments, but I won't leave one. I guess I think I don't have anything worthwhile to add to the conversation. Or anything new to say that hasn't already been said (that's redundant, isn't it? : )
Once in a great while, I hurry up and type my thought and click publish before I change my mind. It's kind of scary adding a comment to hundreds (of really good ones) that are already there.
What if someone does read it? And thinks it's stupid? And when I finally look at what I wrote, I will see a glaring, horrible typo. Or a hugely mispelled word. Argh. And it's always too late to take it back. Now what will people think???
I'm hoping they think I am just a middle age blogger out reading and writing and connecting and commenting. Commenting when I feel like I have something to say : )
I like to blog. I like to read blogs. I like to comment too. When I have something to say.
But some blogs intimidate me. You know, the really popular ones. The ones with the dozens and dozens of comments.
I'll read the post and think, "I'd like to comment on this." And so I click the link, and then read the hundreds of comments already posted.
And I realize I really have nothing much to say. Nothing clever. Nothing funny. Nothing meaningful. What I was going to write was not much at all. My measely little comment would never measure up to those great one liners. And humorous stories. And heartfelt advice.
And who would read my comment? Number 101, out of 102? Does anyone read all those comments? Really, do they read them all?
And so, when I find a blog that gets lots of comments, I'll read the post AND all the comments, but I won't leave one. I guess I think I don't have anything worthwhile to add to the conversation. Or anything new to say that hasn't already been said (that's redundant, isn't it? : )
Once in a great while, I hurry up and type my thought and click publish before I change my mind. It's kind of scary adding a comment to hundreds (of really good ones) that are already there.
What if someone does read it? And thinks it's stupid? And when I finally look at what I wrote, I will see a glaring, horrible typo. Or a hugely mispelled word. Argh. And it's always too late to take it back. Now what will people think???
I'm hoping they think I am just a middle age blogger out reading and writing and connecting and commenting. Commenting when I feel like I have something to say : )
Posts
13 brave soul(s) wrote in the dust:
I totally understand your thoughts! So, I did a test once, there was a post I liked and I commented, then adding a PS do you even ever read the comments cause you have so many. You know what?? She answered me! I was shocked, she said she treasured EVERY comment. So, now If I have something to say I say it!
I comment in a different manner. If I want to comment I'll click the link and head directly to the comment box. I rarely read what other commenters have written, especially if there are a lot of comments. I know the blog owner will see the comment and that's all I'm really going for. I never (well, rarely) go back to blogs to see if anyone has commented on my comment. Unless it was a good juicy one. I wish I had the time.
I am a newbie and love, love, love to hear from readers. It makes my day! If I comment on a prominent blog, I also just scroll to the bottom and put in my comment without reading all the others. I rarely go back to read if someone comments on my comment though. I think bloggers live for the feedback, after all - very few of us make any money off our blogs. We write because we love to write, and isn't it nice to know if someone is reading?
As a side note, recently I left a comment on Redneck Mommy's blog. I figure she probably just skims her comments because she gets so many. Surprise? She came and commented on my blog and brought a ton of readers with her. In addition she's been back to visit since. I was shocked, and thrilled. I was just as thrilled, however, to hear from a reader who is just starting a blog and asked if I could pay it a visit and give her some feedback. ME?? And I did. I was flattered. I guess what I am trying to say is that it is just as thrilling to hear from a newbie as it is a prominent blogger. And although a few of the biggies may not appreciate their readers, I bet the majority do and love the comments as much as we do! Reading a comment is like opening a present ... you never know what you'll find, but isn't it wonderful to have the opportunity to open it?
I agree with 24@heart, comments are like a present, a real treasure! I'm so new too, and I'm just flabergasted at how many people I've "met" because of my blog. I love comments and I visit everyone's blog who visits mine. That's another great way to find treasure! : )
What 24@Heart said...
Never underestimate what you have to say. Don't worry about how many comments there are or what they said. Just comment.
I, for one, am ALWAYS tickled to hear from you, and read what you have to say.
I feel you on this. I am a comment chicken BAWK BAWK
We are two peas in a pod I tell ya! I do the exact same thing! Maybe we're just over thinking things. If I really want to comment, I think the best thing to do is not read the previous comments and just type what I have to say. If I read through too many, I'll forget what I was going to say anyway!
Enough blathering, I'm off to read the other comments on this post. :-D
COMcewens - Oh that's a cool idea. I may have to try it somewhere.
Vicki - I love that idea of NOT reading all the comments. That's when I chicken out....if I were to just skip ahead and write what I wanted to, I would be okay. Thanks for that tip. And I try to go back and read answers to comment I have left, but I usually forget where I leave them. I love that blogger has that email follow up comments box.
twentyfouratheart - I love to get comments. I guess it validates my feelings and thoughts. And I don't fell like I am all alone in the world.
Pinki - I love all the people I have "met" through the blog. There's no way I would have met so many different women from all across the country.
Jan - Love your sushi bar : )
Audra - you ALWAYS make me laugh. Bawk bawk, backatcha!
And Lynne - Yes, I often forget what I was going to say if I start reading all the comments. And none of my comments ever seem clever enough.....
I love reading every comment on my blog, although I don't get too many, but It always makes my day to get one from you!
But I must admit I'm so guilty of the typo thing. I can't spell worth beans and would be lost with out spell check.
I think we all love comments, I sure like to get 'em. But..if a blog has oh more than twenty or so comments, I only comment if I feel really compelled to do so. Generally I just imagine others wouldn't read those hundred comment posts - but I know would so perhaps I'm not being thoughtful in that judgment.
I LOVE when folks where I comment come visit my blog too...just feels like we're all really sharing, and I like that.
I made a rule not to comment if there are more than 16 comments for the very reasons that you state: getting overwhelmed, etc. etc. But I break the rule if I REALLY have to say something. Also, I just heard Dooce say that she reads every single comment. She considers it part of her job. So that made me decide to comment on her site, when I have something to say. It's not that I want to get a comment back in exchange for one of mine or even a visit; I just want to know that my comment isn't floating in the ether.
Jill - I love your blog : ) YOur tips are short and sweet and right to the point.
Lee - I love when people come back to my blog too. It means they read my comment and I matter. I like feeling like I have lots of friends.
Jane - I read Dooce's blog ealier and her one post had over 450 comments. Crap. She REALLY reads them all???? That really would be a job. It's nice to know though that she does read them all. Maybe I will get over my fear and post a comment there. And that's exactly it....I want to know that my comment is read and not just floating out there in cyberspace.
I understand!! There are times I visit a popular blog and I don't leave a comment because I don't want to sound like an idiot. But I personally love comments. I like to know what people think even if its in opposition to what I wrote. I am hoping that's how most people are too.
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