I really don’t care if you share this post. Not at all.
Okay, that’s a lie. Sure, go ahead and tweet it. Like it on Facebook. Plus one it on Google, or whatever you folks call it these days. Heck, let me dig up a photo of my classic Transylvania Eggplant Casserole, so you can pin it on Pinterest!
Of course I’d love any exposure. More exposure means more potential traffic. Everyone wants more eyeballs on their site. But the point I want to make in this post is this: I like to write. Heck, I love to write. It’s what I’ve been doing since I was three apples high and I used to write short stories about crocodiles whenever I visited my grandmother’s house.
I love to write and I love to blog. Yes, I do giveaways and reviews on here, but I try to spend the bulk of the write-up just writing about my life, my past, and anything else that I can somehow even loosely tie in to my review or giveaway. Writing is a fantastic outlet and sometimes I just sit down and watch my fingers move on the keyboard without even knowing what’s coming out on the other end. Like this paragraph for instance.
Some people exercise to clear their mind. Others meditate. I write.
In these social media heavy times, though, bloggers are getting the best and the worst of things. On the one hand, blog posts are being shared more rapidly than ever thanks to Facebook, Twitter and the likes. But on the flip side, people may be reading your blog post… but they’re not commenting. Instead, they’re keeping their comments contained to the social networks.
Someone shared your latest squirrel-related post on Facebook and there are 20 comments on the Facebook post itself? Awesome! But why isn’t there a single comment on the actual blog post? Same with Twitter. Something can get retweeted hundreds of times, @mentioned twice as many times, and yet there may be all of four comments on the original post.
Let me tell you something… and if you’re still reading this, thank you. I would rather have one single comment on my blog than 50 comments on a Facebook post about my blog. I took the time to put my words to paper… er, keyboard… and share my thoughts, desires, and embarrassing moments with you. Getting any sort of feedback isn’t just validating, it’s insanely encouraging.
Knowing that people read what I write certainly drives me to write more. Otherwise, I might as well just keep a private journal. To some degree, I miss the old days of blogging where bloggers would swap comments with blogging friends, as well as make new friends regularly with the folks who’d return daily to comment.
Is commenting a completely dead art? Is blogging going the way of the dodo? I sure hope not. Honestly, I think blogging is part of social media and plays a vital role by providing the very basic content that is shared regularly throughout the social industry. It’d just be nice if more people took the time to jot a quick note to bloggers on their posts, letting them know what they think. Feedback, after all, is the lifeblood of a writer. And just getting a “thumbs up” doesn’t really cut it.
Share some blog love today. Hug a blogger, leave a comment.
Me too!! I know exactly what you mean. My last blogspot was tweeted and facebooked all over the place. My blog stats went through the roof for that one day, and…… one extra person commented. One. Over and above the blog friends who comment all the time. I’ve made real friends through blogging and commenting on blogs. Real, come-and-visit-and-stay-at-my-house friends. I hope that doesn’t stop happening.
Comments are my precious…my precioussss. I gobble up comments like well…me…eating cake. Comments to me are acknowledgement or validation that someone took the time to read what I wrote. Whether they agree, disagree, or just want to pass on a raspberry *pfffft* I appreciate that they took their time to connect with me.
Stopping over to spread some love 🙂 Great post. For me, getting comments on my actual post, is like waking up on Christmas morning as a kid and finding presents under the Christmas tree. Like you, I enjoy receiving comments and I like leaving them as well. Looks like you’re starting a revival in comment land. 🙂
You said it, Groovy Mamma! A fresh comment is really like a hug for a blogger. It’s a display of affection, showing that you care enough about what they wrote to take a full 30 or 60 seconds to let them know. Even if it’s a negative comment, it still means they were moved enough to write!
Yeah, I think I am going to keep this revival movement going!
Before I was really blogging, I was so guilty of this. Its really a shame but even with my friends, contact (in real life, comments on blogs, heck even phone calls) has been replaced by comments/shares/likes on Facebook.
I’m dealing with an old, old friend right now who seems to feel that there’s nothing wrong with the fact that we haven’t spoken in 6 months; after all, she did “like” my post just last week. Really?
Hi, Ann. Wow, I guess a simple “like” is the new phone call between friends? 🙂
I feel like no one comments on my blog anymore, I do love the interaction elsewhere but if all the comments are on my blog then the discussions get easier to follow and are clearer to everyone else that would read it.
Exactly! Thanks, Nicole!
The vast majority of my readers are not bloggers, so I mostly get comments if they have a question about changing recipe ingredients. Of course, I have noticed a trend starting where people are asking those questions on Twitter & Facebook. The particular issue I have with that is that future readers may have had the same question… and most won’t ask.
Thanks, Robin! Yeah, that’s my biggest issue with comments on Twitter or FB. They’re great for “the moment” but then they’re gone. Your blog post sticks around and the comments are tied to the post.
I’m with you! Tweeting just to be a jerk though.
Hah! Thanks, Jenn. No, no. I really DO want people tweeting this post, I just want them to comment too. So you’re in the clear. 😉
Like you I want the comments on my blog, I’m writing because I want to have a conversation and get to know you. Shares on social networks are great but I don’t always get to see the conversations that happen there.
Hey, Cat!!! Thanks for the comment! And thanks for 100% agreeing with me. 🙂
In a way, this another example of how social networks are becoming the norm for communication. It used to be that people announced big news by mailing out a card or letter; now, they update their Facebook page. I find modern methods of communicating disconcerting at times, but it depends on the context. If someone tweets me about an article I wrote, that makes me just as happy as if they left a comment on my blog post itself, although I guess it is harder to keep track of because social media stuff gets buried so fast.
By the way, is “Transylvania Eggplant Casserole” a real thing? Because I would totally make that for my next Halloween party.
Hey, Beeb! Yes, it’s definitely the new norm. I used to “talk” all the time with friends via email. Now I rarely email friends. I used to IM them all the time instead of emailing. I still do, but not as much as before. Texting and Facebook updates are the new communication, as you put it.
That said, I’d still rather have a comment on the blog itself as it really helps foster a more permanent communication. The comments on a blog are part of that specific post. It’s like the director’s commentary on a movie. You can hear quotes and comments in various magazine articles, but then you toss them away. It’s so much nicer to keep it all tied together, so if someone new comes to the post later on, they get to read the entire thing.
And yes that is a real dish. It’s not a Halloween thing at all, just a recipe from Traynsylvania with eggpplant and loads of other delicious veggies!
Right! It blows my mind every time I learn big news through a status update rather than a letter or what have you. Not saying it’s bad, just that the progression of technology and how fast the world is changing blows me away! And yeah, social network feedback can be more transitory since it’s harder to keep track of.
I loooove eggplant so I hope you share that recipe someday! I will indeed pin it to Pinterest. 😉
All of my posts go to twitter and Facebook, most often people reply tot he post on Twitter. A few times it confused me and I had to go through to see what they were even replying to. I prefer blog comments, better for all. Don’t get me wrong, I love twitter, but not for replying to BLOG stuff
Yeah, I know a lot of people connect all their accounts so their posts get auto-tweeted and auto-posted to FB. I haven’t done that fully yet. Still determining if I even want to actually.
Well written! I do agree, that it’s more about “sharing” these days, then actually commenting. Heck, I’m bad about it myself. When it comes down to it, at least someone sharing my post is something, and better then nothing at all!
Hey, Hanan. Definitely true. A share is better than nothing!
wait. who gets RT 100 times.
I totally fail at twitter.
trisha
Successful Tweeters hit that easily. Yeah, you totally fail at Twitter. But that’s okay, you’ve got an epic blog, so you’re good. 🙂
Honestly, I’m wondering if the reduced blog interaction and increased social media interaction is what other people (and bloggers) think is wanted. There’s so much pressure to be completely engaged in every facet of social media that the blog itself connecting through comments often get neglected. And when you do get comments – it’s I agree, good point, or something similar.
I agree. Good point. 🙂 But no, I certainly don’t want JUST the social interaction on FB or Twitter. I’d love it everywhere, sure. But first and foremost is the immediate response on a blog. Thanks, Kelly!
I agree with you, comments make me smile and I do love leaving comments for other blogs. What it comes down to though, for me anyways, is time. There is not enough time in the day! Leaving a Facebook comment, tweeting out a post, giving it a thumbs up all take a second while leaving a comment takes a few extra steps. I have been trying to leave comments more often, I personally need to get more organized so I have more time to spread the commenting love! Great post!
Yep, it definitely comes down to time. I admit, we’re human and humans are inherently lazy. It’s much easier to hit a LIKE button or jot down a super quick comment. Though honestly, when I’m blogging, since so many bloggers use the same form (WordPress), all that basic stuff is pre-filled correctly for me, so I really do just need to jump in and leave a comment on the blog itself.
Thanks for your thoughts, Henrietta!
I just wanted to say, I saw your blog on Twitter and decided to come say “I love it” here as yes Twitter notified me that your blog existed, but why comment there when your posts are here?
Think the name of your blog is also very amusing!
Why, Amy… you just totally made my dad. Thank you so much for the comments!!!
First let me say I think your AWESOME and your little boy is adorable!!! I couldnt’ agree with you more about the blog comments. Sure I love getting feedback on Facebook and Twitter but my blog is my baby, that I built with my own two hands and there is something very validating when someone leaves you a comment. It proves to me that someone is actually reading what I write.
Aw, thank you, Mellisa! We think Ryan’s pretty darn cute too, so we’re keeping him. 🙂 And exactly, you get it. A like or a share doesn’t mean they actually READ your article, it just means they read your headline.
I love getting (AND leaving) blog comments! As much as I love the facebook interaction, isn’t easier for someone to just comment on the blog about a post?? I really feel like if one doesn’t enjoy the process, they shouldn’t be doing it. You are doing great work over here! 🙂
Hi, Sara. Thanks! I understand that if you’re just a regular reader and never commented it may seem like a pain to fill out “all” those forms (Name, email, uh, that’s it), but if you really like a post, a comment is like a “tip” for a blogger!
Thanks for the kind words. 🙂
Commenting on the blog (either giving or getting) is such a wonderful part of blogging. It’s so immediate. I love it that you are advocating for on-the-blog comments–keep it up! Bloggers going the way of the dodo? Not sure–I think we are proliferating!
Hi, Lauren! Thank you so much for the support! I will definitely keep it up!
Think that you are on to something really exciting. Keep it going.
That’s my dad! Always there with the support. 🙂 Thanks, dad!
I feel that way when I write on my blog sometimes. I’m so excited to write a post just because I want to get it out there and really couldn’t care less if everyone likes it or not. Then I just get that one comment of someone who understands my geeky insanity about whatever the topic is and my day is made. 🙂
Hey, Kristi! See, YOU understand my geeky insanity! Thanks for making my day with a comment. 🙂
Hi Andrew,
I do get comments on my FWD website (not as many on my very popular MTW website), but I think it takes some extra work nowadays to get good commentary on an article for precisely the reason you lay out in this cute post — the social media revolution.
I, too, see many comments about my articles and other activities on social media (mainly G+) and it does take away from the commentary and engagement I experience on my company’s Internet property sites that feature a blog platform. That said, I do the same thing. I’ll read a post from a FB or G+ link and comment on it right on the social media platform rather than on the site itself. So, if i’m doing it, how can I ask others to stop doing it? LOL
One more thought — in this busy world (especially for those of us running our own businesses with a team of people to manage), time is a precious commodity. It takes a lot to get me out of my TweetDeck stream and immediately commenting on an article. What does it take? A topic I’m currently concerned with or interested in; a friend as the author (like you, Ann Tran, or one of my other running buddies); or an author whose attention I’m trying to get (specifically). That doesn’t happen too often. More often, I’ll “favorite” the tweet, or click the link to open the article and then minimize it for later viewing. Frequently, I run out of time that day and don’t have time to read it thoroughly.
So, how does someone get my attention for an article? Tweet to my attention, or G+ to my attention, engage with me via social media at other times. I’ll take the time out of my day to honor those folks with my eyes and comments.
Was that more than you wanted? LOL! #verbosity #disturbanceintheroom #boom
Oooh, some glitter on my daddy blog! 🙂 Hey, Samantha. Thanks for the thoughts. I agree pretty much 100% with what you said. Still doesn’t mean I can’t want everyone to leave a comment on here and share their blog love with me.
And as for your comment near the end about getting your attention, that’s exactly what I did. Tweeted my article at ya. And you even commented. So it worked!
Yes it did (work)! Why doesn’t my mug show up with my comment here like everyone else’s? 🙁 *pouty glitter*
I think it’s tied to your gravatar. Do you have a photo tied to your email via gravatar?
Yes, I do indeedy!
As someone who started blogging in 2001, before social media was a catchphrase and a #mustdo, I remain firmly entrenched in the belief that blogging is about writing, the sharing of stories and concepts (through words and images, by the way, as I do both), and the connection forged with others — via commenting, exchanges and, yes, shares.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I don’t think social media is always the best place to forge the connection. But don’t totally diss the idea of the share as a means of connecting, of reaching out and saying, “Hey, this means something to me.” 7/10, I will comment and share — minus food blogs. Food blogs I mostly pin/share because I haven’t yet MADE the food item. Sadly, I only go back … rarely… after I have made said food item to share my thoughts. I should get better at that. But yes, those 3 times that I don’t comment, that I just share, the post still meant something enough to me for me to share with my readers, for me to pass it on, for me to take the time and share it with others. Sometimes I’ll add my thoughts in the share — on Facebook I’ll write a sentence or two or on twitter I’ll add a few words. Sharing is important; we tell our kids it is, and it remains important in the blogosphere.
Now, all of this is coming from a lady taking a hiatus from Facebook because the election nonsense drove her mad in July and OMGJUSTSHUTUPALLOFYOU. So take it all with a grain of salt. Heh.
Thanks so much for your thoughts, Jenna. You brought up some good points., And yes, sharing is a form of saying “cool job” or “I liked this enough to pass it on.” And I am all for it. I was being a bit over dramatic in my post about that. I’m just saying that leaving a comment on the post itself means a heckuva lot more to me as a writer than just giving me a high-five via a like or tweet.
I know social media is ingrained now with everything and I’m still a firm believer that blogging IS part of social media. I just hope everyone hasn’t completely abandoned the blogging side of things in favor a few short bursts on Facebook.
PS: If you’re so dead set on having the conversation on the post that you crafted, install the Facebook Social Plugin. It pulls the FB comments onto your blog. End of problem.
I actually got into this same conversation with a social media expert on Facebook. My problem with that is I don’t want to force users to have to log into Facebook to comment. Bloggers like leaving their own blog info via a link (and the comment luv plugin) in comments. And yes, I can use WordPress’ comments AND Facebooks comments but then I have two different ones and they won’t be integrated.
Fellow blogger here! I try really hard to comment on posts, in addition to tweeting/liking/+1/sending smoke signals. I, like you, am a writer and love when I get feedback on posts that I’ve actually written…I love interacting with commenters and getting to know them through their comments and their blogs (if they have them).
On FB, though, I also understand that interaction is important. I try to comment on questions posted by pages but click through to blog posts if they have them.
Hiya, Rachel! Oh I totally think it’s important to still interact on Facebook and Twitter, I’m just saying to me, it means loads more if someone takes the time to leave a few words on the post itself, rather than just a quick share.
I love your blog!! I also love that cute boy in the picture!!
Hah. You better! Okay, so I’ve had 2 bloggers, 1 college roommate, and 1 wife comment. I wonder if my friends/family will outweigh blogger comments…
I loved this post! I remember when I fist started blogging, I had so many bloggy friends we would follow each others blogs and there were actual conversations on each of out posts. I left blogging in November due to an illness and just recently came back and its a whole new world out there 🙁 I am feeling like a fish out of water missing the old days
Hey, Tammy! Thanks for the comment! And yes, exactly! You know 100% what I”m saying. It used to be an entire awesome community. Now that’s been massively cut back, as people prefer to just write their comments in 140 characters or a simple thumbs up. Maybe we can bring back some of those old days!
I would totally pin a picture of that Transylvanian Eggplant Casserole.
Hah! I totally put that in there for you, buddy! I gotta find a photo and I’ll add it to this post!
I’ve thought this so many times. I love that my Facebook friends comment on my post updates, but I’d much rather a conversation ON my actual articles. Otherwise I’d just write notes on my FB profile instead. If Facebook ever comes out with a blogging add-on, actual blog comments may be doomed.
Hey, Kenda! Why, thank you for the comment! 🙂 I have a feeling lots of bloggers will share my sentiments. We need a plan to take back the comments!