The waters are no longer crystal blue. We have U Tube, Pinterest, Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter . . .the list goes on. When I started Blogging in 2006, Facebook and I had not yet met. I had to search for good blog posts to read and when I did find one I liked, I made a point to comment.
Why not? I wasn't spending my time commenting any other place.
When I check my blog stats--I see I readers are reading my posts. But who wants to jump through the hoops of posting (you know the many steps) when you can click a like on Facebook.
I raise my hand in guilt. I read a ton of blogs and rarely comment. Instead, I tweet the ones I want to share or I like it on Facebook. With all a writer has to do in a day, it's hard to take the time to write a lengthy post even when I loved what the writer said.
Here's the catch. As writers, we are encouraged to continue to blog. Blogging strengthens our writing muscles. It helps us sort our ideas. It gives us a place to share our thoughts in more than a few sentences. Stopping isn't really an option.
But neither is commenting like I'd like to comment.
Maybe someday someone will come up with a fast way to comment on Blogging. I agree, disagree, love, hate, want more ... or I'll just pass this on.
We live in a fast world. Hang on tight.
22 comments:
Hi Terri...Thanks SO MUCH for taking the time to comment on my today's post!
I'm guilty about not commenting as much as I would like.
Even more guilt--producing is the fact that I dont always message each person who comments on my blog. But I still love my readers and APPRECIATE all comments immensely.
Hope your day is great! Keep blogging and when time permits, keep commenting. Susan
Yes, the more social media there is, the less time there is to comment on anything! It's crazy.
'Like'
Haha...I didn't know Facebook then either. I blogged when the kids took over MySpace. (I'm old.) But yes, there are too many time suckers out there! Facebook offers something that blogs don't--pics of our grandkids! It's how we keep up with too-busy people. I don't even have time to keep up with twitter. This is the age of information overload. If my internet went out, I could finish a lot of projects--including that book!
I agree. I see that people have read, or at least looked at my blog. However, I don't see many comments. I hope it's at least in part because my writers' blog is new. But, I keep on blogging because I know I need to.
I think you were one of the first bloggers I met when I started out in 2008 before Facebook, before Pinterest, before Twitter. I'm guilty of reading many blogs in my Feedly reader on my iPad and not leaving comments because it's a bit of a hassle. That said, I do appreciate every comment I receive on my blog, FB, or Twitter so I do need to make more of an effort to acknowledge posts like this one. It's a conundrum.....there are so many things vying for our time and attention these days. Thanks for another great post, Terri.
I love how you said blogging uses our writing muscles! There are just a few blogs that I tend to go to and comment on now compared to the craziness of many a few years ago when I first started. And learned to be okay with that!
I am also commenting on less blogs than when I started blogging. Even on FB people like a status more than leave comments. Liking is easier than typing out a comment :(
I'm wondering about my time spent blogging for over 6 years now. I put a link on facebook and get more comments there. A wave of the future???
I'm guilty too, Terri. As a fairly new blogger, I am still struggling with posts and schedules. I do love it when I get comments, and I know how much they mean to a blogger. However, I don't post on others' blogs as often as I should. Many have a "Like" option button, and I use that.
As far as your blog, I read it and enjoy your posts. I often comment on your FB page instead.
Thank you for the comments you make on my blog. I appreciate your taking the time to read and comment, and I will do the same, my writing friend!
Now that was a good title to reel me in, Terri. I think I am starting to catch on to what grabs the attention. Wish I had time to support all those I read, for sure. Many comments to you this year! :)
So many of the blogs I used to visit are no longer active. Now that I'm trying to post more, I need to find some more blogging friends! I think I've been guilty of reading your posts and then 'liking' it on your FB. I need to get out of that habit!
I think there's such a thing as too much interaction. I'm a blogger, on Facebook, Goodreads, Google+, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Pinterest.
Facebook takes most of my social media time. Like one of the other commenters, many of the bloggers I connected with in the early days are no longer active.
When I see one of my friends put up a post notice on Facebook, I try to jump over there and comment.
Yep, commenting does take a lot of time, especially when you follow a heap of blogs, which I do. I do think times are changing though, and blogging isn't as essential for a writer as it used to be.
I don't comment nearly as often as I should! But we all do what we can do, and none of us should feel guilty about it. I think your idea of like, etc. for blog posts is brilliant!
I get maybe 4 comments from all the readers I get. I guess we aren't famous. But I guess it's ok that people are reading. They just don't know what to say or nor sure what to say. Like would be a good thing!!
I find the demands of social media and blogging nearly exhausting. There is only so much time in the day for all of it. So I've tried to narrow my focus, being selective and setting priorities. I hate that some things must fall by the wayside, but the line has to be drawn somewhere. I usually visit a blog with the intent of commenting, and this means I am visiting less blogs these days. You make a great point, Terri. When we figure it all out we should bottle it. :)
If I take the time to read a post I'll take the time to leave a comment. I really hope Blogger never leaves a like button. There's one on my website blog (WordPress) and I'm always disappointed when someone likes a post rather than leave a comment. I'd hate to see our blog sites turn into just another Facebook like button thingy. Blog posts take more thought and effort to create, and they deserve a comment not just a push a button response. I understand not everyone will comment on a post, which is fine with me. But please Blogger, don't add a Like button!!! We have enough Facebook we need something different!
Happy New Year Terri! I hope 2015 is full of fun, family, laughter and good books!
Terri--I am overwhelmed at times with all of the social media. Many of my friends write blogs, and I try to read and comment on a rotating basis. Whenever a friend is the guest on a blog I'm not familiar with, I make every effort to read the blog, post a link to it, and comment.
I think the key is to choose the social media outlet that suits you best. Personally I love blogging and I love visiting bloggers and leaving comments. It seems to me more personal than clicking a 'like' button. The aim of my blog is to share my thoughts, motivate me to constantly reflect on my progress and write about it. Hopefully other bloggers can relate and know that the processes we undergo as a writer reach far and wide. We are not alone and with words we are able to keep each other focused and motivated. I really enjoyed this post and it does make one think about the value of the variety of social media outlets. Wishing you all the best for 2015 and continued success.
I'm catching up with your blog, and feel a theme. You've grown so much in the last few years, as has your writing. You're in a whole new place at the beginning of this new year - one with the potential to launch you to the stars. I'm really happy for you and look forward to seeing where this all leads for you.
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