Changes Within Blogosphere
Last week I chatted about the Challenges of Blogging and was astounded to receive 19 responses, an all time high for my blog! Even more thrilling was hearing from people whom I had no idea even read my blog! And the responses were incredible, deep and thoughtful.
Today I wanted to address a question posed by Angie. Angie is a new blogger though experienced at other forms of social media, including facebook and twitter.
Perhaps you can answer this question … Why are bloggers not very generous with feedback, likes, and comments. Why would a blogger write reams of words, but not give an equal amount to engage others? I know there are exceptions, but that is my general impression.
Angie your general impression is ‘on the mark’, please bear with me as I loquaciously answer your question. When I began blogging 7 years ago it was in a high season of blogging popularity within the online circle I was active in, Catholic homeschool mamas, mostly from across the Ocean. Many of these bloggers I ‘met’ through 4Real a Catholic homeschool forum I was actively involved in and continue to be so today. At that time there was a real sense of community, many of us already ‘knew’ each other from the forum, and there was active ‘visiting’ and commenting on one another’s blogs, you would ‘meet’ familiar faces at various blogs.
Then facebook and twitter exploded upon the mama blogging world and it had an immediate effect upon forum and blogging communities. Many mamas signed up for various new social media and not only did active participation and commenting slow way down but the tone of many bloggers changed, some of this coincided with the realisation that circumspection was needed, that we needed to be mindful of privacy. Sadly though I think the tone of some ‘mega bloggers’ changed, what were dynamic and interesting blogs lost something fundamental as they grew, change is inevitable but it was sad to see.
Since the facebook explosion I’ve assumed that all the great conversations must have moved over to facebook, recently I reluctantly opened a facebook account and discovered it isn’t so. Facebook isn’t designed for deep and meaningful exchanges, nor is twitter or other social mediums. If you’re wanting engagement, forums and blogs are the places to be, though sadly engagement there has has never regained its former high.
Simply, I think ‘we’ can’t ‘keep up’ with all forms of social media, to do so would be a full time occupation which is neither desirable nor healthy, our families need us first. So readers are stretched thin, flitting here and there, which is not conducive to building a community. Also contributing to the lack of engagement is the new habit of skim reading, which means readers are not fully engaged but are always moving on. Furthermore commenting has been further effected recently due to the use of iphones and tablets as my readers shared.
Serena said: I have a feeling that people are commenting less and less the more that they read on phones and tablets. It’s such a pain to comment. You can tell I am at my laptop right now.
Willa said: I wish I commented more but I often read blogs on my phone when I have a stray moment and my phone won’t let me comment for some reason.
- Is there a solution, can we engage others and form a sense of community?
I’m not certain that we can regain the level of participation that first hit blogoshpere, but my hope is we can form smaller pockets of online community. In fact I have recently discovered an active community here in Australia via Maxabella’s link up.
I can only share what works for me, my plan. I deliberately limit my online involvement to more fully engage in where I have chosen to place my energies; I’m still actively involved in the forum, but my fb account consists of only 12 ‘friends’ and I don’t have a twitter account. My blog feedly is limited to 30-40 blogs which enables me to actively read and comment. I read on my computer which means I can comment easily, and do so immediately or mark as unread to return and comment when time is available. Anyone new to comment on my blog receives a visit in return and I often add them to my feedly,(when I can find their blog, I won’t start on Google +). I have a loyal band of readers and commentators with whom I reciprocate visits and commenting. This I believe builds a sense of online community, not a big community but one in my little corner of cyberspace. It does take time to find your niche and it can be disheartening, but I encourage you to persevere.
- What’s your opinion, why do you think bloggers aren’t very generous with feedback?
35 Comments
Laura Pearl
Erin, this was a great post! I was not around when blogging first became a big thing, but even since I started mine(about 2 and 1/2 years ago), I was beginning to notice that the way I blog/read blogs was changing. I found myself participating in more link-ups, hoping to "befriend" some of the well-known gals whose blogs I enjoy; and then I realized I was trying too hard to have my little blog be something that it's not, so I decided to limit the number of link-ups I'll participate in each week. It was kind of heady getting lots of comments all of a sudden, when I'd link up at one of the really popular blogs; but I don't know, I just didn't feel the same way about my blog as I did when I started out (and knew that only a small handful of people were even reading it). I didn't feel as happy.
I don't have a lot of readers who comment, but there are several regulars who do stop by now and again, and I see them as "friends" (great "pen pals," anyway). It does make me feel as if I'm part of a small community of like-minded Catholic/Christian women, and I do enjoy the interaction in the comments sections.
I have just rambled on and on here, and I don't know if any of this made sense. I just really appreciated reading your thoughts on this subject. I do think it's hard now, because of all the things you mentioned above, to even keep up with your favorite blogs. I think limiting yourself to a certain amount of time (at your computer, not at your phone) to read the ones you like is a good idea. There are so many worthy blogs out there, it's impossible to read them all–and it can get so overwhelming!
Erin
Laura
It's all about finding your voice. and it takes time sometimes. Great that your happy with your blog now:) Yes it makes us feel part of a bigger world. Totally made sense. You are right, we can't read them all.
Kelly
Hi Erin! Generally, I don't comment much as much as I blog, because I don't have the internet at home (personal choice) and I blog offline. During my once a fortnight trip to the library to use the internet I usually have such a huge list of things to do that commenting doesn't make the list-I generally save what i'd like to read, and take it home to read it, offline. That's why i'm so quiet.
Erin
Kelly
A good point, there could be a few readers in the same situation as you. So loved your visit, last week:) the kids are desperate to meet again:) You really lifted my spirits.
Cassie Williams
I think I already mentioned this in the comments of your last post, but I think we have to be picky with our online time. I'm thinking less time on Facebook and more time on my favorite blogs. The conversation are better on blogs!
Erin
Cassie
My choice too! Love to visit your blog, can you give me your blog addy.
Olivia
I'm hearing you loud and clear Erin!
It's disheartening, but I guess, those who care and are truly interested in your life and well being will comment and read!
Liv x
Erin
Olivia
True, but it takes time to build up an online friendship, as with any friendships.
Multi-tasking Mama
I do comment on peoples blogs as I think if they have afforded me their time the least I can do is reciprocate every so often. I confess I now stop commenting on blogs where people ask you to comment and then don't ever reply or acknowledge when you do. I understand that bloggers don't have the time when they get particularly big followings but why ask someone to contribute if theyu don't ever respond when someone does. I am so excited whenever someone comments that I have to acknowledge it but I have a weeny following and am so grateful. 😉
(BTW Erin those above comments are not directed to you, which is why I keep following you, you have manners … lol)
Erin
MTM
What a beautiful way to express it. A great question! I think our small number of commentators affords us more time to answer though, in all fairness. (mind you I'm totally blown away with how many comments I have received for these two blogging posts)
Coal Valley View
Fabulous Post Erin! I've been mulling over a similar Post in my head on this very issue but don't think I could add anything more or say it any better than what you have written here. You've completely hit the nail on the head. Quite a lot of bloggers are saying the same thing at the moment. It took me almost 2 years to work this out – I would repeatedly comment on blogs where the blogger simply never reciprocated. Why? Now I don't comment on these ones at all and like you, choose to spend my energies elsewhere where bloggers are interested in connecting. I'm not interested in one-sided friendships. I really think some people blog just for themselves in that they aren't interested in the potential friendships so much (which is fine) and of course some of the bigger bloggers who earn an income from their blogs or those that have a huge following keep their work and the 'conversations" confined to their own blogs. If someone leaves a comment on my blog I will always go and visit their blogs, admittedly it sometimes takes a few days but I definitely try my best. I think I would have loved the old-school ways of blogging from years ago, such a shame it's all changed but I still believe we can carve our own little communities amongst it all 🙂 Mel xxx
Erin
Mel
So chuffed you have popped in:) Sounds like we are on the same wavelength! Yes we can still form little communities, which I have found through Maxabella, which is how I found you.
Theresa @ OrdinaryLovely
Since I'm very new to blogging, I'm not familiar with the dialogue and community from a few years ago that you've referred to. As a blogger, I typically try to respond to comments, but rarely receive responses to my response. That's ok with me, but it makes me wonder if readers ever even come back to check for responses after they've commented.
As a blog reader, I know I like to leave a comment if I read something particularly interesting or helpful, to let the writer know she "reached" someone. But sometimes I'm hesitant to leave lengthy comments or questions looking for a response b/c I don't always know when I'll find the time to go back to check for a reply, and I dislike having my email inbox filled with comment updates.
Maybe that right there is an example of why a "newer" blogger comments less – there's so much else going on on-line and in real life (!), that with time already at a premium, I'm hesitant to go deeper into a post…
I do appreciate the community and conversation that blogging affords – especially with those who I never would have connected with otherwise – but feel I have to guard my on-line time so it all stays in balance!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this, Erin!
Erin
Theresa
I've been pondering this issue, I know I can't always remember where I left a comment, and I'm guilty of this. I did read recently about Disqus and I'm considering this. I always tick 'notify me of comments' but for some reason it doesn't seem to work. You should go ahead and ask/comment anyway, I think even those with lots of comments must be heartened by comments. Balance, the ongoing conundrum.
millefeuilles
Dear Erin,
I have been directed here my dear Mel above and I am so very glad I came. Hello, first of all! I'm waving to you from France 🙂
Thank you for writing this post which resonates loud and clear for me. In a few words, I've been blogging for a little under two and a half years now and, to be honest, although I do not have that many followers (less than 400) I have always been very fortunate to receive quite a few comments – between 45 and 65 on what is usually a fortnightly post – but recently I have found a big difference. My comment box is emptier than before and I feel I have lost confidence in my blogging voice. Now, I must be honest. I started a small business a year and a half ago and last summer a bunch of wonderful creatives convinced me to open a facebook business page which is doing quite well and is certainly generating a healthy business for me. I have endeavoured – maybe too much so? – not to use my blog as a shop window. I REALLY didn't want that but I feel as if I have lost my way a little. Whilst before I would sing out loud and clear, honouring my little personal voice and style, I feel a certain lack of confidence now. Why won't people comment as often? What am I doing wrong? And you know what? My voice isn't ringing out anymore. I am reluctant to blog when before I loved it.
I'm a mother of three and like all parents I do not wish to let my attention wander too much from my children's needs towards the computer. I do, however, endeavour to engage with other blogs, leaving comments, maybe not regularly, but sincerely.
Please forgive my ramblings. This blog post has done me a lot of good. I guess I must find my voice again and not pander to the whims of skim-reading readers. I know I am guilty of that too, incidentally. There are simply not enough hours in the day.
Many thanks for reading my thoughts here.
Warm wishes,
Stephanie
Erin
Stephanie,
Welcome, and I popped over to your blog, so beautiful and calming. I see 400 followers as huge!! well done and in only 2.5yrs. You were obviously striking a cord to receive so many comments. Wishing you all the best in finding the balance between your blog and business I imagine it would be hard. What is it that is different, that you aren't loving as much?
It's for the reasons of family that I've limited my blog reading to a small number so I can engage and yet not neglect family. Loved your ramblings, feel I know you so much better:) So humbled to have helped. All the best finding your voice again.
Katie Oliveira da Silveira
Great post Erin. I think time restraints and daily life is the biggest factor. There are simply too many blogs for us to comment on all. There is a community here, it's just very different than it used to be: there are way more bloggers, and social media has gone bananas. A lot of bloggers use the link ups – if you look at just Weekend Rewind and FYBF, there might be more than 70 blogs per week to comment on – it's too many. I agree with you completely about social media – it's not for deep conversations, BUT it does soak up a lot of people's time, and it's time that possibly used to be spent hanging out at blogs. I don't really think it's a conscious decision by bloggers to stop commenting, it's more a case of there being too much on our plates. If bloggers don't comment on my posts, I don't take it personally or hold it against them, there could be many reasons why they didn't comment – no time, the kids were sick, they really wanted to comment on another post that was more relevant to them etc. Whatever comments I get, I'm happy for. Have a lovely weekend, Erin xx
Erin
Katie
Welcome back:) There are too many, which is why we have to narrow down, I choose to read who speaks to me the most, I find a certain writing style appeals. I only choose 3-4 blogs to comment on with the link ups, too many other wise. Very true, it really isn't personal, just many factors.
Six Little Hearts
Hi Erin! So pleased to meet another large family Mum! I have six kids and blog at Six Little Hearts. I have just found you and will be following you! I often joke to my husband that if we'd had 7 kids I would have called my blog Seven Little Australians – it's taken!
Erin
How exciting to find another mother of a large family:) My problem with the name was when I had more than 7, first I called it 7 Little… Plus One, when number 9 came along I changed to Counting.
Janet Camilleri
I think the increasing use of phones instead of desktop computers has a lot to do with it.
I know how much I appreciate comments so I try to give comment love whenever I can 🙂
Erin
Janet
It's a big part of it. I love comments too and to spread the love.
Travelling Macs
I enjoy giving and receiving comments and even the 'likes'. It gives a sense of having reached a reader and to me that's what communication is and to communicate is why I blog.
Erin
It is hard to communicate if there is no 'sound' coming back. Thanks for calling in:)
Jennifer Gregory Miller
I'm a bad blogger and a worse commenter. So often I'm reading on my phone and commenting through the phone can't be done. I've lost too many replies that way.
Erin
Jenn
I'm just always excited when you pop in my friend:){{}}
Go Camping Australia Family
Hi, Very interesting points raised here by you and all the comments.
I think if you receive comments on a blog, wherever possible, its nice to acknowledge them via a reply in the comment section, but I notice a lot of bloggers don't do this very much and I am not sure why? And, sometimes if I see this occurring, I won't comment on that blog. I follow a very big blogger, who always manages to reply to the comments and emails! I am always mega-impressed by that engagement.
I do like the link ups – when they work! But more often than not, comments are not reciprocated on your own blog – and I think that should be a part of agreeing to join a link up. As you mentioned, possibly time is divided to cover all social media, and the commenting is lagging behind due to time constraints and methods of commenting.
Erin
It is nice, but I suspect for many it is lack of time. Wow, that's impressive from your big blogger! Great to see you here:)
Rhianna SG
I think that there are quite a lot of bloggers that give feedback however there are also a lot that don't. The blogosphere is such a big place these days it is hard to keep track of who is who and saying what where. For me I love joining in lots of linkies and use that as my springboard for what blogs I read. Most linky joiners are great commentors
Erin
Rhianna
Perhaps the motivation of linky joiners is to form a community? and they realise to do that they need to actively participate? Thanks for popping in:) I always love to meet new people.
Zanni Arnot
Ironically, I wrote an extensive comment to this (and a few other posts linked to Maxabella Loves) on my iPad, and all disappeared! So yes, tablets and phones make commenting harder. I love Disqus as it makes it so much easier to comment on phones etc. And as a busy mum I often don't have the opportunity to get on the computer! Zanni at http://mylittlesunshinehouse.com
Cassie Williams
Erin, It is http://tendingthepumpkinpatch.blogspot.com/
Erin
Zanni
That happens to me sometimes too, most annoying! and I have been enjoying your blog:)
Cassie
Thanks! have added you to my feedly, we blog about similar interests!
melody
It's a great question and very timely since I have been thinking heavily on why I don't engage as much as I used to. It's certainly not because I'm trying to be rude. It's mostly because I barely have enough time to shower…lol! The blogging world has become very fast paced (you saw my thoughts on that earlier) and I feel like I can't keep up at all. For example, I used to follow Angie's blogs and read regularly. When I saw her name in your post I thought "Why don't I see her posts anymore?" The fact is that she's not in my feed at all and I don't know why. And life goes on and there you have it! I read posts while I nurse the baby and am never able to read everything I want to. So I make a plan to catch up the next day and there are a dozen more new articles in my feed that day! So it's just practical for me. I've been whittling down the blogs I read because honestly, the pouring forth of information causes me some anxiety. And I assume that others have similar experiences.
I do try to respond to comments on my blog. I feel like if people bother to comment, I should be courteous and give my time to them as well. There has also been some turnover…. some of my favorite bloggers no longer blog and communities and circles do change and shrink and grow just like our neighborhood communities.
Thank you so much for putting your thoughts here. AND for commenting on my blog so that I could figure out why I wasn't getting your updates!
jenmack
Well…I'm embarrassingly behind. LOL!!! >> Insert sheepish grin here << But thinking on this nonetheless!
I think the questions are good ones about blogging in general. I'm not sure I have all the answers. I am sure that I bet there are decent answers for many. From commenting issues to sporadic involvement.
But it IS something I've been giving a lot more thought to lately. Initially…back when I started blogging in 2007, I watched how others handled feedback and commenting and tried to pay attention. It was all new then – this blog-etiquette thing. I even remember we had a blog that covered blog etiquette!! Remember that, Erin?? LOL! Anyway, in re-thinking my own presence in blogging I have really been giving some thought to how blogging started, how I formed my initial impressions on commenting/engaging and feedback within that community, and how that ended up being somewhat dis-engaged (sometimes of necessity, and sometimes borne out of my initial impressions that dis-engaged was perhaps the norm). Add to that the necessity of dis-engaging to tend to the needful things of life – the daily duties – and it left me feeling positively and completely un-engaged. So, I guess you could say I sort of feel like I've come full circle with this idea and I almost feel right back at the beginning. Only now, I'm comfortable with my voice and my small little place in blogging, and I'm comfortable with my set of priorities in time online. It ebbs and flows, and I'm good with that. But, as Angie points out, I want to reciprocate more in this community that means so much to me! I do want to re-evaluate engaging within blogging, and in particular, I find I greatly value receiving and GIVING feedback via commenting. I've found I love that :LIKE: button!! Which you NEED, Erin!!! So I can :LIKE: some of my favorite posts!
I'm encouraged overall in blogging though. There are wonderful new voices to engage in blogging, and many wonderful, (ahem…) seasoned voices are here. I see that many of us value this platform, eschewing the idea that it could be "dead". I think we're set to really see a renaissance in blogging! What do you think, Erin?