Talk to me: how would you like me to talk to you?

Talk to me, dear friends in the computer. This little room doesn’t have much in the way of amusement. I’m letting Adam play in the bathroom. At least it’s a change of scene for him. We’ve already been on the Thomas website for ages. He’s much better though. Soon! Soon we will be free!

 So, I was chatting to another friend in the computer of mine, Paul, (who has since done a post about this on his blog) about responding to comments in the comments section of one’s blog. Some people have conversations in their comments section. They do a post, people comment and the blogger responds to those comments in the comments section. I never do that. I sometimes respond via email to the individual who raised the question, but seldom do I comment in my own comments sections on my blog. I was under the impression that people do not come back and reread the comments on a blog post, but perhaps I am wrong?

I don’t have much time to read blogs, and I rarely comment. Not because I don’t want to or aren’t interested, but because I have so little time. I definitely don’t have time to back and read the comments section again to see whether a separate conversion has ensued in the comments section. Which means I might miss out on some interesting conversations. 

Do you go back a few times to reread the comments on a blog post? Would you prefer me to answer the questions you ask in the comments section (so that other people can read and participate if they wish) or directly so that you don’t have to go back and read what I have written? If you have a blog, do you continue the conversation in the comments section or do you do a separate follow up post or email?

Comments

[Howard]

I don't know about others, but I don't respond to comments, though I appreciate them. I also don't check back on my comments on other blogs. I don't know where people find the time!

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http://surfcountry.blogspot.com

[Heather]

It depends. If it was something that really got me, or made me think, etc., I will check back in to see if anyone else posted thoughts. If someone comments and it's more a direct statement or they ask a question, I may E-mail them, but usually, I leave the comments alone. If it's a question you think others might really be wondering about too, you can post it in the comments, but again - how many people re-read the comments? I think a single E-mail to answer the question, if and when you have time, is sufficient usually.

[Orange]

It depends on the blog, the blogger, and the topic. I do sometimes revisit a post to see how the conversation's evolving in the comments. I respond to comments at my own blogs only if (1) they've asked me a direct question, (2) I have something to add or want to say hi, (3) there's a comment that's so fascinating or funny I can't resist, (4) I'm bored, or (5) I feel I've been neglecting my readers lately.

[Crystal]

I agree with Orange. Also - I wouldn't expect you to respond to comments, Tertia, because you get SO MANY.

[Amy]

Ditto Orange.
Cripes, hoping your daughter is out of there fast and you and Marko don't get it next!

[Amber]

You get way too many comments to do that, I think. I honestly dont like it because I dont have time to search thru the comments, but yet I hate to miss anything.

please dont do it.

thanks. you rock.

[Judy]

I'm with Amber...even if you WANTED to comment back to someone in your comments, it would be so hard to find because you are such a popular gal, you know!

I don't reply to comments in my own blog, but it isn't because I get so many comments - it is more because I'm too lazy to go there and post! HAHA

[Karly]

I don't usually go back to comment sections to check for responses, unless it was something that I really want a response to. On my blog I just email my response rather than respond in the comments section. I figure no one else comes back to check for responses either. :)

Hope Adam feels better soon!

[Not on Fire]

Alright, first I don't get a lot of comments, but I always answer in the blog. I always think that someone else might want to know the answer and I am anal and want it all together. And yes, I have gone back to check to see if someone has responded to a comment.

[marsh]

If a couple of people have wondered the same question, there are probably fifty more of us who wonder the same thing. For example, like others who commented, I would like to know if admitting little ones to the hospital for a stomach virus is standard practice. So if two people ask a question, I think you owe it your readers to answer it somewhere...in the comments (maybe not even for the original asker, but for the next wonderer), or in your blog, or somewhere! One of the reasons I read your blog is to see how things are different where you are. I've been to South Africa, so I love to hear about the similarities and the differences. I love, love, love your blog. I always read it first (or second if my daughter has written on her blog). I, too, wish all in the family to be healthy, happy, and home soon.

[margalit]

I do go back to certain sites that I know respond to comments. I know you don't, so I don't think I ask questions here. If I want to know something, I know how to find you elsewhere. :-)

But I do sometimes respond to comments on my blog. Not always... sometimes there isn't anything to say. But if there is, I'm enough of a blabbermouth to want to say something in response. I don't think there's a right or wrong way to do this. It's your blog, do what you want!

[Louisa]

I respond to comments. At the stage where I didn't follow so many blogs I used to check back on my own comments elsewhere, but it got too much. Now i just have everything on a feed aggregator and when someone else publishes a new post I check to see the comments on the previous post as well.

[Amy]

I totally read and reread the comments sections. I like to see the diversity of answers/conversations and I love when the blogger has the time to respond and join-in the conversation, if you will. I usually make a point to respond to every comment I receive on my blog entries (all 5 people who read my blog deserve recognition hehehe). If you don't have time, completely understanding. Just makes the whole thing a little more "personal" IMO.

[Jessika]

I run a blog and I comment back to people, It definitely gets things going into huge conversations. So if you don't want that to happen don't bother I guess. But if something is misunderstood or someone asks for advice, I will usually clear things up if someone else doesnt do it first. People seem to check back, because I usually see about 5 comments from the same poster on one topic if it's really going well. :)
I only go to a couple blogs, but I will check to see it someone has commented after me, only on recent posts. :) Hope that helps

[ktjrdn]

I generally respond to all my comments. But I don't get many. I respond via email to the commenter. If the comment was a question that I think more people might want to know the answer to, I copy the email to my own comments page also. That way the person that asked will have the answer without having to come back and check, but it saves someone else the bother of having to ask the same question.

I go back and read comments a lot. Mostly only on blogs that have conversatinos in the ocmmnets section. Other ones - it's hit or miss if I check them more than once.

[ktjrdn]

I generally respond to all my comments. But I don't get many. I respond via email to the commenter. If the comment was a question that I think more people might want to know the answer to, I copy the email to my own comments page also. That way the person that asked will have the answer without having to come back and check, but it saves someone else the bother of having to ask the same question.

I go back and read comments a lot. Mostly only on blogs that have conversatinos in the ocmmnets section. Other ones - it's hit or miss if I check them more than once.

[Mel]

I rarely reply in the comments section, but I generally reply to every comment via email.

[Susan]

Even though you don't necessarily participate in the comments discussion, you do respond to hot topics or burning questions with follow-up posts. I think that it's a perfectly appropriate way to handle comments considering the size of your readership.

[Coral]

I respond to commenters directly to them. I would never go back and check if a conversation started in my 'abscence', hell, I read the post once, not twice, all that loading and loading and loading!! Time is precious, you know!!

[angel]

i comment back in my comments, if for no other reason than i love to respond to what people have said. i seldom go looking for replies to my comments though.