OK, it’s time to come clean.
When I first started this blog, I was all about posting and getting comments. I didn’t get many because of the platforms I used to have this blog on. Eventually, I settled on WordPress and I’ve been with it ever since. Thankfully, I took the time to make sure everything from older posts — comments included — made their way to this site.
My life with the blogging world has been up and down ever since. I don’t worry so much about comments as I blog because I love writing. Still, I love the interaction of the blogging community, so comments help with that.
There are times I just don’t have the time for posts. There are other times when I want to write and can’t think of something. Then there are the times when I get into a groove and have a few months of a post every day. Having interaction helps with that.
To have people actually read your blog, usually it takes more than just writing it.
That’s the world of blogging.
Still, with my writing style and being a personal blog that goes all over the place, my followers aren’t a massive number. And I’m OK with that. I keep things as real as I can and try and give good posts to read.
Sometimes, I probably don’t succeed.
Remember, I was a newspaper writer. I have a journalistic style when I write. Sometimes that comes off as fully boring. I get that. I don’t get all excited with multiple exclamation points at the end of a sentence and I cringe with grammatical or spelling errors that I should have caught.
And there are times, I admit, where I might write a tad long. So if you are a blogger stopping by and are visiting many blogs in a day, maybe you don’t want to read through everything. I need to try and work on this.
That brings me back to my comments.
For non-bloggers, allow me to explain one thing — blog hops and linkups. Basically, these are posts on somebody’s blogs where you link one of your blog posts. In the end, you’re supposed to visit several other blogs with the hopes of dropping a comment or maybe finding a new blog to like and follow.
That’s all theoretical, of course.
Often, you may get a couple of visits and a speckle of comments. But many of them will show the full post had not been read. I can think of one not too long ago where this happened. Always makes me chuckle.
See, here’s one thing — the blogging world is heavily female dominated. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but let’s be honest — some of my posts might not be of interest to somebody who runs a mommy or foodie blog. Sure, I will write of some adventures and all, but if you’ve seen blogs like that, our styles definitely clash.
I need to start planning out things better, thus allowing me more time to actually visit and comment at other blogs.
So I usually stayed away from hops and linkups.
Recently, however, I decided to change that. With doing the job hunt and being on the computer a ton to find and apply for jobs, I need breaks. I need to do something else as I write a cover letter or think about what I need to say. So I look at blogs.
One of those was one as a Commentathon where it was supposed to garner you at least 50 comments on the post you link up. In my group were 58 (me included) bloggers. Within the first two or so days, I had visited — and commented — on every single blog. And I made sure the comments were more than just a “great post!” With that in mind, I also linked up my bridge jumping story and ended with a question for readers, figuring it would be a good way to make it easier to comment.
By the deadline, one of those who commented was a regular visitor here. Outside of that 38 others commented (there are more there because I have been slowly responding to each) on the post, which means 19 others didn’t comment.
Believe me, I’m stoked with 38. But I took the time to visit each of the other blogs, read their entries and comment. If you sign up for something like this, wouldn’t you think you’d follow the link to the post and comment? After all, you agreed to get involved.
I realize it can be time consuming to visit every blog in a hop or linkup, but isn’t that the point. The blogging world has two sides — writing and visiting. And if you are a blogger, both need to be done. It’s how this community works. Unless, of course, you are one of the big-time bloggers who has a huge following. In that case, I doubt you’re signing up for these hops and linkups anyway!
I’m making my pledge below. Though I always try and do what I’ve written below, the reality is sometimes I slip. With this pledge, I’m hoping not to slip!
My pledge as a blogger
- I’m going to start making sure I respond to each comment left on my blog. I’m going to start by doing it on the blog, as I normally do. However, I get e-mails every time a comment is left, so maybe I’ll do it via e-mail as well. It seems a lot of blogs do that and it probably is a more personal way. Either way, I’ll be making sure to always respond.
- When I join a link or blog hop, I always try and visit each blog. So I’m going to keep that up but try and make sure I comment on at least 75 percent of them. Let’s be honest, there are times when I just have nothing to say. If it’s something truly to do with parenting or something, I’m just not somebody who can comment and make sense with things like that. But if it’s anything about life or whatever, I’m going to comment.
- For those who comment on my blog, I’m going to make every effort to follow the link to your blog and read a few posts. Maybe I’ll like your Facebook page or follow you on Twitter or something. But I’m going to return the favor and look at your blog and, usually, comment on something.
I’m even going to put a linkup below. It’s not anything major, but it will run through the weekend. Do me a favor and link one of your best or favorite posts. It can be about anything at all. Tell others to come linkup, too. And while at it, if there are a few people, go check them out and drop a comment.
So how about you? You in on the pledge? Let me know below!
Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!