Bos last blog post..Mysterious Scandinavian Carvings

And also that some bloggers very clearly write posts that are designed to ask for opinions and *still* ignore responses.

As I said in my earlier comment there are different sorts of blogs: I read yours because I want to look at your photos and learn from what you learned from taking them. I appreciate the time that you take in your posts and I don’t go there assuming it’s a conversational exchange.

As one of your readers I’d have to say I feel perfectly well acknowledged and kindly treated at your blog!

Hope that helps

Joanna

Bos last blog post..Mysterious Scandinavian Carvings

I wasn’t really wanting anyone to feel guilt-ridden or shame-faced, honest! I suppose I did write this in some frustration, but also out of curiosity as to why some bloggers invite but don’t reply to comments. I think you’ve given me some good answers here – about communication fatigue and your preferred networking style as well as time pressures – but also that when you’re leaving comments you’re not expecting a reply. Which is very different to me – and a good reminder to myself not to assume that we’re all the same

One spin off benefit is that I get to write and blog with you – so it can’t be all bad news!

Joanna

Why do I do it?.. Well, time is certainly one thing, but dare I say it… I also suffer with a kinda ‘communication fatigue’ sometimes. Not ideal given that my entire working life has been in communications – but perhaps that’s why – communication overload. Also, my ‘style’ is more like Renae’s – I am very laid back and would NEVER be offended if one of my own comments is ‘ignored’ – largely because any comments tend to be of the ‘attaboy’ ilk Renae mentions and also because I tend to assume everyone else is as busy as I am. Jon’s point really resonates with me too – he’s got me drawing parallels with how I am ‘in person’ too – much better in one-to-one or small group situations than big crowds.

But rather than beat myself up over my shortcomings, my solution has been to bring you on board! With your support and example, I hope I am keeping people happy whilst I get over it! )

I guess part of the issue for those that run the platforms is the constant battle with sp*mmers. I’m sure there’s always room for improvement though. I certainly can’t wait for Typepad to turn on the feed for RSS comments – they’ve promised it, but I think we’re waiting on a roll out. I’ve just added the ‘subscribe to co.mments’ at the bottom of my posts – as I’ve just started using co.mments as a service (and am very, very pleased with it)

One other thing I did recently (following feedback from a StumbleUpon reader) – I switched off the option for ‘sign on if you’re a Typepad or typekey user’ – I hadn’t realised it before, but it’s possible to read this as meaning you need to be a typepad or typekey user in order to comment. I think it’s more inviting the way I’ve got it now. (Where’d we be without readers teaching us?!)

Joanna

I am glad that Rosa pointed this post out to me. It is a wonderful reminder of how well we often start something but then fail in the finishing or follow-through that ‘s required.

I think this is a good message for those at typepad, wordpress, blogger and other blogging platforms to consider as well. How easy are they making it for the people to comment and for those comments to be replied to? I like it when I leave a comment on a blog post and then I get an email when someone has responded, even if it’s not my blog. Third party software like co-comments helps with this. But often it’s not intuitive.

Thanks for taking the time to drop into the conversation just now – I know things are kind of fraught at home!

Joanna

Your post was very thought provoking, but the lessons you’ve given us in the comments are really, really impressive.

You made me want to rush back to my blog to check that I have responded to every comment!! I’m like you in that (for the most part) I go back and visit to see whether my comment has been responded to, and I do get disappointed when it hasn’t. I wasn’t sure whether this was me being quirky… so I am pleased to know you do the same thing.

Joanna