Alex are they too busy procrastinating to respond? Only kidding. I wonder if it’s something you’re managing to do – write without the explicit invitation to comment – because what you’re actually inviting people to do is get moving and taking action on their ‘somedays’ – which is a more valuable call to action…

Terry that’s a great question and one I know a lot of small business owners wonder about. I’d say you can get away with once a week posting. A regular supply is better than fits and bursts (in my opinion anyway). I wouldn’t switch comments off – you’re probably not going to get swamped unless you invite participation on a topic that’s relevant to lots of people and they want to engage in. I deliberately set out to invite comments and engage an active community but you don’t need to do that – just to be open to the comments people want to leave.

You might find this post by my friend and colleague Brad Shorr on how to avoid blogging burnout – specifically for business bloggers. It’s part of a series on business blogging that you might well find of interest.

http://www.wordsellinc.com/blog/blogs/faq-blog-writing-tips/

Hope that helps

Joanna

Davina it does go in cycles doesn’t it? Maybe it’s also because of the phases of the blogs we read – maybe others who started when we did and hit similar buffers. And something to do with the seasons of the year…

solidgold thanks – I know what you mean, but I’m not sure it would resolve itself for me. The equation would have changed irrevocably if I couldn’t respond to the comments – I think I’d want to stop writing or start writing elsewhere to create the room for the conversation rather than continue in broadcast only mode. But I know that’s probably not a universal response – it’s just how blogging works for me.

George me neither – which is why I asked, and am glad I did – I’ve learned so much from this conversation!

Lillie that’s pretty much where I’m at too. If I couldn’t respond to the comments I’d start to question why I was blogging at all.

Leah

Cath I guess it’s a lot of suck it and see to find what works – in terms of both time and enjoyment. I’m afraid I still spend a lot of time reading blogs because I enjoy them so much… but less time commenting elsewhere than I used to.

April thanks, that’s a useful reminder that not everyone sees comments in the same way that I do. I found it very puzzling when I started that I didn’t get replies on some blogs (and stopped reading / commenting there) but I found out that a lot of people don’t expect replies, or ever go back to look for them. It feels disconnected to me, but I do need to remember we all have different learning / reading / blogging styles.

Hi Jannie good to see you too I think going down to twice a week is where I need to be at. If I can be disciplined enough to get there… Whereas I am quite good at spending time on Twitter (my social media of choice). I like your double dutch analogy… but would also reassure that you don’t have to get the timing just so perfectly right. The way I found my twitter feet was after reading a post on twitter being like an Italian roundabout. You can sit there for ever and wait for just the right moment. The trick was to *listen* for something where you saw / felt / heard any point of connection and then… just jump in Do say hi as and when you’re tweeting…

Michelle I’ve always been a comment junkie too Still am in fact… though the time factor does start to shift the equation eventually. Thanks for saying hello (first time comments are always wonderful to get)

Do you have a recommended requirement for managing and maintaining a blog? i.e. how many posts in a month/week, should I switch comments off.

Any advice is appreciated.

Terry

Given the theme of my blog (anti-procrastination) it’s not surprising people don’t comment, but I also think people come to my blog as they do a newspaper or magazine – and so few people write letters to the editor!
.-= Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome´s last blog ..Measuring Success: The Lab Rats Review Their Progress =-.