Do you think it's rude not to leave comments behind?
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I need to get perspective on this one. Now that I'm checking my site meter every hour (ok, more like every ten minutes) I see people coming for a visit and traipsing around, but on some days, the ratio of comments is less than 1 in 50! Is it me or should people take the time to at least post a short note when they've seen or read something they enjoyed? If you're in the "yes, should comment" category, of course you can say so here, but feel free to go over here http://fromsmilerwithlove.blogspot.com/ to let me know as well. If you're in the "no, why should we leave comments?" category, I just want to know: but why?
It varies - I don't always leave comments because some days I'm just not in the right frame of mind - I might be tired or cranky and nothing I write will sound right. Or, I may have enjoyed what I read but have nothing else to add that hasn't already been said. I honestly think it's fine if you don't leave a comment. I look at returning ISPs and the increase in the number of subscribers as all the feedback you really need, comments are just a nice bonus.
Good point. I only installed my site meter fairly recently and now I can at least see there is traffic. Before that, if I got no comments I would worry that nobody came to visit. But you're right. I don't leave a comment every single time I visit a site, especially when I'm not up to it, though I do try to at least say "hi, I enjoyed this" once in a while.
I only comment when I feel like I have something pertinent to say, or I have an addition to the discussion. I really loathe getting inane comments, and I assume that other people do to; I'd rather get a handful of great comments than a plethora of nonsense, myself.
I see a lot of blogs with short, supportive comments like "you're so awesome,' and especially if I have something "real" to say that might push the discussion in another direction, I won't leave a comment. I don't know how blogger feel about that. It's like grabbing a seat at the popular kids' table at lunch. You don't want to barge in.
i think the polite thing to do is to leave a comment. whenever i visit a blog, i leave a comment. even if i have nothing to say that pertains to the post. i'll just leave a hey...i was here, kind of comment. it drives me crazy that i hardly get comments yet, according to my site meter thing...i've had almost 100 visitors, today. only about 4 of them left comments. well, at least i know i did have visitors, though!
I like comments, and like to leave them, but most times I either 1) have nothing to say or 2) have no time to say it. I have sometimes contacted them through their page here or by email if I liked their site but had no specific comments to say. Kind of a nice compromise.
I don't think it's rude not to leave comments, but it sure is a nice thing to leave them.
One thing I really like about visiting NaBloPoMo blogs is that I know I will find fresh posts every day. I also know that a few comments can help keep up the momentum during this month. It's not always easy to come up with something to post, and getting a few comments is a boost.
Oh yes, I agree on that one, getting comments IS a boost, it"s kind of a reward for the work and the effort you put into it! As soon as I published a new post I look forward to getting a comment! Getting none often makes me wonder if there's something wrong with the way I blog! On my homeblog I get a reasonable amount of comments, but I blog in Dutch, so, most of the people here can't read my homeblog.
And on the Nablopage there are no stats so I'm really in the dark here if people read my blog or not, exept for the (few) comments I get! So yes, please, please please leave a comment! I try to do the same whenever I visit another blog, not always though, there's always moments when you feel like intruding, or really have nothing to say, or too tired or too little time ...yes.
How do you install a site meter? I installed a feedburner because I thought that was the way to go. BTW- is it? And they say that there have been O people visiting. Now I know it's close to zero but it's not really zero!
I love comments. But that's because it the only way I know people are coming!
There is a site called sitemeter, and I've heard that they give good data. I use Google Analytics, which gives you far more information than can possibly be good for you. They should lock people out of their stats for at least 24 hours at a time. Feedburner won't track visits to your sites unless you pay them, although they'll freely track subscribers to and users of your feed. They are fantastic for getting your feed out there and as widely available as possible, however, and for keeping track of people clicking on it.
Sheila, I used to rely on comments to give me an idea of how many people had visited my site but since I've installed Site Meter it's changed my perspective quite a lot. It's also given me something new to obsess about, but at least now I know there a people visiting, even when I don't get much feedback.
I agree with everything here... I only comment when I feel like I have something to add to the discussion, or something clever to say. Sometimes I try too hard in my comments, though, and it doesn't come out quite right. I'm always fearful that I might offend someone... so if it takes me longer than a minute to say something real quick and along these lines: "hi, I read your post and think you're totally awesome", then I just delete everything I typed and hit the back button. :)
I think a lot of people are too worried about "leaving a good comment" when really, whatever you say, everybody is happy getting them. When I'm not feeling particularly inspired, I think about one item that I found touched me in the post and I just mention I liked this or that in particular and thanks for putting it out there. Sometimes it's also okay just to say "I was just passing by, thought I'd say I enjoy your blog". Of course you say that only if you do enjoy said blog because let's face it, not every single one in the millions out there is necessary brilliant. Writing gets to be a lonely thing and it's always such a boon when people take the time to show appreciation. Truly.
I leave comments, usually. Sometimes I don't have anything to add other than "you go girl," and I don't know how some bloggers feel about comments that don't really say much, then I opt out.
The repeat customers who never leave comments? Yeah, it bothers me, especially when the referring link is my profile from a message board I frequently post on. It's sort of like, you know me; I'm not going to bite. Go ahead and say hello.
Repeat customers who never leave a comment behind would be the equivalent of the neighbor who walks into your house, helps himself to something in your fridge, then walks out without saying a word. Like Kramer, for example. Lol
I like comments that lead to conversations and further interaction. Those are the kind of comments I like to think I leave. I don't comment on every blog since I don't always have something to say. Then there is that thing called time, that I seem to not have much of!
I find myself wishing for more comments often, for unless I'm involved in some activity, the comments are few. It's kind of depressing at times, like when I see that I am getting visitors. As for commenting elsewhere, if I don't, it may be to include their link in a future blog. Then, when the person does a vanity check on their blog /url, they'll get a pleasant surprise (at least I hope he/she gets a good one). Anyway, point is remaining friendly and keep plugging away. You never know what may be around the next corner. :-)
I struggle to leave pithy, concise, insightful, witty comments. Anyone who's read one of my posts knows that I tend to run off at the mouth. Often I start writing a comment, only to find that I have blathered on for four paragraphs and I'm yawning myself, let alone whoever's reading. And I figure I have my own blog for that. I think it is good etiquette to leave a one-liner to let the writer know that they've inspired me, so I try to comment at least once on each blog I read.
