I don’t know about you, but I love getting comments on my blog posts. Granted, they do take time to answer, but for me, there’s nothing better than the sense of community that forms in the comment section.
Recently I’ve noticed some blog authors have totally closed their comment sections and others close them for certain posts. A few blog authors never answer their comments, and some answer each and every one.
I was curious how Darren Rowse, author of Problogger and co-author of ProBlogger: Secrets Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income
I asked
Many blog authors stay active in their comment section. It appears you prefer to be more elusive. Was this a decision you made early on, or have other factors influenced you to not be a part of the discussions?
Darren answered
This is something I grapple with on a daily basis. Unfortunately as my blogs have grown and comment numbers [have increased] it gets harder to maintain being able to interact with comments as I once did.
The other factor is that I’ve found that over time my readers have stepped into the place I once occupied and have begun to answer one another’s questions etc. I guess it’s about building a culture of conversation on your blog.
Reflecting On The Answer
Thank you Darren for taking time out of your busy schedule to share your answer.
Darren points out a factor we don’t always consider when we begin to blog. Will we be able to continue to answer comments when our blog expands?
Recently I’ve been thinking about what I would do. I haven’t come up with the perfect answer.
What about you?
Todays Assignment
Do you think a blog author should respond to answer each and every comment?
What would/will you do when answering comments takes up so much of your time, you’re left with no time to publish posts and/or maintain your blogging activities?
I’m curious to hear what you think. Feel free to share your answer.
.
Read other answers in the A.S.K. (Answers Sharing Knowledge) series.
A.S.K. Darren Rowse of Problogger – How Do We Increase Our Readership
A.S.K. Andy Bailey – What Was The Inspiration Behind The CommentLuv Plugin
A.S.K. Liz Strauss – How Do You Inspire Readers To Join Your Community
A.S.K. Liz Strauss – How To Format Blog Comments To Maximize Comments
Photo Credit: Darren Rowse/Problogger
Hi. I'm Barbara Swafford and I'd like to welcome you to Blogging Without A Blog. Grab a seat, share your thoughts and join in the conversation. 
When I look at the hobby of blogging, I realize it has taught me a lot about writing, coding and social networking, but it’s more than that.
Today’s Lesson
When we start blogging, we usually have some sort of agenda. Maybe it’s to make some extra cash, practice our writing skills, share what we’ve learned in the real world or to promote our business.
In some cases a blog can work real well to accomplish those goals, but in the process we can also learn unexpected lessons.
For example, I learned people aren’t all that different online than they are in the real world. Kindness knows no boundaries. In fact, online it’s almost like others give us more time, more consideration and really listen to what we’re saying.
Online we’re not labeled because of our personality traits or habits. Our race. age or educational history don’t matter, nor does our appearance or financial status.
We learn friendship happens without physically meeting each other, and moral support means more than a literal pat on the back.
If we read blogs written by those who have “been there”, we can learn from their mistakes and make better choices in our own life.
If we’re undecided or need help making a major decision, we can throw it “out there” and get dozens of unbiased opinions to aid in our decision process; opinions from people who don’t have a hidden agenda.
Blogging can also help us to become more open-minded and see the bigger picture by reading the comments of those with opposing views.
Although having a blog can bring us closer to the goals we intended for it, what we learn in the process is priceless.
What say you?
Today’s Assignment
What has having a blog and being online taught you?
Have you had a life changing or memorable experience that wouldn’t have happened had you never blogged or spent time online?
Care to share?