In the comment section of “The Battle Over Comments – Part 1”, many of you mentioned 50 + comments would be a dream come true; a time for celebration.
However, once the celebration is over, how to deal with dozens of comments raises an important issue.
That’s the issue of TIME.
Today’s Lesson
For some this lesson may seem premature, but I see it happening.
If all of you continue on your blogging journey, you will experience fifty or more comments on a regular basis.
However, as your comments increase, the time required to deal with them will increase, too.
Lance, of Jungle of Life, experiences this each time he publishes. What he said, in part, is,
What I do find is that it [answering comments] means I write fewer posts. I’m okay with that, though. It’s come down to what really matters to me – and that is the feeling and sense of community.
Vered, who is a veteran blogger, knows all about receiving dozens of comments, as well. What she did was look at the priorities in her life and now does what works for her. In her comment she stated,
I stopped answering [comments] individually. I used to feel it would be rude, but when you get to a point where it’s either reading to your kids before bed or answering comments, you read to your kids and hope your readers will understand.
Knowing it’s possible to receive dozens of comments, being prepared is half the battle.
To prepare, we need to ask ourselves one important question.
“When we begin to receive 30, 40, or 50+ comments, where do we find the time to deal with them?”
- Do we publish less often?
- Do we spend less time visiting and commenting on other blogs?
- Do we postpone performing maintenance on our blog?
- Do we fore go spending time on social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook and/or StumbleUpon?
- Do we delay proceeding on other projects we have in the works?
- Do we steal more time from real life?
- Do we rethink how we answer comments?
- Do we consider outsourcing part of our blogging activities?
- Or, do we ___[fill in the blank]___?
With only 24 hours in each day, priorities will come into play.
What would yours be?
Today’s Assignment
Knowing the day will come when you will get dozens of comments each time you publish, where would you steal the time from to deal with this added responsibility?
If you’re currently dealing with this issue, what part of blogging or real life suffers?
Or, will you just cross that bridge when you get to it?
~Barbara.
Hi Barbara. I will cross that bridge when I come to it. Having said that, I once did a word count on my replies to a batch of comments and found I had written the equivalent of another post. Oooh boy! Plan A would be to write shorter replies.
Being flexible with different areas of blogging is another idea; not necessarily visiting the same numbers of blogs every week and spend more time with comments. Then switch it around the next week. Skip some days on social networking sites… just mix things up a bit… create a rotation of priorities. Okay, so it’s late and I’m thinking WAY too much 🙂
.-= Check out Davina´s awesome post: It’s Midnight & I’m Still Single =-.
Hi Davina,
That’s a great idea; to write shorter replies to comments.
I also like your idea of mixing it up. I know from experience skipping days spent on social media sites does save time as it’s so easy to start tweeting or facebooking and before you know it, an hour has passed. But oh, it’s so much fun…..
I like the focus on priorities and I think it makes sense to set limits.
I like the scenario where a post generates comments/community discussion, not necessarily with the author … more of a many-to-many situation, than a one-to-many.
I think it’s a healthy practice to respond to questions or clarifications, but not necessarily respond to every comment.
I’m in the habit of responding, but it hasn’t been a time sink.
.-= Check out J.D. Meier´s awesome post: What 16 Movies Can Teach Us About Life and Leadership =-.
Hi J.D..
That’s true. Focusing on priorities and setting limits can make a huge difference. With it being so easy to get sidetracked when blogging, if we can somewhat stay focused, we’re less apt to spend time on time sinks.
Hi Barbara – Your closing words say it all: “With only 24 hours in each day, priorities will come into play.” So to answer your question, yes I might try one of your options. But I’ve been pondering since your last post, and realized my perceptions of comments (getting or not getting them), and my perceptions of those who make them, are the most important things for me to focus on. Because although I am truly grateful to those who comment and I adore the power of comments to build connections and community, I have a hunch that if I couldn’t reply, readers would understand. I visit and comment on blogs where the writer doesn’t answer, and I’m okay with that. I don’t need the blogger to take care of me by responding, nor do I expect that my readers would need that if I was pressed for time. So I choose to recognize up front that readers are sharp people who get the delicate dance we all do with this thing called balance. Otherwise, it begins to feel a little like a dysfunctional or co-dependent relationship.
.-= Check out Patty – Why Not Start Now?´s awesome post: The House of Belonging =-.
Hi Patty,
I like how you put that, “…the readers are sharp people who get the delicate dance we all do…” And that’s especially true when bloggers are responding on other sites. I think we all have empathy for each other.
Barbara,
Like Davina, I have considered making my replies shorter, in an effort to recapture some of that time. It really has come down to priorities for me. Sometimes that does mean stealing time away from other activities, late nights, or early mornings. And I definitely post less because of this. The connection and the community are worth it for me. Would it be there without my replies all the time? Perhaps. Would I feel that same connection, though? I’m not sure…
.-= Check out Lance´s awesome post: Sunday Thought For The Day =-.
Hi Lance,
That’s true. When community means a lot to us, we do make the necessary adjustments so we can keep those connections. Although it may mean making sacrifices, community quickly becomes more important than “the numbers” and/or other things.
It all comes down to prioritizing for me and what I have on my plate on any given day. If I have the time to reply back on each comment, then I do. If other duties, personal or business, make it where I can only reply to a few, then that’s what I do.
I think comments left by readers are not only for me, the writer of the blog, but for the readers as well. Not all comments need a reply either. Most are just statements and opinions of the subject at hand, so I don’t see the need to reply to each and every one.
.-= Check out Heather Villa´s awesome post: Got a problem? =-.
Hi Heather,
That’s an excellent point. When our readers comment, they know others will read it. So not only are we showing support for the blog author, but we’re sharing our knowledge with our fellow bloggers, as well.
Hi Barbara,
If someone loves what they are doing…meaning if they truly love blogging, then they will find a way to do what needs to be done. If something looks like a chore, then it will be a chore. So in my mind, a lot of it has to do with perception.
If you love your work, then it will not be work. People can find a way to do whatever needs to be done. It is all a matter of how you look at things and how you manage your day. There are 24 hours in a day…that is a lot of time and we are capable of doing much more than we think.
I think people limit themselves with time. Time is what you make out of it…so just choose wisely. With that in mind, taking the time to answer comments really says a lot. Lance is a great example. He gets a lot of comments and he is kind enough to answer each one. I think that is one reason why he is so well loved by many.
.-= Check out Nadia – Happy Lotus´s awesome post: Being Creative =-.
Hi Nadia,
I hear you. Time is a matter of perception. That reminds me of how if we kept a time journal, we would more than likely find the time we think we don’t have, is right under our noses.
I like J.D.’s response:
“I like the scenario where a post generates comments/community discussion, not necessarily with the author … more of a many-to-many situation, than a one-to-many.
I think it’s a healthy practice to respond to questions or clarifications, but not necessarily respond to every comment.”
I agree!
Thanks for the link, Barbara.
.-= Check out vered | blogger for hire´s awesome post: Crispy, Golden Potato Latkes =-.
You’re welcome Vered,
I like the way you’re involved in your comment section, but don’t necessarily reply to each comment. Your responses let us know you’re reading what we’re sharing,
“I think people limit themselves with time. Time is what you make out of it.”
I agree completely Nadia! Whatever you do with your time its 100% your choice, so you need to be 100% clear on your priorities, like Lance who posts fewer articles and replies to all his comments. That’s making a choice.
Or Leo from Zen Habits who now has no comments on his posts at all, having gained over 100 comments on each post regularly.
As long as you’re clear why you’re doing something and what it’s consequences are then whatever you end up choosing is good.
.-= Check out Alex Fayle ¡ Someday Syndrome´s awesome post: Stretching Your Mind: Your Mind as a Rubber Band =-.
Hi Alex,
Isn’t that the truth? All of our actions have consequences. So like you said, it’s a matter of making a choice and being clear about it.
P.S. Thank you for telling me about Leo @ Zen Habits. I was on his blog and looked for the comments, but they weren’t there. Now I know why.
I would love to solve the problem by expanding the time I spend on blogging – say by going part time at work. Not sure I could really make that work though. Honestly I would reduce the time responding to comments and on maintenance and social networking if I had to cut time. I don’t want to cut time reading other blogs or writing.
.-= Check out John @ Curious Cat Investing Blog´s awesome post: Dollar Decline Due to Government Debt or Total Debt? =-.
Hi John,
It sounds like you are as addicted to blogging as I am. What a great “hobby”, hey? Knowing where you would cut time from is half the battle. My problem is I enjoy all aspects of blogging, so I end up feeling overwhelmed when I can’t do it all (plus do my paying job).
Hi Barbara and All.
For me it comes down to what I said before, what type of blog are you creating, what is your focus and how authentic are you being.
As one of our posts said, we are about connecting at a deeper, initmate level and not about social integration, so taking time to make comments that can add value is important for us.
We publish less and do encourage value adding comments.
Ann-Marie and I are keeping our lives simple so we do not have to rush to too many things.
We go for quality rather than quantity and that helps us to keep down the volume of blogs we visit.
We are not into social networking of the kind that is superficial and based on volume; that keeps it all very interesting and prevents overwhelm.
I do think that when you provide value and quality, and you communicate clearly with what you aim to do, the commenters will realize that you are playing a different game.
As a result they will act accordingly and will come even if you do not work yourself into a franzy to show up in every show in town.
.-= Check out Wilma Ham´s awesome post: A whole new world, a whole new community. =-.
Hi Wilma,
That’s so true. When we strive to live more simply, we find we get overwhelmed less often. And like you and Ann-Marie, I’ve also found by publishing less often, it gives me a chance to focus on my priorities.
I haven’t got much of a problem since I post once a week. I feel it is important to reply to comments since we are a community. I will always find time. 🙂
Hi Walter,
Yes. Comments do imply community. Posting less is a great way of allotting us more time to reply to those who respond.
I’ll cross the bridge when I get to it…. if I get to it.
I started blogging well over 5 years ago and have never approached regular double digit comments.
Maybe someday.
.-= Check out Mike Goad´s awesome post: Balcony House and more =-.
Hi Mike,
Crossing the bridge when we get to it is often the best answer. I know when I look at some of the probloggers I can’t imagine myself in their position so I don’t even go there.
Barbara,
I’m thinking I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it. Comments don’t affect my posting too much since I post all my stuff for the week on one day – scheduling them out.
I would probably set time aside to answer comments because I feel community is so important.
George
.-= Check out George Angus´s awesome post: Do You Really Want To Be Published? =-.
Hi George,
It sounds like you have your blogging schedule very well organized; writing all of your posts for the week in one day.
Setting aside time to answer comments is what works for me. It’s what I do at the end of the day when the house is quiet and I can concentrate on is being shared.
One way I’m changing things is to time block 2 days a week for writing. Nothing else. No interuptions. That will help me with 50% of the blogging process. I do outsource maintenance already and I’m not making any money. It’s all about priorities.
When I have guest bloggers I don’t answer every comment. That’s another choice if one is falling behind. Invite a guest. That way you both win. You are relieved and they gain readership.
I’m not ready to give up family and free time. I need balance. I’ll continue to get creative. It’s how I’ve survived life and will continue to in the future.
If we eliminated all time wasters we’d have time for commenters. Evita (from Evolved Beings) does it with three blogs. Just my opinion.
.-= Check out Tess The Bold Life´s awesome post: Interview Original Faith Author Paul Maurice Martin =-.
Hi Tess,
I like your idea of time blocking. Like you said, that keeps you focused on the tasks at hand.
And yes, having guest bloggers can save a huge amount of time, plus like you said, create a win-win for the blog author as well as the guest blogger.
Ah, comments! I LOVE receiving a reply to a comment that I’ve left. It’s makes me feel valued. If I’ve gone to the effort of writing a thought out reply that contributes to the topic, it’s great to be acknowledged. I think it’s hugely important to nurture the community feel of blogs by replying and generating conversation.
I follow the example of James from Men With Pens – he answers pretty much every comment on his posts, but with several replies in one comment. Using ‘@ Name’ to distinguish who he’s talking to.
One other reason I like to answer comments is because it tells me what people want to know about – so it’s free and easy market research in a way!
.-= Check out Melinda | WAHM Biz Builder´s awesome post: Imagine Slowing Down and Getting More Done =-.
Hi Melinda,
That’s very true. Comments are like free market research. Our readers are not only sharing what they thought about what we wrote, but we gain insight into what else they may want to read more about. Everyone wins.
Hi Barbara!
I’m writing one blog a week, and a video each weekend. I have a second blog I do bi-monthly. If I can’t handle this, I’d blog less often before I’d steal any time from elsewhere. Been there, done that – and gee wiz, my book didn’t complete itself while I had my head in the blogosphere did it?
Had to really put things in perspective – you’ve helped more than you’ll ever know with that.
.-= Check out suzen´s awesome post: Getting a Man’s Help! =-.
Thank you Suzen,
You’re right. When we have our heads in blogosphere, some of our other projects get left undone. Setting priorities is a huge if we want to succeed in other areas of our lives.
Great discussion here! I have been thinking about it. I still haven’t figured out what I’d do yet as I have a number of offline projects about to start at the same time. I may just cut down the number of posts to once a week. Or I may write shorter posts.
.-= Check out Evelyn Lim´s awesome post: 10 Tips To Setting Powerful Intentions =-.
Hi Evelyn,
I like your idea of writing shorter posts in order to free up more time. Often a lengthy post can be cut into parts and made into a series. In fact, that’s what happened with this one. It was the second half of “part one”.
I agree with the other commenters. Blog owners don’t need to reply all the time. You only need to answer those comments that need clarifications. Much easier if you can use your older posts to answer their comments.
For the other blog activities, owners don’t need to perform everything day by day. Scheduling can really help them organize all their works.
.-= Check out Jack Courtney´s awesome post: Capstar Review =-.
Hi Jack,
That’s true. Some blogging activities don’t need to be done every day. So on those days, it give us a chance to concentrate on other areas of blogging and maybe even get ahead of schedule.
I also like your idea of using older posts to answer a question. That would save us from being redundant plus gain more exposure for our earlier work.
HI Barbara,
I personally have devised a plan of action for this. I love my comments ..and i love my comment writers…
So, I blog twice or thrice a week- reply to each an every comment, most of the time try my level best to go to all my favorite blogs and leave a thought.
This in itself takes up a lot of time. But it gives me enough time to spend with my family. Over the weekends I keep the post short and sweet. And during the week One or maybe two long posts.
I love the idea of building a community as Wilma mentioned. And i think in my small way i have been doing that. But have recently realized the satisfaction I experience everytime i interact more deeply with each of my readers. That one on one connection is priceless.
You have such an awesome community here…and me being part of this makes me feel great…I would like to give my readers that 🙂
I am learning from the best 😉
Lots of love.
Z
Thank you Zeenat,
For someone who is still new to blogging, you’re doing a fabulous job of building community. Keeping one post a week short is a great way of giving you more time to visit others or to spend more time with your family. One thing I found was pacing myself and not rushing to gain a huge readership fast, worked best for me. That way, as my blog grows I can easily adjust to it.
Barbara
I think you are getting so many comments is a proof that your readers are really interested in your stuff. There are so many who are commenting here means there is a huge percentage who reads your stuff but stays silent, I mean does not comment but still likes what you do.
.-= Check out Worship´s awesome post: Amazing Grace – One Of The Best Worship Songs =-.
Thank you Worship,
I appreciate your kind words. I feel honored to have so many great bloggers in this community, and that includes those who don’t comment, as well.
If what I’m sharing is helping others, then my goal is being met. 🙂
I’ve only had 50 or more on a couple of posts. I always comment back to every commenter because in real life, face-to-face I would say something back. When someone sends me an email I answer. I really want to hear what they have to say. Since I write inspirational posts on what fires me up I like conversing with others on the same.
And yes sometimes I do less of other blogging activities but nothing in my opinion is as important (in the blogosphere) as conversation.
.-= Check out Tom Volkar / Delightful Work´s awesome post: Wounds + Authentic Makeup = True Calling =-.
Hi Tom,
That’s a good point. I think most of us continue to blog because blogs are interactive, and like you said, it’s via the conversation we get to hear what others have to say.
Hi Barbara…
It’s almost a year since I commenced my blogging journey and I have come to learn that one of the most important aspects for me is community and therefore I’m with Tom, though I don’t always manage to reply to every comment.
I’ll often visit a blogger to reply and comment on there blog if I haven’t made time to reply at my own blog.
Hi Ribbon,
That’s another great way of letting a blog author know you’re listening. If you don’t have time to answer their comment, visit their blog and share your thoughts.
Hi Barbara,
I think that everyone needs to balance their real life with their online one. I know that I can’t spend a lot of time online each day.
I value blogging and would love to always answer ever comment personally but life will sometimes get in the way.
So if I did get 50+ comments daily, I would probably need to use some of the strategies you listed above. I would probably post three entries a week and not go on Twitter as much to help me find the time to reply to all my comments.
I think outsourcing completely defeats the purpose. People want to connect with the author of the post or blog, not someone’s assistant. So I would never consider doing that.
.-= Check out Chase March´s awesome post: The Law of the Universe =-.
Hi Chase,
That’s true. Having balance in our lives is very important. In fact, it’s when we begin to feel blogging is a chore, we start to lose interest.
As for outsourcing, I can understand why someone would use it for the behind the scenes stuff, but not for posting and/or answering comments.
I have two blogs and each serves a different purpose. And I think my answer to your question is that I would act differently based on those purposes.
Silver & Grace is about building a community of women. Interestingly, it is not the blog that generates any income, but it is the one I would make an effort to respond to all the comments. I developed the site to be part of a powerful community of sharing.
Make Way For Biz is my business site. If I had over 50 comments on it, I would respond to the comments that a) ask me a direct question or b) raise a very interesting point. Even though Make Way is about generating income, I have to balance responding to comments on it with other forms of marketing. It’s never a good idea to put all your eggs in one basket.
.-= Check out Eliza´s awesome post: The (Mis)Adventures of Mike: Mapping out business processes =-.
Hi Eliza,
That’s very true. When we have more than one blog, each may get handled differently. And like you said, on your business blog, you already know which comments will require a reply.
P.S. I was on your business blog and must say, it’s a real beauty. It’s a perfect reflection of the professionalism you’re creating with your business. Great job!
Barbara — As usual, great lesson to ponder. Thanks:~)
While I still have a long ways to go regarding the 50+ comments, I do think there are things I could do to answer comments and yet also have a life.
My biggest issue is always LENGTH…I am way too wordy when commenting.
Therefore, this is the end of this comment:~)
.-= Check out Sara B. Healy´s awesome post: Picture Story: Picture Quotes =-.
You’re welcome Sara,
Good point. When we leave lengthy comments we use up more of our time. Although in some instances it will take a lot of words to get our message across, other times we could probably say the same thing in just a few (words).
I am trying to shorten my comments on other blog sites, and I just allow 2 hours 5 nights a week to read blogs. I have 5 full days of writing – and this will be a busy month because I will Ghost Write about 10 sermons for pay – I hope – to make a few dollars….
I need readers to my blog…I am working on feeling that they will return…and then I will get some more comments….I still have a goal of one time getting 50 to 100 comments on my blog….
I was offered matching funds for my eBook recipe book today – if I can get 1000 people to open the eBook this week the company will give $1000 to UNICEF….so far the book has only had 137 opens…I am hoping I make it
We are having a technical glitch for getting it up on a blog site…so I am doing it in comments and by emails….
What a great post series Barbara….Oh don’t we all want readers and commentors!
.-= Check out Patricia´s awesome post: Believe! =-.
Hi Patricia,
I like how you are so structured with your blogging. That’s a great way to stay focused and be more productive.
How exciting you were offered matching funds for your ebook. I downloaded it and like I said on your blog, you did a fantastic job. And the recipes – I can hardly wait to try them. Yum!
Don’t forget to tweet about the matching offer and we can all retweet the message, as well.
P.S. I also Stumbled the post.
For anyone reading this, please go to Patricia’s site and download the recipe ebook. Patricia is offering it for free with hopes of raising money for UNICEF. If she gets 1000 downloads, she’ll be able to raise another $1000 for a great cause.
Hi Barbara .. – you know I’d say my blogging was 33%, my reading and answering posts was 33% and then there’s 34% for all other things .. I’d love to be prepared and organised as George appears to be .. that’s my aim in the next few weeks.
I like to write comments that are relevant to the post – and I reply that way to my comments too .. there’s always more to impart.
Like you – I’ve held back to promoting myself, as frankly I haven’t had the energy to deal with a deluge – wonderful though that would be .. then I’d @ everyone!!
Go well – and I’ll be back to read everyone’s comments properly ..
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
.-= Check out Hilary´s awesome post: What Christmas memory comes back to you at the beginning of December? =-.
Hi Hilary,
That’s true. Being organized would make blogging a lot more efficient. I don’t know about you, but with each day my time spent on blogging activities changes. Some days I can spend half of my time on maintenance, and other days, none. And if I’m answering comments, I often run out of time to visit other blogs.
But it’s all fun, isn’t it?
Time limitations and priorities are always going to be a juggling act for us all and we each must find a balance we find comfortable. I really appreciate the pie chart shared here on how you spend your time. I suspect you are more organized in how you measure time spent on various tasks. For me I do what I am led to do when I am led to do it.
I believe we will eventually publish high quality but less frequent posts, most of us will dedicate time to answer our comments (and we will be more patient about how long it may take for that to happen), and we will create processes to visit our favorite sites more consistently while spending less time on Social Networks.
To that end I am continually working on developing processes we can use to prioritize all the various ways we can grow our blogs and businesses which will include what other blogs we visit and comment in.
My largest challenge when commenting is managing the additional email load when I subscribe to comments – especially when I do it in a blog like this one that gets so many more comments so often and for so long.
One thing we might want to do is turn our longer comments into new posts and then link to them in the reply instead. That often happens to me as I answer specific questions or provide additional tips beyond what I wrote in the original post.
.-= Check out Internet Strategist @GrowMap´s awesome post: Blog Outreach: 8 Compelling Reasons Why You Should Be Doing It Now =-.
Hi Internet Strategist,
Haha! Nope, that’s not how my time goes. Like you, I’m led to do what I do, when I’m led to do it. And often, I find myself far behind.
That’s true what you said about finding the time to answer comments which maybe means spending less time on social networks. I don’t know you, but I often go on Twitter for 15 minutes, only to find myself still there an hour later.
Good tip on the comments turned post. 🙂
Hi Barbara – It’s a huge dilemma. I’ve cut down a bit on social networking. But I like to visit other blogs – blogging isn’t fun when you’re not hearing and sharing thoughts with others.
So I’ve cut down on my frequency of posting and I only visit other blogs as often as I post. Sometimes I read more than one of the other bloggers posts, if they’ve written more. But it saves going back and forth.
.-= Check out Cath Lawson´s awesome post: 5 Ways To Transform Ordinary Business Ideas =-.
Hi Catherine,
That’s true. If we get behind on someone’s blog posts, one visit to their blog gives us a chance to catch up.
And I agree, blogging isn’t fun when we’re not sharing our thoughts with others. In fact, it starts to feel kinda lonely.
Like Mike, I have yet to experience the problem. I like to respond to each comment in order to build the relationship, but if I run out of time, I may not be able to respond for several days. I think the comments are the reader’s chance to have their say, anyway, but I also think they like to hear from the author personally.
I also like J.D.’s concept of many-to-many. I always hope that I’ll write something that will get my readers commenting to each other as much as to me. However, since I don’t write about controversial subjects, I’m not sure that will ever happen.
.-= Check out Dot´s awesome post: Comment on Full Disclosure by Dot =-.
Hi Dot,
That’s true. Comments do give our readers a chance to share their thoughts with others, but like you said, hearing from the blog author is important, too.
I would like to congratulate with you, because I find very interesting your blog and also I have to say from some time ago I am your regular reader. I hope we can get even more from you, so we can spend some time.
Also I will use these occasion to wish a good year to everybody.
.-= Check out Mr. Natural´s awesome post: Natural Makeup Buying Tips =-.