Discussions

Do you return visits?

Posted by PrettyLady • 7/09/07 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: blogging

I have dome some blog hopping here at blogcatalog. I have visited a few blogs and left comments yet none of these bloggers have visited my blog and left comments. I can't see it being my content as my content is so diverse that there has to be something interesting to comment on. Blogging is all about building relationships so why are we all here? Is it not to network together? Do you take the time to not only thank those commenting on your blog, but visit their blog and leave comments?

Feeling a but unappreciated here. "Sigh"

User Comments

7/09/07

terencechang

PL. I did return to other people's blog, but I don't always leave comments for few reasons.

1. I don't know what to say.
2. I don't want to just leave something like "Yeah! Cool blog!"
3. I hesitate to leave comment with "nofollow" link.
4. Too many sites to visit a day, don't have enough time to leave comments. (not a very good excuse, isn't it? ;-))

Ever since I joined "You comment, I follow" community, I got more comments everyday.

PS. I have over 300 bookmarked or subscribe blogs to visit everyday. I am a full time blog reader and stumbler now...

[reply]
1. 7/09/07
  
  clioandme
  
  Why won't you comment on the "no follow"? Out of principle or is that just how you prioritize your time and effort?
2. 7/09/07
  
  PrettyLady
  
  Well I respect that, but blogging is about much more than the backlink you get from a comment left on your blog. I'm sorry that you can't see that.
3. 7/09/07
  
  terencechang
  
  I did not mean that I will never comment on those nofollow site. I left comments on about 40% of the blog I read. In those 40%, 30% of the comments are on nofollow post.
  
  I am not against any site which is nofollow. I just felt more welcome if I saw "You comment, I follow."
4. 7/09/07
  
  PrettyLady
  
  I have no follow on my blog and have no plans on removing it. Because I have no follow it does not mean that I'm less welcoming compared to those that have follow and you can even get a link on my blog which is folllow just by being one of the top ten to comment.
7/09/07

loonarlanding

I almost always return visit (and most likely will comment) but sometimes I miss who visits cause I'm not parked at the PC all day LOL but every chance I get, yes, I return visits

[reply]
7/09/07

clockworkwar

I always, so long as their site doesnt bore me with adverts... I wrote a post about this.

www.blogcatalog.com/discuss/entry/is-it-common-courtesy

[reply]
1. 7/09/07
  
  PrettyLady
  
  My blog is advert free.
7/09/07

FemmedeBat

I return visits but rarely comment unless I have something real to say.

[reply]
7/09/07

clioandme

I get few enough comments that I visit those who do, if they have a blog. That doesn't mean I'll leave a comment though. While I am pretty talkative, not every site is my cup of tea.

Also, I'm not really sure I care if people comment on my blog just because I commented on theirs. Maybe mine isn't their cup of tea. Or maybe they've read with interest and moved on.

As I've said elsewhere, I'm in this for fun (aside from the teaching blog, which is also part of my work), and I want people to have fun too. Visit if you like. Comment if you want. It's all good. Besides, I can always look at SiteMeter's map and see where visitors came from. I get a kick out of how many different places they sometimes come.

[reply]
7/09/07

jimbozs2000

comment removed by the community.

[reply]
1. 7/09/07
  
  PrettyLady
  
  Thanks for spamming my discussion.
2. 7/09/07
  
  clioandme
  
  It's what he does.
3. 7/09/07
  
  PrettyLady
  
  "Sigh"
4. 7/10/07
  
  dharmagypsy7
  
  lol.. this guy is funny.. he's like the jester of BC
7/09/07

awannabe

I return visits. I don't always leave comments though. It just depends on how a post strikes me.

[reply]
7/09/07

derrich

I visit just about (90%) of the bloggers that visit my site. And I'm referring to the new avatars I see on my widget. I usually leave a comment or two. I try to go through at least 2 pages of each blog.

[reply]
1. 7/09/07
  
  PrettyLady
  
  I must be amongst the (10%). ;-)
7/09/07

vixious

It depends. I'm fairly skeptical about people who pop on and off and even those who post a comment on blogcatalog unless I know that they're truly interested in my site. There's just way too much pandering just for stats here. I do, however, usually look at the profiles and blog pages of those who visit my profile or blog to see what they have to offer. If they didn't even visit my blog, I'm less likely to take them seriously. If someone visits my blog and leaves a comment on my site, I usually take the time to visit them, look over their site, and leave a comment or two...not out of courtesy or duty, but because I'm curious and I usually end up interested in what they have to say. That's how I find my favorite blogs. I never visit a site expecting a return. I never let anyone know I've linked to them or not. What I do is determined by me, not the actions of others. I will say in hindsight that there was one person who posted a comment on my site that I haven't reciprocated. I'm sure I will one day, I just haven't been knowledgeable enough yet.

[reply]
1. 7/09/07
  
  PrettyLady
  
  Thanks for replying.
7/09/07

onemansgoal

I always visit my blog viewers sites. I usually comment to, unless, like Terence said, I can't think of anything meaningful to say

[reply]
1. 7/09/07
  
  PrettyLady
  
  I see that. Thank you. ;-)
7/09/07

jessucanoel

I agree with some of the other commentors. It seems people are link hungry. What happened to blogging being a fun way to express yourself and your interests? I will generally check out another visitor and read a few pages. Sometimes I comment, sometimes no. It isn't all about page ranks, link backs and authority. Not everyone will like your blog, blog because you like doing it.

[reply]
1. 7/09/07
  
  PrettyLady
  
  I believe in building networks and getting to know fellow bloggers. What better way then commenting on their blog. The sad thing is I now see a majority bloggers only caring about the LINK they get back to their site.
7/09/07

neoauteur

I don't post comments just for the sake of it or to network. All quality posts warrant a comment from me.

[reply]
1. 7/09/07
  
  clioandme
  
  That's how I look at it, but in many cases informal networks will be an inevitable byproduct of such comments and reciprocal visits.
7/09/07

ThriftShopRomantic

By way of consolation, much of it may be a time issue.

I don't know about you all, but if I didn't work full-time I'd have so much more time to enjoy visiting, reading, learning, sharing... It would be really enriching. But as it stands, in my remaining spare time, I really don't get to do all of the things I wish, and still maintain my own site. And take care of commitments and participate in other activities. I have to pick-and-choose and even then, it can be hard to keep up with everything and everybody.

I would certainly not take it personally if folks aren't reciprocating as much as you'd like. You'll certainly get some people who you'll connect with right off the bat.

[reply]
1. 7/09/07
  
  PrettyLady
  
  So why are we adding friends here at Blogcatalog?
7/09/07

ThriftShopRomantic

I think the idea is to be able to bookmark and visit at one's leisure-- I certainly wasn't saying we shouldn't get to know our fellow bloggers, and that we shouldn't visit each other's sites. And we all get a good sense of personalities through the discussion boards, as well. I've learned a lot about so many things from participating here.

[reply]
1. 7/09/07
  
  clioandme
  
  Yeh, I use the neighborhood function as a kind of bookmarking tool.
7/09/07

Boba

I always return with a visit, and will comment for sure if the person comments on my blog, and even if they didnt comment and there is something I see that I like I will comment. I have read alot of interesting blogs since Ive started here that I wouldnt have normally if not been for returning comments. Myblog stats are not refreshing for some reason, so unless you leave a comment I dont know who's been there, I think my neighborhood button is messed up to, sucks to be me.

[reply]
1. 7/09/07
  
  PrettyLady
  
  Thanks for replying Bob. I'm off to visit your blog.
7/09/07

jungl

I need to get better at commenting!
Sometimes it can get a bit overwhelming if I don't check regularly.

[reply]
1. 7/09/07
  
  clioandme
  
  Well, it's nice to be a good blog citizen, but I wouldn't start feeling guilty about it. Now go out and take some more pictures for us. ;-)
2. 7/09/07
  
  PrettyLady
  
  What better way is there to build blogging relationships than with comments?
3. 7/09/07
  
  jungl
  
  Just got inside from a midnight photo-walk on the beach =)
4. 7/09/07
  
  clioandme
  
  Cool, Jungl! Still light out, right? Here in Washington, DC it was a miserable 37 C, humid as anything, and poor air quality by DC standards. Going outside is something I do only if I must.
  
  I wasn't disagreeing with you, Rose. I was just suggesting that a guilty conscience about commenting could be self-defeating.
5. 7/09/07
  
  PrettyLady
  
  Feeling guilty is not always a bad thing Mark.
7/09/07

mytropicalescape

I visited, and commented on one of your older articles that I found useful.

Regards.

[reply]
1. 7/09/07
  
  PrettyLady
  
  Thank you.
7/09/07

VampireFaust

I usually always visit other people's blogs.

[reply]
7/10/07

bloggingmix

Yes. I always make it a point to return visits for two reasons.

1. Show my appreciation for their visit.
2. Know who are the people who visits my blog. This will give me a hint of what I should blog about.

[reply]
7/10/07

Serenacyh

I return to visit folks that commented on my blogs out of courtesy but I don't always have something to contribute back at their blogs. If it is community like BC, I will leave a comment at shoutbox or something.

[reply]
7/10/07

creative666

I always visit a blog if they have left a comment for me on BlogCatalog, I normally leave a comment and rate it as well.

[reply]
7/10/07

digitalflower

I usually return visits. I will often leave a short comment so people know I was there. I don't feel every comment has to be a insightful and witty look at the content. I don't mind if people leave me a 'cool blog' or 'keep up the good work' type of comment so I sometimes do the same.

[reply]
7/10/07

javajoba

I like to say hi thanks for coming by.

If their's a good commonality i'll add to neighborhood.

And maybe start a conversation, add to blogroll etc etc.

I think I what to do more of is leave comments on their blog.

[reply]
7/12/07

tselmende

Hello!

I always try to return the visit. I want to meet people, start conversations, and it *is* nice to know that maybe you have someone reading yoru thoughts...

[reply]
7/12/07

AthenasArmoury

I return visits and usually try and comment, too. On occasion, I might not comment if I can't figure out something to say. But, I do like the opportunity to form a virtual community through blogs, so I do make an effort to say something.

[reply]
7/12/07

jrgarralda

Try to do so. When I don't leave comments, usually is for the first 2 reasons pointed by terencechang:
1. I don't know what to say. My father used to say "It's better not saying anything and seem an ignorant than saying something and confirm it". Wise words.
2. I don't want to just leave something like "Yeah! Cool blog!" "Your site rocks!" or crap like that.

[reply]
1. 7/12/07
  
  PrettyLady
  
  Thank you for returning my visits.
7/12/07

ccarey76

I would gladly return the visit. I guess I don't always leave a comment but sometimes that because I have nothing worthwhile to add. Most of the time I do visit though and even try to wonder who the person is and where they are from. The more you learn about your visitors the more you write something that speaks to them.

[reply]
1. 7/12/07
  
  PrettyLady
  
  I find that is what a lot of people say to me, but my blog is so diverse I'm not sure how anyone can use that reasonings.
7/12/07

ghostytwofish

I will usually comment in return on my own site, and visit the site of the commentor (if there is one). If they have something there that intrests me, I'll comment appropriately. I don't twist their arms, they don't twist mine.

[reply]
7/12/07

bnsullivan

I comment when I have something relevant to say or add to the discussion.

I do return visits -- when I know who has visited. I always visit the blogs of people who have joined one of mine or who have 'friended' me.

Like Stoneman, I use the neighborhood function here as a sort of bookmaking device. I regularly make the rounds of the blogs whose communities I have joined.

[reply]
7/14/07

VicGrace

I try always to go to a blogger who has left a comment and leave a comment about a post of theirs if I can, if not just a thank you. When I first started I even went to visitors who did not comment that I saw had done so on BlogCatalog or MyBlogLog but I stopped that, it was time consuming and I assume they did not find anything of interest to them so they would not return anyway. I know I have a lot of readers who come time and time again but never comment and that is frustrating.

[reply]
1. 7/14/07
  
  MadameX
  
  Aren't your last two sentences here kind of contradictory? If someone doesn't comment, you assume that htey haven't found anything of interest and won't return, even though you have a lot of readers who come over and over again and don't comment? Isn't that proof that a lot of people who aren't commenting DID find something of interest and WILL come back?
  
  I think one of the things we have to remember is that a lot of readers are just that--readers. Not everyone is a blogger or someone looking to be active in the blogging community, and many may never comment. It's kind of like they're reading your book or your newspaper article...it's not "frustrating" in those contexts that you hear from only a tiny fraction of your readers.
7/14/07

clioandme

Since this thread has become active again, let me address part of Rose's original question, which in part read "I have visited a few blogs and left comments yet none of these bloggers have visited my blog and left comments." This statement raises a couple points. One, Rose, your blogging efforts are perhaps superhuman and it will take normal people time to catch up with you. Two, I wouldn't bother keeping track of who reciprocates. Just do it in the name of good karma. You build up credit with someone who doesn't appreciate your efforts, and then someone else makes good comments on your blog . . . The kind of accounting your question suggests would leave me exhausted.

[reply]
7/14/07

PrettyLady

Mark some people blog more than I do. I originally started this thread as I was curious why people did not seem to return visits. Since then I have networked with some wonderful people here.

[reply]
7/14/07

clioandme

"Mark some people blog more than I do." Wow. So they've got superhuman powers too. That's all I can say. ;-)

[reply]
1. 7/14/07
  
  PrettyLady
  
  I blog one-2 times a day. I have been blogging a bit more to get myself out of Google hell.
2. 7/14/07
  
  clioandme
  
  Google hell?
3. 7/14/07
  
  PrettyLady
  
  Google Hell= Supplemental results.
7/14/07

Norski

Here's my two bits. I think these points have been covered, but maybe not this way.

I don't always reciprocate visits. Had I world enough and time, I would. But I don't.

I don't always comment. Unless I've got something pertinent to say, or to ask. Sometimes there just isn't time.

I *do* make an effort to bookmark or otherwise mark blogs, pages, or whatever, that I'm interested in. Sooner or later, I'll be back.

[reply]
1. 7/14/07
  
  PrettyLady
  
  Thanks for replying.
2. 7/14/07
  
  identikit
  
  PrettyLady
  
  you didnt correct yet the spelling mistake at the and of each post?
7/14/07

PrettyLady

Thanks for telling me. I was wondering what you were going on about. That is a misspelling in the plugin. Will get it fixed.lol

[reply]
7/14/07

identikit

you are welcome . i took a break to write the post for tomorrow . this community is very addicting and promotion is not everything after all.

[reply]
7/16/07

kdarrell

if someone visits my blog I always comment unless I have absolutely nothing to say. (which does't happen often LOL). I have the no follow removed, but don't have one of those cute little buttons. But I DO follow. I do it because I appreciate each and every visitor I get.

[reply]
7/16/07

zawadi

I think if more bloggers used the "u comment i follow" I would comment more, but I still comment without seeing that tag, if it's a blog that catches my attention.
Blogs I like.
1. World of Warcraft
2. How to make money online
3. Radical political views, not just politics, I can watch the News for that.
This is a few I like.

Are some Blogs just to darn boring to leave a comment? yes Like mine, but i'm working on it! :()

[reply]
7/16/07

clockworkwar

If people visit I comment - Unless I dont understand the blog or theres to many adverts

www.rosshetherington.com

[reply]
1. 7/16/07
  
  zawadi
  
  You don't comment because you see ads? bummer
2. 7/16/07
  
  clockworkwar
  
  No, I said too many.... aka if there everywhere...
7/16/07

ghostytwofish

I comment if I have something to say. If I don't, I don't. I'm not there to post a link to my blog, I'm there to say something meaningful to the blogger. If I don't have anything to say ...

[reply]