Commenting on Blogs – Is There a Balance?

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So Many Blogs, So Little Time

My name is Stacey and I love to blog. I love the community, the comments, the conversations, and the sharing. I love the creative process of writing a post, checking my stats, and meeting new people. I value my blogging friends beyond measure. I love reading other blogs, commenting on other blogs, and experiencing the power of other online communities. Do you get it? I absolutely love blogging.

I also love balance. I love the notion that nothing consumes my life and that there is open space throughout my day for me to be still, be aware, and be in the moment.

So, I am in the midst of seeking balance. There are so many blogs and so little time. I want to work my way down my Google readers list, be wrapped up in other blogs, and be fully present when I read and comment on other people’s blogs.

In the spirit of creating a balance, I started looking at the extremes.

I can stop commenting on other blogs.

This option physically made me frown. I enjoy reading and commenting on other blogs. I would feel left out of the party. And I wonder if people would stop visiting CreateaBalance.com if I stop leaving comments on other people’s blogs. Bottom line: I don’t want to stop commenting.

I can dedicate one hour a day to comment on other blogs.

This option took my breath away. Back when I was spending an hour a day commenting, I literally stopped exercising. The hour I had to myself early in the morning or late at night went to commenting on other blogs. I am now exercising and want to protect my workout schedule before it slips away again. Bottom line: I don’t want to comment an hour a day.

Blogging is a two-way street, but I don’t want to get stuck in a traffic jam.

So I will embrace a happy medium that honors my desire to practice the art of life balance. I acknowledge my comments will not be ubiquitous across the blogosphere this year. I accept my decision and welcome the benefits that I will discover from my actions.

Ten Ways To Create a Balance While Commenting on Blogs

  1. Reduce the number of blogs you regularly read.
  2. Remember, you don’t have to comment on every post.
  3. Shift your perspective. Comment authentically, not because you want to entice a blogger into a game of blogging tag.
  4. Mix it up and support bloggers using social media like Stumble Upon and Twitter.
  5. Show your support to bloggers by referencing them via link love.
  6. I think it’s worth mentioning twice, use twitter.
  7. Don’t comment just for the sake of getting your name out there. You will eventually get commenter’s burnout. Comment to add your voice to the conversation.
  8. Find other ways to thank your readers besides reading and commenting on all of their posts.
  9. Create and live by your blogging goals and values. Time is precious, so use your time wisely.
  10. Build a commenting strategy.

I am not advocating the end of commenting.

I LOVE all of the comments I receive and want my comments section to grow and grow and grow. I encourage participation, collaboration, and thriving communities. I recognize it is difficult to grow a community without comments.

I hope you continue to comment on CreateaBalance.com.

This Is Your Moment!

I’m writing this post to simply encourage you to think about your commenting behavior and to self reflect on the following questions…

  • Why do you comment on blogs?
  • What is favorable about commenting on blogs?
  • What is not favorable about commenting on blogs?
  • How does commenting energize you?
  • How does it exhaust you?
  • Is commenting on too many blogs disrupting your life balance?
Showing 26 comments
  • Jay

    I love commenting on blogs. I do however have to pick and choose how many to do a day or I will have a career as blog commentor. I have my RSS reader, and I pick 10 articles a day to read at random, and comment on them because I love the community we have built here. It can become overwhelming playing the comment love game, so I spread the love around. I always comment on my favorite blogs at least twice a week, so I feel that is a good balance. If I had more time, I would do post more comments, but there is only so much time in a day! :-0

    Jay´s last blog post..The Power of No

  • Hi Stacey. This is what I needed to hear because I’ve added a lot of new blogs to my reader over the last week and I can’t keep up anymore. I comment because I love the connection. Plus I receive so many insights when I’m reading I burst to share them.

    I’ve realized that it’s no longer possible to comment on every post for every subscription I have. I won’t comment just for the sake of commenting. I have relaxed on commenting a couple of times and noticed the traffic did go down. I think what’s important is that a blogger is just having fun and not too worried about stats. That causes burnout.

    Davina´s last blog post..Shopping for Effective Attitudes

  • Hi Stacey. I’m glad you found my latest “compensation method” worthy to add to you list, and thank you for that!

    I totally agree with #7. Considering that most blogs have a strict no-follow policy on comment links, what’s the point in simply throwing 2-3 meaningless words in a sea of useful comments? It’s a waste of time. People should focus on developing topic, adding to the conversation. In the end, it’s much more rewarding.

    Alex Cristache´s last blog post..You Need to Sell Your Blog Posts!

  • Hi Stacey,
    I hope your child is better. I was thinking about you because I was home with a sick child too.

    I do comment on posts that interest me, that make me want to add my spoonful of wisdom 🙂 I like to be part of a blogger community that has similar interests than me with a goal to learn and grow.
    I must say though that since I get more regular visitors on my blog, more comments etc I have become a regular of certain blogs as well and it has taken up more time than in the beginning. I am able to find a balance still. I usually blog instead of watching crap on tv. So there 🙂
    I believe you have made a right and wise decision. You go girl!
    Mimi

    Mindful Mimi´s last blog post..In order to act, you must be somewhat insane. A reasonably sensible man is satisfied with thinking — George Clemenceau

  • I tend to get a bit pulled away from life some days by blogs! I love to comment……..just don’t always have the time ;)! I think everyone needs some time off ……….just like with any job 🙂

    Annette´s last blog post..Finding the Postives in YOU

  • “A career as a blog commentator”, Jay’s so funny! Actually, that might not be a bad idea: want to start a new blog and have a thriving community from day one? Hire blog commentators 🙂

    These are great tips Stacey, it’s definitely about achieving balance. I love comments and commenting on other blogs too, but I have lots to do. I think I’ve struck a balance that works for me at this point.

  • Jay – Thanks for the tip on picking 10 blogs from my RSS list to read/comment on each day. I’m going to take baby steps and start with 5 per day.

    Davina – I think it’s important for us to acknowledge that we can’t keep up and to reframe our thinking to believe we don’t have to keep up, we just need to “be”.

    Alex – Welcome to CreateaBalance.com! I love the concept of picking one of commentator to be awarded as “Reader of the Month”. And I love that your decision will not be based on the number of comments people leave, but on how useful and on-topic they are. I’ll be watching and cheering you on!

    Mimi – My little one is feeling better and I hope your child is recovering too. Thanks for asking. I fully appreciate the spoonful of wisdom you bring to the CreateaBalance.com experience.

    Annette – I think your comment sums up what I was trying to say…it’s all about finding a balance.

    Marelisa – Can you imagine if you hired someone to comment for you? That would be authenticity at its worst!

  • I like the interaction of commenting, and there are so many interesting places to visit. I have gotten very good at scanning posts. If something really grabs my attention I slow down and really read it. And I only comment if I truly have something to say. I never was one for small talk. OH! And I set myself a 30 minute time limit for commenting each day.

    Urban Panther´s last blog post..Can you age gracefully and have plastic surgery?

  • Urban Panther – I appreciate the time you spend to read my words and comment on my blog (seriously). And I like your idea of setting a 30 minute limit for commenting each day.

  • GREAT advice, Stacey.

    I used to spend about an hour a day commenting. I couldn’t keep it up so I significantly reduced the time I spent commenting. The result? The comments I do write are of a higher quality; I am back to enjoying the process; and I get less comments on my own blog, which is FINE.

    Thank you for the link. 🙂

  • I love reading other blogs, getting ideas, learning, crying, and everything in between. I know I spend too much time reading and commenting and should consider a time limit. I just haven’t been able to do that yet……………………:)

    One rule I do try to follow is make commenting meaningful. I almost never write just, “Great post.” Taking time to comment means taking time to read the blog, too.

    LisaNewton´s last blog post..Kickin’ it at Fatburger

  • Hi Stacey,

    Thanks for writing this post, because if you didn’t I would have had to at some point as my reader is growing and I don’t want to unsubscribe yet I can’t visit and comment on every single post.

    For now, I try to limit reading and commenting time within a certain slot, depending on my schedule for the day. I also comment only when I feel I can contribute meaningfully, or if it’s a new blog and I want to encourage and support that blogger as a form of paying it forward because others have done the same for me.

    Excellent post, Stacey!

    Daphne´s last blog post..The Gift of Community

  • I love having relationships with people online….its like I have friends all over the country! Being the social butterfly (or as some call it “motor mouth”) that I am, I find I have a comment for EVERYTHING….(maybe it’s just that I’m Italian now that I think about it! lol).

    Because I give my opinion in every post on my own website, I get into some in depth conversations with people (via the web) and I love it! It’s addicting and I don’t think I’ll change. The only thing I might change is how I go through blogs and look at them. My husband (who happens to be Jay for those of you who know him here) uses an RSS feeder and swears by it. I think I might have him install it!

    Tina´s last blog post..More Free Books

  • Hi Stacey

    I’m so glad you’ve raised this topic. I’ve been wondering where some bloggers get the time to do all of this commenting! At least I know that not everyone is a machine commentor 😉

    For me, commenting too much is like too much interaction. And commenting for the sake of commenting is like not having a meaningful relationship. So, I try to only comment if I feel I have something to add or if I truely feel it is a great post and just want to say that.

    I do worry that other bloggers will be “hurt” if I don’t comment on every post, but I simply can’t and it is not authentic for me.

    I appreciate comments and genuine comments. I love it when commentors take the topic further or enter a conversation; give their true opinions and feelings.

    I want to give authentic and value-adding comments.

    Juliet

    P.S. It’s been great to see you on my blog a bit 😉

    LifeMadeGreat | Juliet´s last blog post..Overcoming The Barriers Of Introversion: Starting The Process

  • * Why do you comment on blogs? – I want to hang out with like-minded, with the community.
    * What is favorable about commenting on blogs? – getting connected, adding value, getting value
    * What is not favorable about commenting on blogs? – cannot think of any…
    * How does commenting energize you? – being part of the community is very recharging itself for me.
    * How does it exhaust you? – it does not. I control it. I time box everything I do – including commenting.
    * Is commenting on too many blogs disrupting your life balance? – nope, i even thought to add some extra time to the time box for commenting. I would love to extend the circle of like minded i belong to

  • Vered – I think reducing my time commenting will allow me to enjoy the commenting experience. This way I can focus on connecting to the community and let go of feeling like I’m running a marathon.

    Lisa – “I love reading other blogs, getting ideas, learning, crying, and everything in between.” – Me too! I value the time I have to read and comment on other blogs. But now instead of this time taking over my life, it will be scheduled time that I fully enjoy.

    Daphne – I also enjoy commenting on a new blog as a way to pay it forward!

    Tina – Welcome to CreateaBalance.com! I also love connecting with people online. It is a priceless gift…and it is addicting. I was going to start this post out with “My name is Stacey and I’m a blogoholic”.

    Juliet – I think this is an important topic raise if any blogger is going to practice the art of life balance. And thank you for your authentic and value-adding comments here on my blog

    Alik – I too want to hang out with like-minded individuals. Blogging would not be the same if all comments were closed. I love how you use a time box for commenting. I will be sure to incorporate this idea into my life shortly. Thanks!

  • I want to support EVERYBODY and I read many posts and comment when time allows. Thanks for this! Very good!

    BTW…found you on Twitter! 🙂

  • Stacey,
    These are such excellent points! When I had a desk job, spending time online was so much easier…I wish I knew about blogging back then! But alas, now I’m working on my own and have to set limits. I, too, like Jay’s idea of X number of blogs per day. I also have started to dedicated a couple of days per week to get around. I like to comment if I can contribute, and on my blog I love to hear what people have to say. It does enhance the community. I also know that while I value those I have met and interacted with online, my life includes more than the online community!

    To your point – emailing, twitter and linking is a great way to let people know you’re “still around”.

    Thanks and have a great weekend!

  • “So Many Blogs, So Little Time”

    Stacey,
    You had me laughing out loud. I think I must say this every time I look at my feedreader. I have kind of given up the last two months trying to keep up commenting with all of my beloved blogs. The reality is that I can’t comment on every one I read because I am reading too many! But I would rather be a slient reader who takes a moment to comment when I really feel I have something of value to add then to drop a bit of graffitti on the page just to add my name to the ever growing list to prove I was there. Make sense. I loved your ideas. Thanks!

  • Hi Stacey – very timely for me! I have been simply unable to comment much for the past few weeks, for a variety of reasons – and it’s definitely not what I want, like you said at the start.

    I think I have a commenting strategy that works and is do-able, in the main, but by the end of last year I was finding I couldn’t keep up with it. This has been partly because I can’t physically sit at the computer for long periods (eyes, neck, shoulders).

    I couldn’t believe a guest post from Leo from Zen Habits where he advised to spend 10 mins a day leaving lots of quality comments on blogs – what a joke! (it can take me 30 min to read a post and write a comment).

    Robin´s last blog post..Guy Finley Followed By An Illustrated Meme.

  • Mark – I want to support everybody too – I just can’t seem to find enough time.

    Stacey Shipman – I have a desk job, but that doesn’t give me any time during the day to read and comment on blogs.

    Wendi – “So Many Blogs, So Little Time” – it’s so true!

    Robin – I agree with you! Ten minutes a day is not enough time to write “lots of quality comments”.

  • I’m employed the idea of not commenting on every post, and mixed it up using social media to promote posts that are informative.

    Great post, as always!

    BC Doan´s last blog post..Photos for the Third Week of January

  • Hi Stacey, my reason to comment on blogs is simple. I was happy when somebody commented on my post, so I do the same as well.
    Thanks for sharing the tips, Stacey. They are very helpful to me.

    Arswino´s last blog post..The Color Of Friendship

  • Nice to see you back up and running! 🙂

    Mark´s last blog post..Desk-ercise

  • Hi Stacey – Finding balance is VERY important. I’ve cut back on my posting schedule which gives me more time to make the rounds in blogosphere and to also connect on Twitter.

    I’ve lost count of how many blogs I follow, but I do try to visit each of them from time to time. Although I know I can’t read every post, I try and find ones that interest me, read and comment on those. Although some will say commenting is like tit for tat, I find it more as a way to support other bloggers. If they come and visit me, that’s wonderful, but if they don’t I certainly understand the time constraints they’re under. We’re all in the same boat.

    Barbara Swafford´s last blog post..Blogging Support Forums: Do Your Homework First

  • BC Doan – I am also embracing social media as a way to support other blogs.

    Arswino – I hear what you’re saying. I’m so happy when people comment on my blog that I want to comment on others. It is finding the time that is my main challenge.

    Mark – Thanks. It was a scary rollercoaster ride.

    Barbara – I agree, finding balance is very important! Thanks for sharing your strategy.