Solving Tricky Blog Equations

Updated 2 months, 2 weeks ago

Source: http://confidentwriting.com/

I asked for some advice a while back about how to solve one of the tricky blog equations that presents itself once a blog starts to become more ’successful’.

My particular challenge was how to continue to find the time and energy to respond to the flow of comments that come in.

I’m still working through my own answers to some of these questions (informed by your words and your wisdom).  I’ll be sharing some of the conclusions on where I’ve got to, and ...

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marshall 2 months, 2 weeks ago on Wordpress

This is really helpful for someone starting out. Its nice to know its not required that every comment must be answered!

marshall´s last blog ..Solar Panel Array, My real life example

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Joanna 2 months, 3 weeks ago on Wordpress

Barbara it’s a habit I’m trying to cultivate too

Sheila I know just what you mean by rollerblading But at least that still puts us in control of our speed and direction, doesn’t it?

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Sheila Glazov 2 months, 3 weeks ago on Wordpress

Hi, Joanna. I often feel like I am rollerbladding and trying to keep my balance with my business and social media responsibilities and joys. Your post consistantly come at just the right time, offering wise assistance to keep my self from falling on m tushy. Thank you for your generosity and the comments/replies from your other readers. I am most grateful. Sheila

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Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach 2 months, 3 weeks ago on Wordpress

I generally answer comments in batches, makes life much easier for me.

Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach´s last blog ..Simple way to help YOU get MORE traffic to your website/blog

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Joanna 2 months, 3 weeks ago on Wordpress

Steve that’s a great addition about ‘real thoughtful’. I’m realising that I find it hard to respond quickly to all the comments that come in, but I do still enjoy and want to respond to all the comments… and to do it with thought. Sometimes that means taking a bit longer, but I think it’s worth it if the genuine exchange of ideas (thoughts, hopes, fears) is what ... See all content

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Cath Lawson 2 months, 3 weeks ago on Wordpress

Hi Joanna – these are great tips. As you say, not all comments need a response but only responding to a selected view can give the impression you favour some commenters over others.

Recently I got round that by thanking everyone for their comments – then only replying to folk who’d gone into more detail, or had questions. It’s too early to say if this is working yet
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Steve Sherlock 2 months, 3 weeks ago on Wordpress

Joanna to add my two cents: (1) I like the NRN tag, that would be a great addition to standard blogging comment functionality.

(2) I would also add that blogging is taking the “in person” relationship to an online world where you can reply on your time and continue the conversation. Especially where we are located around the world, multiple time zones, ‘real time’
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Joanna 2 months, 3 weeks ago on Wordpress

Dave what a great encapsulation of the thinking process – to get far enough away that you can keep it all in view. Going camping sounds like a great alternative to writing blog posts, though don’t you find the time away justs leads to more ideas for more posts?

Alexandra my pleasure, and I hope you get a non sp*m comment soon

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Joanna 2 months, 3 weeks ago on Wordpress

Shari it is all about the choices we make isn’t it? In blogging as in life

Sara I think authentic commenting is really important. I made a deal with myself early on that I’d only ever leave a comment when I felt a genuine sense of connection, not because I felt I ‘ought’ to. It’s meant I’ve always enjoyed the time I’ve spent in conversations with
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Joanna 2 months, 3 weeks ago on Wordpress

Brad I’m glad you enjoyed it – I felt I learned so much from the ideas and suggestions that flowed in, I wanted to share them. I like the NRN idea too… and yes, can also see how it might work on Twitter!

Karen, absolutely, here’s to defining success on our own terms!

Jeanne what a delightful response… so glad to have helped provide the BAM opportunity!

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Alexandra 2 months, 4 weeks ago on Wordpress

I’ve only just begun blogging (and the only comment I got so far turned out to be spam…) but this has been an inspiring read and I’m sure to come back to it from time to time as my blog develops. Thanks Joanna!

Alexandra´s last blog ..Rezept: Andijviestamppot (Endiviensalatstampftopf)

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joylene 2 months, 4 weeks ago on Wordpress

Thanks, Joanna. You’re making my life easier. Happy Blogging.

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Dave Doolin | Website In A Weekend 2 months, 4 weeks ago on Wordpress

This is nice. I now have my theme for the “Week in Review” article for 2 weeks for now. I can definitely riff on this material, extensively. All that graduate education in engineering. I knew it would come in useful someday!

I’ve found that the best way to keep the big picture in sight is to get far enough away from the material to keep it all in view. Sometimes, this means
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DavinaH 2 months, 4 weeks ago on Twitter

How do you manage your blogging time? From @joannayoung http://tinyurl.com/ydfpg77

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Davina 2 months, 4 weeks ago on Wordpress

Hi Joanna. This makes me think of blogging as a constant juggling routine. Even when we’re out and about, I imagine for most bloggers anyway, that we’re not all that far away from our blogs. It really is a challenge to balance this; especially when it is something a person truly enjoys doing. I’ve found that ugly “obligation” finger wagging at me about reading other blogs ... See all content

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Sara Healy 2 months, 4 weeks ago on Wordpress

Joanna — These a very all very helpful suggestions about comments. The question that really touched me was:

Ask yourself what kind of blogging you’re doing. Is it information giving, or relationship building?

It made me think about my own blog and what I want via comments. I often let my ego get caught up in the number of comments I get, rather than the quality of comments
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Shari Smothes 2 months, 4 weeks ago on Wordpress

Your common sense approach to solve the equation has given me a lot to think about as I reconsider some blogging choices. As always, thank you, Joanna.

Shari Smothes´s last blog ..november writing fun 2009

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Jeanne Male 2 months, 4 weeks ago on Wordpress

Joanna, it’s funny how we can see, hear, or read something that we have encountered before but the next time BAM…the brain connects the dots and we have an “ah ha” moment. Sometimes it’s a matter of getting missing information or experience before the pieces fall in place and sometimes it’s simply a matter of readiness. For me, I think it was both – so thank ... See all content

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Karen Swim 2 months, 4 weeks ago on Wordpress

Joanna, this is extremely helpful. I too am working through these issues – blogging frequency, comment response. It is very helpful to work through it as a community. While we all have to find our own fit, I am glad that we are questioning the old “rules” and defining success on our own terms.

Brad, when I was in Corporate we used no response needed quite frequently along
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Brad Shorr 2 months, 4 weeks ago on Wordpress

Joanna, All of this is incredibly helpful. Once again you demonstrate the idea power of an active blog community. I really like Leah Pauls’ idea of “NRN” , No Response Necessary. I know I would really appreciate that as a blogger because I do feel an obligation to respond to most comments – even when I sense the commenter doesn’t expect one. The NRN convention would also ... See all content

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uberVU - social comments 2 months, 4 weeks ago on Wordpress

Social comments and analytics for this post…

This post was mentioned on Twitter by PublishingGuru: Solving Tricky Blog Equations http://bit.ly/39pNtW…

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joannayoung 2 months, 4 weeks ago on Twitter

Reader advice on one of the tricky blog questions http://twurl.nl/k7pvmy thanks everyone!

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