Solving Tricky Blog Equations

By: Brad Shorr

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 be great for email.
Brad Shorr´s last blog ..4 Blog Typography Tips that Do Nothing for SEO

By: Davina

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 and that has puzzled me, because these are all blogs I enjoy reading. But, I’ve realized it’s because I just need to set aside some specific time for that; time where I’m not feeling like I “should” be doing something else.
Davina´s last blog ..New Lives: Stories of Rescued Dogs

By: Dave Doolin | Website In A Weekend

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 I need to go camping instead of writing blog posts.
Dave Doolin | Website In A Weekend´s last blog ..My Eyeballs Are Bleeding – And How I Write Thousands of Words Every Week

By: Sara Healy

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.

While new readers are always welcome, I like the interaction with regular readers on my site. I feel like I know them and their comments are special to me. It’s obvious that they took the time to really read the post.

I try to return this favor and if I can’t give something of value about a post in the comment box, I often will not leave a comment. This may mean that I have fewer people comment on my site (the quid for pro approach), but at least I’m trying to be authentic.

Thank you for this post:~)
Sara Healy´s last blog ..The Journey Begins: Part One

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By: joylene

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

By: Karen Swim

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 with NFM (No further message) when a subject line covered the response. It was very helpful!
Karen Swim´s last blog ..You’re Lazy and You Look Fat in Those Pants

By: Alexandra

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)

By: Jeanne Male

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 you, dear friend, thank you for the “ah has” in your post!
Jeanne Male´s last blog ..Are You Normal? Fitting-in vs Being Authentic (part 2)

By: Shari Smothes

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

By: Steve Sherlock

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’ response takes on a different meaning. I believe most of us who have been here a while recognize that a ‘real thoughtful’ response later is better than a quick one immediately. (Here is where the NRN can help too!). Conversations can linger over a post for a while just like they do when we do take ‘the blog off the blog’ and sit over a cup of coffee (or two or three) in the coffee shop.
Steve Sherlock´s last blog ..WGBH canceling folk? Say it ain’t so!

By: Joanna

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

By: Joanna

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 people all over the place. It’s a good point about asking yourself what you want from comments – that’s one I’ll ask myself bluntly too. Thanks.

Davina you’re right, it is a constant juggling act. It’s very hard to switch off the blogging mind… but then, do we really want to? It’s part of our creativity I know what you mean about the reading and the commenting… the only solution I’ve found is to do less (mark as unread, mark as unread, don’t comment, don’t comment) until I get to the natural point where I want to again, rather than feeling that I should.

BTW one of the great things about twitter is that it never feels like a should – always a chance to connect and play. How about you? Is there something we can learn from that and apply to blogging too? (Question partly to self )

By: Joanna

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!

By: Cath Lawson

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 though.

By: Joanna

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 we’re after

Cath that’s an approach that can work well, esp if the blogger is clearly a kind and thoughtful person. I know someone who does that in response to her comments and it works perfectly fine – there’s something about the way she writes that allows us to see she’s listening to and gaining from the feedback and comments, which makes it motivating and rewarding to carry on chipping in. I think I should try it a bit more as one of the ways to give myself a bit of breathing space

By: Sheila Glazov

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

By: Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach

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

By: Joanna

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?

By: marshall

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