In the past few days I’ve had a reoccurring discussion with some of my friends, and not of my own volition (…the conversation…not my friends). It has gone something like this:
“Hey, Christopher, I love your site and keep up with all you’re doing. Love the last post especially,” ya-da, ya-da, ya-da… “I know I should probably leave a comment or something, but I don’t.”
If it wasn’t for the statistic program that I run on my site, and those type of phone calls and emails from friends, I probably wouldn’t bother writing posts for my site at all. I would equate it to, quite frankly, spending way too much time writing empty posts read by no one that then disapear into cyber-space forever. And ever. I reason that putting up new material on a site (something inherently great about the blogging concept) keeps people coming back, as opposed to the more “classic” idea of a static website that just posts “new dates” or ” new pics” and really gives people no reason to return.
The fact is, most people who keep up their blogs on a regular basis eagerly wait for other people to write them back. Seriously. Maybe it’s that we need the positive reinforcement of “being heard.” Maybe we’re cave-dwelling recluses who crave outside interaction. Or maybe we’re just tired of tagging 90% of the comments on our sites as SPAM and crave just one single, simple, singular line of text not created by an automated robot designed to leave illicit adds.
All it takes is a “Hey, great post.” Or, “That was a waste of my time, but I love you.” But knowing that people actually are reading your posts, now matter how tivial, gives you the juice to keep going.
Sure, sure, we write because we can. And we write “even if no one is reading.”
…yeah. Right.
What would be the point of that? Keep a personal journal, for the love of Abraham!
No, we write to stay in touch with people, to express our ideas, to let our stinky armpits (ie. opinions) be heard. And maybe, just maybe, someone is reading who says, “Wow, that really meant a lot to me.”
Of course, to say that, we bloggers might actually need to write something inspiring and worth your time. But that’s a different post.
To all my faithful readers who do shout out on this site, you guys rock! Thank you! I read and approve each one of your comments myself (one of the only web-things I make sure I personally moderate).
So, do your favorite bloggers a favor. Go ahead. Leave a little comment. One line. Take 30 seconds and just let them know you’re out there. Reading. Caring about what they have to say. I can guarantee you it will make their day.
(How pitiful, right?).
CH
I was contemplating the idea of leaving a comment on this intriguing post, but I just couldn’t think of anything to say so I decided not to.
Amen to that….
I have to say that I know exactly what you are talking about. I absolutely love getting comments, aside from spam. I usually try to comment on my favourite blogs unless I have nothing to say about it at all. Which isn’t very often. I tend to comment on yours and Sir. Wayne’s blogs on every post since I discovered them.
Now I have an annoying tendency to go on and on about myself in them but hey, at least I comment! And I do try to say something positive about the person I’m commenting to.
And so I go on an on about myself again….. Funny how that happens….
-Shane
P.S. I friended you on facebook.
Hey Christopher hope all is well, just a hello from Elkton! Tell Jen hi for us!
Jason: I know what you mean. If you think of anything to say, let me know.
Shane: Talking about yourself? Hey, at least you’re leaving a comment! (We like hearing about you, anyways!).
Amy: Love you guys, too! And thanks for the shout out! Tell Chris we said hey’a!
CH
His words cut to the very core of my heart. Compelled to examine myself, I quietly contemplated the words he had presented to me. Was it true? Had I neglected to comment far to often on his post? Was I the terrible friend he had accused me of? How could this be?
Whether it was his intention or not I don’t know but the condemnation began to weigh on my soul. My conscience had been forever seared by his words of rebuke and I felt forever compelled to leave a comment on every blog I would ever read.
Whether his words had struck me much like the corrective rod of a loving father full of mercy and compassion or like the backhand of a harsh dictator full of wrath and judgment I could not tell. The truth is that the result had been the same. I was obligated to leave a comment simply to alleviate the guilt that had stricken me.
Just thought I would let you in on my thought process before commenting. Love the posts and I have been far to guilty of taking what you offer but never offering anything in return.
Hey Christopher,
Can’t say I have the time to read blogs all the time….but when I read yours….I am always blessed! Keep writing….love ya!
Hehe, I feel the exact same way, Christopher! I love it when people leave comments, and it doesn’t happen often enough <_< I don’t even get SPAM comments sometimes!! A lot of times *glares at certain people* I’ll be talking to a friend and say “Hey, I updated my blog!” And they’re like, “Yup, I know.” But they didn’t leave a comment!! Grrr…
I like your books, and am eagerly awaiting the next one. But, in your blogs your lifestyle of faithfulness in using your giftings challenges me to do the same. I need that challenge…I have writings I need to give away & I know it. So be encouraged. People are reading what you say & thinking about it.
Comments rock! And going hand in hand with that is response to comments. I know when I leave a comment I like to go back a day or two later and see if there’s a response from the blog owner.
I must admit that I am rather horrible at responding of late. I really do have to get after it. It’s almost like sending someone an email and never hearing back from them. It makes you wonder. I’m sure more people would post comments if they felt a response was likely to come.
You, Sir Christopher, do a good job responding. Well done, mate!
You know Sir. Wayne, I’m the exact same way, only I tend to check throughout the day. Horrible about actually responding, and worse yet tend to accidently take the few comments I get as spam and delete them before realizing my mistake. Ah well.
I think people would be likely to comment more if a response was likely, I know I do.
Ih, getting comments makes us feel specialful!
I know I love it.
and I’d rather get no comments than spam….
I try to check every day or every other day at the few blogs that I watch… but I don’t have time…
If someone comments on my blog, I definitely try to respond to that comment!
Peoples need to comment, though, in order for me to respond. And I need to respond more in order for more people to comment. It’s a neverending cycle!
Wow! And suddenly there were comments! No, but really, thanks. And thanks for the encouragement, Sir Wayne. I try. But you’re pretty good, too! Come on! Roh & Connie, you guys are the ultimate pair of comment leavers. Shane now makes you the Terrific Treo, at least as far as my site is concerned.
CH
The past few days I’ve been checking Wayne’s more often then most, waiting for a, uh, certain announcement. *pokes Wayne*
Hi,
As in life, I usually only comment when I have something meaningful to say. I enjoy reading the posts and the comments, especially the author’s response to the comments. It’s like my own special window into the lives of all of you, and I guess I should comment even it’s a “Amen”, or “Hello”.
love ya CK…
I finally had some comments on my blog this week. I had to yell at my brother though. Instead of commenting on my blog, he messaged me through MySpace about a post.
Other than that, I just use you by posting here hoping to get some traffic once in a while. hehe
- mooney
heh, ish this an oppurtunity to sing the Roheryn the Mighty song?
Go for it, Roh!
Nathan, always a joy to hear from you, even if an Amen or a Hello. Thought of you tonight as I played i our indoor soccer league.
Yes, Roh, this is a perfect opportunity. We’re waiting!!!
Mooney: I’m blessed about your comments! Sa-weeet! That brings up another subject: I should really highlight some of the other blogs of y’all. Please post any links in a comment that you’d like me to put in a main post.
Blessings!
CH
Pastor Kirk: thanks for the encouragement, as always, it means a lot.
Nate C.: truly eloquent. Aren’t you working on a new book?
Shirley: I really thank you for that comment. You rock! Do you have a blog we can all keep you accountable with? Let us know!
CH
I do have one (more) thing to add. One thing I love about comments is how many friendships I’ve made just by commenting on someone’s blog. Then next thing I know I’ve struck up a friendship with the blogger or another commenter. It’s great! Another good reason to comment on people’s blogs, sometimes great friendships result.
Hi there CKH and JLH, keep it up. Nice to hear from you and if you want some recommendations on how to handle your armpit problems I could make some suggestions. The Blyth Family from Saint-Mard / Belgium
What kind of guilt trip is this anyway? I too love getting comments on my blog, but I have to admit I’m a bit rubbish at commenting on even the most interesting posts I read on other blogs. It’s the sort of thing I think I’ll do later, but never do.
Tsk, naughty me, eh?
OK OK I will finally leave a comment ( thanks for making me feel guilty ) haha…. Love ya bro
“And maybe, just maybe, someone is reading who says, ‘Wow, that really meant a lot to me.”
You have said what I have not been able to put into words. I had stopped blogging because I figured, “whats the point no one is reading”. Then as Christians we label that as being prideful and then many fall into a stupid legalism of “i will blog because it doesn’t matter who reads it, it is not about them”.
We, as people, want more than anything else, to be heard.
Why don’t people comment? Because it means they have to listen to someone else and really think about what they read in order to respond. It goes beyond being heard to… listening.
Thanks for sharing Chris!
God bless!
P.S. My wife and I met via a blog
Yeah so i like Nates comment…
See you tomorrow man, and keep up the postssssss
I read them all!
cya
O yeah so what happened to the reuters interview?
k…..I’m done
Love you man!
A thought occurred to me just now…if people comment on this post, and then comment on the comments, and so on, does it stop being a blog and turn into a forum?
To me, a blog is a diary (log) of sorts, and so as thus, I don’t feel compelled to comment, but to read and take what the author gives.
So, Chris, don’t get bent out of shape if I don’t comment, I’m still reading, and please, please don’t stop writing!
ps. I received Scarlet for Christmas…
Nathan: So can I make my site a combination between a blog and a forum? Would that be a Flog? And, thanks: I won’t stop writing. ‘Preciate it.
John: The Reuters interview is still an enigma to me. I have “my people” working on it. Will let you know as soon as I know.
UKSteve: Great to hear from you as always. No guilt; but I hear you with “I always mean to but figure I’ll do it later.” Great to hear you chime in.
So, after a whopping 25 comments (the most I’ve EVER had), I suppose I should move along to a new post. lol
Love y’all! You’re all beautiful.
CH
Flog…I like it. You may have just coined a new Web Sensation!
You need to open the very first FLOG on the WWW. Rock on!
LOL at Wayne.
FLOG! I love it!
A Flog!
couldn’t it also be a Borum?
and now! a musical interlude.
*sings*
Roheryn the Mighty
Roams through the forums
Of insanity she shows symptoms
With ILHY as her side kick
Always getting off topic!
Righting wrongs and Singing songs!
Being Mighty all day long!
She’s Roheryn! Roheryn the Mighty!
hm… mayhaps it should be changed to flog…
Flog?? isn’t that a form of punishment? I guess the question would be, who’s being flogged, the writer or the readers?
I’m on a commenter’s strike until a new post is written.
Hi,
Okay, no one here knows me at all, but I just had to comment after reading all these blogs and everyones commnets.
Chris (or I guess that would be Mr. Hopper to me..), I just found your blog a couple of days ago, but I would love it if you continued posting. It’s nice to be able to read and respond t owhat others have to say…
WEll, now that I’ve babled on for so long, I guess I’ll just wait till your next post…
P.S. flog…I love it too…