Friday, November 16, 2018

Discussion: Why I Comment

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post on Rainy Day Ramblings where we discuss a wide range of topics from books to blogging.

This Week’s Topic: Why I Comment

I love blog hopping, and seeing what everyone is up to, but I will admit, I don't always comment. Sometimes, I just have nothing to contribute. (Shocking, right?)


And, I know I should say something, because it would let people know I was there, but still, I don't always comment. I was thinking about what motivates me to leave a little message, and I came up with these reasons. 

First and foremost, I comment when I have something relevant to say. I guess it's nice when someone takes the time to leave a comment, even when the most I can think to say back to them is "thank you", but I am not a throwaway comment kind of person. 


I do try extra hard to find something to say about reviews. Why? Because I know they are not the most popular posts, and I appreciate how hard reviews are to write. Mostly, I comment on reviews for  books I have read or books I want to read, but I do try to have something real to say. 


I love participating in discussions, but will admit, sometimes I just have nothing to contribute, so I don't. This is pretty much my reasoning for most of my commenting, however, there are a few times I just like to leave some love. 


There are a bunch of awesome bloggers out there, who don't read any of the books I read, but I love reading their reviews, because of what they write and how they write. I find their posts delightful, and I like to leave them a little love to let them know, that I appreciate what they have done. Maybe it isn't relevant to what they wrote, but I think it's important to acknowledge people, who made my day a little better. 

Now it's your turn!
Why do you comment on blog posts? 
Let us know in the comments!

58 comments:

  1. Ahh I really love this post and you perfectly summed up why I comment, too. I appreciate getting feedback and starting off discussions in comments so, so much and I'm always thrilled to do so, whether it's on my blog or on others, even if, let's face it, we all need more hours to do it all haha :)
    I also do my best to comment on book reviews, knowing how they aren't that popular, it makes me sad and they take lots of time, too, so I'm trying my best to do so :)
    And I completely agree with your vision even if sometimes I don't read the same kind of books or something, when I appreciate the blogger and everything I will still get out of that comfort zone to leave a sweet message :)
    Wonderful post :)

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    1. I think we agree, the number one reason is to show we are there and we support the blogger, and I would like to think that means something to a lot of people.

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  2. I always try to comment on at least one post a week for everyone I follow and more if I possibly can! It's easy if they take part in weekend roundups, TTT, CWW etc as I can usually find something to say. I try to offer an opinion on discussion posts too as they are easier. Book Reviews in genres I read are usually ones I can comment on but it is harder to comment on reviews for genres I never read-romance, contemporary etc. I struggle to find anything productive to say if all the posts on a blog are on genres I don't read. As long as I can comment on at least a post on each blog every week, that's a start but I do try to leave as many as I can!

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    1. Same. I have a group of people, who always come by, and I make a special effort to show them some support back. And like you said, certain kinds of posts are easy to find something to say about. Honestly, if I cannot find anything productive to say about a post, I just don't comment, but weekly support is definitely appreciated (at least by me).

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  3. It appears we are alike in commenting. I've actually left a post because I couldn't think what to say and come back to it later. I think that might have to do with comment burn out. LOL And when I can't think of anything to contribute I at least tweet and like the post. Great discussion!

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    1. I get the burn out. I mostly feel that on Tuesday or Wed, when a lot of us participate in TTT or WOW/CWW and you see a lot of the same books featured. I can't help buy comment, when I see books I am all about being showcased, but I will spend a lot of time commenting on those days. That is such a good idea. I never thought of sharing if I had no relevant comment. I think they have a like option on Wordpress (no?), which I wish they had on blogger.

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  4. I think that we have a lot of the same views on commenting. I try to have something to say when I leave comments. There are times that I can't think of anything to say and I do move on. I subscribe to emails for a lot of blogs and sometimes I read the review on my email and take some time to think about it before leaving a comment. I like receiving comments so I assume other bloggers do as well so I try to comment as much as I can. I also try to return comments when someone does take the time to leave a thought on my blog. I think that the back and forth is a great way to really get to know a blogger.

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    1. I use Feedly and I can view the whole post from there, but like you said, sometimes I have nothing to contribute. I do try to find one post per week to say something about, which is probably why I love The Sunday Post/Wrap Up posts so much. These are just about what we did, read and I can always find something to say with those. I also try to comment back, but some people have not updated all their profiles, and when I click, I get nowhere.

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  5. Totally agree with the whole post! Sometimes I just don't have anything to say so I don't comment but I try to leave meaningful stuff on most posts. I love leaving love for my fellow bloggers.

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  6. I’m the same! I read a lot of blogs, but I don’t always comment. I feel bad about this, but a lot of times I don’t comment on reviews. If a book doesn’t sound like something I’d read, I usually can’t come up with something meaningful to say. I also sometimes struggle with discussions that already have a lot of comments. Other commenters have already said my opinions.

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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    1. I understand not commenting on every book review. Sometimes I will comment on the reader's reaction to the book, because I always feel terrible, when they didn't enjoy it or so happy because they loved it. I get really excited when the right book and a person meet. OMG, yes! There are some bloggers, who have legions of followers, and I see the 100+ comments, and just feel lost in the crowd. Totally understand that situation.

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  7. I feel the same way! I really do try to comment and I'll attempt to find something to say about a review even if it's a book I have absolutely no interest in whatsoever. I don't find "Great review!" comments (with no other sentences attached) to be at all fulfilling, so I try not to leave them. Sometimes if I just can't find anything at all to say, I just don't.

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    1. I might tack a "great review" at the end, but I do try to find something more substantial to say. I do glean things from reading reviews though. I think they help me improve my own reviews, and also give me insight into what that person likes or doesn't like in a book.

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  8. I love this! You are honestly a rockstar at commenting and I aspire to reach your level someday. Usually, whether or not I comment is contingent on the amount of time I have. Sometimes I go through my blog reader on my phone while I'm on the subway or in a waiting room or something, and I don't always have the time to comment those times like I do when I'm reading posts on my computer. When I do comment, I try to always leave something substantive, because I hate impersonal-seemings comments.

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    1. You're too sweet! Time is forever the independent variable that keeps going even when we can't. I get not having time. Honestly, my weekends are where I catch up (again, why I love Feedly so much). I am old, and not a fan of doing too much with my phone. I admire people, who almost don't need computers. I mean, I know my co-bloggers have written whole blog posts on their phones. Color me amazed! When it's people, who I interact with on a regular basis, I think it's even more important to keep it from sounding impersonal or like it was cut and pasted.

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  9. I agree about throw away comments. I don’t visit blogs that post a lot of spam posts like book blitzes, cover reveals etc, because I don’t like having to leave fake comments.... does that make sense? I like reading meaningful posts and leaving purposeful comments. I know how much time it takes to read and review books so most of the posts I comment on are reviews, but I do love discussion posts. Sometimes you don’t think comments mean much, but they do. I remember when I lost my mother and all the love and support I received from everyone really helped get me through a dark time. Thanks for being a part of TMST. Loved reading your thoughts.

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    1. I love doing blog tours, but I am also, not a fan of cover reveals or spotlights, etc. It's really the blogger that makes me read a blog, and that stuff is canned content. It doesn't let me get to know the blogger, and I agree, with no personal input from the blogger, how can your comment come across as anything but insincere? I always love a good love-fest, and I love being part of one, and it's awesome to hear that that little show of support helped you through a rough time. Sometimes we forget how much little things can mean.

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  10. I like my comments to be meaningful, too. I always appreciate when you comment on my reviews, even if our reading tastes can be different!

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    1. I like reading reviews. I have had people convince me to read a book I would not have picked for myself, and as reviewer, I think it's important to keep seeing how people review books. It will only make my reviews better.

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  11. Yes to it all! We feel so similarly about commenting. There are times when I simply don't have anything meaningful to add so I don't comment. But I try - because I do want to blogger to know I was there and took the time to read their post. And like you said, there are those who don't read the same things I do (sometimes not even close) but I enjoy their writing, their personality, and I still comment. Great topic, Sam!

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    1. I always want my squad to know I am reading their posts, but I may adopt what Laura suggested up there - sharing when I don't really have anything to say or using that "like" option I have seen on some blogs. I don't think I realized how meaningful that option was until I started this discussion.

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  12. I agree, if I have nothing meaningful to add I just like the post to show that I enjoyed it and sometimes I do have trouble responding to comments on my blog so I just say "thank you." This is a great discussion post.

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    1. Sometimes there really isn't anything more to say but "thank you". Gosh, darn it! I will try really hard to find something more to say. The hardest days for me to respond are Can't-Wait Wednesday. Usually, I am talking about a book that NONE of us have read, so honestly, I get not having anything groundbreaking to say sometimes.

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  13. This genuinely made me smile, Sam! I don't always read the same books as the blog I comment on, but I love the insights bloggers have on books, and I always find I'm learning something. That's why I like and enjoy commenting.

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    1. I never thought of it that way, but you are so right! Even if it's not books that I would normally read, I gain an understanding as to what people like or are looking for by reading other people's book reviews.

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  14. Can I just say "ditto"? Because I could have written this post myself, the way I can relate to it. Comments for the sake of it are not my jam...and though I'll admit I feel let down when a review of mine gets no comments, I understand the logic behind it, because I do sometimes read reviews and don't know what to say - unless it's a book I have read/plan on reading, or the review did introduce me to something new that sounds up my alley. Also, like you, I have a bunch of good friends who mostly don't read the books I read, but I try and take the time to read their reviews because I love the blogger behind them.

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    1. Laura (up near the top) talked about sharing the post when she has nothing substantial to contribute, and man! That's brilliant! I never thought of doing that. On days, when I have tons of posts to get through (Tuesday, Wednesday), I always prioritize my homies. Gotta support the squad.

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  15. I'm right there with you! I'm more of a lerker than a commenter because I don't like leaving "empty" comments. I like to add to a conversation but not at the expense of looking like I barely skimmed the post and commented whatever. I want the other person to feel heard and in my brain that equals to leaving a meaningful comment or not leaving anything at all. I have quite a few blogs that I've been actively following for years and still can't bring myself to comment.

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    1. You like read my mind with your above comment. I never want to seem like I didn't really read what you wrote or that my comments are meaningless. You totally understand me.

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  16. I totally agree, Sam! Sometimes I just don't know what to say on a post! I feel that way sometimes writing reviews, as well, lol! I think any blogger appreciates the comment no matter what you write, though. It can feel like you're posting your thoughts in a vacuum otherwise. Great post Sam! :)

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    1. Reviews are a struggle, even when I love the book. I totally value a comment, because it means they came to my page, and like you said, it reassures me that I am not screaming into the void.

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  17. I think a lot of us feel the same. We all like to know we are being 'listened' to.
    sherry @ fundinmental

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    1. So true, but I liked learning of different ways to show "I was there" besides commenting

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  18. This is SO accurate! I would rather not comment than leave something generic, you know? Like- I can read it and enjoy it without having to chime in if there's nothing to be said. Sometimes I wish there was a "like" button, because I DO want people to know that I appreciate their stuff? But I don't want to seem like I am commenting just to like, get a comment back, you know? It's hard to navigate sometimes!

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    1. I am pretty sure I have seen a "like" option on some sites. I thought they were WP, but I could be wrong, and yeah, that is more or less the reason I like things to start with - to let the writer know I read it. I often have the comment/don't comment argument with myself, but if it's a blogger, who puts out several posts a week, I am bound to find something that week, which I can chime in on in a genuine way.

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  19. I agree about meaningful comments and that some posts are easier to comment on than others. I struggle the most with book blitzes, cover reveals, etc. so I tend to bypass a lot of those unless it's a book that I'm interested in and look for a different post on that person's blog I can comment on. My favorite posts to comment on are the reviews. I especially like to comment if a blogger has convinced me to try a book that I might normally not have given a second look. Like you say, sometimes those reviews aren't the most popular posts so I like to let them know they influenced me.

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    1. How could you not struggle with blitzes/cover reveals? That's not content created by the blogger. I think the more personal the post, the easier it is to comment on. Discussion posts, wrap up posts are things I love to read, because they reveal a little of the blogger to me. I can connect on a personal level. Depending on their review style, I can do that via reviews as well, but not as consistently.

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  20. I do! As often as I can which is usually once a week. I've just come off a bit of a hiatus so been trying to catch up. I most definitely return every comment on my blog and reply on the bloggers blog, it's how we connect and establish friendships and I love reading about new books or a book I might not have discovered on my own. I make an effort to leave a meaningful comment though. I consider it this way. having one person comment and actively reading your post could be the difference between someone blogging or giving up that day. Every comment really does count doesn't it ♡♡♡

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    1. I return the comment when I can find them. Most have fled to WP and not updated their links in blogger, but I feel commenting back is especially important, when a new person visits, because it's a opportunity at a new friendship, and like you pointed out, it could be the encouragement they need to keep at it and maybe even make them feel heard.

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  21. Sam I so agree with all that you've said and I feel the same. I try to comment on reviews for books I have read, plan to read or when it's the tenth review that I see about a hyped book because I get intrigued! Now sometimes I feel guilty not to leave a comment but if I don't have something pertinent to say it just feels ...empty and not me. Sophie ébewareofthereader

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    1. I actually do tend to really read those hyped reviews, which seem to be EVERYWHERE at the same time, especially if the books doesn't seem like something I would be interested in. I seem to think maybe they could convert me, and yeah, I am also intrigued like you.

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  22. I always try to leave comments and reviews are definitely the hardest, especially if it's a book I'm not familiar with.

    Amber Elise @ Du Livre

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    1. Definitely can be a challenge, and can be even more difficult to comment on reviews depending on the review style.

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  23. I love getting comments, then I feel stressed about returning them, then when I start doing it, like now, it's really so fun. I love seeing what everyone is up to. On discussion posts sometimes the comments are so good I feel like I have nothing better to add!
    Jen Ryland Reviews

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  24. Oh, and writing this comment made me remember one aggravating thing about comments - the blogging platforms. I've had people tell me that they had trouble leaving comments on my WP blog and now that I left WP I have more trouble commenting on Blogger posts. I was pretty sure that the comment above got eaten but then hallelujah - I saw it go through!

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    1. There are so many commenting systems. I am lucky my computer can remember all my logons for me, because I would be lost. I have heard of people having issues commenting, but I have no clue why they run into these glitches.

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  25. I agree! I like blog hopping and commenting. Sometimes I have more to say on some posts than others, but I like to share my appreciation for bloggers as often as I can. I know I like when people leave ME a comment. :)

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. I think we all agree that comments make us feel like people are listening to us, and I know I like thinking people read my blog.

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  26. Oooh I love this discussion post, Sam! I used to comment so much, but I have noticed that I have been dwindling in my comments. A lot of the time I don't have as much to say because I'm not reading the same books or whatever, but I really like your reasoning and how you try to find something to say. Wonderful post, Sam, and I definitely am going to try to renew my commenting. <3

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    1. Time is always running away from us, so I get the time crunch. There are some days, when I don't get to any blogs, but I can usually get to all my core-group by the end of the week. I like to make an effort to maintain those relationships.

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  27. I love to comment because I think the feeling of community is really a needed thing in the book world! I also love when bloggers leave a question at the end of the post because sometimes you don't have anything to say about the post like you mentioned and it can help you have some ideas <3

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    1. That is exactly why we leave a question on WLABB (it was Kiersten's idea). I have noticed that the other WLABBers are much better at the question thing, but I try.

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  28. I usually try to leave a comment on every post I read just so the blogger knows I was there and I cared enough to read what they had to say. It is harder with reviews sometimes, though. And sometimes we spread ourselves so thin that commenting on EVERYTHING can be hard!

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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    1. You're a star. I honestly struggle with coming up with something, but then again, that's why you're the writer and I am not. =)

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  29. I am most definitely guilty of not commenting on posts (or falling really behind while I avoid blogging in general so commenting 2 months late) but I do try and comment on posts I read unless there is literally nothing for me to say. I tend to make more of an effort to comment on blogs where I like the blogger, especially when I know they stop by my blog often. It's not always easy but there are certain bloggers I'm just more likely to make an effort with which is probably unfair. I also always try and make an effort to comment on something when someone new comments on my blog because I have no clue how they stumbled upon me but I like to show I noticed they were there, you know?

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    1. If I am really busy, I always make sure I visit my squad first. I just leave posts I might be interested in reading later on my Feedly list, and I am can usually get there by the end of the week. And, I try to return comments when I see a new visitor as well. These are all decent things to do, because I, like you, want to acknowledge that they visited and I appreciate it.

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