Netiquette

I deeply appreciate everyone who has stopped by and left comments (your bribery payments are on the way - LOL!) Just curious, what do you think is the proper ('cause I am always proper ~snort~) way for the blog owner to respond to comments? I don't know how to add a "poll" to a post, and it would probably slow the webpage load time down to a crawl anyway. Plus I'd lose all of you lovely Blog Explosion folks who are watching the countdown until you can go to the next one, and if the page loads slowly, you'll be outta here before this ever shows up, so please respond in a comment. Question: When a blog owner gets a comment, should they...? A) Smile to themselves and be glad someone is taking the time to reply B) Respond via e-mail C) Respond in their own comments D) Respond in the comments section of the commenter's blog? E) All of the above Next, we'll tackle abortion, the government and the possibility of extraterrestrial life......... NOT! LOL! Thanks for all comments!

Comments

Anonymous said…
I think E all the the above. I also check out the blog of the person who commented. They looked at mine, long enough to read it, and leave a comment, why not look at theirs?
8/07/2005 12:50:00 PM
Anonymous said…
Interesting stuff going on here. Keep it up.

Check me here cherry cheesecake recipeif you wish:-)
8/07/2005 01:21:00 PM
Anonymous said…
I'd say it depends. In most cases I'd say C) Respond in their the author's) own comments. Most people with a sincere comment will try to make it back to the blog to follow up.

With comments like the one above me, they should be completely ignored and considered SPAM. I got this same comment, and it's becoming an epedimic.

If it is a comment that you can tell they actually read the post and not just commenting to get a curtesy return to their own blog, it's a good idea to check out thier blog cause it might be a new blog buddy. New blog buddies are good. :)

Kind of a long answer. Sorry, I don't usually do that.
8/07/2005 01:50:00 PM
Anonymous said…
I think any and/or all of the above. I try to respond by email, but some days I just don't have it in me. I have wondered about it myself tho. Hmmmm.
8/07/2005 01:52:00 PM
Anonymous said…
I think B - respond via e-mail. It's just so much nicer, isn't it?
8/07/2005 02:32:00 PM
Anonymous said…
First time commenter? Let them know via email you appreciated the visit. A regular? Depends on whether their comment invokes a reply from you because a reply is needed. Got comments on email notification? It's OK to reply by email unless the comment evokes a clarification from you -- then comment on the blog.

Or not -- it IS your blog. Do what you want to do.
8/07/2005 03:46:00 PM
Anonymous said…
valid point..
there should be some proper etiquette to respond to commentators.

it really boils down to what they have to say..
8/07/2005 04:08:00 PM
Anonymous said…
When I first started blogging (maybe 2 years ago), I wasn't sure either, and I don't think there is a proper answer here. New people who comment, I always go check out their blog and if I like what I read, I leave a comment. All of my comments on my blog are emailed to me by typepad, so I always thank new people for stopping in and commenting.

As for established visitors, sometimes I wonder if they want me to respond to their comments, but I usually do. That's just me. I have some readers who never leave comments, and never respond to the comments I leave.

Follow your gut here. Some comments need no response. And sometimes we simply don't have time to respond to comments. If people want to read what you write, how you handle the comments will be unimportant Marti. :)

Ok, sorry, waaay to long of a comment! LOL
8/07/2005 05:30:00 PM
Anonymous said…
i would reply in the comment thread that they originally commented on, and also in email.

i've had someone come to my blog and reply to my comment before, and it just looks odd.
8/08/2005 12:26:00 AM
Anonymous said…
I just stopped by to check out your page from California Girl In Kansas' blog. OMG- i laughed so hard reading your DMV experience. I though i was the only one who has days like that, but now i know better. Keep up the writing.

-k-
8/08/2005 12:50:00 AM
Anonymous said…
I'm surprised about the e-mail response. I kind of think that's weird. I guess that's just me.
8/08/2005 03:42:00 AM
Marti said…
Thank you to everyone who responded to the Netiquette Poll.

I'm still not sure what the best way to handle comments is, but it has been wonderful to see so many different opinions expressed!
8/08/2005 06:18:00 AM
Anonymous said…
I usually respond directly to their comments, if it needs a response. I always check a first-time commentor's blog and if I find something interesting I'll comment there as well. I guess it just all depends on the original comment.
8/08/2005 09:13:00 AM
Anonymous said…
I say that if it is a really good comment (meaning thought out and insightful to the topic), I respond by email....thanking them for adding to discussion.

If it stirs me to comment, I comment on my own comment section, adding my two cents.

If it is just a comment that says "great blog, keep up the good work"....then I do nothing but shine in the glory that people read what I write.

Just my thoughts.
8/08/2005 09:50:00 AM
Anonymous said…
Well, I definately agree that post number 2 and 9 are a complete waste of cyberspace, but I would never delete them (unless they offensive or unwanted adult material). I would just ban the IP of the comment giver if it became a repeating pattern.

Everytime I post a comment in somebody else's website, I don't expect a reply. I hope that if people liked my comment, they will come visit my own blog and either bookmark it or add me to their RSS feeder. Personally, when I do respond to new posts in blogs .. I normally use that fancy 'right-click' function that lets me "Subscribe" you into my blogline feeds.

Sometimes, I do like to post just to let you know that I like what you are talking about, and it might not contribute much to your current blog entry, but I think if you get replies .. you will know and continue to post similar themed entries, that I like to read.

But .. to reply to my reply to thank me? No thank-you!. I would rather you do it in your own comment section than emailing me personally, if you must. I may not come back again, until your next post I see that intrigues me, but I will probably check out older posts that I did comment on .. and see your reply, if any.

Well, that's i.m.h.o. anyway.
HART
8/08/2005 11:17:00 AM
Anonymous said…
Hmmm.
What would Atticus do? Or Santiago, for that matter...
8/08/2005 12:48:00 PM
Anonymous said…
Or, in case i forget, the Little Prince, or good ole' Piggy?
8/08/2005 12:52:00 PM
Anonymous said…
That's always been a question in my mind but I lean toward responding to the comment in the comment section unless it's personal. It adds a very "group-like" feeling to each post and it's also a way for people to make new blog friends!!
8/08/2005 03:33:00 PM
Anonymous said…
I like your way of thinkin'! Actually, I would pick B,C and D because I'm just that kind of girl. Go figure.

Please feel free to come visit me at http://musingsofachick.blogspot.com

Have a good'n!
Sudiegirl
8/08/2005 04:54:00 PM
Anonymous said…
C
8/08/2005 07:18:00 PM
Anonymous said…
Here via blog explosion, so I thought I'd let you know how I deal with comments;

Usually I don't get a lot, but if I get more than 5 I'll respond in my own comments. If there are just one or two and there is nothing to really respond to, than I just smile and say happily to myself "Glad someone commented!"
8/08/2005 10:07:00 PM
Anonymous said…
I linked to your article on this and posted about it in my blog, Gone Away, if you're interested.
8/09/2005 09:30:00 AM
Anonymous said…
Funny I should find this today, as you've commented a few times on my blog and it always makes me smile! I don't usually respond, but that's because I feel like a great big dork out here in blogland, I don't know what's appropriate. For the record, I love when people read and respond to what I write, and I have found a few fantastic blogs that way. I linked you on my page, just for that very reason.

Also, is it polite to link to someone's blog without asking them first?

Keep up the great writing Marti!
8/09/2005 12:50:00 PM
Anonymous said…
I think responding in your own comments is the best thing to do, IF a response is even necessary. If people left a comment expecting a reply, they'll check back. If it's a first time visitor, checking out their blog is always nice too. Email is WAY too much work if you ask me.
8/09/2005 02:17:00 PM
Anonymous said…
I think this largely depends on the nature of the comment and the person commenting.

I make it a point to check out the blog of someone who's commented on mine and, if I like it, I will comment on one of their entries. Or more. Or if I really like it, I will link them.

If they asked me a question I'll either respond in my comments if they're a regular and will be back to read it, or email them.
8/10/2005 12:02:00 AM
Anonymous said…
I respond to pretty much every comment I get, in the comments section.
If someone leaves a comment that is spam I just delete it. I get a lot of these. "hey thanks for stopping by my blog I just updated it come on back" and I have never visited them before.
8/10/2005 09:58:00 AM
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