“I don’t understand myself. I want to do what is right but I do not do it. Instead, I do the very thing I hate … It seems to be a fact of life that when I want to do what’s right, I inevitably do what’s wrong.” (Romans 7:15)
What is it with me? Why do I act the way I do and that is just the opposite to what I know is right?
Engaging meaningfully with the readers is one of the pillars of blogging success. We all know that comments on our blog posts not only help us to get feedback, it also aids in developing and maintaining relationships. So, responding to the comments from the readers is essential to make this interaction more meaningful and it also helps in increasing the connect with them. Even the BAR’s tip of the week talks about the same.
I am totally convinced about the engagement with my blog readers. But knowing something and actually doing it are two very different things. Do I engage with the readers on my blog, efficiently? Well, you know the answer!
Let me tell you that this faltering on timely response to the comments disturbs me. It leaves me pretty unsettled and restless. And yet I don’t do much about it.
I pondered over this and came to a conclusion that I am stuck. I am stuck for I am trying to find the balance among…
- reading and leaving comments on the blogs in my niche,
- writing the next post and
- responding to comments.
I’d like to believe that I am doing a fair job with the first two to-do things but I am failing miserably on the last one. And it’s not that I have to respond to a lot of comments per post!! But visiting other blogs and writing new posts takes a considerable time and that leaves no or little time for responding to comments. I know, I cant use that as an excuse. So what do I do? How do I boost the engagement with the readers on my blog?
I believe, I need to have my Do Plan. This Do Plan for better engagement on the blog should include the following…
- Stop procrastinating and make blog engagement a priority.
- KISS: Keep It Small and Simple. Set small, achievable goals.
- Set time limits. Devote a few minutes daily to respond to comments.
- Make it a habit.
They say, success is about progress, not perfection. As long as I keep moving in the right direction, keep acknowledging the changes, and keep working on the goal, it would work out in the end. So, one post at a time, it shall be for me. And I am taking the step in the direction of meaningful interaction with my readers from TODAY! Fingers crossed…
How do you manage your time as you visit other blogs, write on your own blog and respond to comments. Please do share your tips and suggestions.
Linking this to #MondayMusings
30 Responses
You’e brought a unique conflict of a blogger, Shilpa. I am too bitten by the procrastination bug for replying to my blog comments. One effective way that has been helping me recently with this, is the wordpress app. Somehow, when I get a notification through the app about a new comment, I feel it convenient to reply immediately than while reading it on my laptop. Don’t ask me why, I don’t know.
Reading other blogs really does need an inspiration. Once I tried fixing two days of the week dedicated to reading blogs. It didn’t work. I tried making a list of familiar blogs and follow post updates. As always, didn’t work 🙂 I tried to make it a point to read and comment on at least one post of the blogger who had commented on my blog. This works, to a certain extent. Other than this, I randomly follow new post email notifications, social media notificaions and blog updates that I receive from blogging communities (of course not all) to get to read other blogs. I came here from the wordpress reader within seconds of you posting it. It’s a matter of my mood and time. But thanks for writing this today, all of us need reminders like this often.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Nandhini. WordPress app is a cool way to be connected on the go. I used it on my Android phone too. But now that I have a Windows phone, the WordPress app is not all great. Yes, like you, I do reciprocate too. Makes me feel less guilty 😛
It’s difficult to set time to read other blogs and comment Shilpa. I made a simple rule. Whenever I publish some post in my blog, I will definitely read 2 more posts on that day and comment. Replying to the comments in my blog is a regular process. As and when I get a comment, I reply almost within an hour. Now I get mail alerts to my mobile when someone comments and it is easy to leave a reply from my mobile itself. Anyways, I wont get many comments a day, so it’s manageable so far 🙂
Aha! So replying to a comment as soon as possible is the trick! Thanks for sharing that, Mahathi 🙂
This is a huge weakness with me too, Shilpa – as you are well aware. I’ll be staying tuned for tips! 🙂
You are better than me, Corinne! 🙂 Hope we are able to find an effective way to manage the engagement!
I agree, its not easy at all….Especially if you have a good number of readers replying to every comment and also catching up on blogs that you like is definitely cumbersome! I think we maybe need to reserve a specific time just to reply to comments! Maybe it will help!
Hmmm… making a point to respond to comments everyday should work and that should take care even when there is a lot of activity in the comment section 🙂
Oh, what a wonderful thought you have put across! Most of the Bloggers struggle in this area, as is evident by the comments here, as well. I am not an exception to this ignorance, myself. Your post has inspired me to improve in this area. 🙄
True Ankita, while many struggle, there are a few like Rachna Parmar, Sid Balachandran, Shailaja V and many others who respond to each and every comment on their blogs and that too on time. So, I think we can benchmark them and do the same on our blogs too! 🙂
I read blogs as and when I can. No specific time set aside. I try to respond to all comments. But, sometimes it is not possible. But, I know I should. I would love if wordpress will add a ‘Reply to all’ feature. So, atleast, I can thank all the commenters.
Glad that you have a formula that works for you, Lata. Yes, one ‘reply to all’ feature can be a great addition 🙂
I’ve always considered that you manage your time quite well, Shilpa 🙂 I’ve been following a particular routine since the beginning of 2016 and find that it seems to be working well, for the most part. I will be writing a post on it soon so will share that with you when it is up. I think leveraging the platforms that work for you are the key components to keep in mind.
I am ok in time management, not perfect and need to change a few aspects of my time better. You inspire me, Shailaja. I wish I can follow the routines you follow. Looking forward to your post 🙂
Hi Shilpa, you’ve crisply outlined the problems and the possible solutions most bloggers face. Since I am transitioning from writing to blogging , engagement is so critical but I am at step 1&2. Progress is moving forward and I am hoping that i effectively move to step 3 too .
Thanks Chandni, glad you liked the post. Wishing you the very best as you share your voice through the written word! Cheers 🙂
So true! Posting and responding on our own blog is atleast manageable with a good mobile app. But having the discipline to read and comment on other blogs is getting really tough. Most stuff just lies saved and bookmarked for a tomm that doesn’t come. Must get better at this. Thanks for the reminder!
I can relate to that!! Hope we take actions that will help us do better in blogging! 🙂
I like the quote shilpa from the scripture by st. Paul who spoke to the Romans. we do the very things we hate….. and he also says the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak… despite having good intentions we sometimes have tendency to procrastinate… I do it too. I get few comments and I make sure that I respond. I do not have a plan, I read what ever I get and come across and if I am inspired.. I definitely would comment. Thank you for sharing
You are so sorted, Genevive. I like your approach! 🙂
Hi, interesting suggestions. I make it a point to respond to every comment but there are stuffs that I don’t approve. I faced several nasty comments by those who don’t agree with my opinion on issues. I do comment regularly on blogs. It’s time consuming. Now, your post giving me an idea of devoting an hour thrice a week to read and comment on blogs. Better time management.
Tell me about it!! Oh, yes, visiting other blogs really takes a LOT of timing! But its all about finding the right balance! Good luck with your time management, Vishal 🙂
That quote applies for me too shilpa…i do exactly opposite of what i want to do although not wrt to blogosphere….regards comments and reading posts, it is not a problem for me because i follow few blogs and get few comments insightful and informative comments. So, it is easy for me.on that aspect.
Aah! Why do we do that!! It’s wonderful that you are so organized with your blogging, Asha! Hope I am able to do the same too! 🙂
I struggle with this as well, Shilpa, and think most bloggers are the same. I have an absolutely /scandalous/ amount of comments waiting for me to answer. Our goal is to do a little better each day.
Aah! Hope we get better at managing our blogging space better. Good luck to you too, LuAnn 🙂
OMG!! You described my issues to the T! I haven’t written too for almost 10 days and though a draft sits waiting for me, I have yet to hit the publish button. Plus, I have greatly slacked off in responding to comments!
Aah! You too, Roshni! Hope this lethargy really vanishes in some dark dungeon and never surfaces again on our blogs!
I too suck at replying to the comments.. but I’ve started keeping certain days for the same.. and that really helps.. you too should try it.. 🙂
Cheers
That’s the way it should be. Glad that you have a plan in place, Geetika! I am working on it too! 🙂