I spent a good portion of this rainy, dreary day updating the three pages of links on this blog (accessible through the top menubar). The biggest change comes with Bee Friends, which has been updated with the personal blogs of the newer — and by that, I mean within the last year — Weddingbee bloggers.
I have also added to Friends some of the most active commenters to this site. 🙂 Unsurprisingly, they keep pretty good blogs too.
Because this post is about links — a picture of a cute Link!
One of my worst habits regarding the web is that while I read hundreds and hundreds of blogs, I hardly ever comment. I guess I can blame this on the fact that most of my blog-reading comes via Google Reader on my cell phone (and I hate writing anything on my cell phone — I need a full-sized keyboard!) and I am usually too lazy to click on over and comment.
I vow to get better at commenting. I mean, just look at Serena of Big Apple Nosh — that girl is all over the place! She’s my inspiration and I want to emulate her enthusiasm for interacting with fellow bloggers.
Do you guys frequently comment on the blogs you read? How do you keep it up?
And in the meantime, if you are a blogger and would like to be added to my list of links (or feel that I have overlooked you — sorry in advance if I have!), please let me know in the comments below!
Arti K
wow am i the first to comment?
Usually, i don’t comment on blogs, because i’m not sure whether the author would appreciate it, and i’m not sure if the author even reads the comments. clearly that’s not the case with you, which is pretty cool 🙂
i would love my blog to be featured! but i’m a noobie! haha i have a blog about my long distance relationship with my boyfriend and the ups and downs of it all (which i put above)
I really like your blog a lot! i am just as much of a geek and it’s cool that someone else appreciates all that stuff too! 🙂
Amanda
I think it’s safe to say that blog authors ALWAYS read the comments, and appreciate them more than you can possibly imagine! Blog comments are the best. 🙂
Geek in Heels
I completely agree, although I’m not sure how big name blogs (like the Pioneer Woman) could keep up with every comment!
Kate
I just wanted to second Amanda’s comment and say that bloggers definitely appreciate and read every comment they get. I even like the ones that disagree or call me out on whatever I say because it’s sometimes very frustrating to hear “I agree” all the time and because if I’m wrong or missing a point I’d like to hear that.
Geek in Heels
Yes! Even though I always tell myself that I would continue to blog if I received NO comments, the comments really are what helps keep me going — even the negative ones!
Geek in Heels
Added! (To both the list and Google Reader!)
jessicamaylords
I read about 10 blogs religiously, and subscribe to about 30, I think? I try to comment on sites where I think the blogger actually appreciates it; I comment on your site more than a lot of other people’s however. I think you write interesting things and I like the geeky stuff you post, so I try to be supportive and comment. However, there are a LOT of blogs I don’t comment on. Some I don’t comment on b/c there are already too many comments to think mine adds much (like on That Wife). You’re really good at responding to comments, too, which I think helps.
Geek in Heels
Aww I feel honored that you feel that way! (And I promise to comment more on your blog as a sign of my never-ending appreciation!) As for what you said about not commenting as much on blogs where there already exists a ton of comments, I’ve found myself doing this too! Although now, with my new “do my best to comment more” vow, I will try my best to comment more on those too.
jessicamaylords
After reading a lot of these comments… I’m definitely feeling more convicted to leave comments on more blogs!! I LOVE comments, however, I’ve been super lame about posts lately. So when I don’t get comments, I think “eh. I wouldn’t have commented either.” 🙂
Musing on Beauty
I don’t comment if I’m on my iPhone either, but most of the time I’ll read bogs on the computer from Google Reader. What I do is click and open in a new tab every post I want to reply to. Then when I’m done reading everything, I have all those tabs open, I reply and close the tab until I’m done. Very easy 🙂
Geek in Heels
Great tip! And a friend suggested that when I am reading from my phone, I just select the “Keep Unread” button for those I want to comment on, and use my computer to comment on them later.
P.S. — I just added your site to my “Friends” page too! I know I’ve never commented, but I have been a fan for a long time and I promise to comment more!
Musing on Beauty
Thanks so much, I had no idea you were a reader of my blog, I’m thrilled to hear that!
Amanda
I try really hard to be good at blog commenting, simply because I know how much I appreciate comments on my own blog. Sometimes it gets hard, though, and I definitely slack off sometimes!
indie_rachael
Sometimes I don’t comment b/c the post is of a very personal nature, and while the person did elect to make their blog public I still feel like an intruder. If the commenters all seem very cozy with the author then that tends to make me feel like a 3rd wheel too.
I used to have a blog (technically I still do) but kind of abandoned it because I stay very busy and it’s hardto devote time to something like that if you never get feedback. I get requests once in awhile to start it back up, but it’s hard to stay motivated if it feels like no one’s reading it…every comment makes a difference. 🙂
Geek in Heels
It’s true that blogging is hard to keep up when you don’t get feedback. Now, I don’t want to talk you into doing something you don’t want to, but if you do feel the inspiration to start blogging again, start commenting on other blogs too — it really helps bring in more comments (and more traffic) to your own blog! That’s what I used to do, but unfortunately gotten worse at as time went by. But look at people like Serena, whom I’ve linked to in the post, because she literally built up a great site and an awesome community behind that site by being more proactive with fellow bloggers!
Coasting anon
I am, admittedly, a horrid blog commenter. But I have been trying to get better because I know how much comments on my own blog mean to me 🙂
Sarah
Oh my gosh… I used to be the worst lurker/non-commenter… but only because I worried I wasn’t contributing anything back! I am now doing a better job of being social : )
I am also new to the blogging ‘hood so would be so flattered to be part of the community! I am totally the new, weird kid with no friends right now! : )
Geek in Heels
Added to both the list and my Google Reader! Thanks for commenting — I always love discovering new blogs! 🙂
Sarah
You are the sweetest!!! True story!
serena @bigapplenosh
Hi Jenny! Thank you so much for the shout-out; it makes my day! 😀 You are my inspiration to increase blog traffic and produce interesting content, so we can inspire each other 🙂
Geek in Heels
Now reading THAT made my day. 🙂
Annie
Serena is literally such a sweetie! She comments on all my blog posts too 🙂
I usually do visit people who frequent my blog. But I visit yours ALL THE TIME. 🙂 <3
Geek in Heels
You BETTER visit mine ALL the time!
Annie
LOL! Oh Jenny. I <3 you 😉
Lisa
Hey Jenny! I’m a regular reader and a Bee (Mrs. Bunny). Would you mind adding me as a business blogger? Lisa Rice Photography.
Thank you! 🙂
Geek in Heels
Added! Sorry it wasn’t there in the first place.
colleen
In the past I actually made commenting part of my to-do list, like an spreadsheet of types of blogs I needed to comment on, etc. It was successful until I got lazy!
joyjoy
Sometimes when a post seems very personal in nature, I don’t comment because I’m intruding on the blogger and those who know her/him well. This post has inspired me to start commenting more, if only to show the authors that I do appreciate them for putting themselves out there.
I love your blog, btw. 🙂
I do have a blog that I’ve kept for a while as personal chronicle of random stuff, but I’ve recently started sharing more posts publicly.
Geek in Heels
I’m the opposite — I actually am more likely to comment if the post is personal and raw! Even if I don’t know the blogger in person, or if it was my very first time visiting that blog.
Ryan "TheGrav" Berry
I am a new reader! I actually found you about a week ago based on one of your info-graphs, and I have added you to my read list.
I generally comment on things/articles I find interesting or that I can offer some contribution too. A few years ago I started doing Development and SEO, and fell out of blogging!!! I am back though and although I don’t get to many comments I am trying to build my following, by being more active as well.
It also probably doesn’t help me that my blog is an Art blog, with more pictures at times then articles! But I have found even without comments, just looking at the statistics of my page will help keep me motivated.
Anyway as a new Reader, I have loved it all so far! 🙂
Geek in Heels
Thanks for the compliment! And I must say that you’re a talented artist!
Ryan "Thegrav" Berry
Thank you very much for the compliment! I look forward to next post:-)
Eileen
I have ups and downs with commenting, usually based on how busy I am, which is normal I think. Sometimes I know I want to comment but don’t get to it until the next day (like right now!) but better late than never right?
I know when I was first getting into blogging, I found it hard to comment just because I’m not great at meeting/interacting with new people in real life, and some of that carried over to the digital world. But now that I have a blog, I get so excited when I get comments, so I try to be more ‘social’ around the web. It definitely helps when the blog author takes the time to respond – and even if you don’t comment on other blogs too frequently, at least you are really good at replying here 🙂
Geek in Heels
“I found it hard to comment just because I’m not great at meeting/interacting with new people in real life, and some of that carried over to the digital world.” <-- That's exactly how I am! I also get paranoid, thinking things like, "Will this person think I'm stalking them or something?" BUT I have to admit that the more I socialize online, the better my web traffic — in addition to the comments I get here — seem to be! So I encourage you to keep commenting and keep being social on the web! 🙂
Eileen
Yeah, I am trying!! My commenting habits have greatly improved. Next step is to try twitter…. for some reason it really intimidates me, but I’ve heard so many things about how great it is to build online relationships. I’m trying to work up the courage to jump in!
Donna
I want some link love, too!
Geek in Heels
Ack I can’t believe I forgot you! Do you want me to link to your main site?
Angela
I subscribe to a bajillion blogs but I don’t read them all because it’s hard to keep up sometimes, but YOURS is one I ALWAYS read. I love everything you post and it totally stands out in the sea of blogs out there. It’s refreshing and honest but also fires up the inner geek in me – I am always learning new things on here, and I’ve found quite a few awesome blogs thru you too – like that flowing data one!
Geek in Heels
What you wrote put a HUGE smile on my face. So thank you for that! (And I just realized I didn’t include your blog on my “Friends” list, so I’ve just added it!)
Kelly Stadium
So I just barely got around to reading this post on a slow day of mine, and saw the shout out on your friends list. Completely made my day!! 🙂
It usually takes a few visits from me to a particular blog before I comment. I commented on yours the first time that I read it though. I even remember the blog! You were blogging about football and the Ravens, and if I remember right, had a jersey or shirt on or something. I remember being so excited to see another pretty and smart girl that loved football that I had to comment! Been reading ever since. You have also been a big inspiration on my blog. I was torn between making it an informational blog on differing issues, or just a blog on what is going on in my life- thanks to your amazing blogging, I realized I can do both! Thanks so much!
Heather
Thank you so much for including me in your list! I’m honored!
So, now that I’m a mom and breastfeeding 20 hours a day, I use that time to read and comment on blogs. I honestly don’t know what people did before smart phones. Haha.