Reply, reply, why don't you reply and what's the point of this comment?
So I was reading WA blogs everyday here and I was puzzled by a certain common occurrence here.
Scenario 1
Blog Owner (BO) wrote a blog, Blog Readers (BR) have some comments, and then.....silence..... hey BO where are you?
Scenario 2
BO wrote a blog, BR have some comments, BO replied to said comments, and then.....silence.....again.... very sad for the BO :(
Do you get what I am saying? Why don't you reply?
The way I see it, replying to comments is a great way of engaging with your readers, and this is such a good training for our website building business.
We are gaining 3 advantages here:
1. Brushing up your language skills - by writing more, surely your use of the language will improve, regardless whether you are native speaker
2. Improving your communications skills - learn how to communicate well by practising more, engage with readers, that's what you should be doing in your own website too
3. Expanding your network - we don't meet people in person here, we meet by words, others will only follow you if there's something that you write attracts them. The more you write, the more you let people know your thoughts and your character and the more likely people are going to follow you
So, are you convinced yet to comment and engage with your readers and your followers? Please let me know in the comments below. As always, I reply to every comment, I must practise what I preach :)
Moon
Oh ya, one last comment, if you read something interesting or have benefitted from a blog, don't just say "thank you". Try to be slightly more creative.
If you are merely going to say thanks, the BO is just going to reply "you are welcome", and you have just lost a great chance to have further conversations with the other person.
Recent Comments
110
Hi there
well said and thanks for pointing out this issue
I guess everyone is different here and everyone's time may not be what they would like to give here at WA
I could not possible to go through all the emails, read each and everyone fully and then reply to all of them in kind.
That would take up approx 2-3 hrs every day.....I don't have that time on my hands.
I would rather put the time into building my website
I try and reply to as many as I can
I spend the most of an hour on this exercise per day
Cheers PB
Hello Phil,
I don't mean that everyone has to reply to every blog that is posted up here, it is Mission Impossible!
What I'm saying is, your own blogs you have written, reply to your readers, have a meaningful engagement with them. For those blogs you have written comments in, when the blog owner replied you, at least go back to respond or like or acknowledge, you know something that shows your appreciation.
Anyway, it's good to hear that you are focusing on your website, which should be the main focus for all of us. This WA blog should also be used in the same way, something for us to learn and progress.
Well said PB we're here primarily to learn how to run our business not just chat or reply to "hi there's". But if we read a blog that is helpful or we've searched out an answer which someone has spent their time providing it certainly merits a meaningful reply. At least saying What exactly helped us. That was probably much less time than a continued search would have taken!
I'm an extreme newbie so perhaps this means very little but if someone just wants to say hi to pass their time then we will get hundreds of emails and no time to sort out ones with valuable feedback. Is it possible that emails could have a word counter - surely the long ones or medium long would be fewer to sort thru and more valuable.
OR for those wanting to Communicate something specific perhaps state in EMAIL Subject line FEEDBACK.
Make any sense to Anyone?
Regards
Thank you.
Very much (? lol)
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Just kidding.
I'm glad you pointed out what a lot of us do, probably without giving it much thought. What I do know is that comments, however short they are, and likes, boost WA rank, which is probably what that's all about, rather than genuine engagement. I've caught myself doing it too. Yes, the sheer amount of notifications we get is sometimes a bit overwhelming so I think what we tend to do is just skim through posts a lot of times and then hit "Like" because we're not ready to comment and just want to move on to the next post. So, the likes and the "thank yous" are more of a courtesy instead of saying or doing nothing at all.
Thanks for this post. You have inspired me to engage more thoughtfully.
Hi, could you check out my last blog please? And give me your opinion I really appreciate that. It is about the Like's :)))
Rest assured it is funny, it is my answer to Moony's blog here :)
Stefan
That's really excellent Daniel. At least seeing the likes appeases me because I know the busy schedule everyone is on. So to progress, I think I will start appreciating the little thank yous as well.
For my own blogs, I will still make sure my contents and replies are at least informative and entertaining at the same time (if I could).
Yeah, as long as you get a lot of comments on your blogs then you have a little more flexibility in choosing which ones to show :-)
Well I haven't gotten to that stage where I can be choosy, so for now all comments are welcome (scammers repel of course).
always a better way Moon. You are on the spot we are on a training ground and we need to use it to our highest capacity. When I leave a comment I like to think it out what I going to say and try to keep on the subject at hand.
Just to leave a comment no can do. Linda
That's what WA is, a training ground and writing a blog is one good way to train our writing as well as our skills in giving quality comments.
I did a post on my website on the WA tools we can make use of to help us in our website building, which I am going to post here:
https://3moveseducation.com/top-10-tools-in-wa-to-build-a-successful-website/
I did use most of the training which I find very helpful. May you read it and find some value in it too.
That surprises me too a lot of times, people are not taking the effort to answer, not even to thank you for the comment. Google loves interaction on blogs, not only at your website but also on the blogs at WA, they are indexed too, and you can really score high on page #1 with the WA blogs
Hi Loes,
Thank you so much for explaining, you see me and I believe many others are not aware of that, especially the newbies. And is anyone putting this up to attention, besides of Moony, how important it is?
I would very much like to see your training on this, if you can find time it will be much appreciated!
Stefan
I did write blogs about this several times, here is one of those blogs Stefan Blog with Wealthy Affiliate, how many chances did you miss?
Oh Loes! My point exactly, that is why K&C incorporated the SiteComments feature and there are tons of training on how to give good comments. I will write a training myself if the current ones have outgrown their capacity :)
I have one on how to write a good comment How to use the new comment feature and how to write a good comment
Just went through your training and it is awesome as always. Guess I don't need to create one after all. I should make sure always to go to your library to search for one :)
I'm in the middle right at this time. For me, yes, I love to leave comments, but at the same time, I've got a site to build.
That being said, your absolutely correct!
I get the point. For me, I really must find that balance, because I'm always replying. If I worked on my website like I leave comments and replies, I'd be a millionaire by now, lol! If I had it my way, I'd stay in reply land forever. But, I can't.
At the same time, yes, some replies are longer than others depending on the comment.
Like can you tell? this reply is becoming a story, lol! So, hence I'm in the middle and must find a balance. Between answering my emails, reading blogs, commenting, etc, (and that's where I spend most of my time.) I do have my site that's almost finished, but feel that I could be further ahead if I kept my replies short and stayed out of the email alert box. Like as if that's going to ever happen, lol.
It's all bitter sweet, onebluemoon and welcome back.
And just to think, I'm terrible at this short reply thing can you tell?so just count me out of this post altogether, lol!
Have a good one, moon!
Becky :)
Hi Becky,
you are hitting the nail, and therefore I am following you now. :)
Have a nice day.
Stefan
Hi Stefan,
Your going to laugh, lol!
I have to keep this comment short, sorry, moon, haha!
I'll leave you a comment on your bio tomorrow Stefan. I have to get some sleep. All this replying has pooped me out, haha. Love yah, moon, :)))
I'm FYB Stefan, and from my side of the world, I say, "Good night Stefan."
By the way, you have a nice complexion.
Kind regards,
Becky
Hey Becky I am definitely expecting your reply and indeed I got a reward in the form of a long story :) It is always heartening to see a long reply!
Finding the right balance is our learning point right now, though I am more geared towards the "writing for practice" end. This is sort of like a stepping stone, if I can write lots here and get readers to come in, read, and comment, I can do it on my website too. So I view this as a training ground.
Totally counting you in for this post, have a good night!
Moon
Whilst I agree with most of what you have said, Moon and engagement is important but when one wakes up to hundreds of emails and limited time to spend going through each post relevant to the pace one is at it is hard to spend so much time answering everyone and have time to spend on writing for oneself. Sometimes we have to prioritise and that may end up being just a 'like' or quick reply to let the person know I have read and liked what they wrote. Just saying.
That's true. Right now, I should be editing some blog posts based on what I learned today. Yet, here I am reading this blog post and leaving a longer message. LOL
I agree, the blog owner should definitely reply. I do try to add more than, "Thank you," in my comments. Sometimes, I don't have any idea what else I want to say or I have to run, so I'm going to leave something to show my gratitude.
Good point that you have raised Carol! Maybe I haven't gotten to that point yet, that's why I can still afford the time to read and reply. Anyway, if you have click like or even a short reply, it's much better than no reply, so thank you!
And what if the other person has a click like too? Unless you like to run around a round table because someone said there is a 100$ note on the corner of that table, go grab it.... :P
Ever considered who should have the last answer? To what do you answer or to what do you not answer, that is the question.
Stefan
Oh my, I do understand the distractions very well. That is why I rarely write blogs as I will feel obliged to answer each and every one of the comments.
I guess there are times when our minds are blanked out and don't know what to say, in cases like this, I usually leave them hanging for days, but I will get to it eventually on a better day.
Maybe it's a good training for us, always be ready with words.
Hey Stefan, my answer will be answer answer answer, you don't need to have the last say. If we reach the end of a conversation, the other party can just hang up the phone, and no feelings hurt.
Now, don't go chasing all $100 bills, some of them may be fake. Stay true to your own course.
To chase or not to chase, you question yourself.
Moony
Let's train you today Moony, we will continue answering your answers :P
Wait I am gonna get some coffee, you better start running Moony and get some too, you are gonna need it :))))
quote
"If we reach the end of a conversation"
Well then, when is that moment?
If someone answers on a blog,
quote "thank you for your nice story, that was some funny entertainment, looking to your next story, have a nice day"
Do we answer to this comment? I think we do not have to. Perhaps analyzing when it makes sense is the right way to go, and filter those out which should be answered, it is a kind of fan mail right?
Stefan
Sometimes the distractions are almost overwhelming, Moon. I want to reply to everyone even sometimes not knowing exactly what to say and then the time clock says 'hurry up you're almost out of time'! It's been a fun conversation none-the-less lol
You have ste"fans" but I do not yet, and yes you made a valid point~~ hmm now reconsidering my position.
When there is fan mail coming, I will get my manager to give everyone thank-you mails, or host a mass thank-you event.
That's my style! Have fun in my blog and I'm really happy if people told me they enjoyed reading it.
I do understand more now about the distractions and maybe I shouldn't write too many entertaining posts to distract people. ;P
Good idea, wait till 10.000 responses come within 1 hour after an article appears, I just found someone who loves to answer them all heheheh :))))
i normally react to blog answers, if I see I it has to do with the story, and act then as the, in this case Reporter of The Daily WA, to engage that we truly care, which I do btw, in name of the Newspaper.
But I did not consider to reply to all of them, interesting, surely something to think off.
I believe the main problem within lies, we never learned how to blog. But if you compare it to sitting in a bar or park, Moony says hi and isn't it a nice day, then The Joker stands up and walks away without saying anything, yeah that is funny right? :)))) Blogging is a new culture, and it is seen as something normal like a walk in the park, but reality is, we were never confronted with it how to blog.
I like to see a training about it, will be good. I will sign up, Moony won't be there, she will be too busy replying those 10.000 comments.... :P
Said that, Nerd out.
Stefan
heh heh, I see your point about having the last word, are you contesting with me to see who gets to the end?
Thank you for the concern, I am fine :)
Good conversations perk me up even more than coffee~~
Look Moony, there was your crackling surprise :P
Thanks Carson, for participating on our educative conversation practices, come back soon so we can teach you some more golden tips creating happiness in you life. :)))
Lol Moon! OMG you are so right. We only meet by words here. Often those words are, to say the least....thin. I may be guilty of small talk but not sure I've ever said something like "great" and ended the reply.
I work on my phone alot during the day and replies may be short, but not that short. Ive also seen where reponses are brief. Maybe because those folks are on phones too? Its hard to get detailed responses sometimes. Often I wish I could pick up the phone and call. Arg!
Anyway, for the most part questions get answered but I get the meaning of you post.
Glad you said something.
Hey by the way, good to see you back here. Its been a while!
Hey Mark! Yeah, I have been away and I have wanted to write a new blog again, about things that I am really interested in and that I have inspiration for.
I understand about the use of phones and I do that all the time, i.e, give short replies, though I make sure I wait to write longer comments for those that really deserve it. Thanks for the reminder, sometimes we should be mindful of the different situations people are in.
another boring blog with bad advice this, all about your rank
yawn!
try this and notice the part about 'noise' and the real purpose of this platform 10 Years Down & 10 Important Things I've Learned.
WA is a platform to learn and Steve, being so much more senior here, will surely have lots of experience to share with his readers. I'm sure many of us appreciate that.
I like to think that we are a friendly community and why label a blog as "boring" when you don't know the person writing it.
On the bright side, negative comments are a way for us to learn too as we will surely face praises and criticisms no matter where we are, so thanks for this.
Obviously...
But the blog contents would reflect the character of the person writing it....
Hi Mary,
Just to clarify, this blog is not a training, nor is it an advice. It is just a topic open for discussion so your view is welcome at anytime.
In this blog, I didn't give any advice, I just state the possible advantages of giving replies as taught by WA. Are you refuting that? You might want to read through the entire contents and get the facts right first before you dismiss the author.
Also to my understanding, newbies like us are encouraged to write and supposedly, there is no limitation on the type of contents that we can write.
If we attract readers to read and comment, we are one step nearer to our online marketing goal. If we do not attract readers, thats fine too. That just mean that we need to work harder and write more for practice.
This has absolutely nothing to do with ranking. Ranking has its own algorithm for calculation which we have no control of and I have no idea that writing blogs will raise rankings.
Thank you Farid for the support! This is the first comment from MozMary on any of my blogs and it is indeed disheartening to get a discouraging reply like that.
As a newbie, we are already less than confident about the topic we are writing, our writing skills as well as how readers will be receptive of our words, and to receive a slam like this out of the blue?
Is this how WA welcomes its newbies and retains us to keep paying our premium fees?
I rest my case as well
Moon
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Sometimes a quick thank you is all the reader has time for, you know? I try not to take it personally at all and actually am thankful they took the time to even say something. The point of it all is to help others and if they got something out of it, that's what matters anyway :) Keep writing and keep growing! Keep up the good work!
Hey Eric, its so rare to see you...I know Ambassadors are much busier than us ;p
Yea, I am thankful even for the simple thankyous. I guess this is much better than total silence. Show appreciation, no matter how small it is. A small drop of water can turn into a huge waterfall one day.
Yeah girl. Just do you and you're good to go :) and I'm always around. You just gotta throw out the bat signal and I'm there
Glue is the new bait, keep a lookout!