Thank you to everyone who participated in my very first poll. I had actually planned to ask a very different question on another topic, but because of recent discussions I had encountered around the blogosphere, I thought a poll might be a good way of gauging the opinions of my visitors on comment responses.
While comments are nice for statistical purposes, that is not why I like them so much. They give me an opportunity to get to know who is reading my blog, connect with other book lovers, and form friendships. For me, blogging is mostly about the community, sharing my passion for reading and books with others.
That's why, whenever you stop by for a visit and take time to leave a comment, I couldn't be more appreciative. I subscribe to more blogs than is probably healthy, and so I know the effort it takes to visit my blog and offer your thoughts on any given topic. Whether you have only commented once or you comment with every post, I am grateful. I personally feel, as a result, that the least I can do is offer a response in return, even if it is simply a "thank you." I try hard to give a brief response to every comment left, but that is not always possible. Still, I make a point of doing so when I am able (even if sometimes I am days behind).
And so, I was curious to know your preferences for responses, or even if they mattered at all. I posed the following question:
I like to respond to the comments you leave me. How do you prefer to receive my responses?
I am overwhelmed at the number of you who responded. Ninety-four of you! I didn't even know there were that many of you out there reading my blog! Of course, many votes could have been from people stopping in for the first and only time, but let me pretend for now that there's really that many of you that visit more frequently.
The results were as follows
By e-mail. There's nothing more exciting than finding a new message in my inbox. 9 (9%)
One of the great things about blogs is the open format, and the ability to be a part of a discussion. I like it when you respond to my comments directly in the comment section. 37 (39%)
It's best if you respond to my comments on my own blog. I don't mind that it may be off topic. 6 (6%)
Whatever is easiest for you is fine with me! 36 (38%)
Don't bother responding at all. I don't have time to check back and my e-mail inbox is full enough already. 3 (3%)
Huh? I didn't know you responded to the comments I left. 3 (3%)
I tried not to let my own bias show with the choices given, but I am not sure if I succeeded. Some of you had already heard my thoughts on the subject from the other discussions around the blogosphere; not to mention the fact that perhaps my current format is a dead giveaway.
A few of you e-mail your responses to those who leave comments on your blogs and I love that personal touch. It's also a chance for you to say so much more than you might be able or willing to say in the public forum of a blog.
My personal preference, however, is leaving responses to comments directly on my blog. In my mind, it goes along with the community atmosphere and can help build on discussion points. I haven't quite mastered that effect the way several other blogs out there have, but there's always the possibility that I might someday get there.
There are practical reasons also, mostly dealing with the best management of my own time and also the lack of access to e-mail addresses (and no, I'm not giving up Blogger anytime soon--I am quite happy where I am). Suffice it to say, responding to comments on my own blog is most convenient for me, both in regards to time and effort. So, yes, I admit it. I'm a little selfish that way.
So, going by popular vote, the status quo will continue as is. Fortunately for you, there is a "Subscribe to Comment" button that offers you a chance to receive comments to my blog directly in your e-mail inbox if you so desire. I know it can be a pain if you only care about the response and not about everyone else's comments. That is where unsubscribe comes in handy. I personally enjoy reading other people's comments, and so I don't mind that so much.
My preference for responding to comments on my own blog only applies to me here on my blog. However you choose to respond to my comments on your blog, if at all, is perfectly fine with me. I do check back for responses on blogs I comment on either through the automatic notification option or through the wonderful Commentful.com site that helps me keep track of those blogs that don't have a subscribe-to-comment feature. So, whether you send me a direct e-mail, leave a response for me on your own blog or here on mine, I am just grateful you took the time to do so at all.
Thank you again to everyone who took time to participate in my poll. And thank you too to all those who have taken the time time to leave a comment either in the past or today.
*For the sake of disclosure, there are comments I will not respond to and will even send to the trash bin. I do not mind if a commenter disagrees with me, but I will delete any comment that I deem to be hurtful or malicious. I do delete duplicate comments--those accidents that sometimes happen. And, of course, I will delete blatant advertisements that have nothing to do with the topic at hand.
As a little thank you, I thought a giveaway was in order! I recently purchased a wonderful little device called a BookWorm. You may or may not know that I like to collect bookmarks, especially unusual ones. One day, not too long ago, I discovered that Rachel from
Bookwormz makes her own bookmarks, which she calls
BookWorms. They are quite handy and not as easy to lose or misplace as those loose bookmarks I sometimes stick in my books. My cat won't be able to run off with it (at least, not if it's attached to my book), and I won't lose it when I fall asleep while reading in bed.
Rachel has agreed to offer one of her
BookWorms as a prize in a giveaway. I do hope you will stop by her
etsy shop and check out her wonderful creations. Maybe you'll find one that is too good to pass up like I did!
To enter the drawing for a BookWorm:1. Leave a comment below.
2. If your e-mail address is not on your profile page or easy to locate on your blog, please include your e-mail address in your comment.
3. Giveaway is open to anyone around the world.
4. Deadline to enter is at 11:59 p.m. (PST) on Monday, February 9th.
