Inquiring Minds...

....want to know...what encourages you to leave a comment on a blog post?  I have my reasons for commenting or not commenting on a blog post, but I want to know why you choose to leave a comment, or not.


A few things that come to mind for me are: blog content, blog design, blog photos, difficulty of the design or project, personality of the writer, relevance or irrelevance to your life and how long it takes for the blog page to load.


I was very discouraged when I started blogging a few months ago because I would have no comments on my posts.  One of my friends started commenting here and there.  Then, I found a few blog friends who gave me some pointers.  I participated in a "Blogelina" comment event for a week, which helped bring some traffic to my site and I received some comments on different posts.  I also began participating in link parties, which brought additional traffic to my blog and some additional comments. 


I know that some blogs have ads and like traffic and comments for monetizing purposes.  I do not have advertisers.  So, why would I want comments and traffic to my blog?  Because I truly enjoy the interaction with other people.  I'm a very social person outside of the blog world.  I enjoy having people over for small gatherings and I like hosting parties.

I enjoy getting to know you who comment on a personal level, rather than just passing through.  While these are not face-to-face relationships, I consider the women I've met through the internet friends and want to develop those relationships.  We travel a good bit for my husband's business.  If I come through your area of the world, I would like to know that maybe we could meet for lunch or coffee (coffee for you, Mt. Dew for me)  :-) or to go junking or thrifting or whatever.  And if you happen to travel this way, I would love to have you over for dinner! 



Kelly (Talk of the House) gave me great advice on how to get the blog going. Donna (Distressed Donna Down Home) helped me whip a few blog things into shape. Rue (An Old-Fashioned World) gave me a few other pointers on "all things blogging".  Kim (Exquisitely Unremarkable), Judith (Botanic Bleu) and Kris (Junk Chic Cottage) have given some wonderful advice and support.  I've enjoyed the lovely conversations with all of these women and have enjoyed finding out about how many things we have in common - kindred spirits!  These conversations mean a great deal to me and I look forward to many more with these ladies and with the rest of you who visit and leave comments!


You just never know what will develop when you read a blog and leave a comment!  :-)

29 comments


  1. Well, I found it a bit ironic there are no comments left yet on a post about the joy of interacting through comments. I often go to a blog post just to read the comments. Thanks for both the shout out and the friendship!

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    1. LOL..as always, Donna, you make me laugh! I appreciate your help, your comments and your friendship! Thank you and you're welcome! :-)

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  2. I will comment. :o) I just find it a time issue with myself. I rarely have time to read blogs and when I do, I don't comment just because I barely had time to read the blog post. I have enjoyed your blog very much!

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    1. Donna, thank you for your comment and your honesty! It is much appreciated and thank you for reading my blog! I too experience some time issues and have to do a "pick and choose" type deal! Have a wonderful evening!

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  3. I agree with Donna, I like to read the comments almost as much as the posts! I comment for lots of reasons. Sometimes, it's because the piece really speaks to me in some way. Other times it's because it's a blogging friend and I enjoy the "conversation" and still other times I comment because someone has been kind enough to pop over to say hello and comment on my site. I also happen to be a big talker in real life...so you know, it's who I am. Chatty! Thanks so much for mentioning me today. It has truly been my pleasure to get to know you Benita! Kindred spirits for sure!

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    1. Kim, why did I just know that you were a talker also??!!! :-) I'm quite chatty and that's why I do not like texting...I can't talk fast enough in a text message and it limits me. Which is also why I don't like Twitter..I mean who can say anything in 140 characters or less??!! Not me! LOL

      You are quite welcome and thank you so much for your sweet words and friendship and for commenting on this post! I've enjoyed getting to know you and look forward to more of the same -- kindred spirits!!

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  4. Hi Benita. As a general rule I only leave comments when I feel like I have something meaningful to say. I always enjoy reading your posts and seeing your gorgeous photos, and I probably should comment more often to let you know that. :)

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    1. Hi Lisa, thank you so much for commenting and for the compliment on my photos. I am that way sometimes, that if I don't have something more meaningful to say than "love it" or "great job", then I won't leave a comment. I'm trying to break myself of that because I don't mind if someone leaves a short comment, so I like to think they wouldn't mind either! :-) Have a wonderful evening!

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  5. Great post Benita. It is always so nice to have someone comment when they have taken the time to visit. It is so nice to get the feed back on what you are posting. I always try to leave a comment when I visit a blog because I know how I enjoy getting the comments and feedback. Have a great start to the new week.
    Kris

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    1. Thank you so much Kris! In the past, I’ve been hesitant to comment even though I’ve spent considerable time reading someone’s blog and have enjoyed it immensely. I am getting better about leaving comments because like you, I enjoy the feedback and conversation! Have a great evening!!

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  6. Great question! Before I started blogging I didn't really comment anywhere on anything, I just didn't want to be filling out all those fields and dealing with captcha and then having emails fill up my in box. Now I'm a total addict.
    Relevancy to my own life is an important factor, if I can't relate it back to my own life it's very hard to think of something to say.
    Length of the post is another factor. I sometimes feel like commenting tl;dr (too long; didn't read) but I generally just move along in either of those cases.
    I do love to answer questions so asking my thoughts or opinion will generally get me commenting, like today for instance =D

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    1. Stella, thank you so much for commenting! I like questions also. I feel as though I get a little bit of a challenge to answer! Thank you again and have a wonderful day!!

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  7. Well at the moment I am craving bacon for breakfast since I saw your other post : ) Too bad the grocery store doesn't have a drive thru window where I could grab some bacon in my pajamas ! :)

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    1. Deb, that is hilarious...but what a wonderful idea!! The fast food places always have soggy bacon...I like mine very crisp. Maybe a new quick food place that serves only foods that use bacon in the recipe should be in the works! :-) Thanks so much and have a wonderful day!

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  8. I'm afraid I don't leave enough comments. I tend to read through a blog when I happen upon a new interesting one and sometimes the post is a month or so old and I feel silly leaving a comment then. At other times when there are already 30 comments it doesn't seem I have anything different to say, so I don't leave one then either. I am currently reading backwards in Talk Of The House's blog and am about a year back so I do leave a comment now and then when so moved, but I'm sure she thinks I'm a little crazy!

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    1. LOL…you are too funny! I think we all do that, I know I do. I find a new blog and start reading their older posts, in no random order. I then leave comments and I’m sure they wonder where I’ve been since I’m leaving a comment on a post that’s 4 years old! I didn’t join the blogging community until a few months ago, so I have quite a bit of catching up to do! Thank you for commenting and have a wonderful day! Jumping over to check out your blog! This is the good thing about commenting..you get to visit new blogs! :-)

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  9. I've been really crappy at leaving comments lately, since my "accident". I have so much to catch up on it's ridiculous.

    Would you believe that at first that I didn't leave comments here, because I was intimidated? Until I looked at your sidebar, I figured that you had been blogging for a long time and your pictures are so gorgeous, I was thinking you'd laugh at my blog. I just read your posts and moved on until one day I commented. And of course, you commented back and now we're friends :) Thank you for the mention by the way!

    I rarely leave comments on people's blogs until I get to know their personality and see how they interact with others. It's an old habit from way back, which I know is silly, but I can't help it. I'm shy until you get to know me or I have a few drinks LOL

    Anyway, your blog is beautiful and it's only a matter of time before you start getting more comments than you'll know what to do with ;)

    (((hugs)))
    rue

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    1. I am so glad you are getting better. I’m so thankful your injuries weren’t worse! What you did is exactly something I would do…LOL, but my rear would have found its way onto a rusty nail or something...LOL. My hubby tells me all the time I’m too “inquisitive” for my own good and that one day I’m going to get hurt. I didn’t tell him about your accident because then there would be a “see, I told you so” behind it and my snooping days would be over.  And your sweetie was so kind to take care of you – a special guy for sure!

      Like you, I was intimidated about leaving comments on blogs at first (see, this is why we are friends…a lot in common ), but then decided to just jump out there and do it. They could ignore me or respond. And I don’t think it’s silly. Some people can be cruel and I’ve had to pick and choose, carefully. You are so welcome! I appreciate your friendship and advice, always!!

      Rue, thank you so much for your sweet words and I am truly thankful for your friendship! The blogging world is so large and I think it is nice to bring it down to an intimate size with friends! Hugs!! xoxo

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  10. Okay, tell me if you already received a novel-length comment from me on this post. I think I once again forgot to sign in before beginning to write!

    Judith

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    1. Benita,
      Yep, I can see that my first novel-length comment went into the Internet black hole. Let's see if I can remember what all I wrote.

      Here I am four days late to this post, and I was blown away seeing you graciously acknowledge bloggers by name with their blogs in your article. Seeing one's name on another blogger's site is 1] startling at the sight, 2] humbling to be mentioned by someone who writes as well as you do, 3] embarrassing since I am four days late to this post, and 4] thrilling to listed as a friend.

      Now to answer your question. Why do I leave comments on a blog. Today I comment to say, "Thank you." One of the biggest reasons I comment on a blog in the beginning is because of the quality of the writing in addition to stunning photos. There are many blogs with beautiful photos, but not as many with interesting quality writing to accompany the photos. One of the things I work on continually is trying to improve my writing.... not easy for a math person. Once I know a blogger, I will leave a comment to let them know I've been by... sort of like the old practice of leaving a calling card. Sometimes I will NOT leave a comment on a post that already has many comments... say 35, because I do not think my comment would add anything to the conversation. Then again, sometimes I will leave a comment on a post that already has beaucoup comments because there is something I want to add to the conversation. One reason I do not leave a comment is because I forget to sign into Google BEFORE writing my comment and then would have to rewrite the lengthy comment (which is what happened here...ugh!) You would think that by now I would remember to SIGN IN before writing a comment!!!! Sometimes I do not have time to write a comment because I've already spent way too many hours READING blogs, and I'm just flying by.

      I would like to say once again how much I enjoy your writing style and your photos. One day when you are a BIG blog star, I proudly will be able to say I knew her when she was first starting out. You already are a blog star who is being discovered by others every day. I am thrilled to call you, "Friend".

      Judith



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    2. Judith, it is I who am humbled by your sweet words, compliments and friendship. My writing is sometimes silly and all over the place because it is not a strong point for me. I tend to write like I talk (with a southern accent and my hands flapping all over the place) and I feel certain no one can follow along...LOL Photography is something that I enjoy greatly and I work more on improving my photos than my writing. They go hand in hand in the blogging world and I need to try to be better on the writing end. All this to say thank you so much for your encouragement and support with this blog. It means the world to me and has kept me from walking away from it several times. I enjoy your blog immensely, especially the posts about your travels and how to incorporate it into your décor and your writing style keeps me coming back time and again!

      I am all giggly to know that I am not the only one who forgets to sign in when leaving a comment and then have to start over…LOL. I’m not laughing at you, I’m laughing with you…I do it constantly! I have learned to “copy” my comment after I type it, in the event I forget to log-in first! Then all I have to do is “paste” my comment. There has been a time or two that I forgot to copy and had to remember what I wrote…which is a huge task for me! :-)

      I do consider you a friend even though we’ve never met in person! We have so many things in common. Even in the vast world of blogging and the Internet, I find it AMAZING that kindred spirits migrate towards each other! I see a part of me in each of you ladies that I mentioned in this post. I don’t like to comment if there are a lot of comments, thinking there is nothing that I can contribute or that it will get lost in the conversation. But on several, I’ve commented anyway and have discovered friends along the way. I do want them to know that I’ve read their blog and to encourage them as I’ve been encouraged. Comments go a long way in the “encouragement” department. I’ve been told that sometimes you are the only light someone receives that day. I try to keep that in mind when visiting other blogs and try to comment if there are “no comments” on a blog I’ve read, because I know how it feels to not have anyone commenting on a post. As I’ve found out, blogging is hard work and everyone deserves a “thank you” for their contribution!

      Again, thank you so much for your friendship, encouragement and support! Have a great day and weekend! Hugs!!

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  11. I am new to your blog and am enjoying it very much! About comments: I try to leave as many as I can especially if someone has taken the time to comment and visit my blog. There are times however where I don't comment because the blog is too busy with too many distractions and small photos. For me I Like the the photos and the pictures in posts and I tend to not write much in my posts since the writing part is not my favorite part. Have a great day!

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    1. Thank you so much! I enjoy your blog as well…all those lovely pieces and treasures that you find and give new life! Thank you so much for commenting! I appreciate it! Have a wonderful weekend!

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  12. I can really relate to this post. Sometimes I wonder how some of my posts will get little or no comments and other posts on other blogs get like hundreds! It's not that I want a pat on the back for every post, it's the feedback, the opinions, the interaction as you say! I try to comment on others as much as possible particularly those with fewer comments. Once I form a connection with a fellow blogger, I feel like I know them, like they are a friend and I like them to know I have visited their blog and appreciate that they took the time to write.

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    1. Jen, you are so right. It is the feedback and interaction that I enjoy. I’ve met and made some wonderful friends through blogging and I’ve enjoyed getting to know them better through their blogs and comments. Being able to email back and forth is so interesting and helps develop those relationships! I do the same thing on commenting with bloggers with which I’ve made friends and found some common ground. I like encouraging and supporting other bloggers because the blogging world is an enormous place – I like it when it doesn’t feel so big and forming friendships helps with that. I look forward to seeing more of your photos and exploring your blog more! Have a great evening (or night…guess it’s later over there :-))

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  13. You had me at the "going junking"!! (I'm in central Texas)
    I just found your blog today and I've been reading backward! I love your writing style and have enjoyed my visit this afternoon.
    I am usually drawn to comment on a post when it involves something that I know about....or if you ask a question. I always have something to say and could become a pest, so I try to not be so yakkity yak :^)
    Blessings,
    J

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    1. Thank you so much! I am new to the blogging world but have been enjoying it very much! I love when people leave comments – even when I don’t ask a question ;-). I get to respond on the blog, but if they have an email (as you do), then I get to chat and get to know people. I love talking, be it in person or through email! :-) I have been able to make some wonderful friends through comments, so please, always leave a comment if it is something you have an interest in or even when you don’t, just say “hi”! :-)

      What part of central Texas? We are both from Birmingham originally, but my hubby was raised in Farmer’s Branch. We moved to Dallas in 2011 and moved to the Nashville area in November 2014 (all job-related moves). Even though I was born and raised in Birmingham, I feel like my heart and home are in Texas. We will be going back next week and I can’t wait to go to my favorite spots to do some junking and flea marketing.

      Mrs. Jaybird, I do hope you will stop by the blog again and that we can continue to chat! Have a great evening!

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  14. Benita, I'm not a blogger, but I enjoy reading several blogs, and found yours through Cozy Little House. I used to follow her when she was in East Texas, near me. I love your posts, and enjoy many things that you do. I have a son in Nashville, so I am there fairly often. Surely you've been to the Nashville flea market at the fairgrounds? I think it is the third weekend of the month. One of the best I've been to. If you haven't been there, you'd love it!

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    1. I'm so glad you found my blog and are commenting! Please send me your email address if you run across my response! :-) I love comments and being able to chat with people! And thank you so much, you are so sweet...I appreciate it! Please let me know the next time you are in town and we can have lunch! I love the Nashville Flea Market and have been several times...they have the best treasures I've found out here so far! :-)

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Please leave a comment! I do love hearing from you and enjoy visiting your blogs. I will respond via email or by replying to your comment here on my blog! Have a wonderful day!