Then on Wednesday, I noticed this post on Grechen's blog. The post addresses, primarily, the idea that many bloggers - and I am embarrassed to admit that this includes me - do not reply to comments left on their blogs and that this therefore tends to discourage debate or dialogue. But Grechen again raises the idea that leaving a comment should be about more than two words, like "nice outfit". (Personally, I love any comments (!!) so don't stop leaving them, ok?!!) I have, now, set myself a further challenge, not only to leave more comments but also to respond to those comments left on my blog too.
This week many bloggers within the Friend Friday group - Katy of Modly Chic included - have begun the 30 for 30 Challenge that I failed so spectacularly earlier in the summer. Whilst those involved have noticed an increase in readers, they have also noticed an increase in these two-word comments. Comments are great to receive, don't get the wrong idea, we/I/bloggers love to receive comments from readers but it is so much nicer to get something more substantial than a comment which feels more like an advertisement. This is the theme for a post this week on Dressful which questions the extent to which we as bloggers are guilty of leaving such monosyllabic comments by way of self-promotion.
With this post in mind, Katy decided to take the idea of commenting and self-promotion as this week's topic and to pose us these questions:
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1. How do you promote your blog?
I admit, in the past I have been guilty of these semi-spam-like comments when I first started my blog and for the first six months or so. Now, though, I try to leave comments that add something for the blogger, not just me.
Currently, I use twitter as my main form of blog promotion. I also write a monthly column for British Style Bloggers and regularly contribute posts to Independent Fashion Bloggers.
2. In your experience what has been the most effective form of self promotion?
Twitter definitely draws people across to new posts whilst IFB definitely brings a lot of new readers to the blog.
3. Do you think there is a wrong way to promote yourself and your blog?
Personally, I think each individual blogger needs to find their own preferred self promotion for their blog. And to find what works for them. I think different means of promotion work for different blogs.
4. When is comes to others pushing their product what annoys you?
To be honest, as much as it annoys me when someone leaves a two-word comment, followed by five lines of links to blog, twitter, facebook, email, etc, I don't tend to pay that much attention. It usually ends up having the opposite effect on me. While I am far more likely to go and check out the blog of someone who simply leaves a thoughtful comment with no links.
5. In Dressful's post on this topic earlier in the week she said, "It's impossible to respect someone who wants all the attention, but adds nothing worthwhile to the conversation." Do you agree?
It's true. I often make the point that the thing that I like most about blogging, is the interaction and conversation between the blogger and the readers. I think that recently though I have been failing on this by not responding to comments left on my blog. However, I do question how many people actually return to a post they have commented on, to read a response. But, it is my pledge over the next month, to attempt to become a much more engaged blogger and to not only comment on other blogs but to response to everyone who comments on my blog.
What do you think of this week's topic? If you're a blogger, how do you promote your blog? How do feel about two-word comments on your posts?
Remember to find the other contributions to this week's discussion and information of how to get involved in the Friend Friday series, visit Modly Chic.
UPDATE: Please read Grit and Glamour's Friend Friday post which says what I wanted to, far more eloquently!