I must say this is a really nice site y'll have going on here but don't y'll find something wrong ? With four hundred and forty one followers, you get around 4 comments a day , that is less than 1% of your followers commenting. I don't know , I just found it disgustingly odd on their part, but I'm very proud of y'll for still blogging and posting even though you don't get too much feedback. Personally i would have thought noone was really interested and just lost interest. Props to you too !Aww, dear followers, never fear. I could never find you disgustingly odd! I'm considerably odd myself, but not disgustingly so...I hope.
Now, my dilemma is- was this email meant to be nice or under-handed nasty? I ask you, beloved readers, to evaluate for yourselves, for I can't tell. I suck at detecting subtle tinges of mean, so I'm not the best person to ask. I just assume everyone's nice *cough*.
Anyhoo, to answer the question, no I don't see anything wrong with having an average of 4 comments a day. I've actually never noticed how many comments we get in a day...I'm impressed someone took the time to look that up. As to why that doesn't bother me, well, let's get started,
First of all, not commenting doesn't mean that people aren't reading. We've misplaced the HTML for the page visits widget, but it was at a pretty respectable number. I read tons of blogs faithfully every day. I rarely comment. Mostly because I'm lazy. However, that doesn't mean I don't love love love those blogs or recommend them to people or spread the word about them. I'm a lurker, and I know LITK has lurkers and I love them all :)
Next, there's comments and there's comments. There are tons of blogs where the first ten comments on the post are just positions- "First!", "Second!", "No, I was first!" o_O I am profoundly relieved that our readers/followers don't leave comments like that. Seriously. I would be deleting them left and right while heavily wondering what on earth the authors had been smoking. I would rather have 4 reasonable interactive comments a day than 28 contributions of chaff cluttering the blog up.
Also, I gauge the blog's progress by how the follower numbers rise, and by noting the increase in our Facebook fan page. Even if these folk aren't reading it daily, they are aware of it. That's cool in my book.
Fourthly, I don't write for comments. I write so people can read and have this information available. If they leave feedback, that's just an added bonus. This blog is not a popularity contest, to see how much attention I can garner by writing it o_O Frankly, I am constantly amazed when I get positive feedback from people telling us how much they love it, or that they read it faithfully, or that it is the shiznit. I'm all like, for real? AWWWW! It makes me feel so humbled, y'all. I don't need the ego-stroking of a fafillion comments to know that we're appreciated. I mean, even if it was only one little nappy-headed child reading LITK in the middle of nowhere and learning to love her hair, that's worth it. I would keep posting for that one curly.
Um, I think I'm done answering. Miss Fizz, wanna add anything?
Also readers and fellow bloggers, what do y'all think? How much do you rely on comments to keep you blogging? Are you a beloved lurker?
Update: Got this in our email:
Hi Ladies
I read your blog almost everyday. I personally don't comment because I am not a natural but am seriously considering doing so this year. I know that in itself should not discourage me from commenting but since I am not on the same journey I didn't think i had anything to add constructively.
I read your blog to get inspiration and confidence when I embark on this journey. I say this to say that the person who made the comment was being nasty in an underhanded way, offering you a compliment with conditions. Just because there are not a lot of comments does not mean what you do is not appreciative. Furthermore, the person has no clue whether you are receiving emails offline. I think the turnout to your meet and greet is a clear indication that what you both offer are being appreciated.
Take care and thanks
Gosh I LOVE our readers!
47 comments:
*coming out of the woodwork*
I like yall's posts. I really do. Many natural blogs have gotten so big that commenting is a hassle. But this place is cozy and warm.
I typically hold back on commenting cause I dont really have anything to say.
i have a natural blog myself on tumblr, and people never comment on it. *shrugs* That fine with me. I kinda like writing and thinking it's going out into the wild blue yonder.
It's funny because as I was reading that e-mail, I got the feeling that it was a backhanded compliment as well. "Oh, you guys are so great to keep writing on your blog that no one comments on!!" This person was definately trying to stir the pot and make you guys feel insecure.
I agree with everything you said. The number of comments a blog gets is usually pretty slim in comparison to the number of readers. Also, I appreciate that the comments here are usually substantial and not just nonsense. Or people being rude to each other.
Keep up the good work guys. You're attracting negative attention, so you must be doing something right, lol.
"I mean, even if it was only one little nappy-headed child reading LITK in the middle of nowhere..."
DEAD
mmkay, so i barely comment on people's blog because i am quite the lazy individual but u ladies are awesome and the reason why i follow ur blog is because i enjoy the positive flow of knowledge you ladies seen my way! lol and yes i am that nappy head girl in the middle of know where[Pinchincha, Ecuador]!
Ok, So I'm one of those people that read your blog EVERYDAY and I do mean EVERYDAY even when there's no posts on the weekend I go back through and find something I do want to read. I started my natural journey a year ago, I finally big chopped on Feb 20th.
The comment sounded like underhanded nasty to me, but whatever, there will always be haters. I rarely if ever comment (I think I've commented twice), but it doesn't mean no one cares. So do your thing! and let the haters hate!
I'm a lurker/ fan on facebook, and like you said I'm just lazy to comment but I think the blog gives a lot of insight comment or no comment.
I use RSS feeds to view my favorite blogs, so I rarely visit the site directly, and even more rarely leave a comment. I totally agree with the quality not quantity comments. If we hadn't seen something we liked, we wouldn't be following the blog, plain and simple. You ladies keep doing it for the love, not for the glory! *kiss kiss!*
I am definitely a lurker. I read LITK faithfully. While I do find the blogs inspirational, informative, and just downright cool, I don't feel the need to leave a comment unless I truly have something important to add to the discussion. Just my two cents. The amount of commentary means nothing. Rock on Z and Fizz! Keep up the wonderful work!
First! Just playing. :-) I read your blog faithfully everyday. You guys offer great information in a down to earth way. I feel like I'm having a (one-sided) conversation with one of my natural friends IRL. I may have commented once, but I'm content with being a lurker and a sponge... squeezing everything I can out your blog. Thank you for letting me do that.
long time lurker, first time commenter :) great blog y'all! that email was rather odd... oh well, please keep blogging! i'm learning so much!
i rarely comment bc what i want to say...is already said already. i can't stand when i read blogs and i see the comments over and over again...
but regardless i love ur blog.
Daily reader chiming in to say: I am also lazy. I comment when I feel like it. I wonder if the person who sent that email takes the time they spend researching ur avg # of comments, to leave a comment themselves. Hmmph. Honey, hush.
I'm a guilty lurker as well, simply because I like to read a TON of blogs each day. Call it a bad habit, but it's something done by many in the natural hair community. And honestly, I'm always more partial to reading interesting comments rather than the general one word response...
that e-mail was definitely passive aggressive, and unnecessary.
I read many blogs everyday and I think I've only commented twice ever. Just because you don't get many comments does not mean people aren't reading an feeling inspired. I love you ladies!!
Another lurker signing in. I rarely comment and I'm not even officially subscribed but I read this blog literally everyday (multiple times a day). I love this blog. I love the writing, the photos, everything about it. I definitely benefit from it and don't consider myself disgustingly odd for not commenting all the time.
I try to post on ALL the blogs I follow at least once a week:-D A lot of us have blogs ourselves (or, at least, a good portion)and appreciate the commenting karma whenever we can get it back!
This blog is cool, I've always like it!
I can't tell if the mail was backhanded or not. Maybe they were trying to bring up a good point (to them), but it ended up sounding really uncomplimentary.
I'm a lurker too. I love your site, but I'm a new natural so most of the time I'm just reading and taking in all of the advice. I'm also not one for leaving comments unless I truly feel that I'm adding to the discussion.
I am also a lurker - I have only ever left one comment, but I do faithfully follow your blog and check in almost every day. I too am natural and have benefited from the many hair tips left by others. Keep up the good work, we appreciate it.
i almost never comment on almost all the blogs i frequent, be they fashion blogs, hair blogs, makeup blogs, food blogs, mommy blogs...seriously...i love blogs. but never comment. one, b/c i think repetitive comments are unessecary and chances are, by the time i've read it, someone's already said what i was thinking. and two b/c sometimes i enjoy the read, but don't have anything further to add. and three, sometimes i'm lazy. but i super appreciate that fact that a LOT of the blogs i read don't get hundreds of comments and that doesn't stop the bloggers from blogging. as a semi-lazy blogger, comments are always nice and appreciated, but certainly not necessary to get your thoughts and ideas out there in the world.
Another lurker checking in. This is a very beautiful and informative blog.
**raises hand** Another lurker here! Since I normally catch up on my blog reading in Google Reader I don't comment on everything but I think you have a great blog here which is why I subscribed.
I've been hear 3days in a row and I have not commented and I've read like 10 posts in those 3days. i just read and go because you are providing info and not asking for advice. it is not a personal blog
I love this ..I'm going natural and I'll be here 24/7
p.s the person that wrote to U did not THINK b4 writing.
I really think most of time what you want to say has already been said and you really don't want to "me too!" every post you enjoy.
Before starting my blog (about a year ago) I was reading about comments and apparently having not many is extremely common and isn't really indicative of anything in particular.
I mostly lurk here. I read, I giggle and I say nothing, lol. Maybe we're all just very shy.
Can't really tell if those were back-handed compliments or not. Very strange email.
yh i love y'all blog. keep doing what u do!!!
Lurker
I don't comment, cos Naija internet is a bitch, too many blogs, there is nothing else to add and I'm lazy.
Your blog is informative, I even got my baby cuz to join your FB page.
I am a lurker as well. Man, this is starting to feel like lurkers anon! I follow you guys with my Google Reader, so I guess it doesn't show up that I am one of your "followers". Occasionally, I share some pieces from LITK with my family and friends. Yet, I rarely comment - except for when I feel like I have something awesome to add to the conversation.
Usually I just read and enjoy. :-p
[I briefly considered responding to your call for people with locs - however, feeling my own immature, 8 month-old locs, I felt that I wouldn't have much to add to that conversation either. :)]
However, when writing my own blog, I do suppose I get all excited when people comment. I feel like I've left my mark on the world. So...yeah... I kind of forgot where I was going with this, so I'll simply end it with a "keep up the good work, guys!"
i'm a 'lurker'. but i love LITK and find it very helpful as a natural newbie (2 and a half months in:). and i follow faithfully even though this is my first and probably last comment. i come here simply to relax and laugh sometimes and gather info so i generally don't feel a need to comment. that email definitely seems like it was designed to pull ya'll down. can't imagine why coz the blog totally rocks. don't stop!!
Yup, proud lurker here.
I'm not even a follower, but i subscribe via google reader so i NEVER miss a post.
iLove the blog, all the information, encouragement and advice. This blog is dispelling so many myths about kinky hair and i just love all the pictures and testimonies. It is my dream to be featured as a curlocious diva someday, so just watch this post.
Great job ladies.
side-eye to that commenter
I love LITK! Usually I don't comment because I'm lazy. I have thrown a few in here and there. :)
Blog-on!
I'm a lurker and I'm proud of it. Damn it. You're in the top 5 of my natural hair blogs that I follow, so ur definitely doing something good!!!
i read lots of blogs and don't comment. I am a natural newbie and have been living on your site for almost two week now. This is only my second comment. the person who made that comment is not a real fan. So i dont think their email was even worth mentioning. Keep doing your thing! i am learning alot. ps commenting takes work and like you, I'm lazy when i get the option to be.
I'm a lurker who has never posted a comment until now. I read the site through my feed reader. I can't believe you were being chastised over something so ridiculous.
bAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Love it that the post on comments garners the most comments.
Luna is eatinnn it UP.
I am a lurker and you do great work. Keep it up! And yes, I am that nappyheaded kid in the middle of nowhere! LOL
Shake that hater off!
::stands up::: Hi, My name is Miss Moon and I am a definite lurker! LOL
As I blogger I felt compelled to add my two cents:
I might be seriously naive, but it's my impression that most bloggers write because they have something to say and want to share it with...well...everyone. I know that's how I feel.
Some of my blog entries result in a conversation, but the most part I am happy if anyone enjoys my blog enough to follow and I ultimately hope that I can keep 'em coming back for more.
The fact that you have such a large following here and on FB is evidence that you have a fan base ... That is more valuable than any comment/feedback/pat on the head could be!
Yeah...the email seems kind of passive aggressive...in an odd way. And while I may not comment I follow/appreciate you faithfully on my google reader--so...just so you know this reader is actively tuned in--and poised to comment when something actually needs to be said :)
Thank you!
Home-girl needs to fall back and find something better to do rather than wondering about you guys followers. That should be NONE of her concern. GET A LIFE CHICK!
And I hope WE have ALL just proven her wrong. I am now disgustingly disturbed with small minds.
I can only read your blog at work so I often have to limit my commenting...if not i'd be commenting all day. But yes, i'm a beloved lurker, and love your blog. I frequent this blog much more than any other, and at this point I don't see that changing anytime soon. Thanks for all the great info, updates, advice, reviews, etc!!
Much love!
That e-mail was definitely a backhanded compliment. I read and enjoy this blog on a daily basis. The same can be said for at least 20 more. I lurk on every single one of them, and that is usually because I either don't have anything to add to the conversation or someone else has already made a comment similar to what I would have said and I don't want to create an echo chamber. That doesn't mean that I don't enjoy the content and I'm sure the same can be said for everyone else.
I agree with everything you said especially regarding 100 people who leave comments that add nothing to the discussion. One of my favorite sites (jezebel.com) has a very elaborate commenting system just to combat the "first!" types. It seems like a big hassle. Another that I read doesn't allow commenting for the most part for that same reason.
Maybe that person has their own blog and they're mad that they don't get as many readers, lol.
I read your blog frequently. I have a 19 month-old so when I have a chance to sit down and read blogs LITK is on the "must hit" list. I often do not leave comments on blogs partly because of laziness and partly because I usually get to the party late.
I love your blog. We are reading. Please don't stop.
I read your blog almost daily and this is my first time commenting. Comments don't make or break the succuess of this blog. You keep all of us transitioners, naturals, and/or lurkers informed with the best information.
I believe that person was making a cheap shot for no reason at all.
I read your blog almost everyday and I just love it! I don't usually post a comment but I really appreciate the fact that you post on a regular basis. That means a lot. As far as the comment in question. I'm like you, I can't tell what the intent was, never the less it's nice to see your followers being vocal about it!!! We are here and we are regular readers! Now there!
I'm trasitioning right now and ever since I stumbled upon this website I've had nothing but the upmost respect for what's been posted on this blog.I will admit that for awhile I wouldv'e classified myself as a " lurker" on many sites, most especially this one and yet after reading this post today I was driven to finally become a follower of this blog. Thanks for the posting tips and the genuine advice that's written on this blog! If the towels were just thrown in towards posting because there was a lack in commenting then people that are transitioning like myself as well as all natural curlies would have one less community to go towards and trust me I find this blog prit-e valuable.
LOL... Lurkers unite! It's like a coming out party up in here... Well, some issues require discussion and for those, I tend to appreciate comments on my blog- to know what people think. Still, blogging is an outlet first and foremost. Like you said, feedback is an added bonus. From the comments that have been dropped, it is obvious that your blog helps so many people and achieveing that aim is waaaay more important than getting 485,836,459,238,239,237,489,309 comments. :)
Im here aint going nowhere! As an avid ( and slightly obsessed) blog reader and author Ive learned the majority WILL not comment. Especially if they are using a reading tool like Google reader, its much easier to skim to the content that interests you and keep it moving. Like you stated, blogger has to first write for themselves and secondly for those that do read. Long story short. Keep writing, we 're here!
Lurker here..just wanted to say I read every blog posted on LITK..just lazy to comment or sometimes have inside thoughts that dont need to be seen...lol I LOVE this blog..
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