No longer a lurker on people’s blogs, I have come out of the closet and am commenting left, right and centre! I am 2/3rds of the way through my 300 blog comments in 30 days. I’ve just written my 200th comment! Here are some of my thoughts so far:
Positive:
I have left lurkdom behind! In the past, I did not comment on many blogs that I visited. I hardly ever commented on sewing blogs, especially the more well known ones. I guess I didn’t feel confident to comment, not worthy of their greatness in the online sewing community, and anyway they already got loads of comments! Since I plucked up the courage to comment (and subscribe to their comments), some of them have commented on my comment, ie communicated with me! Not only that but lots of people I’ve left comments for have been back to visit me! It’s a two-way communication, and that makes me very happy. No more lurking for me!
I’ve found lots of new-to-me blogs that I will go back to have a longer look. I’ve mostly found them through blogs I know, for example, Julia’s Stamping Ground WOYWW. I took part in an online blogging course some years ago, and have followed a few of fellow participants through the years. Now I have connected with the others in that little community.
Through Sandie’s blog I have found 30 days of blogging challenge. I have signed up for the 30 daily emails. I can see that it is aimed at businesses, but am hopeful that I can use some of the ideas for my photo blog, as well as my Etsy business SewLindyLou. That will be November’s challenge!
I have realised what I like in a blog post. Not too long (some of the sewing blog posts are really long when they write about a particular pattern and how they made it up.) I really like crafting blogs. I’ve looked at some gardening blogs, but I don’t find them as compelling as paper crafting or sewing. I also like to get to know the blogger, so a few personal details and what they’ve been doing is great. I particularly love the memes like ‘Pairs’ on Helena’s blog and Me on a Monday on Sian’s blog. Watch out! I’ll be joining in next month!
There is some fabulous inspiration out there! I have noted some dressmaking patterns and fabrics that I would like. There are some great sites with sketches and inspiration for my scrapbooking. I have discovered some wonderful art journallers (through WOYWW) and really want to try it out for myself. I am thinking of including it in my goals for next year, and maybe do an online course.
Now for the negatives:
Boy, does this take up a lot of time on the computer!!! I have followed my usual blogs a lot of the time rather than always finding new blogs, as this has saved me time. When I visit a new blog, I like to take some time to look around and read a few blog posts. Sometimes I haven’t commented, for example, if the blogger hasn’t blogged for a while. 300 blogs in 30 days is 10 blogs per day, and there have been many days when I haven’t commented at all, especially at the weekend.
This means that I have been feeling behind all the time! Even now, it’s the 22nd and I have only made 209 comments. So even today I am 11 behind! And feeling behind is stressful!
Consequently I haven’t done many of my own blog entries! I did a post about my quilts on SewLindyLou because I was leaving comments on quilting blogs, and a post about Barney to keep my photo blog going. I’m hoping to rectify this and start to blog much more regularly from next month on, especially with my 30 days of blogging challenge.
I need to find a way for people to follow me! Somebody asked me how they could follow me, but I don’t know! I think I will have to look into Bloglovin’, in fact I think I did register on there a while ago. I am a little bit lazy when it comes to technology. Something to put on my to-do list, along with learning about the statistics available.
It just remains for me to say ‘thank you’ for all the return comments you have made on my blogs, and I hope that we can continue communicating. That’s what makes me happy!
12 comments:
You have made some good points here. You're right! It takes time to comment every day. I can fit my blog reading in at lunchtimes when I'm on my own. Today, though, I'm a bit rushed because TSO is here and she wants to talk about her big night last night! Also, if I'm spending a lot of time on the computer, I'm not creating new things to put on my own blog. But, as you say, the payback is the amazing conversations you can have with people you would never have met any other way.
The Bloglovin thing? I don't think you have to do anything..I think readers can just set up a bloglovin account and add yours to it. Sorry, maybe I'm not remembering right: but I think the first time I looked at mine I discovered I actually had followers there already.
I give you a lot of credit for doing this. I spend WAY too much time clicking through a long, wonderful list of sketching and drawing blogs. I've started trying to comment when it's particularly helpful or interesting, but I would have to give up reading them if I always commented on them all. It makes me feel a bit guilty, but I'd have to trade my practice time for commenting, so the whole endeavor would be futile!
Congrats getting that far - I'm just at 198 with 8 days to go so I don't think it's going to happen but I am so enjoying finding new blogs to check out - some I'll keep following some maybe not. You are so right that it takes a lot of time - I like to use the time when I'm up but husband isn't yet. Seems I can get a lot done in that time. :) By any chance was that course Shimelle's "Blogging for Scrapbookers"? I took it when it originally came out and then the follow up one. Like you I've kept following a lot from that class. Have a lovely weekend.
Well done on all the blogs you HAVE visited. I don't think I would manage anywhere near 300 comments in 30 days, but I AM commenting on blogs I visit and read. Good luck on the last 1/3 of your challenge.
Thought I'd comment here and not simply lurk... ;) Very interesting post, with lots of insights on what you like and don't like so much in blogs. I hope this trip all around blogland has given you plenty of ideas for more posts starting next month. Looking forward to reading them! And commenting...
Thanks for the shout out about Pairs Linda.
I've been the same as you with the big 'professional' blogposts and rarely commented, particularly if they already have 100 comments but have been making an effort to comment more often when I particularly appreciate a post.
Well done you! I know what you mean about being a lurker. For years I just followed but felt I had nothing to say, did I live a life similar that gave me credibility to make comments. I am so glad you have visited me - way over the big pond - you are always a welcomed visitor. Hope you have a wonderful week ahead.
That's a great achievement, Linda, and I know that I for one have been a beneficiary, and am grateful for your interest and your kindness :). Yes, that's a tension I find between commenting and creating - and oh, that feeling of being behind! I work long days on Mondays and Tuesdays and often find it dispiriting to be commenting late on Wednesday (hence the extra effort today!).
I think this is a really hard challenge, although I could do a fair few with WOYWW days as I normally clock up at least 30 comments each Wednesday, but as there aren't 10 Wednesdays a month...Good luck with the rest of your comments (you're right, it takes ages if you don't just want to leave a quick word or two!)
So glad that you've left lurkdom behind,and that I was lucky enough to be visited. You'll find the Me On Monday group to be lots of fun, so I'm looking forward to seeing more of you then.
So enjoyed seeing your name pop up in my blog comments. I didn't take up the challenge for commenting as this has been a busy month. I've done lots of blog scrolling this month but plan to do lots more commenting next month. Have a great November!
Great post Linda. I enjoyed reading your insights and observations. I love reading your blog :-)
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