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Recently I read a comment from a social media specialist that mentioned wishing that blogging reciprocity would no longer be as important in 2012 as it has been in the past.
Blogging reciprocity, in case you were wondering, refers to the practice of visiting the blogs of your commenters and repaying a comment left on your blog by leaving a comment on their blog.
While I can see the social media specialist’s point, I have a different view of reciprocity.
Here are the considerations:
Practicality
I understand the social media specialist’s point that sometimes reciprocity isn’t really practical. For example, if you write a blog post and receive 100 comments you probably won’t have the time to review each commenter’s blog–let alone compose 100 meaningful comments yourself AND still respond to the comments on your own blog. That’s a reasonable assumption, I think.
But too often I think that we bloggers have taken the exact opposite route (and I’ve been guilty of this as well). Rather than over-responding to comments and spending all day on the blogs of our readers, instead we ignore the comments. Sometimes we don’t respond at all. Rarely do we visit a reader’s blog.
Relationships
Sadly, because we don’t interact with other bloggers we don’t build relationships.
In my opinion (and this is where I differ from the specialist), a certain amount of blogging reciprocity is good for a blogger (especially if they are a freelancer). Not only does reciprocity expose you to new blogs that you may not encounter otherwise, it also allows you to meet and build relationships with other bloggers. Some of my best freelancing relationships grew as a result of getting to know the bloggers who had left comments on my blog.
My Goal Concerning Blogging Reciprocity
Now, of course if you’re struggling to meet a deadline for a paying project it’s understandable if you temporarily put getting to know your blog readers on the back burner. And some commenters link to a page (such as a portfolio) where it’s impossible to leave a comment. Or, you may really not have anything to say about a commenter’s post on their blog. That’s all okay. At least you’re looking to see who’s reading your blog–and that’s a positive step any way you look at it.
So, my point is that I really hope that the practice of blogging reciprocity DOESN’T go away in 2012. I enjoy getting to know other bloggers through their blogs. In fact, I intend to become more active in the practice in 2012 and I hope that you do too.
What Do You Think
Do you practice blogging reciprocity? Why, or why not?
21 responses so far ↓
1 Sharon Hurley Hall // Dec 6, 2011 at
Since I moderate all comments on my blog (except for regular commenters) I have the chance to meet lots of new bloggers. I’ve also found that since installing CommentLuv, my interest may be piqued by a blog title, Laura, and I’ll visit and sometimes comment. I don’t think reciprocity is going anywhere for me at least. 🙂
2 Laura Spencer // Dec 6, 2011 at
That’s great news Sharon. I really do think it’s important to interact and get to know your audience. Relationships are especially important for freelance writers…
3 Negan Bayliss IS The Junk Wave // Dec 6, 2011 at
Yes, I practice blogging reciprocity and I do so willingly. I love the idea of connecting and networking with other bloggers who have taken the time to comment on my posts. I spend a good deal of my day working in my site or working social media. I figure if I was a bricks and mortar store front and a customer walked in, I wouldn’t ignore them….and so it will remain for my virtual store front. Blogging reciprocity is here to stay for me.
4 Laura Spencer // Dec 6, 2011 at
Thanks Megan!
You’re exactly right. Unless you’re blogging to yourself with no intention of interacting with others (and some people do that), reaching out is the right thing to do. I like the bricks and mortar storefront comparison. 🙂
5 MeganWrites Media // Dec 6, 2011 at
I am guilty of this as well. When my website was geared towards my personal blog, I had a hard time finding a way to interact with people, especially since it’s possible to be anonymous on the site when you write. Now that my site is aimed at my freelancing business, I find that it is more important than ever to interact more. Like you said, this may not mean commenting back to every site, but it should be a good goal to try and respond to some posts if you are able to make a good contribution.
6 Tanya@TheInspiredBudget // Dec 6, 2011 at
Yes, and I comment on others’ blogs – when I genuinely have something to say and/or really like their posts – in hopes that they will visit my blog. And I am thrilled when they do. I appreciate the enthusiasm here for blogging reciprocity.
7 Laura Spencer // Dec 6, 2011 at
MeganWrites Media–I think that’s crucial. Freelancers who are running a site (and a blog) need to build relationships. Of course, every blogger will miss a few comments now and then. One of my goals for 2012 is to do better with this.
8 John Soares // Dec 7, 2011 at
I frequently look at the post a commenter leaves in the Commentluv field on my blog. Sometimes I’ll comment, but more often I’ll tweet it, if I think the quality is high and it’s on a subject that I think will interest many of my Twitter followers.
9 Laura Spencer // Dec 7, 2011 at
Good point John! I think social media is a great way to show your appreciation of a good post. Plus, at least you are getting to know your readers. I do think in- depth comments are better left on the blog itself.
10 Marcia Clarke // Dec 7, 2011 at
Yes, I reciprocate, for many reasons. One of them is I consider it the same as networking, it is a great way to meet like minded people; share ideas and tips. In addition, I get to read great blogs I would not know anything about unless I visited.
11 Laura Spencer // Dec 8, 2011 at
Thanks for the input Marcia! Those are great reasons for reciprocating in my opinion. 🙂
12 Amber // Dec 12, 2011 at
I write a dog blog and the pet blogging community is surprisingly huge and incredibly supportive. I feel bad if I don’t reciprocate because it’s a way of saying thank you to those who have taken the time to write a thoughtful comment.
However, there are those people who obviously leave comments just to get you to reciprocate. It’s clear they put very little thought into it and just want to drive traffic to their blog. In those cases, I don’t feel quite the obligation to reciprocate.
I hope that blogging reciprocity doesn’t go away. It’s a lovely way to connect to others and creates a sense of community.
13 Laura Spencer // Dec 13, 2011 at
Great points Amber!
It is true that some of those who comment are not genuine. However, that becomes evident fairly quickly. And of course, if the comment links back to a link farm or other unsavory site that can be classified as spam.
14 Lori // Dec 13, 2011 at
I’m right there with you, Laura. I’m a huge fan of building relationships, especially in our solitary profession. I think of them more as visits to friends, quick chats over tea (my tea, your coffee, separate houses, but hey). I’ve met and developed strong friendships with plenty of bloggers because I reciprocated, as did they. And how long have I known you? A gajillion years? 🙂
15 Laura Spencer // Dec 13, 2011 at
Lori,
“Visits to friends”–that’s how I view it too. 🙂 This is my online place and you’re welcome to visit any time.
How long we been online friends. Gosh, at least five years I think–but it wouldn’t have happened if we weren’t both active in the comments.
16 Shelley // Dec 13, 2011 at
How ironic that I would read three articles today on this very thing! I’m new at freelance writing, and the thing I look forward to are interacting with others through comments. In fact, if it weren’t for a particular relationship, I may not have found the confidence I needed to work my dream. May I never become too busy to reciprocate comments!:)
17 Laura Spencer // Dec 14, 2011 at
Hi Shelley!
I really only saw the one comment on reciprocity (and it was part of a larger post), but after I read your comment I did I search and found several more on this topic. I didn’t realize the topic had been discussed that often.
18 Matt Keegan // Dec 14, 2011 at
I’m fine if someone doesn’t reciprocate by not leaving a comment. The reason? I prefer people to be genuinely interested in what I wrote and not write a forced comment.
I’ve always been spotty with reciprocating. Generally, I have a habit of visiting blogs that I like and taking my time reading articles of interest to me. When I find one and feel led to leave a comment, then I do so. Otherwise, I quietly move on.
19 Laura Spencer // Dec 15, 2011 at
Hi Matt,
I understand that. I really do. I think it’s okay to not leave a comment if you’re truly not interested. However, there seems to be a trend towards bloggers not interacting with their readers at all. IMHO that completely defeats the purpose of a blog and turns it into an article repository. 🙂
20 Samantha Gluck // Dec 21, 2011 at
I always try to practice reciprocity in all aspects of business. You’re right, though, sometimes it isn’t practical at all times, but I think it’s important to make time, eventually, to visit the websites of readers, friends, and acquaintances. I even think it’s important to visit the websites and comment on those with whom you may have a fundamental difference of opinion.
I recently tasked one of my clients with visiting the blog of someone in her field that she didn’t like. My client doesn’t know this person personally, but she doesn’t like her style, her way of doing business, or her ideals about their business niche. I asked my client to thoughtfully and meaningfully comment on some of this person’s posts which she found the most disturbing. She did so and it struck up a whole new relationship that will probably lead to new business for my client.
You never know where reciprocity will get you. If nothing else, you’ve branched out and touched someone else and all their readers with a thoughtful, meaningful comment.
21 Laura Spencer // Dec 22, 2011 at
Hi Samantha,
Yes, it isn’t practical 100% of the time. But, it’s a good idea to practice it at least some of the time.
I love your story about the client who visited the blog of someone she didn’t like. As you point out, “You never know where reciprocity will get you.”