1 Year Blogiversary: Part 2 — Comments Are Like Crack
by Jenners • 11/04/2009 • Blogging, Lessons Learned • 36 Comments
To celebrate this blog’s one year blogiversary on Thursday, I’m writing a history of my blog broken up into several posts. This is the second installment.
Comments Are Like Crack
AKA when my self-esteem-rose-and-fell-based-on-the-number-of-comments-my-blog-had-and-I-whored-my-blog-shamelessly-on-meme-after-meme
As any blogger knows, getting your first comments from strangers is a total rush and you immediately want more, more, more. It is very much like having a crack addiction (not that I know that first-hand, I’m just guessing). As soon as I started getting a few comments, I wanted more and wanted them now. I began obsessively visiting other blogs in the hopes that they would come to visit my blog too. I had trouble sleeping as I thought up ideas for posts. I compulsively checked for comments every five minutes, and my housekeeping went to hell in a hand basket (although Mr. Jenners would argue that this was always the case). Like any addict, all I thought about was blogging, comments, comments and comments.
I joined SITS and other comment support groups and began expanding my blog roll exponentially. My collection of followers started to grow—and my self-esteem went up and down with each addition or subtraction. If I got a new follower, I would have a good day. If I lost a follower, I would be whiny and miserable. It was pathetic and sad. Knowing what I know now, here is some advice for newbie bloggers:
Advice for Newbie Bloggers: Don’t worry about how many readers you have or don’t have. Focus on your content and building relationships with like-minded bloggers.
Advice for Newbie Bloggers: You are not legally required to post awards you may be given from other bloggers or follow the rules associated with said awards. Although getting an award can be nice, blog awards are a little like chain letters. Keeping up with them can take a lot of time and often make for boring posts (in my opinion). I tend to skip over any blog award post unless I’m mentioned.
Advice for Newbie Bloggers: You do not have to participate in every meme you come across. Just do the ones you really enjoy and fit your style. For me, I’ve always enjoyed doing Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop.
Advice for Newbie Bloggers: The best way to grow your blog is to leave thoughtful comments on other people’s blogs and to participate in a handful of memes and visit the other participants. Also be sure to respond to anyone who visits your blog by repaying the visit if possible.
Very soon after starting a personal blog, I realized that I “needed” to have another blog to write about reading and books—a passion of mine. I wanted a separate blog for that stuff because I knew it would probably take on life of its own (and it did). It was shortly after this blog began that I started my book blog. I mean, why not have two blogs and get twice as many comments?
My blogging obsession was in full swing, and I entered what I consider to be My Golden Age of Blogging. However, the downside to blogging was about to be experienced. Stay tuned for Part 3 of my blogging saga—Blogging Brightly Leads To Burnout.
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I felt like it was me writing this! I related to every single thing that you brought up. As much as it's nice to get comments, it ends up becoming a full time job when you comment on other blogs just so that they could comment on yours.
Now I just visit blogs that I really like and if they comment back-great and if not, that's fine too.
I solved my need for more comments. I just started posting comments on my own posts under different names. Smart, huh!
oh darn, now I gave my secret away!
wait, two blogs means twice as many comments, true, but doesn't it also mean you have to write twice as many posts?
Yep, yep, yep and yep – I agree with your newbie advice and I remember my highs from comment luv.
Don't get me wrong I still really like getting comments but I think I have it more in perspective now. 
Oh, I definitely went through the "comments are crack" phase.
Glad to know I'm not the only one!
I'm pretty sure I met you during this period.
Every point absolutely true. In my opinion. I was nodding my head thinking yes yes and yes.
I think I am finally getting over the follower thing. For now anyway.
I really like the way you think. It reminds me of someone…
Great advice, especially the fourth one!
Honest post with good advice. As much as I enjoy comments (and welcome anyone to my blog), the comments I enjoy the most are those from readers who regularly stop by, truly read my post (which tend to be long-winded), and comment thoughtfully. I am addicted to meaningful interaction, not the "number of comments."
I have been blogging for about 5 yrs off and on and rather than import my blog, I just began a new one when I moved to a different platform. I've had periods of months of no blogging time which caused a major loss in readers, but then I easily picked up new folks and found old blogging friends through the photography and writer prompts I chose to partake in.
I would also advise newbies NOT TO WORRY about visiting everyone on a "Mr. Linky" list. You'll have no life! Those link lists are long and it's best to choose about 10 to visit or 1/2 hr or 1 hr a wk to keep your life reasonable. You'll find who you connect with, as Jenners says…and hey, you might find fun games like "porn titles" or another one I participate in about puns!
Happy Happy numero uno anniversary, Jenners! I love finding peeps with simlar senses of humor and hey, I need to check out your book blog again, because I LOVE to read!
Whohooooooooooooooooo!
I'm feeding you your crack! I LOVE comments too, they are so much fun! And I love reading comments on other people's blogs too. I think it took me a good 6 months before I was brave enough to leave a comment on a "strangers" blog. Now I sign on just to comment!
I love your advice. You gave some several months ago about settings for people to leave comments. I totally took that to heart. Thank you for passing along more of your wisdom.
Seems you have learned more than I have in same amount of time!
Congrats on making it an entire year! I am totally addicted to comments, and my followers. When the numbers go up I am very HAPPY.
This was a great post, it's good to hear that newbie bloggers go through this a lot, and that sometimes it sticks!
Thanks for the great advise. I have just started and need all the advise I can get. I know Erin @ Tesori Trovati and she speaks very highly of your blog..I can see why.
Troy
I think I am neck deep in BurnOut Land…
I agree with everything you said.
But I still get weepy when I lose a follower.
Sigh.
Happy Blogiversary!!! xo
Happy 1st Birthday! I just celebrated mine this week.
I remember that you were one of the first commenters/visitors on my blog. It's been a fun year.
Great advice.
more than a weekly post from Jenners….ahhh it's just like the good old days. How I miss your witty-ness my friend.
First of all, I love your alliteration…is that how you spell it? Good advice. But everyone has already told you that. I am still addicted to comments. I love them. They still make my day. But sadly most of my readers don't comment. Oh, well. At least they are reading, right? I can't wait until part 3.
I can SO relate! Such awesome advice, Jenners!
Those are great tips! I would also remind people anxious to increase their following that the more followers you have, the more time you will need to devote to this. It means more blogs to read, comments to leave, and e-mails to send. (For me anyway.)
Better to start slow. (IMHO)
this is good advice. And I am still riding high on my comment addiction.
And sorry about you not being able to get to my blog. It was kinda messed up with the url change. I hope its all better now. If not, here is the new url, come if and when you can.
http://www.buriedwithchildren.com
OMG, the awards… seriously…. they are overwhelming and I hate writing the posts. It's like that sweater you received from Grandma you have to wear and look silly or hurt her feelings.
Comments are still crack for me, but my expectations are much lower now.
Do you know you give good advice? I loved the essay you wrote with an allegory which taught me how to appropriately set up a blog. It was on blog secrets of some sort. Thank you for sharing your wisdom!
I can't wait to look at your book blog! I LOVE books! I love to smell them! I love to turn the pages! I could even eat them.
Good advice to new bloggers! I think you and I are very like minded in our blogging strategies.
I pretty much stick with Meme's I enjoy (mainly photo related) and I always visit people who leave me comments.
I think it is a little arrogant of bloggers who participate in a MEME and then never visit any of the other participants. What's up with that?
Blogging Brightly Leads To Burnout
Hilarious. You make me laugh. Sadly, I know I will never be a blogging star because I am not attentive enough to my readers. I am so thankful for each and everyone and love to receive comments, but I don't have time to visit a lot of blogs or leave a lot of comments. So hate me. Or just leave me to rot in obscurity.
omg…I EXPERIANCE THE SAME THING…if i have a new follower added, i am ubber happy…if no new followers, my day is bad…i keep thinking why don;t people follow me…the feedjit says they visit…but why is it difficult to clik the follow button n leave a comment….well, i m losing the main object of blogging…FUN…that was the main thing i had started blogging!!!
I am passing your information on to a friend of mine who is starting a blog for his flooring business… I encouraged him to comment on other blogs and find blogs that he sees as worthwhile whether they are in his field or not. Better if they are related someway. That is the way to grow a strong following. When I started (a year ago I might add) I resisted the temptation to make it all about me, or all about my jewelry. That is second banana in my book. I wanted it to be about loftier things, like finding inspiration everywhere…now just about anything I write can be molded to that goal and it works. People come back not becuase I won some "award" (read: person with too much time on their hands and Photoshop Elements who is practicing how to create banners and such) and more about those universal truths that inspire everyone around the globe. Oh, and leaving comments…not just "Nice post!" but REAL INSIGHT is what develops a following and makes others come along for your ride. It is genuine, comes from my heart and it works. You are a delight (have I told you that lately?). Enjoy the day!
Erin
So funny! Ditto for me and the housekeeping (both pre and post blogging housekeeping skills are not good here).
I also started out on a separate blog (called Flute Mom) and the book memes quickly took over that blog, so that's when I started At Home With Books (prior to realizing that there is a book with the same name, but since everyone already knew my blog by this name, I just decided to keep it and hope the author of said book would not take issue). My Flute Mom blog died a quick death.
Funny thing about the memes though – I was posting those left and right for the first five or six months before I toned them down.
You've described the beginning blogging process very accurately.
My thing wasn't comments (although they are so addicting) – I used to get up at 6am to check the Shelf Awareness message for free ARCs (and I am not a morning person).
I can't wait to read about burnout (because I've been there a few times already).
I fell into the trap of comment addiction too. It's tough not to get caught up in all the blog give and take. It can be exhausting. I'm looking forward to reading your tips about surviving blogger burnout.
You know what gets you more comments than memes? Giveaways. I hate doing them because they skew my stats. I don't like that big spike in my graph.
Is that sad or what?
I'm loving this series–I've learned those same things over the year. I can't wait for the next installment–because I'm there BURNOUT. I've been thinking of calling it quits.
I agree with everything you are saying. I have two blogs now and I think I am about to the burnout stage.
So true. I remember my very first comment, it was like *wow!* someone actually cared about what I said. Very addictive. And true that on the housework thing.
I agree, comments are like crack.
So send me comments.
and followers.
I have lots to say these days but I can't seem to formulate any coherent thoughts to put into a blog post.
LOVE this one too and oh so true! I try a few new blogs and if I don't get a connection there, I usually take them off of my list to read. Life's just too short, you know?
Oh you leave us hanging like that!
Great advice and so true, everything you said. I have found myself at times wanting to write just to please, to attract more readers, etc. But luckily in the end I always go back to writing what I want to and what I enjoy for the fun of it.