I have to admit that I could spend all day blogging. But I don't. Aside from the kids taking over the computer regularly, I have other things I have to do.
I follow over 100 blogs. If I were to read and comment on every single one of them, assuming it took five minutes for each, that would take more than 500 minutes. That's over 8 hours, and it doesn't include writing my own posts or responding to comments on my posts.
Would I love to be able to read and comment on every blog? Absolutely. Is that possible? Absolutely not. Thankfully, not everyone posts every day. That helps. But I also have my priorities. Not that I don't enjoy every blog I follow, because truly I do, but there's something to be said for those I feel a real sense of interaction with. These blogs are my priority. These are the blogs I read every time there is a new post. These are the blogs I comment on regularly. As for the others, I visit them as often as I can, and I comment when I feel I have something of value to add.
This is the only way I know how to handle it? What about you? How do you manage your blog time?
On a related note, if you haven't read Jody Hedlund's Posts this week, you should. She's doing a great series about the top ten mistakes bloggers make. Pop on over. It will be well worth your time.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
The Time Factor
I have to admit that I could spend all day blogging. But I don't. Aside from the kids taking over the computer regularly, I have other things I have to do.
I follow over 100 blogs. If I were to read and comment on every single one of them, assuming it took five minutes for each, that would take more than 500 minutes. That's over 8 hours, and it doesn't include writing my own posts or responding to comments on my posts.
Would I love to be able to read and comment on every blog? Absolutely. Is that possible? Absolutely not. Thankfully, not everyone posts every day. That helps. But I also have my priorities. Not that I don't enjoy every blog I follow, because truly I do, but there's something to be said for those I feel a real sense of interaction with. These blogs are my priority. These are the blogs I read every time there is a new post. These are the blogs I comment on regularly. As for the others, I visit them as often as I can, and I comment when I feel I have something of value to add.
This is the only way I know how to handle it? What about you? How do you manage your blog time?
On a related note, if you haven't read Jody Hedlund's Posts this week, you should. She's doing a great series about the top ten mistakes bloggers make. Pop on over. It will be well worth your time.
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34 comments:
But do the blogs you feel a real connection with change? I find that I feel a real connection for a period of time and then I sort of move on to new ones! I still return to my old favorites, but not as regularly.
Oh, great. Now I have to follow Jody because that post was so darn good!
:) C
I follow way too many blogs, but I really enjoy that sense of community.
I read abotu 95% of the blog posts that become available, but I don't always comment on each post. Usually its just a time thing.
I'm still pretty new to the blogging world, so I'm learning to manage this as I go. I follow many, but can't comment on everyone's. If I did, I'd never get any WIP writing done and my poor toddler would smack me in the head for neglect.
Like you, there are ones that I don't miss a post (like yours) and others I pop in on when the topic catches my eye. There is only so much time in the day, unfortunately.
Btw, thanks for being such an active commenter on mine. It's much appreciated!
I follow quite a few blogs, but I only comment on about half of them. Like you said, some bloggers only post every couple of days and that helps speed the process. Being retired I have more time to spend commenting and writing.
I appreciate your comments on my blog, but I also understand if you can't do it. After all you still have a life outside of blogdom.
Yeah, Susan, I start back to work next Wednesday, and I'm going to have to be much better about time management, especially when it comes to blogging. I love my fellow bloggers, but I will have to find a way to priortize!
There is also an interesting post on Query Tracker (I think today) interviewing Cristina Katz on platform. There was one item in particular that hit a nerve with me today (because it rang true!!).
Some days I read and comment on a lot of blogs, other days not so much. The only way I can manage when my life gets busy is to not sign in. When I'm on I always tune in to your blog of course! Wouldn't miss it.
I deal with blogging much the same way you do. I follow lots of blogs and enjoy them but I have ones that I comment on most frequently. The others I don't always unless I feel like there's something worth saying. I hate to leave a comment just to leave a comment. I'd rather make it worthwhile.
Corey,
You make a good point. I suppose, who you feel that sense of interaction does change over time. I had never thought of that. And, yes, I know. You can't help but follow Jody!
Megan,
I think I probably read 95% of the blogs, too, but commenting takes time, especially if you have to think about what to say. If I have to think to hard, I don't comment.
Fiction Groupie,
I'm flattered that you never miss mine! What a compliment. I read all of yours, too!
Rae,
I always have time to comment on your posts. They are always insightful and so funny, I can't help but comment!
Heather,
I read that post on Query Tracker, too. I'm curious as to which point hit home with you. There were a couple that got me thinking. Also, I'm looking for a job now, and when I do find one, I'll have much less time for blogging.
Strange,
Thanks for always stopping by. It means a lot to me. But when are you going to do a new post? I've missed reading you this past week!
Cindy,
I also want my comments to be worthwhile. If I don't really have anything to say, I usually won't comment.
Hey, thanks for the shout out! I appreciate it! And I would have to agree, there's just not time in a day to comment on everyone's blogs. We have to each figure out a way to prioritize. I do the best I can to read and comment on the people who leave comments on mine first. Then if I have time, I might pop around to a few other followers. I'm glad others are doing it the same way!
I post just about everyday, really. It's a way to relieve the negative emotions out of my body, like some sort of channeling.
I'm a lot like you. :) I generally read most everything, but don't always comment because I'm either having a hard time stringing more than two words together coherently, or I just need to sit back and relax. :)
Thanks for the nudges Lazy Writer--they work--I posted today :)
I wish I had more than 24 hours in a day so I could be a more consistent commenter, poster, and bloggy reader! I really admire people who are consistent about the whole thing. But it's kind of hit or miss with me.
My first priority goes to those who read mine each day. I read those first. Then I head over to the blogs I follow list and read whatever I can but yes, sometimes (like today) time is very limited.
Jody,
You are so welcome! You have some great tips. I can't wait to read Friday's post!
Shigune,
Posting every day is a good release, isn't it?
Danyelle,
I know what you mean! Sometimes, for the life of me, I can't think of a thing to say!
Strange,
You are welcome for the nudges! It's about time!
Lesley,
I wish I had more than 24 hours in a day, too. Wouldn't everything be so much easier?
Stephanie,
You do a great job of keeping in touch with all of your readers. You have so many of them, I'm not sure I know how you do it!
I'm still figuring out the time factor. Great posts--you get us thinking!
It gets harder the more blogs you follow, but there are so many great ones out there! I try to follow as many as possible and comment when I can. I prefer blogs with shorter posts simply due to the time factor. I kind of wish there was a cap on blog words like there is on Twitter characters. No more than, say, 500. That would help!! I'm glad you found me. I'll be following you now, too!
OK, all these posts about following/not following/commenting/not commenting get me thinking.
Do you follow the blog of every person who follows yours?
What I've started to do is read six to ten of the most recently updated posts on my dashboard, then I stop.
Right now I am following mostly other authors (or authors in the making) and only one or two industry blogs. It just happens to be what I am interested in at the moment.
Jenna
I am a little bit lucky in that the time difference between Australia and the USA means I catch those people who post early and late in the day on different days over here. It means I usually get around to all the blogs I follow. But not always. Some days I have more time. Some days the toddler won't nap!
I used to read the newspaper. Really. I used to read it every day and do the crossword puzzle. Now I try to write my own entries at night. Post them in the morning, and then go down the dashboard and look for titles and pictures that catch my eye. Then next thing is that when I get home I go back in and try to comment on those who commented on my own post. Usually I have already commented on them, but sometimes not. It is my new newspaper! BTW my all time favorite book hands down ever ever ever is Mists of Avalon. S
Sounds like you and I are two peas in a pod. I'm the same way. :)
Dawn,
I hope to get people thinking, but sometimes I wonder...
Debra.
I look forward to seeing more of your posts. I loved so hard, today, I almost cried!
Anonymous,
To answer your question, yes and no. I try to follow everyone who follows me out of courtesy, but sometimes a follower has no link, and unless they leave a comment, I have no way of finding them. Also, sometimes a follower has nothing in common with me, and I have to wonder why they followed me in the first place. And I've also had to block a few followers because I questioned their intent. For example, I think yesterday, three political activists followed me, and not only did I not speak their language, but my blog is not about politics. So, not only did I not follow them, but I blocked them. Hope that answers your question. If not, feel free to email me!
Jenna,
I've taken to reading the most recent posts as well. I try to get on two or three times a day and hope I catch them all. Sometimes I do. Sometimes I don't. I also prefer the author/writer in the making blogs. That's who I have the most in common with!
Tabitha,
Those darn toddlers! Well, I'm glad you found time to stop by here today!
Suzanne,
Yes, blogging replaced the newspaper for me, too. And, it doesn't get much better than Mists of Avalon, does it?
Janna,
I've always thought we were two peas in a pod, ever since I read that poem about being lazy you posted on your blog! :)
How do I handle my blog time? Very, very poorly. I spend too much time doing that and not writing. That's why I think I'm going to switch to writing my first drafts on paper. I tried it today and it worked. Cross your fingers!
I couldn't put it any better myself. And I will go see Jody's blog before I run out of blogging time in a few minutes!
Difficult to keep up, for sure. So much to learn, yet worry about the writing I am not doing. I'm thrilled to have found a forum, though, for many to post excellent writing. How is this for a wishy, washy answer?
Struggling Writer,
I write on paper first always! It's a weird habit of mine. It does keep me off the internet, too. I'd never thought of it that way.
Anna,
Yes, go visit Jody's blog. It's great!
Midlife Jobhunter,
Ah, all of us writers are wishy washy!
You are so write about the time blogging can take up. I don't follow nearly as many as you, but my list does build daily. I try to keep up but I am always behind. Since I seem to have the most time on the weekends I have seriously thought about being a weekend blogger.
I follow an awful lot of blogs. I spend my time reading them as you do Susan. I have my regular ones, my weekly and monthly ones that I visit. This way I keep track and interested in the blogger.
i kep track of my frends' blogs...dependin upon my free time from college,studies,watever catches my fancy..i try to acknowledge my regards for enlightening me a little....
and there r frends who r really nice...and i visit them no matter what and some if they have left some good thoughts on my page....
Glynis,
We seem to have a lot in common. This blog reading business takes a lot of thought, doesn't it?
Lesllie,
The nice friends are the best, aren't they?
I don't have a particular system that I follow, but most of my reading and commenting is on blogs that I follow. However, I also like to visit all of my followers from time to time and also the blogs of those who comment, but aren't followers. Still, I have limited time to do any of that and no schedule so I never feel I do any of it justice. And sometimes I venture out to check out new blogs which is how I got here. I'm really enjoying your blog. I always like to find other writers and writing blogs.
I have not figured out a sane way to handle blogging, so it was intriguing to read all these responses. And....I'm glad I help you out by not blogging every day!
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