Angela Benson
The blog tour for The Amen Sisters officially ended this past week. Over the next few weeks I’ll be telling you about some of the things I learned about myself and the process while on the road virtually. The key thing that I found out is while I read several blogs regularly, I rarely post. Now this trait was problematic when I was touring because I had to post. I have to tell you a secret: I didn’t like it. At first.
I dreaded those blogs that required me to log-in in order to comment. Why? It took time. As the tour progressed though, I got more comfortable with posting and began to enjoy it. I also thought about you out there reading this blog. Are you going to post a comment? Why or why not?
I’m going to issue a challenge. I have a counter that tells me approximately how many unique site visitors I get each day. The commenters are less than 1-2% of that number. My challenge is for everyone reading this post to post a comment. You don’t have to log-in. Just post your comment and let me know why you do or don’t comment often at the blogs you visit.
I want to say a special thanks to Patricia at http://readinnwritin.blogspot.com/ and L. Nuchell at http://lnuchellbooks.wordpress.com/ for hosting me last week even though I didn’t provide them with any materials to post. They took better care of me than I took of myself.
I also want apologize to those who offered to host me but I never contacted. I really do need an assistant to help me manage my two lives.
I am very grateful to Cheryl and Dorothy at Pump Up Your Book Promotion for organizing this tour. It never would have happened without them.
Enjoy your weekend!
If you missed any of the tour, you can catch up here:
Dec 26 – The Book Connection
Dec 27 – Dude, Where’s My Muse?
Dec 28 – A Book Blogger’s Diary
Jan 7 – Readin n Writin with Patricia
Jan 8 – You Don’t Know Jack BlogTalkRadio
Jan 9 – Amber Miller
Jan 10 – L. Nuchell Books
Dec 3 – J.Kaye’s Book BlogDec 4 – The Writer’s Life
Dec 5 – Paperback Writer
Dec 6 – My Christian Fiction Blog
Dec 7 – Girls Write Out (a must -read post if you have siblings!)
Dec 10 – The Writer’s Life Author Talks
Dec 11 – Edgy Inspirational Author Blog
Dec 12 – Storycrafters
Dec 13 – Buzz the Book
Dec 14 – Fallen Angel Reviews
Dec 14 – Independent Book Report
Dec 14 – Leicester Review of Books
Dec 17 – APOOO Book Club In the Limelight
Dec 17 – APOOO Connections on MySpace
Dec 18 – Inspired Author
Dec 19 – You Don’t Know Jack Dec 20 – A Christian Writer’s World
Dec 21 – Inspired Author
Dec 26 – The Book ConnectionDec 27 – Dude, Where’s My Muse?
Dec 28 – A Book Blogger’s Diary
Where I’ve Been (Supporters, but not official Tour Stops)
Great review at Laura Williiams’ Musings
Fantastic interview with Vanessa Davis Griggs
That’s it.
Be blessed this holiday season!
I’ll accept your challenge. I only post if I have something to say. What I have to say right now is I read the directions so you know I didn’t skim your post. 🙂
Well, here I am posting a comment. It works the same way at my blogs. I know I have lots of readers–my stats tell me so–but I don’t get lots of comments.
Is it because the person doesn’t have time, doesn’t want to draw attention to herself, or feels she doesn’t have anything useful to offer?
I’m glad you are happy with your tour. That is what I always strive for, and actually, yours was one of the most fun to coordinate because so many people wanted to be a part of your VBT.
Best of luck in 2008!
Cheryl M.
Hi there!
I tend not to comment for two reasons:
1. I don’t feel I have anything to add, or
2. There are already a lot of comments
I tend to get intimidated by the latter.
JM
Angela, you were the greatest. Cheryl emailed me privately about how much you were enjoying your tour and I have to say this. First, Cheryl is like the most wonderful person. She puts out a tour to be proud of and I knew she was in capable hands when I passed your tour over to her. I couldn’t have done a better job.
As for commenting, December was a real busy time for everyone and I was so surprised to see that many people commenting; especially the teamwork between the authors. There was no competition; everyone worked together and helped each other out in the commenting department. I’ve never had a set of authors who were so involved in their tours as you and the rest of the December authors, even as busy as everyone was.
The one thing people has to realize when they go into these tours is that people like to see that the author is there. It’s not just a stop but a great place to learn more about the author and if the author stops by and comments, someone else might stop and say hi at least. I fully encourage this.
One thing I learned when I started blogging was that that was the #1 way to get people to comment on your blog – by going out there and commenting on other blogs. They will return the favor, believe me. When I hear people complaining about no one stopping by, I ask them, “How many blogs did you visit today and did you comment?”
At one time before I got so dang busy, I would make a point to comment on at least 20 blogs a night. My site meter flew off the roof. It’s all about connecting and networking. I’ve had people buy Romancing the Soul simply because they came over after I commented on their blogs and saw the book. How are they going to know your book exists unless you use this free form of publicity?
One thing I’ve noticed is that authors think all they have to do is write, secure a few interviews, reviews, maybe put a blog, but it’s not it at all. Networking = book sales. Why miss out on that golden opportunity? Believe me, I know how this works.
I surely will miss you…it was so much fun, but remember, if you return, you will always get a hum dinger discount. ;o)
you know, sometimes I feel like an idiot. Michelle is so right–people don’t post because they don’t feel they have anything to say. Sometimes I’ll have something to say but then I’ll be too lazy to write the thought. Sometimes after I’ve thought it, I think, what’s the point in writing it?
I also want to add another reason that I think people don’t post comments here: because I don’t engage in the comments. I don’t try to turn them into a conversation. It’s like you’ll comment and probably wonder if I even read your comment. I want to apologize for that and promise to do better.
Keep them comments coming. (smile).
Cheryl, I think Michelle and Dorothy have hit on key reasons people don’t post. I’ve commented on Michelle’s so now I’ll comment on Dorothy’s.
I’m having another “duh” moment. You’re exactly right, Dorothy. Blogging is a social relationship. I shouldn’t expect people to post on my blog if I’m not out posting on theirs. How simple can it get?
I see all the time where a conversation will start on one blog and continue on another, one big network, just like you describe.
I think I’m going to try to be a better blogger. I made some goals for the year about my blogging, but I think they already need revising. I probably need to focus on generating conversation instead of just expecting people to comment and I need to spend some time posting on the blogs of others.
Both these ideas scare me because they require time. I think I’ll just have to set aside some time a couple of times each week and just do it. I don’t think it should be a burden though; it should be something I enjoy.
What do you think?
Hey Angela, don’t beat yourself up. Blogging is a wonderful place for writers, but we are still very busy people. The relationship thing is important though. I once had a months-long conversation with a woman I never met, over one of my blog posts at The Aspiring Author. She just stopped posting one day, but I always remember that conversation. We spoke about this topic as if we had always known one another. It was lovely.
Keep up the great work. You did a lot for your virtual book tour and with so many stops sitting on various blogs, even people who might not have found you during your VBT can find you months from now and purchase “The Amen Sisters”.
You were a great client! I hope we get a chance to work together again.
Cheryl M.
JM, good points. I feel that way too sometimes. Often I’ll have something to say on a post that is a couple of days old and I’ll figure it’s too late and nobody’s going to read it. That’s why I’ve added the “Recent Comments” list to the home page of this blog. That way, I can at least be aware if someone comments on an older post.
Thanks for the encouragement, Cheryl. I enjoyed working with you as well. I’ll definitely be in touch.
Okay, I just went to someone’s blog to post but I found that I had to be logged in to post. Why do people require you login? I don’t understand. I don’t want to go around creating accounts at everybody’s blog. I have a blogger.com account, which I created during the blog tour, but that’s it.
I like my blog. You have to enter a name and an email address but you don’t have to register to comment.
What do you think? Why do people require you to register and login at their blog?
I love all the comments here and have experienced both areas of people leaving comments. I get a lot of traffic, but not a lot of comments. I visit a lot of sites and try to leave comments. I find more people leaving comments in social networking groups like Blog Catalog. It’s almost as if bloggers need that connection with you before they feel comfortable leaving a message. My main goal for 2008 will be to take the extra few minutes and leave message, it only helps in building more relationships.
One of the reasons I think people require you to create an account is so that you don’t leave nasty comments. Both my blogs used to accept anonymous visitors, but I had to stop that after two nasty comments–not vulgar, but downright rude. And since I deal with authors of all genres–some more controversial than others–it is safer for everyone.
Cheryl
Hi Rebecca. I’m not familiar with Blog Catalog. I’ll have to check it out. Do you like it? I’m with you on your 2008 goal. I think it’s a good one.
Cheryl, I should have figured that was the reason. In your case, it’s not a problem since I have ONE blogger.com login that will give me access to ALL blogger.com blogs. It’s when individuals with a WordPress blog like mine require reqistration before commenting. That registration applies to the ONE blog only.
Now I know some people who don’t require registration but who moderate comments. I prefer the latter. It’s less work for me. Anybody else have a preference?
Hi Angela,
I’m blowing time surfing the ‘Net (actually I just finished a three-chapter revision to remind my editor of the story she bought from me). My blog also has nice stats but few posts. So I’m just saying hi!
Bettye Griffin
Angela, I’m here. I try to comment on a persons blog at least once when I visit but maybe not on all of the posts (especially if the posts are old)…but then sometimes I do admit I lurk until I feel comfortable posting.
One thing that does dissuade me from posting is when it requires me to login in order to be able to post. I have so many logins now that I need a whole notebook to write all the information down. 🙂
As some of the other posters have mentioned, I’ve found visiting other blogs and commenting does drive traffic up on your blog. I have my favorite blog sites that I usually visit every day or every other day (in between working/writing) and then I also try to visit a few new sites too. My blogroll keeps getting bigger and bigger. I love reading the different point of views.
This is my second attempt at leaving a reply (I blame it on my browser)…so that answers one question…sometimes I respond to post but if there’s a problem with the browser and I’m rushed, I don’t go back and repost. Also if the post requires me to log in. If its not on blogger or wordpress, then I won’t because I have so many log ins I have to remember that the thought of having to register for another one, deters me from posting…so in those cases I’m lurking.
I also find visiting other people’s blogs will drive up traffic to your blog.
P.S. – This is not what I originally typed…but I’ll copy this one just in case I have another browser problem.
This is my third attempt at leaving a reply (I blame it on my browser)…so that answers one question…sometimes I respond to post but if there’s a problem with the browser and I’m rushed, I don’t go back and repost. Also if the post requires me to log in. If its not on blogger or wordpress, then I won’t because I have so many log ins I have to remember that the thought of having to register for another one, deters me from posting…so in those cases I’m lurking.
I also find visiting other people’s blogs will drive up traffic to your blog.
P.S. – This is not what I originally typed…but I’ll copy this one just in case I have another browser problem.
Hi Angela!
It was my pleasure to host your book on my blog. Your books have inspired me both as a writer and a reader.
I’ve never even checked my blog stats. I’ll have to look into that.
As far as conversational, I try to blog the way it comes out in my mind, with a little editing for grammar and so that it’s not completely rambling. It gives it a conversational tone. And, I also try to end with a question, because I read somewhere that that encourages people to comment.
I comment on a lot of blogs. I’ve been pleasantly surprised by people who have followed my comments back to my blog. But it can be time consuming. I review the blogs I read on a regular basis, dropping those that I haven’t done more than skimmed in a few months or where I no longer post comments. I’ll add any blog I see that looks interesting based on a few posts for a couple of weeks. If I don’t find myself engaged, I’ll drop it.
It’s just not possible to keep up with all the blogs out there but I do try to keep up particularly with the ones of folks who comment on my blog on a regular basis. It’s become like a sister circle of sorts (with an occasional male commenter dropping in).
Time. And if I have something to say. Usually, I have time to read, but little time to respond the way I want to. Sometimes, the blog entry doesn’t need a response from me. Plus, I just like reading blogs.
Hi Angela,
The main reason I don’t post is timing. I access blogs at work (a no-no, I know) but only because my connection at home is so slow. Sometimes there’s just nothing to say after reading a post. Sometimes, I just don’t have the time. And posting at home is just tiring.
This is my first time to your site and I hope to be back. And yes, I’ll post!
Peace,
Donna
If I take the time to visit a blog, I usually add a comment, unless the blog really didn’t touch me in the least. That happens maybe once in a 100 times that I visit any blog.
Therefore, I usually only go to blog sites that I’m interested in and that I can manage to actually write. Otherwise I just don’t go to whatever blog that day.
hey, bettye, thanks for posting.
PatriciaW, one of my problems is that I self-edit. I’m very cognizant of the “two lives” I lead. While they’re not fully separate, neither are they fully integrated, so I am careful not to cross boundaries. I’m also aware that the “powers that be” in both places surf the web.
The self-editing really cuts down on my posting because I just can’t post what’s on my mind. I have to post what I don’t mind other people knowing, a big difference.
Cashana, I’m like you, I think. I read and move on, read and move on.
DonnaD, good point. Do come on back over here and talk with us. We’re good folks. 🙂
Sigrun, I have to thank you for being a good poster/commenter. I haven’t always responded to your comments (please forgive me) but I’ve read and appreciated them all. How do you feel when there are no responses to your comments? I hope I haven’t made you feel badly. I guess it could come across as nobody’s listening or nobody cares. That’s not the case.
Enjoy the rest of the week, all.
Sheila, I’m not sure why but I had to approve your post. That doesn’t usually happen unless there are a lot of links in the post. Not sure why it happened with yours. I’m sorry you had problems, put glad you took the time to post.
We are of like minds in regards to logins and passwords for blogs. One word: forget it. Okay, that’s two words.