I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together.

Rain is tapping at my window on this lovely Sunday morning.  The air smells clean.  My mind is clear.  And I am thinking of you.  Our day has yet to begin, so I enjoy this luxury.

More specifically, I am thinking of the subject of accessibility.

Most specifically, I am pondering my email inbox and this lovely blog's comments sections (tongue firmly planted in cheek, thank you) and I would like to ask you a question:

Do you, as bloggers, reply to comments via email or within the comments section itself or both?

Generally speaking.  I know there are exceptions to either preference.

I used to email everyone back, however I felt it made it look like I ignored my comments.  Then I tried responding with comments of my own on specific posts, but that was just messy.  Plus, I rarely go back to see if anyone has replied to comments I leave on other blogs.

Finally, I tried responding to comments with comments of my own and then emailed those commenters to check for the published reply.

Yeah.  Um, no.  That was crazy.  Though probably the most effective.

ProBlogger has a great article on accessibility as a blogger, by the way.  But it still left me with questions.  That's why I am coming to you.

For reasons that I will gladly share with you soon, I have been discussing the topic of iconic bloggers lately with a handful of fairly iconic blogger friends.  The fact that I have access to these people is both laughable and a result of my not thinking of them as "iconic." 

What never fails is that the "big name blogger" with whom I am speaking always thinks that one of the other "big name bloggers" with whom I am speaking is the real deal, while they are just a fraud to be outed as such at the next turn.

Celebrity is perception.  Online celebrity is virtual perception. 

All of it is fleeting.  All of it is surreal.  All of it is laughable.

We would do well by ourselves to laugh.  We would do well by ourselves to let it go.  We would do well by ourselves to just keep writing...  and reading...  and sharing.

Which brings me back to the notion of accessibility.  I am a mom, at home with my boys, reaching out and releasing some brain waves through the internet.  I tend to talk to you about non-poop-related stuff because I live poop-related stuff.    Rather, I talk to you about the stuff that I can not talk to my toddlers about.  Or, at least, I talk to you about stuff about which I get unsatisfactory responses from my toddlers.

But occasionally I wonder if you feel like I'm talking at you rather than with you.  Because of the comments question I asked above. 

You see...

I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together.

I am the walrus.

My son would then ask, "So, what color are you?  What do you eat?  Do you go to school?  Do you like Buzz Lightyear?  Can you tell me a story?"

Purple.  Apricots.  Yes.  Absolutely.  Always.

But I would also like to hear your response. 

Do you get caught up in the "celebrity" status of some bloggers and feel like you wouldn't be noticed if you did comment?  Do you inadvertently appear to be a blog-snob yourself because you have yet to master the art of replying to comments?

What defines "accessibility" when it comes to bloggers?

How accessible are you?  How do you respond to comments?

Am I taking these questions too seriously?  Do you even care?

If you are not a blogger, I am quite sure you do not care.  In which case, my apologies.  We are quite full of ourselves and our minutiae, no?

Goo goo g'joob.

...........................

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Comments

[Debbie]

I haven't responded to recent comments I've received as I'm not sure what to write. Also, I don't like blogspot because it doesn't require commenters to leave their email addresses. I'd prefer to reply to comments by email, or else half of all the comments on my blog would be from me! Which just looks silly.

When bloggers reply to my comments, either by emailing me, or by wandering over to my blog and leaving a comment, it always makes me feel like two parts dork (because then I know they've seen my pathetic blog!) and five parts special. Which is so lame, but there you have it. :)

[Megan]

It's not lame at all. This is what I want to know. I smiled at the "five parts special," because, yeah, that's how I feel, too.

And now I have to email you to tell you that I just responded to your comment via the comments, which you will probably never see again.

You see my dilemma?

[Lisa Marie Mary]

Quite interesting topics, these - and even more interesting that you bring them up now - when I've been putting both of them in my pipe and smoking them just this week!

Can't remember now whom I was listening to, maybe Jim Kukral, but, one of the 'big guys' was saying that he might be 'famous' or 'known' in this small space of the internet, even more specifically, internet marketing - but, seriously - how big is that space? You know? Maybe it was John Reese, I'm not sure - but, I definitely found it interesting. The 'big bloggers' are just people, too. And quite a few of them are really quite approachable!

On the comment part of the tobacco in my pipe, I've had a lovely little revelation just a day or so ago. I've got a whole slew of friends that email their response to each comment. But then that takes the community 'off' their blogs. And then, of course, what if a commenter has subbed to comments - so then they get a personal email from me, and my response comment - because, we all normally write our response in the comments, as well, right? So that's a double whammy in the inbox. I certainly, however, don't want my bloggy friends to think I'm dissing them. So here is my new solution - I comment back ON my blog - and I go to their blog and find a post I've not previously commented on an comment there.

And the cool thing is, for new commenters, this could serve to pull them back into your blog, when they may have only been a one-time visitor.

I'm going to try that for a while and see how that works for me.

[Jen]

I very rarely respnd to comments. It's not because they don't matter to me (because they really, really do). It's because I don't know the best way to respond. I sometimes to it via email if I know for a fact that they'll get my response. That only works a fraction of the time though. I think I might start responding right in the comments section. Even if no one ever checks it, it might make me feel like less of a snob. Because I don't want to offend my 6 readers.

[Christina]

I respond to comments when I can via e-mail, unless it is something that everyone can benefit from in the comments.

Sometimes I mean to get back to them, and then get distracted. Other times, I don't respond back because there really isn't anything more to say. And thanks to Blogger, there are many times I really WANT to respond, but have no way to get in touch with that person because many don't have e-mails to go with the comments. (Grrr...)

I absolutely love comments, but I admit to being lousy at responding unless it is a direct question or something that immediately makes my brain jump up and take notice. Being better at it will be one of my resolutions for next year, I think.

[Joe]

I only respond when the stars align, A) I must have time, B)it must be a comment worthy of response (either making an excellent point or asking a question), C)I have extra time and want to respond to as many as I can. I am not a snob, but rather a realist. I usually respond to comments via comment, but sometimes I email responses when I would rather the message be one that is special for that individual.

Is that over-thinking it too?

[Krista]

Well, I'm stuck in the "blogger doesn't require email addresses" so when I get comments if I don't already have their address I have to go hunt it down to reply. So mostly I don't reply unless the comment lends itself to conversation. But if it's a new commenter then I generally go check out their blog and try to find a post to comment on. And I never reply in my own comments unless it's to clarify something on the post because I feel like no one ever comes back to read them. The only times I go back to see if people have responded to my comments are if I've left what I know is a provocative comment. And I try not to do that too often!

[Neil]

This is a question I think about all the time. In fact, on some days, probably more so than my blog posts.

And I have no answer.

There are only so many hours in a day, and I like to treat everyone who come by to comment on my blog in an equal manner. So, lately, I tend to lean more to emailing nobody back, than just those who might be considered my friend or "more important" in the blogosphere. I might answer back on the comment section if there is a lively discussion.

If anything, I would be more likely to email back a new person, just so they feel acknowledged. I like when people do that for me, because I'm as insecure as everyone else. Lately, I've just been bad at keeping up with others and feel very guilty about it. And that damn Twitter is now wasting my time!

Blogging is still very weird to me. Everyone says it is about "writing," but the social interaction is just as important. On the other hand, there are some bloggers that everyone loves and admires because of their writing and that blogger never seems to answer his/her comments and never even seems to read anyone else.

So, I'm never sure what to spend my limited time doing: writing the very best blog posts possible -- which seems the best for being taken seriously, interacting with everyone who comes to my blog -- which seems the nicest thing to do, or reaching out to those bloggers who I admire, even if they never read my blog -- which is good for networking and the ability to tell other bloggers, "Hey, dude, I know Megan from Velveteen Mind PERSONALLY. We're like real tight!"

[Annie]

I rarely respond to comments on my own blog - it's not a snob thing. I do on occasion respond if the comment brings up another issue, or if it leads to further conversation on whatever topic I post. I follow up via email if and when I do it.

I think it is well known in the blogging world that we all love comments, and we all appreciate them - I don't feel obliged in any way to acknowledge every comment - I figure my commenters know I appreciate their remarks, as I know they do mine.

As for 'iconic' bloggers - my comment policy with them as with any other blogger is this - I comment if I have something to say - if their post has moved me to respond, I do - regardless of who the author is.

I just haven't thought about it all in that level of detail - and I have never ever been put off commenting on a blog because the author is some 'big name' blogger.

[Jennifer]

THis is one of the reasons I moved to WP, I wanted to reply to comments via email. Since I don't subscribe to other's comments and don't go back and read comments, I ASSumed that nobody did. Emailing back seemed like the thing to do. Now that I get more than three comments per post, it's incredibly difficult to reply to everything, but I try to reply when I feel like I MUST say something back (ie..something they said was hilarious, or something that really made me smile...)

I try really hard to be "accessible." The community is what it's all about for me.

[Rob O.]

Just as much as I like a little vaildation from my readers so I'll know that my ideas or messages are connecting, I'm sure that my readers who post comments like to know that their input was noticed. So I like to respond to comments with comments of my own on that specific post to make sure what few of my readers who do actually leave comments don't feel ignored. Sometimes I lump a few responses into a single comment tho, to keep things a little tidier.

Generally speaking, I'm all for whatever I can do to encourage more comments. Site stats can tell me if people are showing up, but comments are perhaps the best, most tangible measure of whether they like what they see when they arrive...

[Rob O.]

By the way, another part of "being accesible" is to make certain that your readers have a means with which to contact you. Sometimes, there are things you might want to say to a blogger or webmaster that aren't topic-specific or just don't seem appropriate as a comment posted for all to see.

In my case, I offer both a web-based contact form and also a standard MAILTO email link.

[Honeybell]

I was very hesitant to comment on "big name iconic" blogs when I began. Surely nothing I had to say would be as poignant, as humorous, as good, as those seasoned regular commenters. When I did get up the courage, some of those bloggers did just what I had feared, and totally ignored me. Others however did respond, which resulted in regular visits and comments from me.

I consider blogging an interactive activity. I respond to all comments on my blog, and ask that commenters be sure to subscribe to comments in order to see my response. (Granted this isn't too much of a dilemma for my 'tiny like a flea' blog!)

[Redneck Mommy]

I can't respond to every one of my comments individually. There just aren't enough hours in the day for me to be sitting at the computer.

That said, I love my comments and my commenters. I love that someone took the time to respond to something I wrote and let me know their opinion...good or bad.

But when a comment touches me, or is a question, I try to email a response back to the commenters.

Very rarely do I respond in my comments section.

I would hate for people to think I am unaccessible, as I do the best I can, but at the same time, blogging has to be a hobby and not a job for me. There has to be limits for me and my family to the time I spend on the computer or my kids heads will explode.

[Heather]

I am definitely not a big, iconic blogger, but a get comments here and there. I reply to questions I get or stories that resonate. I usually reply in comment form back on that person's blog if that's an option. I know everyone likes comments so I try to spread the lurve. I just have to hope that my commenters leave a way to reply. Since I'm stuck on Blogger at the moment, I get my share of annonymous comments. A lot of people email me instead of commenting on the blog, so I always reply to those.

[Megan@SortaCrunchy]

Megan, I am eons and Buzz Lightyears away from being a "big name blogger" - and actually the thought of being one wears me out - but I think about stuff like this all the time, too. A lot. Way more than I should. Because it's all very laughable and miniscule in the grand scheme of things, right?

But since you asked.

I make every effort to respond to every comment (with the exception of giveaway posts, but even still I respond to about 75% of those, too). Comment response is extremely important to me, for my readers. It's reason numero uno why I left Blogger for Typepad. I couldn't bear that there were always a handful of commenters I couldn't email a response to, and yet like you, I think replying in the comments to that specific commenter is a waste of time. I would venture very few of my readers have time to come back and see if I replied to their comments in the comments.

I love the intimacy and bond that replying through email affords me. More often than not, my email response tells the "behind the story."

If someone asks me a question that is pertnient to my overall post, I will sometimes go back and answer in the comments AND email the commenter a reply.

Let's see - what else? I hardly ever, ever comment on the biggest of the big name bloggers (present company excluded, of course). I know they don't have time to respond (except Michelle at Scribbit - how does the woman do it?!?!) and I rarely have anything brilliant to add.

What defines accessibility? Acknowledgement, I think. I have you to be extremely accessible from the first posts I read from you, yet you aren't driven to reply to my ever comment. There's just a feel to accessibility and it's hard to pin down. Comment response is part of it, I guess. But there's more. Hard to put words to.

Asking readers for their thoughts and feedback is pretty huge, too.

[carrie]

i am not a celebrity blogger. in case that was at all unclear, let's just get that out there. that said, i am getting increased traffic right now (which i try to hang on to).

i try to comment the way that i like to be commented upon. i appreciate more and am more likely to respond to the bloggers who visit me and comment--i feel like we are friends, in some weird bloggery way, and so i feel necessarily more invested in what they say. i will truthfully say that i don't really comment much on blogs anymore where i don't get any response or don't see them coming to mine. i know that may sound lame or selfish, but it's the truth. doesn't mean i don't read them religiously--it just means that, at some point, i figure it doesn't really matter what i say or when i say it since i don't really see how it makes a difference. it's the equivalent of being one of hundreds, maybe thousands, in a crowded room. at some point, you feel like you blend in and therefore are probably less likely to try to engage.

i think this happens much more with the bloggers who are "popular" or have a big fan base. that's not always true, because for some reason some bloggers have a way of creating an environment where, even when i am one of hundreds of comments, each comment feels appreciated. i don't know that i'm explaining that very well, but it's true. and then some blogs seem more like they're interested in talking at me rather than really involving me in their lives. i understand both models, and i can respect both. but i am much more likely to try to engage with the ones that i feel are trying to engage with me.

i don't see the blog world as that much different than the real world, actually. we hang out and chat with the people that we get along with, we admire from afar those that seem like they have something that we have, and we occasionally feel like we're disconnected from the in-crowd that we've really only created in our minds. we're complicated creatures that way, but the model doesn't really change.

[Dorothy Stahlnecker]

Because we are moving our site, and hoping to build traffic, I've been wondering what to do with comments as well. Some of the sites I read do weekly updates and I wondered if that was a good way to communicate with readers. I think its an individual question depending on how many comments. While building readership we should probably comment later that may be harder.
The updates might be something to consider. If you come up with any new ideas..I love that your sharing...I'll do the same.

Dorothy from grammology
remember to call gram
www.grammology.com

[~JJ!]

I e-mail responses when the comments have an e-mail address with them.

I don't usually comment in the comments section because I don't think people come back for that.

I feel terrible when I can't e-mail a response, but I can't feel guilty for that...I'll go crazy.

Do what makes you happy.

[Megan]

Something that is fascinating about your comments so far is that many of these are from readers who comment fairly frequently and to whom I infrequently reply.

Not because I don't value their opinions. Rather, I am paralyzed by indecision. I think it is all or nothing re. where to respond (email or in comments), so I end up doing nothing.

I appreciate that ya'll keep coming back and somehow (magically?) pick up on that I appreciate your comments and hold them in high regard. Even if you don't hear from my dumb ass.

Loving this discussion.

[catnip]

I almost always respond to comments with comments, and probably half the comments on my whole blog are my own! It seems like my response is much fresher when I comment back right away. I also love that it makes the post a conversation - and that just seems like the whole point of putting your blog out there.

BTW, I am SUCH a dork I've actually gone back to blogs I've commented on to see if there is a response. Not always, and only on blogs where I know the writer occasionally responds that way.

It doesn't matter to me if I leave a comment on a big name blogger's site or someone with almost no traffic, I just comment if I feel like I have something real to add.

To be honest, I think the best way to let a reader know you cared about a comment is to visit to their blog (if they have one) and make a comment of your own. That's what always makes me feel like the comment I left was interesting enough for the writer to want to know more about me.

[Lightening]

I try to ALWAYS respond to comments within my comments section. We've had this debate on 2 of my blogs recently. My biggest reason? A blog is a public platform therefore I see the comments section as being an extension of that. I respond in the comments section so that everyone can see my answer, particular new visitors to the blog. I think it's essential that new visitors see you interact with your readers. I HATE it when bloggers don't respond to comments in the comments section and will quite often go back and check, especially if I've asked a question.

I also offer a subscribe feature for my comments and I have some commenters who will comment more than once within a comment discussion.

[Rhi]

I try my best to respond to comments via email - but the new version of WordPress is doing this silly thing where it's not emailing the comment after it's been held for moderation. Anyway, I often do not leave comments if there are already LOTS on a post - because I do perceive that mine won't be noticed.

BUT - on the celebrity thing - I recently met two gals I would consider to be "celebrity bloggers" - and they were so down to earth and nice, I wonder if I should just get over it and leave a comment already :)

[Megan@SortaCrunchy]

Now see - I actually came back to see if you would respond in the comments! :D And because I'm nosy and wondered what everyone else has to say.

Great discussion, Megan!

[MammaLoves]

I would love to be able to reply to all comments, but I'm on blogger and if folks don't provide their email I can't.

I do like reading the progression of a conversation in the comments and like when appropriate the blogger does reply in the comments, but I rarely do it--unless it is to clarify.

I do wish some posts were more of a conversation that way.

I tend not to read (or comment on) the really big blogs because I don't feel like they would notice me as part of their community--and it's the community aspect that made me fall in love with blogging.

[To Think Is To Create]

I already responded to your ever-so-approachable email on this (hee.), so you know what I do (email a reply when I can), but the commenter that mentioned that the comments section is the community of a blog really struck a chord within me, and so here I sit once again stuck in limbo-land not knowing which method to pick.

Also, I can so relate to you saying that these big name bloggers feel like they are a fraud waiting to be found out...I am by no means a big name blogger, but I have been experiencing my own share of success lately. I often wonder when I will be "found out" and someone will say, "wait...who let HER in here?". Is it the right-brained part of me that always offers up a healthy dose of paralyzing self-consciousness, or is it just my left-brain keeping me prepared for the other shoe to drop?

[Ada]

I respond to comments via comments. I realize they might not see the response, but I figure if they want my answer, they will check back or subscribe to the comment feed.

[Karen (miscmum)]

(Hey there, discovered your blog via twitter. Love, love.)

Anyhoo, comments. I've made it a certain disclaimer on my blog that I do: "What I can; when I can." that's really across the board, but mostly to do with comments. I really try to respond to everyone. If I don't, its usually because they haven't asked a question.

On the other side, it very rarely irks me if someone donesn't personally reply to my comments if I leave some on their blog. I just assume most people are too busy - which they are!!! -and so do as I do.

[This Eclectic Life]

I am so glad you raised this question! It's one that has been eating me alive. In the beginning, I responded to every comment (on WordPress, I added my response by editing the comment, and putting my words in bold). But, I got embroiled in some charitable work, had REAL world work, and got behind. I finally just gave up. I don't answer comments much anymore (and don't get as many). I do feel GUILTY, though. Does that count?

[maggie, dammit]

It's like you've been walkin' around in my mind. Seriously.

I'm completely haphazard. Sometimes I reply in my own comment section, but only if I have something relevant to say; otherwise I feel like I'm all, Joe: Thanks! Megan: Great, thanks! Shari: Oh, geez. Thanks! You know what I mean? Sometimes I email directly because it feels like the most sincere, but sometimes it makes me feel like a stalker, too -- especially if I follow the rule that I'm going to reply to everyone by email (not just when I have something to say) and so again, it's like, joe@joe.com: Hi! Thanks. :) You know? Plus I think it creeps out the readers who aren't bloggers? Who leave a comment and hate leaving personal information on computers and then BANG, there I am in their inbox? There have been times I've gotten emailed responses from comments I've left on others' blogs and I'm like, "Dude, you really didn't have to reply to that" and I feel funny.

What I DO seem to do most consistently is travel over to their blog and try to reciprocate. The problem is, I don't always have something to say and then I feel like I'm being fake. Luckily, most of the time I do have something to say and I enjoy the blog, but that brings me to my current problem: 50-100 new posts in my feed reader every day that I feel like I need to read and comment on. My house is a wreck, my kids are neglected, and I work, too.

But it's all driven by one singular fear: if I don't acknowledge the commenters they will go away and no one will read my blog anymore.

So I skip the shower and hack away at my feed reader. It's terrible.

and I've been wondering what the "big timers" do....

help!

[Miss Britt]

I respond to my comments IN the comments. I know not everyone comes back, but a lot of people do. And as far as traffic goes, it is good to give people a reason to go back. I also have a "subscribe to comment" box for those who want to know when I respond.

I look at this way. As writers, we appreciate comments because we know we aren't talking to ourselves. As commenters, I think we'd like to think we are offering a valid opinion that someone is reading and not just signing the guest book as a mindless fan. :-)

[Maureen]

Well, since my readership is small, I do respond to comments in the comments section. I don't respond to each one individually, though. I do a bulk response; I don't want it to look like I'm bolstering my comments numbers by commenting every time...

[Amy @ Milk Breath & Margaritas]

I am very pressed for time, as many of us are, and would love to be a better responder but I just can't! I like to click through and comment on the commenters blog rather than reply directly to the comment they gave me, although sometimes I e-mail a commenter. Blogs that are already in my Reader and I'm commenting at their place regularly anyway I don't really try to reply to. I just have to keep it low maintenance or I'd never post anything myself.

There are a couple of blogs I rarely comment on because they get so many I feel like it's just lost in a sea of probably similiar comments. I feel less in conversation with those people.

[Deb - Mom of 3 Girls]

It's such a hard question to answer, really. I mean after all most of the enjoyment of blogging (for me at least) comes from the interaction between people, either on my own blog or on others'. But I find that it's hard enough to keep up with reading other blogs, posting on my own - not to mention little things like work and life... So I've been really, really bad about responding to comments at all lately. :(

I do like the Wordpress feature where I can edit comments directly to leave my own responses to them, but I know that not many people probably check back after commenting. I suppose the best of all worlds would be to both e-mail a response back and leave it in the comments section - but only if they add another oh 5 or 6 hours to the day... ;)

[Tempered Woman]

I guess I should say I don't take any of it personally, first off. I don't mind not getting comments from people I comment on and vice versa (which is what exactly I don't know cause all of that koo koo ka choo has me reeling right now). I leave comments only when I feel like I have something genuine to add. For the most part I'm just a blog stalker. But I blog as a hobby, purely recreational for me. I absolutely adore comments on my blog cause it means a lot to me that someone has taken the time to say something. I try to comment back when I can, just in case they do check. Sometimes I'll check to see if a blogger comments back to my comment but if they don't I just figure that isn't their style. No sweat. It honestly just thrills me to no end that I've had the chance to interact with some really amazing people and writers who make my life seem much more interesting. And God Bless Twitter, ya know?

[magpie]

I almost never respond in my comments. I do email if the comment warrants a response - some don't really. And if it's a new person, I definitely try to visit.

[Queen of Shake Shake]

One of the drawbacks with blogger is that I can't respond to the vast majority of comments, and many times I want to.

On the one hand, I can see myself doing more to be accessible. Yet on another, I want to have a damn life. One outside of this computer and the blog world. I guess I could put it like this...my accessibility ends where my real life begins.

As a reader, I don't put much weight on whether I get a reply comment to my comment. (Doesn't seem like a really silly game...I'll comment to your comment. Whee!) If they are a good writer and I enjoy reading them, I'll keep reading whether they send me a reply comment or not.

I have struggled lately with the demands of blogging and living a real life. And questioning whether I should raise my accessibility seems like another weight of obligation.

As does twitter, and Stumble, and digg and Cre8buzz and all those other blog network things I haven't done. I probably seem like a snob that I won't do it, but it really is about drawing a line around the internet. If having a life outside of a blog and not being as accessible inadvertently labels me as a snob, then snob I am I suppose.

[Jen @ JenuineJen]

I am not a celebrity A-List blogger either. Just getting that on the record.

I recently moved my blog from wordpress.com to my own domain using wordpress.org. I wanted everything perfect before I went live but realized I would never go live if I waited to get everything just right. Anyway, this past weekend I have been installing plugins and trying to get things setup so that the blog works better.

One of the plugins I installed was commentmailer. It is supposed to give you an option to send an email message each time you reply a comment. I tested it this morning with my husband and it seems to work well.

So, my new blogging comment response practive is that iff you leave a comment, I will reply by comment and select to send the comment response to the commentor (or commentator) via email.

[Jungleswife]

Good discussion. Even though I'm a newbie, it seems the not-so-newbies still have the same questions I have.

I do like reading comment sections where the blogger leaves responses. Makes the blog seem interactive.

[Megin]

Great discussion-

I tend to group things together when I can- a few comments at a time, that way it's not a one on one in the comments and you can acknowledge the light comments that might not have a lot to add to the topic, but have made the effort to pop up and say hey.

But we're a community blog and every one handles it differently.

I do go back to follow the discussion on posts that are really calling me. And on the blogs that call me consistently I subscribe to the comment feed.

It's a bummer when you try to leave a thoughtful comment and don't get a reply- but I get it- especially on really active blogs.

But I blog and read them for the community...

[HRH]

I do all of the above. Not very well. A link still seems to be missing. Twitter may help. But it seems like the link that is missing should be inside the blog so that it is accessible to all readers. It is frustrating.

[ali]

i always reply via email...and never in my comments section.

i don't have that many comments, so for me, it's still easy. and i love it...it's such a good way to let someone know you appreciate them making the effort to comment.

i imagine it's hard for bloggers who get upwards of 50 comments on each post to reply to everyone individually.