Thursday, February 19, 2009

Bloggy Tips

As a member of SITS Welcomistas I have the honor of dropping by a lot of blogs that are new to SITS. It's great to meet new bloggers and leave them a comment or two just to welcome them to the SITS family.

A lot of them have returned the favor, which is fantastic because we all l♥ve comments. But I quickly realized that a few tips might be helpful to get them integrated into the blogging world.

1. I love, love, love to reply to comments via email. It's quick and easy plus sometimes we actually get a conversation going by email. Lula recently found out a little known fact about me just because I emailed to a reply.

I HATE when I try to reply and see "no-reply comment" in the address field. But it is easily fixed by doing these simple steps:

Go to your Dashboard. Then click "Edit Profile" right next to your picture. Under Edit User Profile click the box that says "Show My Email Address".

If you don't want your personal email available to everyone may I suggest setting up a free account with Google that is just for your blog.

2. This was recently pointed out by April but I'm going to repeat it. It's much easier to reply to more than one post if you have the Pop-Up window enabled for comments.

To do this go to Customize, then click the Settings tab. Once there click the Comments link. The third section down says "Comment Form Placement". Change it to Pop-Up Window.

3. Word Verification. Pretty much everyone dislikes this option, however instead of explaining it to you I'm going to direct you to the best tutorial ever made in the history of blogging in regards to this subject. Heather covered it all HERE best.

4. Last and most important, you will receive more comments simply by leaving comments. I try to reply to everyone who comments on my blog and often times I will visit your blog (especially if I don't recognize the name) to find out who you are be courteous.

I will say that when I start getting dozens of comments for a giveaway that I get pretty slack in this area, unless the comment is interesting or I can reply with email (See #1).

Preston wrote an awesome blog about showing common courtesy to other bloggers.

That about sums it up. If you follow these simple guidelines then you will make your blog a friendlier place to visit and comment.

And I'll be happy. Cause honestly isn't that what it's all about?

*BTW if you haven't entered my GIVEAWAY sponsored by Eden Fantasy's then you should! It ends tomorrow so don't miss out on your chance to win some sensual products!

13 comments:

Denise Grover Swank said...

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Brandy}}}}}}}}}}}}

Showing you a little comment lovin'! Do I get an A? I AM an overachiever, you know.

I Am Who I Am said...

I love getting your emails. (Even though I suck at replying to them) They make me feel special. ;-)

Carrie said...

I had to turn my darn word verification on for a little while because I got a billion spam comments in one day! I can't wait to turn it off!

Know what else I hate?? Moderated comments. I swear I double and triple post on the moderated ones all the time. DER! haha

Great post Brandy!

Carrie said...

Know what else I hate?? Auto-playing MUSIC!

AND know what else I hate?

When a blogger comes in and starts complaining in your comments.

HAHA

Shannon said...

I had not thought about it being easier to have the pop-up comment window... but that makes sense! I just changed mine!

And I wish blogger would just automatically link your email, that way it's already there. I agree that having the email linked to your profile (and therefore to your comments) makes it so much easier!

Mrs. Jelly Belly said...

Great post - and I might be guilty of the email thing. I don't know. I never thought about it. I guess I should check.

I am also not a fan of the music playing. I am easily distracted and it makes it harder for me to read the post.

Also, and please don't hate me for saying this, but for God's sake, put in a paragraph break once in a while. I have a hard time reading a long post that is all one paragraph. But maybe it's just me.

(I promise to check that email thing when I get home tonight.)

Mrs. Jelly Belly said...

Oh! One more thing - I've done the same thing with moderated comments. Then felt like an idiot for posting three times before I realized it. LOL

The Blonde Duck said...

I'm so glad someone posted about this!

DiPaola Momma said...

Oh I had to turn my comment verification back on too (anoying as heck I agree) BUT I was getting scary stuff and I want Happy Nuggets NOT BUTT Nuggets on my blog!

Returning your clicky love babe:D

Aunt Julie said...

I had no idea you were a member of the SITS Squad. Your tips are much-welcomed. Thanks for sharing!

Mary@Holy Mackerel said...

Shooot! I almost forgot to comment! Thank you for reminding us to be good little bloggers!

Lula! said...

You are brilliant.

Danyele Easterhaus said...

ok no comment reply makes me cringe. then i growl at the screen. i get a question and then i can't answer it. booo on you peeps that have no comment reply's.

ok, i think i'm gonna steal this part of your post, link to you on my other blog, project create a home, because you have some super fab ideas. is that ok? {and you can just hit reply on email for me...i'm one of the cool kids}