When to fold.
I read something a while back, a post somewhere,
that basically said that commenting on blogs was dead.
At the time, I thought that couldn’t be right.
Lately though, I have seen a change.
I love comments as much as any blogger but I have definitely noticed a decline.
Perhaps it’s just my blog, my content.
Perhaps it’s because there are millions of blogs out there now. A huge choice, where once, there seemed to be only a few of us.
Especially in Australia.
Maybe it’s because I am limited in returning the comment love, for now.
Perhaps it’s because I am not interested in promoting myself as much as the next person.
Who knows.
It’s okay.
I generally don’t blog for the comments, although I do like the network
and the support I find when I receive them.
As a person who lives in an isolated area, with a sick child and limited resources,
the internet and, in particular, the blogging community have saved my sanity on more than one occasion
and I will be forever grateful for the opportunity that presented itself as a little blogging platform almost four years ago
but what do you think?
Do you think that commenting on blogs has declined?
As an old blogger (and I do consider myself to be one of the older ones), I often feel left behind with all of the new things going on.
Blogging has taken off in our country of late and there are people offering products and trips, excursions, in return for promotion
there are even the odd conventions starting to spring up.
I seriously cannot keep up.
I want to but I know that I can’t.
Which brings me to my next quandry.
When do you call Uncle?
When do you know it’s time to shut up shop?
Is it when you run out of things to say?
Perhaps when you start to bore your own self so much that you can’t stand to type one more word
or like one blogger, who had one too many trolls.
Just walk away.
Sometimes, now, I wonder if I should bother,
I second guess myself, worry about content, crave feedback -
I didn’t start blogging so I could stress more
but then I’ll get an amazing comment or an email
and I feel inspired and humbled
and I think of all of the times I’ve been helped, in more ways than one, by all of you out there
and I feel bad and selfish.
It’s said that you should just blog for yourself and not for your audience
and maybe that’s true
but what if your audience are your solace, what if they are almost like your family?
How do you walk away from that?
*Disclaimer: I’m not giving up blogging right now. These are just some things I have been pondering.
You raise a good point. I think it’s when you just don’t enjoy it enough anymore. Perhaps it’s when other interests start taking over. I started blogging for me and had no-one commenting for some time. It felt like having a private diary, and I liked that. Now, I’ll get a few comments here and there and yes it’s definitely a bonus. But I try to remain focused on blogging for me…after all, as a personal blogger, it’s a record of events and thoughts that one day I want to look back on…when I’m done with blogging!
Please keep it going. I find myself being a slack commentor. I read a lot, I just am usually at work and in between covertly opening and shutting windows. Plus I’ve gone over my internet cap for two months running now (on daughters prepaid at mo) so am limited.
I’ve noticed a decline in comments on my blog for certain posts. Others, an increase. I don’t know, I think I, myself, am so much of the same, it gets a bit borza and they can’t be bothered.
But that’s where yours differs. You have info and stories, we want to know about. We NEED to be updated about. Hey no pressure though.
Keep it going and there is a convention or conference in Sydney next March. Am going to do my damndest to get there. Perhaps put it out there into the universe and see if you can too. Just one or two nights max xx
Only YOU will know when (or if) it is time to stop blogging.
Just think about WHY you are blogging and if you are still meeting that “need” then continue to blog.
Personally, I blog so that family and friends around the world can watch my boys grow up so I will continue for quite some time yet. But that is just me..
I hope you are able to sort everything out in your head and mind.
Know that even when I don’t comment my thoughts and prayers are with you!
Some of us don’t comment when there are already more than a dozen made. I know that’s my case. Other times I don’t comment because I don’t know what to say except, I’m praying for you… and sometimes I just don’t know if that’s what you want to hear.
I decided on my own blog (after watching my “followers” drop) that the blog began for me and my family and will continue for them. I hope you’ll do the same.
I’ve been moved to tears – of joy, of saddness, of emotions I’ve not been able to give words to – on more than one occassion by your Circus. And though I don’t know you (and since I don’t comment, you really don’t know me), I feel like a part of your life. But not in a scary way… just another mom in the universe who empathises with your daily efforts and your unconditional, fierce love and devotion for your children. I love your blog. I love the stories, the triumph, the perseverence, the honesty {and we cannot forget the photos}.
I know I go through stages of wanting to throw in the towel. I tend to just lurk on other blogs or totally withdraw for a while (sometimes a few weeks, sometimes more, sometimes less) and then I find something I *have* to blog about and I am back into it. But only you can know if it is time to stop and no one has any right to judge you if you do choose to stop. That said, I love reading your blog. I love the happies and the sads. Most of all I love the wistful sense of whimsy that your words and amazing photographs conjure up for me. I know I would miss My Three Ring Circus if you stopped but at the same time, I want you to do what is right for YOU. You spend so much of your self making sure other people (ie your family) get what they need, I just worry that you don’t get what YOU need. Again, I wish I lived closer to you!
*big ass hugs*
I just keep doing what I do, but sometimes lose motivation. it’s life.
I am not good at all about leaving comments on any blog. Maybe because I’m not a blogger myself. However,I’m such a faithful blog reader I should stop being lazy and start giving a little back. I know this isn’t what you were asking for, but I truly do love hearing about all of your kids, seeing your photos, and hearing how you are doing. Your post reminded me that blogging is about community and I’m going to make an effort to comment on all of my favorites in the next month, starting with yours
xoxo
Oh dude, did you read my post covering similar sentiment last week? I too am old school – been blogging since ’93. And all of the ‘new’ stuff kind of undoes me – the competitions, giveaways, blogging for comment and on and on it goes.
So I’ve just taken a deep breath and decided to keep doing what I do. If my readership shrinks to the few true believers so be it. The reason I started blogging in the first place was to just get all the crappe out of my head.
I’m too tired tonight to sound any more coherent.
I started blogging to make new friends, and I have. You, Veronica, Kim, Kristin, Barbara, Nikki, are the first few I think of, every day. Without fail. Whether you’re blogging, or tweeting, of facebooking, I hope we always stay in touch. You’ve touched my life, and many many others, and you’ll continue to do that whether you blog or not. You need to do whatever feels right for YOU sweety. *hugs* xxx
I read a lot but rarely comment because I never know what to say, often cant find the right words to say what I want to say, and the words I do have are not enough to say what i want to say…….and i dont want to dribble on with the wrong words.
My comments dropped off awhile ago, possibly because I was posting so sporadicly. It would be great to know that people were reading and for them just to say hi, but I also understand it takes time to do that.
One thing I have noticed is that for some reason I have trouble commenting easily at some blogs and I have to type in my information 3 times. That gets old real quick!
Tiff,
I hope you don’t give up on blogging. I love “hearing” about your beautiful little ballerina and the rest of your wonderful family. One thing though… I wish you would stop being so hard on yourself, you are doing a great job.
smiles,
Lisa
When I started blogging it was more as a journal of my life, and Boo’s life. I noticed a decline in comments a little while back and was torn about whether to continue, go with gimmicks to increase followers etc. I made the decision to keep blogging for me. I’ve been a bit slack with my commenting of late but always try to share the comment love that comes my way. I find that I’ve usually commented to the person on Twitter, or Facebook and then don’t leave a blog comment.
I’ve been guilty of following you diligently but not always commenting… mostly because I tend to read on my blackberry and am more prone to comment when I read on my laptop (today being one of those days). I keep up with you, the kids and of course especially Ivy regularly but don’t get the full impact of your fabulous photos on my phone so I often come back just to check the pics out on a larger screen.
I locked my blog over a year ago just cause I was toying with the issue of how much information I should put online. It’s a bit more complicated for me than just the usual fears about online safety cause of the relationship with my son’s biological father (a schmuck to put it lightly). I found that once I locked it I hardly wrote, though I have used it to vent or just to record a special moment. I know what you mean about comments though – they do spur you on.
I am not sure you know how many people around the world have you and Ivy and the rest of your family in their hearts. There are times I read about a rough period and can’t bring myself to comment (it takes me a little while to get hold of my emotions – but that doesn’t mean you should ever temper what you write), there are other times I read and can’t help but send you a hug. Sometimes your readers grieve with you… often. We feel like part of your family… but that said, you should only blog for as long as you have the urge to blog. It’s your blog and there should be no pressure.
I, for one, will try to be a better commenter … hope you keep writing, but for you, not for us.
I for one would miss your blog if you stopped. I love your photos and your words speak right to me. As a blogger who mainly gets 2 to 3 comments on any post I do, mostly from the same 2 wonderful people. I know the thoughts of stopping blogging because no one is reading anyway
Just know there are people all over the world that now know and love your family through your photos and words. You are a amazing writer!
I seldom comment and that is my bad because I read and follow about 20 blogs daily….including yours! I think we don’t realize how much it means to the blogger. Please don’t close your blog. I catch up on your family daily and would be left wondering how you are all doing!
There always seems to be a reason for a decline in comments…facebook has really taken the place of comments on my own blog. Even when I just post a snippet and link on facebook, people still comment on facebook, and not the blog. It’s not that I don’t appreciate the comments wherever they are, it’s just my blog looks neglected, and when people stumble upon it, they don’t see the comments from people adding to the conversation, so they don’t feel like leaving a comment either.
Anyway, I am bad about taking the time to comment myself, so I can’t complain much. But there are definitely seasons in life where it just feels like the blog is the last thing that needs attention!
i just “found” you recently, and youre always one of the first i read when your post pops up on google reader. i too love your style. i love your honesty and how you love each of your children as individuals. (its a wonderful example for new twin mommies too!) i know you have to do whats right for you and your family; but i truly do enjoy your work, both your writing and photography! {hugs}
I blog for myself, so I don’t really see an end point in my future. It is really intended to be a record of our life so I can have the memories recorded. We are so fortunate that my blog consists of my random projects and funny kid stories. We haven’t had any emergencies or heartache that I’ve had to document.
There’s two subscribers to my blog, so one comment a month or so is pretty exciting to me! And I’m so awful about commenting on other’s blogs (I subscribe and since I’m using a reader, it is extra effort to go actually comment-shame on me), I’ll certainly never be able to complain about the lack of comments on mine.
I hope you don’t stop. I think about Ivy almost every day, and I worry when longer than usual goes by with no posts. Sometimes I feel like adding another “I’m thinking of you” comment is just less than helpful, so I just don’t say anything. But, I guess if everyone thought like that, then no one would ever comment when things were tough.
I love your blog. I usually read your blog when I’m going to bed and I just say prayer for Ivy. Most of the time I just read to see how your doing and I usually don’t have enough energy to comment.
I see your blog as a type of journal for you, so personally, if you enjoy it, I’d keep going regardless of any feedback. I think though, that you’ll always get feedback.
I’ve never gotten into blogs. I had good intentions to read some, but I now only read yours and one other. I have deleted all the others. For me, it’s because I am busy. I am starting up my business finally and have three kids to work around. In all honesty, reading has been fantastic when I’ve had the time, but now I dont. And some blogs are boring.
Yours is NOT and I will continue to read as we’ve been cyber friends for over 5 years now (can you believe it) and I care about your fam. Plus as i’ve said before, you have definite talent as a writer (and of course photographer, a passion of mine) . So please keep it up. I may not comment often, but I do read every post.
I think though, maybe you should look at writing a book!! (as maybe an extension of this blog, or what you’ve blogged so far)
xoxo
I shut up shop today, myself.
Not permanently, just for a while.
I’ve been wrestling with some of these isssues (and others).
I would miss seeing your blog if you were ever to stop
Don’t stop!
Not sure how many comments you normally get but I’m the 23rd here so that’s ok. I’ve definitely noticed a decline over at my house and that’s probably because I don’t post as much and I don’t comment as much at other blogs. It does make it hard when I’m trying to do a giveaway – people just don’t seem that interested. It is nice to get some validation though and I think we’ve got a nice little blogging community here.
I’ve found comments are on the decline too – maybe, despite being one of the convention organisers, maybe I’m just not out there enough either.
I don’t think I could stop. Even if all the comments ceased tomorrow, I think I need the outlet of writing things down in order to cope with everything. Isolation here is the hardest thing and the Internet eases that a little for me.
So, I get you.
xx
I consider it a “good day” if I get 4 comments; of course, I only have 22 followers. Which brings up the problem of focusing on comments as a benchmark of how good a blog is. I read somewhere that to get comments and pick up followers, you have to leave comments on other blogs. It almost becomes an “ego thing” — how many comments and how many followers can a person get. I didn’t start my blog to get followers or comments, I just want to write about what was going on in my life so I could share it with my family on the other side of the country… and I find myself being “self-pressured” to morph it into something else. I hope you do not stop your blog, but certainly you could take a break — maybe a week or two or more or even a month…
I am a regular reader of your blog but don’t comment because I don’t know what to say – I haven’t been in your situation and can’t imagine what your family goes through on a daily basis with having a sick little one and I worry about saying the wrong thing and upsetting you when you must have way too many worries already.
and what if your audience needs to “hear your voice” every week…..
I don’t have a blog of my own, although I used to be an avid chat board poster for years whilst trying to conceive (even hosted a few). I’m not very good with words, or putting my thoughts into type… I have been a long time reader of blogs though, and think of my “regulars” fondly – if not as friends… They (you included) are in my thoughts every day. I worry over them and their families (but not in a scary stalker way). I would be so sad to not read how they were doing. This means you too.
HUGS from a not-so-frequent commented, but a very-frequent reader.
Jennette
You’ve obviously touched on something here, given the number of comments. I started blogging five years ago when I wanted to record and share what was happening in my life and the other options for communication were forums, chat or blogs. Now there’s Facebook and Twitter, and the internet is a whole lot less anonymous than it used to be. When I started blogging it was very unlikely that anyone I knew would ever read my blog, then someone did and I moved to being passworded; but now there are so many more people who could find it who I wouldn’t feel comfortable with reading it.
I really don’t know what I’m going to do with my blog. I still like the idea of blogging, but I am paranoid now. I’ve been thinking lately about how I use the internet and how I want to use it in the future and I’m not sure where I’m going to go with that yet. Maybe I’ll move to only using Facebook and Google Reader. Maybe I’ll only use Twitter and stop reading blogs. What do I do with my own blog? It’s so much more complicated now.
I read every single post of yours and yet I never comment…and now youve gotten me to thinking about why that is?! I guess at the end of the day its because I dont want to add unnessessary junk because how could I, a single 22 yr old living on the other side of the country have anything relevant to say, anything helpful to add, would it really mean anything for me to say what Im thinking? That altough I dont know any of you, I feel as though I do and I hold you all in my heart, you inspire me and give me strength to keep facing my own challenges and remind me to be greatful for my blessings. Oh, and that you take the most amazing photos and seeing your smiles makes me smile. That you are an incredibly important part of my life. I guess this post made me realise that maybe it would mean something, maybe i do have something to offer you in return for all you give me. Mostly I just want to say…THANKYOU!!!!
Yeah, I hear ya. I’ve never had huge comments on my blogs anyways and sometimes I wonder if I should just stop … but habit as much as anything else drives me on. Certainly I get that people don’t really want to read my crap all the time, and I guess I just decided that it doesn’t matter – the blogs’ primary purpose was never about audience for me, but rather recording slices of time, and venting. I now do the former on my public blog, and the latter on my private one.
I often don’t comment when I’ve read all the other comments and they’ve said what I wanted to say.
I don’t know about stopping. I think probably when you no longer feel the need, or when you just can’t find any words.
Give me a heart attack Tiff!!!! I don’t blog, nor do I read many blogs. But I love yours
Yours is the only one of those that I read that has a place on my igoogle page, to let me know when you’ve updated. I don’t care about fancy pants stuff, I love reading your open and honest accounts of your family. You are a beautiful writer, and photographer, and lets face it, your subjects are pretty interesting and special 
. I am guilty of commenting only very infrequently, but I would miss you and often wonder about your family if you were to fold.
And that is MY open and honest comment xoxo
I’m new to the world of blogging so can’t really comments on trends etc as I’m not sure anyone actually reads my blog. But I wanted to let you know I am here and enjoy reading your blog.
I currently have 40+ blogs in my feed reader. Most days I read every one that has updated, so I don’t comment as much as I used to. Also, I used to feel that if I was a loyal commenter, the blogger I read/commented on would reciprocate. My feeling were hurt a few times with that assumption so I stopped placing importance on commenting. If I get 6 comments on my latest post, that’s a lot, whereas 2 years ago I often hit 16. At the point that dwindling comments starts bothering you, maybe it’s time to look at your priorities as a blogger.
Personally, I don’t view this as a popularity contest. I view it as a means with which to keeps my writing gears greased and as a way to express myself to an open forum of readers. When I have a new post I can see the number of hits shoot up, so I know people are reading. To me, the reading is important, not really the commenting.
Blog comments are definitely down on my blog. It did slow me down in posting. I kind of lost momentum. But I still blog when I can and comment on other blogs when I can (also not as often). Sometimes I just have to remind myself of why I started blogging and the thrill of just getting 1 comment.
I’m a blog reader, but rarely a blog commenter, I just never feel like I have anything interesting to add
But I would be saddened if you stopped writing. You have such an honest, direct voice, and your blog so often has the ability to make me stop and remind myself what is important in life. I would miss that.
Tiff I hope that you don’t stop blogging. I started to blog soley to document my life, and that is my continued purpose. I LOVE comments but don;t get them often. But my reason to blog is to keep track of life, and along the way I pray that Sammy’s story has helped and encouraged others, as Ivy’s has me
Stop when you are ready.
When *I* am ready for you to stop (never) doesn’t really make it a passion for you.
I’m finally getting comments. And by comments, I mean that I get at least 3 a week.
I read and I read but I don’t always have the tuiem to comment – quite often I am reading blogs on the iPhone while breastfeeding and tying out comments is a pain. I comment in my mind but not always in words on the page. Please don’t stop – I love your words and your photos and your family. i would miss you all too much if you went quiet. xxx
Nothing wrong with blogging for yourself AND for an audience. Some posts are clearly directed more towards an audience, some are more reflective and personal. All form the whole. If it doesn’t meet your needs, then it is time for it to stop…but then what would be the new path for fulfilling those unmet needs? And speaking of comments, I’d love to hear from you! tickle, xo
I read this after I was pondering why I even bother leaving comments on blogs in general.. and now I guess I know, even if the author is too busy with life to respond to me (which I totally understand), she appreciates knowing that someone out there is reading. I have several blogs I regularly follow, yours is one of them, and sometimes I leave comments, most of the time I don’t bother.. I always have thoughts though after reading a post, and daily I check in, looking for update.. on all of you.
I rarely comment any more. Wasbands lawyer has been stalking me online.
Though she quit on him a little over a week ago… hrmmm.
I would respectfully request that you continue blogging until my custody/divorce is settled (this is gonna take a while, fair warning). Or until it comes out in the justice system.
Why yes, it is going to be case law.
why no… I’m not excited.
I don’t think you will know how often I come to my blog lines and squeee with joy that there is another post. Good/bad or just a photo, all good to me.
um.. you know… I always look at your blog and think ‘wow I wish I got as many comments as Tish’….. and then I stop myself, because I don’t want to get into the comparison game. I am not you, I am not your blog… I am me…. I can’t be everything, do everything, know everything and comment everywhere…. and that’s ok. I think blogging as been a real lesson in personal acceptance for me, knowing myself and knowing that just being me is good.
I would miss your blog if you stopped writing…. but that is not the point… the point is, only you will know when stopping blogging is good.
Both your writing skills & photrography are exceptional and it would be such a pity if you didn’t have a venue for airing both but, Tiff, when all is said and done, this is your blog for you and whatever reason you need or don’t need it, irrespective of comments or trolls. If you find it hard to keep blogging and are doing it just for your readers, then that’s o.k. if you feel the need to close down. But if you still enjoy it for YOU and your needs, then keep on blogging and don’t worry if comments seem to be dropping off. It seems from these comments above, that it doesn’t necessarily mean that your readers are too. In the end though it has to be what is best for you. xoxo
Don’t dare fold! I also have fewer and fewer comments, but then again, I don’t network the way I used to, I don’t comment as often either.
Just joining the queue here
????
I have been a long time reader, but have only commented a couple of times (from memory). Over the past year I have still kept up with all my blog reading, but I do a catch up read once or twice a week instead of the nightly checking. This has therefore reduced my comments across the board. I’d definitely say it’s a time factor, not a lack of interest in the blogs I like to read.
Re commenting, as I don’t have a blog I don’t comment for the return “favour”, every now and then someone will write something back (which is always appreciated) but it’s certainly not expected. I have a few blogs where I am the only commenter (or one of a very small group), sometimes I think that the blogger must get sick of hearing only from me or if it is a blog like yours that gets lots of comments then I’m just a faceless person in the crowd. Just a few of the things that I think affect comments??
PS – I do think of you often as one of the things on my life wish list is for Blue Hippo Photography to take some pictures of my dog Jasper. The plan is to bring Jasper with me on a driving holiday from Melbourne. I’ll visit Grandy and Baa – Rach and then swing over to you for a photo shoot. Did I forget to run this dream/plan by you
Jen in Melbourne x
Hey
I do think comments have declined. Since facebook and twitter have emerged it seems that people do their chatting/commenting on there. Plus loads of people read blogs through readers or on iPhones or the like and this limits the comments too.
I often can’t comment on my phone, so that has declined my commenting a little. Still I do comment a lot, I just read a lot more blogs than I used to, too! You still seem to do pretty well!