Are you a No Reply Blogger?

Have you ever had one of those 'duh' moments?  You know, that moment when you smack your head, roll your eyes, curse under your breath, and silently tell yourself that you are so STUPID!!!

I've had more 'duh' moments than I care to admit, since I started this new venture of blogging.  But, the one I'm about to tell you, is, hands down, one of the BIGGEST of all.

Why so big?  Well, because this 'duh' moment turned out to be a DOUBLE whammy!

It all started back in March.  I was only two months into this new venture, and happily blogging away, even though I wasn't receiving any comments.  None.  Zip.  Zilch.

Source

 It was disheartening for sure, but everything I had read about blogging, said it was normal.  "You have to build an audience," one blogger said.  "Get out there and socialize. Follow other bloggers and comment  on their posts," another said.

Up until then, I had never even visited a blog!  I guess I figured those wonderfully creative projects and recipes I was pinning-just magically appeared on my screen!! DUH!!!

Source

So, I started visiting those amazing blogs, and I typed my heart out, giving those creative folks the comment love they truly deserved!  And so it went, day after day,  month after month, I shared the love.  But nothing changed.  In fact, things got worse!!!!  Not only was I still not receiving comments, those wonderful folks I was leaving comments for, seemed to be ignoring me!!!!  Not just one or two-but ALL of them!

And then one day, I received an email from a very sweet lady.  "I'm sorry it's taken me so long to thank you for your lovely comment, but you came up as a 'no reply' comment, so it took me awhile to find your email."

Huh?

Source unknown

 With cheeks as red as Santa's suit, I quickly Googled what a 'no reply' comment meant!  That was when the first part of this 'duh' moment occurred.

After reading several articles on the subject (there are literally hundreds), I began to realize I wasn't the only blogger left out of the comment loop.  That made me feel a tad bit better, but I still felt stupid.  I'd thought all along that I wasn't getting a response because those folks didn't care, or worse, they didn't like my comment.  When in fact, they didn't respond, because they couldn't!!!

So, I  did what any shame faced gal would do- I fixed it!  (I found a wonderful tutorial here!)

Source

Correcting this problem was SO easy, and before I knew what hit me-my inbox was filling up with lovely replies from all those creative folks I was giving the love to.

And then...something AMAZING happened!

I received my very first COMMENT in my email inbox!!!!  I couldn't believe it!  I was stunned-overwhelmed with joy-over the moon HAPPY!!!! I read that incredible, amazing, wonderful comment over and over, and with tears in my eyes, I quickly sent a response!

I'm sure that lovely reader would have been quite blown away by my gushy, mushy thank you, if only said reader had gotten my response.

But it wasn't meant to be, because as I watched my  glorious words of thanks be sent, I suddenly realized that beautiful person who had sent me so much love, was never going to get my response!

Why?  Because she too was a 'no reply' comment.  So where would my response go then?   Outer space?  Email heaven?  I didn't know.  All I DID know, was I had to find away to tell that reader how much I appreciated them commenting on my post!

It never occurred to me to do what the blogger who sent me that eye opening email in the beginning, must have done.  Oh no.  Instead, I went to that post my reader had commented on-clicked on the little reply button beneath her comment, and typed my heartfelt gratitude!

After all, I'd seen other bloggers do this, and I had always thought it was so.....personal.  We could have a conversation-my reader and me-about my post, without all the complication of email glitches!

I have to say-I was feeling P-R-E-T-T-Y darn proud of myself! I'd resolved the issue.  No more worrying about whether or not my lovely readers received the response for their love that they deserved!   Oh no.  They would always see it...right there on my post.  Right underneath their comment love!  

Or would they?

The other day I was visiting drooling, over at one of my favorite bloggers, (Katherine's Corner).  Katherine has everything on her blog.  Design-crafts-recipes-and even blogging tips!  I might have a lot of duh moments, but I'm smart enough to know that it is knowledgeable and very GENEROUS folks like Katherine, who can help a novice blogger like me, try to improve her blog, and make it a better place for my readers to come for visit.  So I delved into Katherine's blogging tips page and read each and every one!

That's when the second part of my 'duh' moment hit me!  It was right there in the comment section from one of her readers.  "I prefer getting a reply for my comment through email, because I don't have time to go back to the blog post and see it there."

ARRRRGGGHHH!!!  Of course!  I mean, did I ever go back to those blogs I'd left comments on, to see if they replied?  Well, maybe a few times, but, for the most part I just sulked for a bit, and then shrugged it off.

But is that how I want my readers to feel?  NOOOOOO!!!!

So my dear friends and loyal readers, if you've ever left comment love-and never received a thank you email-now you know why!  From this moment on-I will make every effort to respond to your comment through email, even if I have to search you down for days! (No-I will not stalk you-just find your email address, if it is available.)

Whew!  This has become a very LONG post..so I'll end by saying this...

I'm certain I'll make plenty of mistakes as I continue on this blogging journey.  And I'll have plenty more duh moments.  But one thing is for sure.  I love you all, and I so appreciate you stopping by and leaving comments.  So please do so.

I'd love to hear about your 'duh' moments-blogging related or not!

Blessings,

Christine