Can You Get Reader Anxiety?
A while back I started a series on this site called Blogger Anxiety. However, readers can get anxiety too. Here are some of the anxieties I have come up with that readers can get. Feel free to add your own in in the comments and I’ll add them to the end of this post with a link to your site (if applicable).
Breaking Into the Conversation
I read a lot of blogs. I comment on maybe three of them regularly. Perhaps four. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve actually written out a full comment and then decided to just leave the page. I admit that I was afraid.
I’m afraid that I’ll be intruding on someone’s turf. I’m afraid my comment won’t be well received. I’m also afraid of interrupting. Every blog has its own community. Sometimes I just don’t want to butt in. And sometimes I don’t want to be ignored.
Coming from a blogger’s perspective, I respect any and all comments on a blog (besides comments that personally attack me). If you want to join in on the conversation, please do. We won’t bite (hard).
You’re a Noob
Perhaps you’ve been surfing for a while, but you’ve just started to understand the concept of what a blog is. Blogs to all of my friends (with the exception of a few) are just normal websites. It’s hard for them to differentiate between what a website is and what a blog is.
People visiting blogs for the first time are generally afraid to leave a comment. It’s a foreign experience to be able to leave a comment on a website. It’s also not a nice experience, especially if the comment is held for moderation or a nasty “spam filter” message pops up.
I have to admit that I’m guilty of having my spam filter set up, but it is necessary so that my users aren’t overwhelmed with Viagra ads. If you are new to blogs, I apologize that blogs aren’t as friendly as they could be. Blogs have come a long way, however. Please give blogs a chance and leave that first comment.
Lost in the Shuffle
I typically don’t like leaving a comment on a post that already has a good amount of comments. I yearn for the conversational style of forums, but dislike all of the admin overhead. With comments on blogs, it’s easy to get lost in the shuffle of things. What difference is one comment actually going to make?
I am encouraged, however, that a lot of A-Listers have said that they do read the comments and check e-mails.
Lost in the Blogosphere
I leave comments all the time on random blogs. Some of the blogs have mentioned an article I have written, or have an article that appeals to me. I leave the comment and then that’s it. I don’t remember the address for the blog. I may have subscribed to the blog, but I don’t remember exactly which post I commented on.
Why leave the comment if it’s just going to be lost?
Luckily a lot of blogs are starting to have comment subscriptions. I find this tool highly valuable. If you don’t have subscribe-to-comments installed on your WordPress blog, it is highly recommended.
Conclusion
Are there any other forms of reader anxieties that I haven’t mentioned? Please leave a comment.
LaurenMarie says...
I can identify with all of these reader anxieties! I just started getting into blogging recently, and, as you know, I’m ONLY a reader (no blog of my own yet).
I’ve written out full comments and spent about 10 minutes editing and rewriting it only to decide, “Never mind.” I think it’s mostly because I’m either new or I’m afraid when reading my comment people won’t know my tone of voice (especially with sarcastic remarks… course, maybe those are best left on blogs where people know me better!).
Sometimes I decide that my comment would not benefit anyone in the community so I delete it before posting it. Other times, I refrain from commenting because I have the only dissenting view (how many other “rebels” have done the same, making the rest of us feel that?). And sometimes I’m just scared to post on all those A-list blogs I read! They’re big names! It’s like talking to a celeb; you don’t just walk up and say “Hi!”
Simonne says...
I’m not so much of a commenter, but every now and then I feel like doing it. I experience all kinds of anxiety you describe, plus one: the offline factors which sometimes prevent me to write something thoughtful, because I’m in a hurry and I still feel like finishing that comment before I go.
MT says...
I definitely relate.. another anxiety that hits me is a fear of being seen as self-promoting, which makes me feel I need to say something of substance, keeps me from short notes of appreciation, and prevents me from mentioning related posts I may have made.
Like Lauren, I sometimes spend too long writing out a comment, then delete it. I also get intimidated by “big name blogs” even though rationally, I know better.
I appreciate bloggers who encourage comments, but sometimes, the requests are a little too pushy. I wind up feeling pressured, and don’t post.. it’s a narrow line to walk, I guess!
Ronald Huereca says...
Very interesting points all.
Lauren,
Thank you for weighing in from a reader’s perspective. How the reader views leaving comments and such is very important and something other bloggers need to realize. I generally avoid posting on A-List-type blogs because 99 times out of 10, I am ignored.
Simonne,
Offline factors is a good point. Sometimes I am at work and unable to comment. Other times, like you, I’m in a rush and don’t really have time to put a lot of thought into a comment.
MT,
I can definitely relate. It’s a fine art I have yet to master as well, since you want to promote something, yet add value to the site you are promoting on. One thing that has been requested here (which I hope to add in the future) is a one or two line signature that each commentator can have so they can avoid this type of anxiety.
inspirationbit says...
I too rarely comment on blogs with many comments, unless I’m a frequent commentor on that blog, and consider myself being part of that community. I don’t like commenting on A-listers blogs, because I rarely (read: almost never) get a reply. Usually I comment when I have something to add to the post, or I’m very impressed with the article’s content.