Why don't you respond to comments made?

Paul - I certainly understand receiving too many comments.  (its never happened to me.. but I understand it).  I'll also admit that many comments are meaningless.  Some will just comment the minimum just for the points.  No reason to respond to those.  But its important to respond to the comments that have substance.

Sherry - Each time I have responded to your post, you have commented back.  Thank you for taking the time.

Pacita - That is a good point.  Its a form of 'pay it forward'.  My concern is really about responding to the comments made that have questions and/or conversation possibilities.

Mr or Mrs Video Tour Specialist... Not sure if you read the entire post, but I appreciate the comment.  Thanks for stopping by.

Edward - Welcome to AR.  You will certainly find helpful information here.  Its a great site to share RE ideas and network with other professionals.

Richard - Thanks for the laugh.  I have seen those types of blogs and found it funny when people comment.  But hey... it received a comment and started a conversation.  Whatever works I guess.  What bothers me is when that post becomes featured.

Marlene - That is another issue all together... posts getting featured that do not have substance.  That has happened many times and I am sure it has something to do with 'friends' within AR.  Not the AR website guru's, but just friends you have met or introduced to AR.  Many of those featured posts are very well written and informative... then they throw in a post that has no purpose.  I thought of that also when Richard posted his comment to me.

Steve - I will sometimes write a lengthy comment, depending on the topic.  If I do not receive a response, I am less likely to respond to your post in the future.  Why bother responding if you wont comment back?  Keep in mind I am still not talking about the 'thanks for sharing' comments.  If you respond to those comments, more power to you.  I respond to ALL comments made on my post.  Whether they say 'good stuff' or 'I dont agree and here is why...'

Gene - There are certainly quite a few agents that post 10+ articles a week.  Many are the agents that do not have time to respond.  Some of it is for the homeowner(s) and some is for networking.  If you take the time to post, take the time to respond to any comments.  Good luck with your posts.

Jon - That is exactly it.  Sharing ideas, marketing, and conversing with peers.

Tim or Pam - That is the first step of the 12 step program.  Realize there is a problem before you can address it. :-)  It doesn't make you a good or bad blogger, but I just think you are more likely to get good conversation from your post if you take the time to respond.  Maybe not to all, but to those that have taken a true interest in what you had to say.

Leander - I have yet to make a comment on your post that you have not responded to.  If you did, I would just call you. :-)  I know that I can count on you to respond which is why I try not to waste your time with 'great stuff.  thanks.'  There are many times we have gone back and forth several times because it was a subject we both had an interest in and shared our thoughts.

Loreena - You are right to pick and choose.  No real reason to respond to the basic comment.  But as I have said several times above, I think the people that took the time to read your entire post deserve some sort of acknowledgment when they comment with some detail.  Perhaps not even those that respond, but those that strike up a conversation.  Some comments are just confirming what you said was right, so you may be able to weed those out as well.  I suppose it is all a personal choice.  I respond to all and some respond to a few.

Thanks for the comment on the colors.  I owe this test all to you.  Without your direction, I would not have been able to add the color.  I look forward to posting more in the future.  It definitely dresses it up just a little bit more.

Greg - From what I can see, you and Leander are the best at responding to everyone.  Even when you had to relocate during the hurricane, you made sure to keep everyone updated and respond to the comments you received.

Thank you Karen. I knew there were others out there that must have felt the same way.  If you take the time to post, take the time to comment/respond.  I take pride when someone reads my post and even more so when they subscribe. :-)  I want to be sure that people know I read what they had to say.

Erik - I completely agree with you.  That is what I try to do as well.  I do not typically receive a large number of comments, so I can take the time to check out someone's blog and webpage.  That is not always the case, so I will at least respond to the comment.

Jeff - As you know, I have read your blogs.  I'd agree that you comment a majority of the time.  As a matter of fact, there are times when your comments are almost as long as the original post.  Your responses are filled with information as well, which is also helpful.

I agree with you Marchel.  We have had many conversations back and forth on your posts.  I have always appreciated the fact that you respond.  I had never thought about the last comment on my post being from me, but that makes sense.

I do not think its weird Deb.  You enjoy receiving comments because its nice when someone read your post.  Whether they took a long time to respond or not, they still did take some time to provide the basic GPTFS.  So, you must have touched a nerve at some point.  I personally do not like it when I post something and no one responds.  That has not happened since my first week of posts, but there are still times when I only receive 2 or 3 comments.  At least I know that someone has read them.  :-)  And by the way, I think you have done pretty well with responding to comments.

Steven - Sometimes the conversation carries on for 2 years.  :-)