Isn't Blogging A Two Way Street? Am I wrong? Am I Missing Something?

This is a response to: Steve Shatsky - Dallas Real Estate & Short Sale Specialist (469)449-9840 (Prudential Texas Properties) recent post:

Are You Creating Conversation, Connecting with Consumers or Simply Creating White Noise with your Blog... and does it really matter?

I thought this was a very well written post about a very important subject. Inasmuch as I'm a newbie blogger and haven't a clue what I'm doing I do it all. Cut and paste, write frivolous posts, relevant posts, re-publish others' posts, etc. I'm finally starting to get the hang of it I think. I've written 70+ posts and have had 7 features so I'm seeing and feeling some forward movement; especially given my field of expertise in Manufactured Housing which I know is not considered by most RE professionals to be mainstream RE yet.

However, the one thing that I personally think makes a big difference is responding to comments. I feel that if a person takes the time to read a post and then comment on it they at least deserve the recognition and appreciation of a response to their comment. Plus, quite frankly it establishes dialog which is what I thought the whole AR thing was.

If blogging is just for individuals to pontificate, elaborate and opinion-ate on what's important to them and they don't or won't take the time to respond to their reader comments then I won't bother reading their posts. As far as I'm concerned it's all about give and take. In fact I tend to go one step further I even email my responses directly to the commenter and have developed some very good associate relationships as a result.

Anyone who takes the time to read one of my posts and then takes additional time to comment on it is someone who obviously has an interest in what I'm saying and what I do hence I would like to associate with and get to know them better. Isn't this what relationship and associate building is all about?