Whimsical Wednesday #3 - Blog Comment Survey and additional awards to acknowledge & share

Make Time for Small Reflections

I found this set of questions at Tammy's of Mom Knows Everything a couple of weeks ago and saved it in my 'drafts' folder' thinking it might make a fun and interesting post. Today seems like a good day to combine the survey with some awards ... just because. I hope at least some of you passing by will decide to share your thoughts either here (in comments) or on your own blog ... (leaving a link here so I can read you answers) ... and invite others to join the conversation as well. It reminds me of Rebecca's question a while back, encouraging others to share Why I Blog.

Tammy wrote: "My blogging buddy Melinda was wondering about blog comments and how we respond to them and she asked the following questions."

1. How many blogs do you comment on each week?
It varies depending on what's happening in my life, but I've got 330 'categorized' blogs and 2 'mega feeds' (Blog 365 and One Single Impression) in my 'reader' ... so I usually have 350-700 new posts listed daily. I do most of my reading within the reader itself to maximize the use of my time ... and for the most part, those who include the entire post there (as I do) definitely get my attention over those who list just a title or an 'abbreviated' tidbit (because it takes me less time to catch up) unless you've become a 'Virtual friend' and therefore a 'daily read' as time permits.

2. Do you comment on the same blogs routinely?
Not necessarily ... (see #3).

3. Do you comment just to comment are do you comment with the expectations that the blog owner will visit your blog as well? Generally, I comment when I have something to say ... and I often leave a single comment about several posts at a time ... especially when crunched for time. Of course it's nice to receive a visit in return, but that's not my primary motivation for commenting. I simply enjoy the 'virtual interaction' ... yet with that said, when participating in a 'Weekly Activity' like HoTs, WW, T-13, HF, PH, SWF, OSI, CC, UM etc ... I try to remember to let folks know on which of my 3 blogs I've participated so that potential visitors won't need to spend time searching posts out ... and I appreciate it when those with multiple linked blogs like me to direct ME in this way too.

4. How would you like the blog owner to respond to your comment, if at all? However they choose. My email is available on my Blogger Profile, and I always check the little box to receive follow-up comments in email when it's available. Interestingly, those who have made the Blogger change (like Hootin' Anni) to put the comments 'in line' don't HAVE a little box TO check any longer. I just don't have time to check back on previous posts because I've been seriously behind for months now.

5. How many comments would you say you got (on average) in your last 5 posts? It depends ... varying greatly (from 20-45 or 6-15) ... depending perhaps on whether or not I've joined a 'Weekly Activity' (see #3 above) or am simply posting as I am today ... sharing whatever I choose.

6. Do you respond to your comments?
Yes. I prefer to leave 'individual' responses to all who comment here ... but when crunched for time I occasionally leave 'group responses' as time permits.

7. How do you respond, within that post or via email or some other way? If someone asks a specific question and/or I have something specific to say ... (and their email is available) ... I send messages directly in email as time permits ... sometimes quite belatedly when I fall behind. When questions are asked w/o making email available, I do my best to leave the answer in a comment on the other person's blog ... but I know that some things fall through the cracks occasionally.

8. [If you don't respond to comments] Why not? N/A

Your turn: I would be interested in seeing how you respond to these questions ... either here in comments or leave me a link when you share on your own blog. Just to make it easier I've included a set of questions w/o answers for your use, and I've added an incentive below.

1. How many blogs do you comment on each week?
2. Do you comment on the same blogs routinely?
3. Do you comment just to comment are do you comment with the expectations that the blog owner will visit your blog as well?
4. How would you like the blog owner to respond to your comment, if at all?
5. How many comments would you say you got (on average) in your last 5 posts?
6. Do you respond to your comments?
7. How do you respond, within that post or via email or some other way?
8. [If you don't respond to comments] Why not?

I'd like to acknowledge, accept, and share
the following awards with gratitude.

Thanks to Ivanhoe
for this colorful award.
I offer it as an incentive to anyone who decides to
participate in the Blog Comment Survey
either here or on their own blog.

Ivanhoe also blessed Small Reflections with this one
and Mike Golch presented it to Sacred Ruminations
where I shared it mid-July.

I'd like to share it (and the ones below)
with everyone on any of my Blogrolls
and all those I visit regularly

(Come on ... you know who you are)

Mary (of Mary's Writing Nook) bestowed
this 'friendship award' to storyteller (that's me)

but I've forgotten who gave me this one ...

so please help me remember so I can add a link.
Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
Another 'repeat' ... but I couldn't resist for some reason.
"God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used
one to say 'thank you' ...?" William A. Ward