“What really, really bugs me is when blogs get the latest and greatest new ARC when their last 20 posts have zero comments and they aren’t a “player” in the industry.”
Saturday, June 6, 2009Posted in: Uncategorized
That quote was from a bird on Katiebabs’ blog. The original post was about the book festival that KB went to in New York. Apparently there was a meet-the-blogger panel, and that bird was on the panel.
No, she didn’t seem to be the cleverest tool in the box to me either.
She also went onto say that comments were sign of a healthy and active blog, and when she was challenged re that statement, she said this:
As I’m the one who said the remark about comments being a sign of a healthy and active blog, I’ll go ahead and mention a couple of thing in hindsight.
Perhaps, what I *should* have said was that comments are usually a sign that the blogger is active in the community and several different outlets like forums, twitter, facebooks, visiting other blogs, etc. What really, really bugs me is when blogs get the latest and greatest new ARC when their last 20 posts have zero comments and they aren’t a “player” in the industry.
Yep, definitely not the sharpest tool in the box. Blesssssss.
In terms of the actual post, I’m with Mrs G, I really don’t need any love from authors, or publishers. I don’t need free books, I can afford my own. The only time I enjoy getting a free book is when there are no strings attached, i.e. I don’t have to review them.
Blogging is purely a hobby, no more, no less. The day it starts to feel like work, is the day I quit.
*Shudder*
Mireya
June 6
3:01 pm
I changed my mind and removed
katiebabs
June 6
4:28 pm
I will admit that after working hours on a book review and only have one or two comments, I may become frustrated. But in the end I read and enjoy reviewing for myself. And if I can help an author sell just one book, I have accomplished something. My blog is both a hobby and a part-time job because it helps with my writing. Yes, I am one of those bloggers who wants to be a published author.
And I am with you on the day I find blogging and writing post to be boring or doesn’t bring me joy, that is the day I move onto something new.
I just did a post yesterday with 3 mini-reviews and only had 4 comments. What does that say? At least 4 people enjoyed what I wrote and you know what, I am fine with that.
I guess it all comes down to what you want for yourself and your blog. Some want to become the new Perez Hiltons of the blogging world.
AztecLady
June 6
5:10 pm
Katiebabs, now I’m confused.
Didn’t you argue on your post about the bloggers pannel at BEA that comments are not necessarily an indicator of readership?
Plus there is a vastly different dynamic, I’ve found, between a review post and a discussion post–people rarely feel compelled to comment on the former, while the latter invites comments.
On reviews, particularly, I’ve found that I get very few comments as a rule–often times none. But from what I hear and see elsewhere, people read them. Other people’s mileages may vary, of course.
Shelly @ Bewitched
June 6
5:13 pm
I agree 100% with you, Karen. When blogging feels like work, then it’s time to move on! And also like you, I only want books that have NO strings. I hate feeling like I have to bump that book ahead of others and also have to pump out a review.
But comments are not the be-all, end-all of blogs. I lurk–A LOT. And when it comes right down to it, reading and reviewing are just a fun past-time. And like Katie, if I influence one person to buy a book (or save their money!) then it’s alllll good.
SarahT
June 6
5:17 pm
@katiebabs: I wasn’t one of the four who commented on that post but I read it and ordered the Toni Blake book because of it. Still debating the Sarah Parr one. So I’d bet plenty of others also read it but didn’t feel the need to comment.
@karenknowsbest: I also found that remark about ARCs and comments a bit off. I can only speak for my own blog statistics but I’ve found that the blog entries which attract the most traffic aren’t necessarily the ones which generate the most comments. Reviews tend to get less comments than opinion pieces. Posts listing upcoming releases or books on my TBR shelf are surprisingly popular.
I haven’t received any ARCs so far, but then I haven’t actively sought them, either. I’m barely managing to squeeze in three books per week as it is. With so little reading time, I’d prefer to devote it to books I want to read. (I’m assuming reviewers don’t get to pick and choose which ARCs they’re sent.)
katiebabs
June 6
5:23 pm
Comments really don’t really indicate readership, but sometimes I wonder when I write a review, if people do read it because I always don’t check my stat counter everyday to see who is reading what. I used to be guilty of moaning and groaning, wondering why no one would comment. Now not so much. I was a bit perturbed, if that is the word, to think that the majority of bloggers, publishers, authors, etc… out there think the more comments you have, the more popular you are.
I was talking to a person who runs a reviewing blogging site and she agrees that review posts don’t generate so many comments because unless someone has a question or really wants to discuss the review, what else can they say?
SarahT
June 6
5:31 pm
@katiebabs
Very true. Even sites which traditionally get a lot of comments, like Dear Author, tend to get far less on their reviews. I think the same is true here at Karenknowsbest. AztecLady writes fantastic reviews which I always read but rarely comment on. Opinion pieces/rants tend to invite discussion. It doesn’t mean people aren’t reading and enjoying the reviews.
katiebabs
June 6
5:37 pm
SarahT: And with so many new blogs popping up, how do people have the time to comment at that? I have almost 300 blogs I follow in my Google Reader and to comment at each one would take me way too long.
GrowlyCub
June 6
6:50 pm
I’m currently sitting at a table with Toni Blake and Lorelei James. And I met Sarah Parr, too. SarahT, definitely buy the Parr, she’s super nice!
No real point to my post, just thought I’d mention it, grin.
SarahT
June 6
7:42 pm
@katiebabs: 300? And I thought I was bad!
@GrowlyCub: I already succumbed to temptation and ordered the Parr book.
Katharina
June 6
9:09 pm
I am generally more of a lurker then a commenter. But experience showed that the few times I did comment on a review, I most often didn’t receive an answer. Well, that’s not something that really worries me *g*, but when I specifically asked a question regarding the plot, it bugs me, admittedly.
AztecLady
June 6
9:35 pm
Yikes, Katharina, have I done that to you?
Katharina
June 6
9:36 pm
LOL, no. Our reading tastes are quite different, I am one of those who never commented on your reviews π
AztecLady
June 6
9:40 pm
oh good then! π
KristieJ
June 6
10:57 pm
Katie: If it makes you feel better *g*, while I didn’t comment on your mini reviews – I did stop on my way home from work and pick up Sarah Parr’s debut. As soon as I saw your review, I checked over at Chapters to see if they had any copies in the store; they did so I got me one.
So while review posts may not generate a lot of comments – they do get noticed and read.
Lorraine
June 7
2:40 am
I feel awful for not commenting on reviews. Guess I’ll step it up…a simple acknowledgment of a job well done doesn’t cost me a thing.
So, to AL, thanks for all the recent reviews. The Maya Banks and Atlantis ones were really interesting. Keep up the good work!
AztecLady
June 7
2:59 am
Thank you, Lorraine, though you shouldn’t feel as if you *should* comment–reading them is more than enough π
Mental Mist
June 7
4:17 am
I guess we’re all looking for some way of “measuring” each blog and the value they add to the community, you’re right, it sounds a lot like work π
Marial
June 7
7:06 pm
Katie, please don’t feel bad about people not commenting on your book reviews. I look up book reviews on books I haven’t read yet, rarely on books I have read. If I haven’t read the books yet I don’t really have any comments to contribute.
Reviews are one of the reasons I go to blogs, and I lurk a lot.
vein
June 8
6:43 pm
Funny how no-one seem to attribute comments to “commentability”, i.e. content that is controversial, opinionated or begs a question.
Sarah Parr
July 1
11:08 pm
Hi everyone! As a debut writer, I am not sure the etiquette of commenting on my own reviews. I do appreciate the time you take to read and respond to what I wrote!! Thank you for all you do!!
Karen – you have a wonderful blog! I know I am not a big commenter, but I am a reader.
Katiebabs – Thank you for the wonderful review. While I write the story as it happens for me, it is good to know someone reviewed and enjoyed so much to tell others. Hugs!
Growly Cub – I enjoyed meeting you too! I still have the card you gave me on my fridge :). I am hoping for a bit of room for one of your lovely kittens someday.
KristieJ – Thank you for picking up a copy of RENEGADE. I hope you enjoy. If you would like an autographed bookplate, feel free to contact me through my website and I’ll send one out :).
Take care everyone!
All the best,
Sarah π
http://www.sarahparr.com
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