Thursday, October 20, 2011

Do You Follow?




Blogging is a great experience, isn't it? We get to express ourselves and connect with others in our area of interest. I've tapped into a wealth of knowledge and discovered fabulous links through writing posts and following blogs. The biggest plus, though, is the terrific people I've met. I've gained critique partners, and more importantly, treasured friends.

In addition to the general blog experience, I've been thinking about my blog following policy. When I gain a new follower, I usually follow their blog too - if they have one and I can locate it. There are a few exceptions:

  • If I cannot embrace the content, such as something I find offensive or contrary to my convictions.
  • If the blog is written in another language. I am only fluent in English; I know just enough French and Spanish to be dangerous. :) I've tried the translating feature but the results (for the ones I've tried) were, shall we say, rather interesting.

While we're on the topic, Jody Hedlund shares her insight in this post, How Important Are Blog Followers? Jody discusses making connections and measuring worthy content through followers. Does she think the amount of followers a blog has indicates success? Hop over and see!

This is completely off topic but wanted to share...

Chuck Sambuchino's Guide to Literary Agents' blog offers great info for writers and is featuring a few book giveaways this week. One deadline I spotted was October 22, so if you're interested, scoot over soon. I was thrilled to learn I won a copy of the 2012 Guide to Literary Agents. Click here for more details.

What is your blog following policy? Do you reciprocate when someone follows your blog?

Have a great weekend,
Karen


Photo credit: Stock Exchange

40 comments :

  1. If I can find their blog, which sometimes I can't, then yes, I usually follow. I'm sure there are some I've missed though. And I do think they are important but what is more important is page views and I think to a certain degree the followers represents that.

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  2. I do try to follow back, yes. And I've made some lifelong friendships as a result! :)

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  4. Laura,
    I've had trouble finding some followers' blogs too - hate when that happens. You make a good point about the page views. Appreciate your input!

    Sarah,
    I know, the friendships are a wonderful thing! I've met one blogger in person, and hope to meet many more. :)

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  5. Hi Karen....I LOVE to get new Followers. If I'm able to identify who a new Follower is, then I'll go to their blog. If it has content of interest to my own life, I'll Follow them, too.

    I love blogging with all my heart and have met literally hundreds of great people these past two years. My two year blog anniversary is this month! Yoo hoo!

    Susan

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  6. I follow back the same way you do, although I do follow a few in another language. (They post images, so I'm good.) I think it's a combination of followers and comments that make a blog successful.

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  7. I always try to visit the blog of new followers and leave a comment. Maybe keep an eye on their blog for a few weeks and if it has my interest I follow too.
    Thanks for this post Karen.

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  8. I generally follow all blogs that follow mine unless the content is really offensive to me. I also tend to stay away from hyper-religious or extreme political blogs too.

    It drives me nuts when people don't put their blog on their blogger profile, then I have to hunt them down.

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  9. Susan,
    It's always fun to see who is following your blog. It's amazing how diversified followers can be. Happy 2nd Blogoversary!

    Alex,
    Followers and comments - good point! So you are the brave one following non English. lol I didn't think about that - as far as just being pictures.

    Marja,
    Me too. Sometimes though, it seems like they don't have a blog but I hate to miss it if they actually do and I can't locate it. :)

    Lydia,
    Hunting them down is tough. If I cannot find them in a reasonable time, I just let it go. I feel bad if they really have a blog, but what can you do if it is not there to access, you know?

    Happy Thursday,
    Karen

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  10. Yes, I try to follow back if I can find a link to their blog and the content is not raunchy. I've had to delete one or two followers from my list for inapppropriate content. I hate to do that, but I feel a sense of responsibility to my other followers, that they not hop onto a raunchy site because of me.

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  11. I apologize for not visiting my favorite blogs lately, and i promise to do some catching-up with everyone in the next few days. We are experiencing cooler weather starting today (Thursday) and as for myself I'm looking forward to falls return to the Lancaster Pennsylvania area. And are the color of the leaves changing your your way folks as they are mine. Hope everyone has a great weekend and enjoy the beautiful fall season that has now begun. Richard from Amish Stories.

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  12. Jen,
    You make a good point too. Hadn't thought about it quite that far. Good advice. :)

    Richard,
    Yes, fall has returned here in north central KY as well. The leaves are so pretty. It's my favorite time of year!

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  13. Sorry but I'm not that nice. I have to connect with the content now. To much of any one thing and it gets stale...know what I mean?
    Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

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  14. Hi Karen!
    Finally getting back to commenting! I do follow back when I connect with the content (which is often ;D). And I do greatly appreciate when someone follows me.
    Blessings,
    Susan

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  15. I follow those who follow me and leave comments. Seems the polite thing to do. You know: treat people the way you want to be treated. But I can't help but wonder, how do those bloggers who receive 100 comments a post do it? That I would like to know.

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  16. I'm with you on my follow guidelines. I will follow those who follow me if there is no objection to content and we can communicate. I also like to scan blogs others follow to look for those I would be interested in and give a shout out.

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  17. I always follow if I can find their blogs. Which sometimes I can't. That is frustrating to me. Just think, Amigo. Look at our friendship. If we hadn't followed each other, we wouldn't be involved in what we're doing together. And we would not have this connection.

    Now if the content is not suitable, then I do not follow back.

    I do know one other language: pig Latin. ;-)

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  18. Hi Karen -

    I generally try to Follower those who Follow me. It's impossible to visit everyone on a regular basis, but I do try to keep tabs on my Followers.

    Blessings,
    Susan :)

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  19. Jules,
    I see your point. It's hard to keep up with everyone, and limiting the content you follow can help.

    Susan,
    Good to see you back! :) I too, greatly appreciate a follower.

    Joylene,
    Yes, the Golden Rule is a good guideline to go by. I wonder that too - about the ones who get oodles of comments. Maybe they have a blog assistant! :)

    Sally,
    Yes, I try and look at other blogs too when I have time. Time - now there's the big factor...:)

    Robyn,
    You are right, there's a good chance we might not have met without the blogs. And a beautiful friendship it is, amigo! :)

    Susan R.,
    Here again, the time factor - if there were a few more hours in the day and we didn't have to sleep, we might be able to get around to more blogs! lol

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  20. I try to follow everyone who follows me, that is if only they have linked back to their blogs. I do not follow blogs that have offensive content or blogs that offend my sensibility.

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  21. I do, Karen, if they leave a link. Unless, like you said, it's offensive or in a foreign language. Or very, very, very poorly written.

    I'm curious about Jody's take on it and will check it out. You put your finger on something I've been wondering, actually, so I'm anxious to see what she has to say.

    Thanks for the linky-loo, Miz Karen.

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  22. My 'follow' policy is very similar to yours! I've also enjoyed 'meeting' so many other writers - there sure is a wealth of knowledge and talent out there! Have a wonderful weekend!

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  23. Rachna,
    Sounds like this is the general consensus!

    Rhonda,
    Yes, poorly written, didn't think about that, but that's a good point. Jody's always got good things to say!

    Maria,
    I have to agree - so much talent out there! And the friendships are priceless. :)

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  24. Hi, I am a new follower and am pleased to be here. It is kind of cool that the first post of yours I read pertains to this topic. I just posted on something very similar. Mine only addresses how frustating I get when I cannot locate the blogs of new followers. You have prompted me to dedicate an entire post to my following guidelines. I think we could all benefit from this. If all bloggers shared their following guidelines then any new friend or potential follower would know in advance if this is a person that they will connect with. I like how you have detailed your policy. We can all learn from this.

    Nice to meet you
    Melissa

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  25. Good, practical post. I have the same basic policy.

    I'll check out Jody's post. Some people follow to gather followers, but never read or comment.

    I tried to read the blogs of all the followers for a while, but once you get a lot of them, it gets very difficult.

    How do you determine what blogs to read?

    wb

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  26. Melissa,
    It's great to meet you! Thanks for stopping by and following. I agree, it is frustrating to track people down, and you can only do so much. :)

    Warren,
    It is hard to keep up with everyone. I give priority to those who comment on my blog and to other favorites. Time is the biggest factor; it's not easy, like you said!

    Happy weekend,
    Karen

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  27. I'm with you, Karen! Agree totally. I've been blogging lately about having a hard time keeping up with comments on friends' blogs. It's hard to keep up!

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  28. Hi Karen, I follow back most of the time. But I leave a nice comment if someone has been commenting on mine and following but I don't think that I will be visiting again because they have totally different convictions.

    I have met precious people, like yourself, because of my blogging and even when they don't visit or comment, I don't mind because it is like real like, we think about each other but do not always have time to catch up.

    Hope you are keeping well. Hugs and kisses.

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  29. Hi Karen .. We can follow for the sake of following and I've done that on occasion - at the beginning of the A - Z - then thought 'that's silly' so now I only follow when I'm interested!

    I'm ashamed to say I know Jody from around the blogosphere - but I've only just followed her .. and will RSS -

    To me - the comments are the more important .. where one can get some repartee going and I hope my followers will join the conversation stream at some point.

    Bloggers who welcome their new followers just set a really good example .. something I don't do - probably because it would mess with the concept of the post & distract.

    If I started a simpler blog - then I'd probably welcome the new followers ...

    When I do follow then I'd leave a comment, and if I come over from someone's blog then I make certain that my route/connection is known. Just to start with ..

    First things first .. keep going, have fun and enjoy meeting new friends around the blogosphere.

    Quantity of followers with a fair degree of comments - to me equals success for the blog.

    Cheers - thanks for making sure I join up with Jody - finally! Enjoy the weekend .. Hilary

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  30. Becky,
    I know, I've not been around anywhere as much lately. It is hard to keep up. Maybe we should just have a blogger convention and catch up with everyone there! :)

    Raymonde,
    I too, try and touch base with them if I can. Sometimes it seems like there is no blog to follow. I hate the thought of missing one if there is! Hugs and kisses back, friend! :)

    Hilary,
    Oh don't feel bad about not following Jody previously- really, we can only get to so many places! :) This is good stuff, you could make a post out of it. I agree, I love to get a good conversation going!

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  31. Hi Karen,

    Good question. It appears I'm a little different. I love my followers and try to at least visit and comment as time permits. But no, I don't follow everyone who follows me. I don't think it should be "obligatory". ;-) I want folks to follow me because they find my content valuable, my writing good, or because they dig my vibe--not because they feel they have to. :-)

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  32. In a perfect world, I would follow my followers. As it is, I've barely had time to post on my blog, and this is the first time I've made the rounds on the blogs I do love to visit.

    I like social media, but so often I find it so inadequate. For example, earlier this week, my husband and I were driving through Kentucky. I thought of you, and I may have passed by where you live, but I had no idea where in Kentucky you live. Whenever I can meet someone in person, I'd rather do that than have a "virtual" friendship.

    I've had so many people urge me to join Facebook. Am I the only one in the world who hates Facebook? I know if I do spend time there, it will take time away from writing and/or visiting with people in person or at least by phone. I love the sound of people's voices and their laughter... we can only pretend to laugh online.

    This is all to say that I feel frustrated by what social media cannot provide in relationships. Perhaps that is why I am not so good at reciprocating as I'd like.

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  33. My blogging rules mirror yours. Lately I've had trouble finding time to read/comment on blogs. And that bugs me, because I know I'm missing out. It is tough to keep up with so many, so although I follow quite a number, the blogs I read and comment on regularly (like yours) are fewer.

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  34. Jennifer,
    It is a simple question, but one that we all deal with for sure. I like to reciprocate as a follower as I can, but of course, don't want anyone to feel obligated to follow mine. When I follow someone else's blog, it is because I want to and find the content of interest. I appreciate your two cents! :)

    Saloma,
    It would have been nice to see you in person! We live in north central KY. Perhaps next time! :) It is difficult keeping up with social media and whatnot. I am on FB but don't use it to its potential - just don't seem to have the time or drive. I see benefits and drawbacks to the relationships. I would not have met most of my online friends without blogging and FB. Thanks for weighing in!

    Lisa,
    I hear you! Been having a tough time getting around to see my faves (like yours), let alone new ones and others of interest. Not sure if there is a solution. If I think of something I will let you know! :)

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  35. Karen - That's my number one rule, if a person reads and comments on my blog, I read and comment on theirs. What a great group of friends I have found, just doing that one thing.

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  36. Nancy,
    I know, me too! It's been a wonderful way to connect with others. I really enjoy it.
    Blessings,
    Karen

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  37. I try to follow and comment back, and then find another blog to comment on . . .but not every day. It's time consuming, and interestingly enough, I think when I post less, I have more success . . . or maybe just more sanity and time.

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  38. Tyrean,
    I try and visit new blogs regularly too but time is a big factor. I seem to get more comments when I post less too sometimes. Thanks for your thoughts!
    Blessings,
    Karen

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  39. I *do* follow my followers' blogs. I have yet to find myself in the position where a follower of mine has a site I find offensive, but I'm not exactly up to the gills in followers--yet! :-)

    I think it's nice to show support for those who support me, and following my followers has been a great way to connect with others.

    Have a great week!

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  40. Janette,
    You are getting there with followers! I'm with you on reciprocating where followers are concerned.

    Thanks for coming by!
    Blessings,
    Karen

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Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Have a blessed day!