Wow! First again! And I brought an apple for you, teacher!

1) How do you reply to comments on your blog?  Do you utilize your comments section, send personal emails, or use another method?

I am torn. I always comment back, but sometimes I send a follow up-email. And these days i always go to the commenter's blog and leave a message there, because that's what it's all about! I wish there was a way to send the comment response AS an email too, but I don't know of one yet.

2) How have you benefitted from making personal connections with your readers?

I have made brilliant friends in a very short time. Hugs to Peas Out Mama and 1 in 36 million.

And here is today's silly post, inspired by a fellow blogger! 

1) How do you reply to comments on your blog?  Do you utilize your
comments section, send personal emails, or use another method?

I use my comments area in WordPress, its easier for me to keep track there with what I have responded to and what I have not.

2) How have you benefitted from making personal connections with your readers?
I'm still working on this, so far no benefit has been visible to me. 

Tracy @ My Crazed Family

1) How do you reply to comments on your blog?  Do you utilize your
comments section, send personal emails, or use another method?

I have only had one genuine comment on my blog, I responded on the blog comment section and with a personal email.  I have had a number of links recently with posts from other blogs, but have not had any comment attached so did not respond other than approve the link if it wasn't a spammer and looked relevant to the post/my site.

I always respond to any comments on our Facebook that have been left.

I also put a thank you in the comments section when one of my posts rated and ended up being voted for on a cosmetics and beauty page (???) I am still not sure how it happened but who cares, more links, higher rankings.

2) How have you benefitted from making personal connections with your readers?

The Facebook responses have had an impact with FB fans who "like" the page as we are getting referrals from their friends who have never visited the shop.

Today's post was actually inspired by yesterday's discoveries during activity 4.  I left some comments on recent posts and I have now added 2 more blogs to the shop blog roll.

1. How do I reply to comments on my blog? I reply in both the thread and by emails. I sometimes visit their site and comment there and thank them for stopping by. I've emailed a few about their baking businesses - asked how they got started, grew their business, etc...

2. I've benefitted by developing a loyal group of blog friends who I can rely on providing thoughtful feedback and support. I've also been able to develop a new series called "Everyday Inspiration" which features readers everyday creations. The first was Everyday Bakers.

Question 1: How do you reply to comments on your blog?  Do you utilize your comments section, send personal emails, or use another method?

I love my comment section.  I respond to almost all of my comments on my blog and go to the blog of the person commenting to thank them for coming to my site, while also commenting on their site.  I have never e-mailed a new reader, but it sounds like a great way to build a readership.

Question 2: How have you benefitted from making personal connections with your readers?

I have made some great relationships by going and commenting on other people's blogs.  I would love to get more comments on my site especially during 31DBBB with advice.  It really helps to hear other people's success stories.

Here's link to my post Day 5.  Thanks to anyone who comments on my blog, I really do appreciate the feedback.

1. Right now my blog is small enough that I reply to every comment personally by email.  I didn't really think about using the comments section as a conversation or to grow followers, but maybe I'll start using it more.  Right now I mostly comment myself if someone doesn't leave an email address and I want to reply to them.  It drives me nuts when people don't leave an email address so I can reply, which leads to the tip I just added to the original post:

One helpful hint:  It's a good idea to make sure you have an email address linked to your blog.  Making sure your email is in an easy-to-find place on your blog is a good idea so people can find you.  In addition, make sure when you comment on other people's blogs you leave an email address.  Without that basic piece of information, connections can be hard to make!

2.  I have made some really good friends through my blog.  Since I reply to people by email, I've gotten into some great email exchanges with people and have found great support in hard times and with my weight loss efforts.  I love being able to get to know people and build friendships.

One thing I don't understand is how you ladies do it ALL! Don't you get burned out with responding to every single comment? It's so time consuming. I do try to respond when I have time, but I don't always have time. I'd love to be able to respond to each and every comment.

But...does that mean the time I would've used creating a post or sending Tweets, for responding to emails go to the way side?

I can't do it all. Waaaah I just can't do it all. (I'm throwing my head down on my desk weeping) LOL

1) I use a Comment Response plugin on my site that emails them when I've replied to their comment on my blog.  I like this because I was always struggled with whether or not to respond via email.  I haven't had any complaints and it seems to promote return visits to my site.

2) I've benefited by finding some really talented peers.  At times we collaborate or just support one another.  It help boosts readership loyalty, which gets me more blog traffic in the end.

Oh man...I am already so behind!  I was going to start with everyone else and had a last minute funeral out of state to attend.  I am going to try and catch up!  

I respond in an email a lot but wonder if it would do more good to respond on the comment section so others can see that I do read the comments and care what people say...still debating between the two!

xoxo