How active are you on the internet?
I mean – really active? Not just flicking around on Facebook and retweeting the odd interesting fact on Twitter type of active – but interacting type of active?
Here is an admission of mine – before I started my blog I was a bit of an internet passenger (aka creeper).
You know what I mean. The person who looks at their Facebook feed and thinks – “oh that’s cute” or “how lovely for them” and keeps scrolling. The person who reads a blog post, can totally relate to the content and loves the writing – but closes the window without comment.
Yep – I used to do that. Which I know sounds so odd for someone who has a blog. But to be honest, I didn’t really “get” social media before. I didn’t know why everyone was posting so much stuff up there for the world to see. I didn’t really post much – I’m quite a private person really – but I still looked at everyone’s posts. And enjoyed doing so, in a non-creepy way (weird I know).
I liked a lot of stuff I saw – but I rarely LIKED anything. I read AMAZING blog posts and never commented. It’s not that I didn’t want to, I just didn’t think to. My “mental” like was enough for me. I didn’t think the person writing the blog post wanted to hear my silly “I hear ya sister” comment on her well written article. Why would anyone want my feedback?
Then I started my blog. I hit publish on my first post. I waited for outpourings of love, like some teenager waiting in line to declare their undying love and devotion to Justin Bieber. I got some, so don’t worry the story ends well (for that post at least!).
As this happened I remembered all the times I had read blog posts and status updates and not said a word. Or even clicked like. And I thought “oh no – what a creep I’ve been!” I’d been doing what I didn’t want to happen to me– eek!
So for any of my friends reading this who wonder why I suddenly went “like” crazy on the old F-book– it’s simply that I always liked your stuff…I just didn’t always think to like it (see what I did there?). Don’t ask me why I wasn’t programmed that way, maybe it’s my old age. I’m sorry for all the likes and comments I never shared! I really do care! To all the bloggers I follow, I’m sorry too.
Don’t Worry, I Will Be Ok
Now don’t worry, you can put your tissues away – I didn’t write this post to try and get sympathy likes or comments! And I’m definitely not having a go at anyone. I just wanted to say I’ve been on both sides of the fence. I get it can be an odd feeling to put yourself out there and comment on random peoples posts. So if you’re not comfortable doing that, don’t!
I wanted to say don’t be afraid to reply to one of my posts, or write a comment on my blog – good or bad – because that’s why I’m doing this. To connect with people with similar interests…and to hopefully help you out in some way. Or at the least have a laugh and eat something yum!
So now I can say I LOVE Facebook. It is such an amazing way to connect with people – people you may never have come across without it, people who are all kinds of awesome. People like you!
So here is my final admission – I get super excited when someone comments on my blog. So even if you want to say “I hear ya sister”…I will be very happy!
So – comment – NOW! Kidding. But please do if you want. Go on. But if you don’t, that’s cool with me too.
I think this is my first time to your blog! I know exactly what you’re saying. Many of my friends NEVER seem to do anything on Facebook but I know they read stuff. Some people are just more out there on social media just like some peeps are more out there in real life :)
Thank you for visiting! I think we sat next to each other at Problogger (you are friends with Rae aren’t you?) I think I may have been rude and not introduced myself…sorry about that, there was a lot to take in!
He he yes I used to be a bit like that. Sometimes I would even think something was so awesome and ponder whether to share for ages, how silly! You have a valid point :-)
Everyone has gone quiet in my Facebook land. I’m always commenting and sharing, I just can’t help myself
I am becoming so much more like that, I used to think too much about it I think…even when I started my blog. Now I’m finally letting my guard down!
I go through phases of being a “creeper” on the internet. Some days i scroll through my twitter and Facebook feed without interacting at all. At other times I am a bit of a commenting demon! I think I need to even things out and try to be a little more consistent. :)
Ha ha I hear you on that one! And sometimes I think maybe I should ban social media after a certain time of night to avoid weird, tired comments (from me)! :-)
It is a nice feeling right!! And I can’t but help write comments whenever I can! Glad you’re getting a kick out of FB now x
Hey aren’t you supposed to be on holiday?! But yes it is so comment away!! Thank you x
Hmm sorry Kristy but I still don’t get FB. I only have it because I blog and my lovely readers live there. Some people have a real knack for Facey, like Mrs Woog, while I find that some people like to over share some really odd stuff on there! I prefer Twitter and Instagram myself but glad you have found your FB mojo.
Oh yes don’t get me wrong – I still think there is a lot of oversharing. Unfortunately now I love Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest so that’s a concern!
P.s. I also dislike broad beans and only over the last year have started to appreciate a kindle! :-)
YES!!! I call my husband creeper for doing this. He’s like “Did you see that funny post/picture.” Or “Did you see that so and so did such and such, it was pretty cool.” I often encourage him to like things or leave comments to let the friend know how he feels. I tell him how great it is for a friendship when you take time to let someone know you give a damn. I know it’s FB but still. Show love!
I comment because it’s important that you know we are listening and that you are not alone xxxx
Oh thanks Rae, you really are the best! Remember you had a hand in this social media revolution I’m experiencing!!! x
I hear ya sister :)
(Sorry hehe)…
It’s a good tool. I post links to my blog on my personal page as well as. My (seriously under utilised ) blog page, and often people comment there rather than on my blog.
Ha ha thank you – right back at ya! It is, I feel so bad for all the time I was just creeping around. But no more! Thank you for stopping by :-)
What a lovely blog you have. I just love the colours and patterns. Have you been blogging long? I never get those ‘facestalkers’ who read everything but never comment. I comment on everything, probably to the annoyance of others lol. I’m glad you’re getting in to the swing of things with FB. I’ve just liked you :) Visiting via #teamIBOT
Thank you so much Renee! I’ve been blogging for about 7 weeks or so now…so not that long. But I LOVE it – it’s so awesome.
Honestly I used to be really bad…I don’t know why. But now I am “new and improved” on social media – I’m being SOCIAL! he he.
Your about me is sooooo good – I love your story and how much of yourself you have shared. Thank you for reading and commenting :-)
Aha so you were a lurker … feel free to de-lurk on my Facebook page anytime, coz I HEAR YA SISTER!
He he you just made me lol…I will be sure to de-lurk on your page often!!!
I see bloggers complain about people posting comments like ‘I hear ya! sister’ and I think what the hell is wrong with them. If someone has taken the time to read and then comment on my post then I am super happy and appreciative.
Love Tegan’s comment, some of us are very time poor, and at the very least is to know that they have read and commented no matter how brief x
Totally agree Rae, as always! x
Hi Tegan! I totally agree – I’m happy for anyone to read my posts – let alone comment! So even the words “I liked this” would be enough for me!
I fall into Team “If It Didn’t Happen on FB It Never Happened”, so that might clue you in as to how active I am on said social media platform.
he he that gives me an idea yes. I think it works for you as you have a very engaged community of readers!!! :-)
It’s all about the golden rule really isn’t it? I comment as much as I can, just because I know it’s good to treat others as you want to be treated. And what blogger doesn’t love a good comment? :)
Yes! That’s so true. I really do like a comment – of anything! It’s nice to see people are reading my posts!
Which reminds me, I was interrupted halfway through reading your IBOT post and haven’t gone back to it – that’s next on my list!! :-)
I have been guilty many times of reading blog posts but not commenting. Sometimes I just don’t know how to say what I want to say because someone has already said the exact same thing I want and I don’t want it to look like I’m copying or too lazy to come up with something new. Some days though I take it as a challenge, other days I just don’t have time. I wsh I could just “Like” the post to show them that I’ve read and enjoyed and agreed, without having to actually comment.
I often like stuff on Facebook for the same reason, so they know that I did actually see it and thought about it. Some of my family memebers don’t ever interact with my posts so then when I see them I show them or tell them the things I posted and their like “I know, I saw it on Facebook”. Well if you saw it then click like so I know and don’t bore you with the details again!
Yes me too! I have actually thought about that “like” idea, I wonder if you can do it somehow.
And yep I’ve started doing it too – I was really bad, but now I think that’s the point of it so why haven’t I been doing it all along!!!
thank you for stopping by :)
I’m the ultimate social media stalker, haha. And I used to be like you too, until I started blogging and I’d get super excited when people would like or comment on my posts – it made it feel like what I was doing for me was keeping other people entertained. And now instead of just reading and moving onto the next one I love to get involved. :)
Thank you for being involved on my blog…I can verify I was excited to see your comment!!! Thank you :)
Since I started my blog I’ve realised the importance of leaving comments. I like to know someone is listening and hopefully nodding along too.
Yes – totally agree! (she says whilst nodding!!) :)
Great post. I am a liker and commenter. I can’t help myself, plus i like the social side of it all. I am always positive of course. It always makes my day when people comment on my pages so Id say it’d be the same for someone else and if little old me can make someones day…AWESOME!!
Thank you! And thank you for the like. You have made my day, don’t worry. I do honestly get excited when people like my page – let alone comment on my facebook page and then on my blog as well!!! It has been a big day for me! :)
I think we have all been guilt of this at some stage or another and often time plays a big factor too. I try to comment as much as I can because I too know how nice it is to hear your inbox go ping with a gorgeous comment from an equally gorgeous reader, and it makes you feel all YES someone is reading other than my mum. Lol hanks for linking up with the weekend rewind. xx
Time is a HUGE one. I love all the amazing blogs I’ve been finding but it is time consuming to keep up! Naturally a good problem to have though. And agree on the mum comment…although my mum isn’t reading I don’t think…ha ha
Thank you for hosting the link up and for reading/commenting. It really is appreciated :)