Wonders of WordPress: Likes, Comments and Supportive Bloggers

See that little star on the bottom right side corner of posts in your feed? It could be more than a like and it signifies more for some..

That comment prompt at the bottom of each published post? It could just be a casual request but could also be a plea..

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Ever since I got back from my long absence from the blogging platform and started from scratch again last year, I would always worry about how some of my posts would be received and if I have readers who would be interested at all. The reason I deleted the old site I made years ago, and I think I have mentioned this in one of those award posts, was because I felt that I was becoming a loner and that I was so caught up in my own little world that I never really interacted with other bloggers that time.

See.. my blog is not limited to one medium or subject as it covers several interests I have. This would be a sort of jack-of-all-trades / master-of-none kind of blog as opposed to master of one. I think of it more as a challenge now and was delighted to find other bloggers with varied interests too.

Where am I going with this?

When I first started posting again, I was experimenting with a lot of things – with the blog name, with the topics, and with almost everything. Then at one point I posted something and to my surprise it was then featured in a post by an already established blogger with a very large audience. That’s when I felt motivated to post better ones because I felt shy that others would read it and it would not be up to par. It never really clicked to me that posting would mean others would read it until that moment. Common sense was probably gone at that time. But it was also then that I know I had some readers and I was receiving very much-needed support from other bloggers.

I didn’t care so much about the amount of views or likes and comments back then but looking back, I was definitely hoping for some interaction.

I “star” you too…

Those likes that you may have given thoughtlessly may be the motivation others would consider to post more often– to be active. For someone like me who needed this form of escape and also serves as a hobby, I was really grateful for those likes at the time when I was just starting. It was those freely given sort-of-thumbs-up that kept me going for some time even though I wondered if they actually read my post or if it was for my efforts. If I would have to choose I would rather have you read my posts than a like but it is welcomed just the same.

Because those served as my motivation at one point, I wanted to reciprocate by showing support to others too if only through my measly likes. But rest assured that I read through posts before I like. I admit there are some awesome posts that would just demand a comment out of me but I was too intimidated to share my thoughts, or I have commented before but never got any kind of response, only then I would settle for a like.

Another advantage of liking posts is having those starred ones under the feed ‘posts you like (my likes)’ where you could read through later. There are times that I would see a topic or a discussion that I would be interested in reading later so I would star it as opposed to a bookmark when I’m using the wordpress app on my phone. If that’s also one reason for you liking my posts then it’s also very much appreciated because it means someone is interested enough to actually save that post!

There’s also something about a like that makes one anxious because you never really know what they think after reading your post, especially if someone you look up to likes your post. “Well, senpai did notice my post but what did he/she think of it?” and “Oh god, there are so many typos and my grammar sucks, why did I not proofread this shit before I posted?!?” and onward to the never-ending made-up scenarios in your head.

Talk to me…?

You know that prompt below published posts that invites you to share your thoughts or reactions? They’re there for a reason. It’s fun and all to ramble and rave about a certain topic by yourself but having someone to talk to about it is twice the fun! I mean isn’t that why we’re blogging in the first place? Because we’re all lonely, weird, and crazy and we wanted to find others who would match with our brand of crazy. I did manage to find several chocoholics, hoarders, fangirls, and escapists here on wordpressland so I think I’m definitely not alone. 

As I was saying… You can never go wrong with a comment. A like may pull up the sides of your mouth into a smile but a comment could induce a shit-eating grin like no other or even a rush of happy tears at best. It really doesn’t matter if it’s a short comment or a long one because taking the time to type out even a few words could mean the world to some. There’s a reason why the “comments on my site” is turned on for push notifications in my settings.

When I hear the notification chime for wordpress.

Being on the receiving end is good but it would be better if reciprocated. It would sometimes be a huge recommendation to me if someone commented on my post because I would then be curious about that person. I would definitely be going over to their blog and if their interests coincide with mine as shown through their posts, then I’ll be sure to hit that like, engage in a conversation or even hit the follow button.

With all this talk about how comments are the best, you would think I’m an expert at commenting. I confess that I sometimes find it hard to comment on a post I really liked because I wanted to say so many things but when I try to formulate the words, I end up not making sense. Or more often than I would like, I simply do not have the time to comment or I’d be too tired to do so. Moreover, laziness would definitely get in the way at times too. But say that I really would like to comment to show my support, or I’m craving for an interaction with that particular blogger, then I would choose something from the post that I could relate to or make a remark about anything at all just so I could say something and engage in a conversation. The occasional short and usual comments like “congratulations” or “great post” would still come out of me but I’m slowly getting better at engaging others with slight banter and meaningful conversations. I’d say practice definitely helps. Not to mention the influence of one particular blogger when she would comment on my posts with witty and short but conversational words.

But there is also something to be said about long and heartfelt comments. The kind that would make your heart swell with appreciation and serve as a huge pat in the back. They would mention several things and gush over your post that you just have to respond with the same length! Then again I’ve seen others who could counter it with a single witty remark and it’s as awesome as a long post in my opinion. Seriously, I have to up my game at commenting.

Talk to me more?

I came to hoard, in my blogger heart, the precious comments each of you dropped in my posts because I really feel grateful that you deemed them worthy enough to exert the extra effort to type out words and grace it with your presence. Sometimes I would feel guilty because I could not always do the same with the post you guys would put out but I would still shamelessly like to say: Thank you!

The wonders of wordpress never ends…

As I have read in one discussion post somewhere — we do not owe each other anything. For most of us, this is a hobby and we are doing it with our own free will. Even the likes and comments are something freely given and should not be construed as just a tool to get follows and likes in return. I’m not saying you should read before you like or even comment on every post you liked because I could not make you do something you don’t agree with. All I’m saying is that whatever you would be willing to give to show support, it could be returned twice as much and maybe in the process meet some really awesome bloggers who are as passionate as you are about something.

The wonders of wordpress — or as I recently like to call it wordpressland in honor of us all being in wonderland and obviously because we’re all mad here — would never cease to amaze you as long as you enjoy blogging. Add that with the different personalities and diverse backgrounds of every blogger you meet with their unique perspective in blogging, this could be a place you never want to leave.

“That computer is my rabbit hole; the internet is my wonderland. I am only allowed to fall into it when it doesn’t matter if I get lost.”

― Francesca Zappia, Eliza and Her Monsters

Any thoughts? Reactions? What do likes and comments mean to you? Have you encountered some awesome bloggers who inspired you too? I’d love to hear from you! Feel free to share your thoughts.

(Or just tell me you love coffee and sleep too — even though they should obviously be on opposite sides. I could work with that.)