tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193309628838073849.post8145486271829212150..comments2024-03-28T06:45:43.775-06:00Comments on Read All The Things!: Discussion: Following Back—Why I Do It (And Occasionally Wish I Didn’t)Aj @ Read All The Things!http://www.blogger.com/profile/02860483414620371093noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193309628838073849.post-33383613101829929692015-09-03T13:07:09.731-06:002015-09-03T13:07:09.731-06:00That’s one of the problems I’m having with followi...That’s one of the problems I’m having with following back every book blogger. Some people only blog about certain genres, and if I’m not interested in those genres, I never look at their blog. It feels weird to follow something that I never look at.<br /><br />Aj @ <a href="http://ajsterkel.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Read All The Things!</a>Aj @ Read All The Things!https://www.blogger.com/profile/02860483414620371093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193309628838073849.post-46471530474242748342015-09-02T11:50:57.253-06:002015-09-02T11:50:57.253-06:00I used to follow everyone back all the time, but n...I used to follow everyone back all the time, but now I don't do that anymore. Yes, I do follow most of my people back and I do try to reach as many as I can. I like seeing a variety in my blogs as well and I also really like being able to reach out and connect with everyone. It seems polite. But sometimes people really do blog about things I am not interested in reading. And yes, I do appreciate that they blog about those certain kind of books but it just isn't my cup of tea. So I appreciate it, but don't always follow back. Olivia's Catastrophehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12706765857201768908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193309628838073849.post-38813292337716827412015-08-19T07:59:59.109-06:002015-08-19T07:59:59.109-06:00I just went and checked out your post. I’m also in...I just went and checked out your post. I’m also in the process of organizing my Bloglovin’ account.<br /><br />Aj @ <a href="http://ajsterkel.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Read All The Things!</a>Aj @ Read All The Things!https://www.blogger.com/profile/02860483414620371093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193309628838073849.post-71960745812712723772015-08-18T20:53:09.514-06:002015-08-18T20:53:09.514-06:00I am a big proponent of following back, but I agre...I am a big proponent of following back, but I agree that it has made my feeds a nightmare - I just wrote a post about this the other day - well, about how I am trying to organize my Bloglovin' account.<br /><br />Nicole @ <a href="http://feedyourfictionaddiction.com" rel="nofollow">Feed Your Fiction Addiction</a>Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addictionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08637114079800138680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193309628838073849.post-82911791513313831232015-08-18T08:23:08.122-06:002015-08-18T08:23:08.122-06:00I’ve noticed the same thing about the Feature &...I’ve noticed the same thing about the Feature & Follow meme. I participate whenever the weekly question is book-related. The meme is great for helping me find new blogs to follow, but I don’t get many follows in return.<br /><br />Aj @ <a href="http://ajsterkel.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Read All The Things!</a>Aj @ Read All The Things!https://www.blogger.com/profile/02860483414620371093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193309628838073849.post-81239970408525050762015-08-18T08:14:32.177-06:002015-08-18T08:14:32.177-06:00That’s exactly why I follow back. When you first s...That’s exactly why I follow back. When you first start blogging, it does feel like you’re talking to yourself.<br /><br />Aj @ <a href="http://ajsterkel.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Read All The Things!</a>Aj @ Read All The Things!https://www.blogger.com/profile/02860483414620371093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193309628838073849.post-13825093866331146902015-08-17T16:04:50.912-06:002015-08-17T16:04:50.912-06:00I used to participate in the Feature & Follow ...I used to participate in the Feature & Follow meme, which states in the rules that if someone follows you that you should follow back. The problem was that I would follow a ton of people and maybe only get a couple of followers out of it. Obviously, not many people were sticking to the rules. So, I quit participating in the meme. <br /><br />Now, I really don't pay a lot of attention to who follows, because a lot of times (especially on Twitter) they are just authors who are hoping to get a review. However, if someone leaves a comment on my blog, I do take the time to check out their blog if they leave a link. <br /><br />I don't get notifications from any of the social media to tell me that I have a new follower; I guess that's something that I need to look into. So, unless I go on there and see that there's a new follower, I'm not likely to even notice. <br /><br />Lately, I have been subscribing by email to more blogs, because I know I will get on there and see their posts. I don't get on Facebook, Bloglovin. or Twitter very often.Jen @ bthreviewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05033876906709771911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193309628838073849.post-87238798235679411682015-08-17T13:08:53.365-06:002015-08-17T13:08:53.365-06:00Since blogging can feel like you're talking to...Since blogging can feel like you're talking to yourself and because I enjoy getting to know other bloggers, I generally follow back both on Bloglovin, Twitter and Instagram. Even if I chat with a blogger once or twice, and no real connection is made, I still feel like it fosters good community.ebookclassicshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13508399438088766619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193309628838073849.post-38592380033492332742015-08-17T08:44:05.710-06:002015-08-17T08:44:05.710-06:00I also rarely unfollow because it does seem mean. ...I also rarely unfollow because it does seem mean. It’s good to know that I’m not the only one who doesn’t always get notifications on Bloglovin’. A while ago, I accidently clicked on my blog analytics and saw that I had more followers than I thought I did. I don’t remember getting notifications about those followers. Or, maybe the number on the blog analytics is wrong. I have no idea.<br /><br />Aj @ <a href="http://ajsterkel.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Read All The Things!</a>Aj @ Read All The Things!https://www.blogger.com/profile/02860483414620371093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193309628838073849.post-10244127285762943162015-08-17T08:32:21.725-06:002015-08-17T08:32:21.725-06:00That’s interesting about the 1000 followers thing....That’s interesting about the 1000 followers thing. When I come across a blog on Bloglovin’ that has a ton of followers, I always click on it to find out why so many people seem to like it. I don’t always follow it, though.<br /><br />Aj @ <a href="http://ajsterkel.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Read All The Things!</a>Aj @ Read All The Things!https://www.blogger.com/profile/02860483414620371093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193309628838073849.post-28632868522059302092015-08-17T08:26:07.330-06:002015-08-17T08:26:07.330-06:00I might have to do that too someday. Instead of fo...I might have to do that too someday. Instead of following everybody, I’ll only follow the blogs that I really, really want to read.<br /><br />Aj @ <a href="http://ajsterkel.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Read All The Things!</a>Aj @ Read All The Things!https://www.blogger.com/profile/02860483414620371093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193309628838073849.post-5621942584339494302015-08-17T08:22:13.389-06:002015-08-17T08:22:13.389-06:00I like following back, but I also like using my so...I like following back, but I also like using my social media feeds. The clutter makes it really difficult to do both.<br /><br />Aj @ <a href="http://ajsterkel.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Read All The Things!</a>Aj @ Read All The Things!https://www.blogger.com/profile/02860483414620371093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193309628838073849.post-7455808729456378802015-08-17T08:19:24.933-06:002015-08-17T08:19:24.933-06:00I try so hard with the “Bloggers Commenting Back” ...I try so hard with the “Bloggers Commenting Back” thing. Sometimes it takes me a week or two, but I’m usually able to comment back.<br /><br />Aj @ <a href="http://ajsterkel.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Read All The Things!</a>Aj @ Read All The Things!https://www.blogger.com/profile/02860483414620371093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193309628838073849.post-54973987104554290862015-08-17T08:14:31.613-06:002015-08-17T08:14:31.613-06:00I’ve only unfollowed one unfollower. It happened w...I’ve only unfollowed one unfollower. It happened when I first started Twitter. I only had 7 or 8 followers. A guy followed me, so I followed him back, then he unfollowed me a few hours later. I was like, “Um . . . okay . . . ? I’ll unfollow you, too.” <br /><br />Aj @ <a href="http://ajsterkel.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Read All The Things!</a>Aj @ Read All The Things!https://www.blogger.com/profile/02860483414620371093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193309628838073849.post-16790582451842312872015-08-17T08:07:06.229-06:002015-08-17T08:07:06.229-06:00My Bloglovin’ feed is totally cluttered with blogs...My Bloglovin’ feed is totally cluttered with blogs that I rarely read, but I don’t want to unfollow them. I’m considering making a folder for “Rarely Read Blogs” so that I don’t have to scroll through hundreds of them when I’m searching for something.<br /><br />Aj @ <a href="http://ajsterkel.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Read All The Things!</a>Aj @ Read All The Things!https://www.blogger.com/profile/02860483414620371093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193309628838073849.post-47319681522446489422015-08-17T07:58:28.930-06:002015-08-17T07:58:28.930-06:00Exactly! Following back works well for me right no...Exactly! Following back works well for me right now, but I wouldn’t judge anyone for not following back.<br /> <br />Aj @ <a href="http://ajsterkel.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Read All The Things!</a>Aj @ Read All The Things!https://www.blogger.com/profile/02860483414620371093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193309628838073849.post-44302802576141911542015-08-17T07:55:52.353-06:002015-08-17T07:55:52.353-06:00I wish I could help you out with Pinterest. My mom...I wish I could help you out with Pinterest. My mom is obsessed with it, but I haven’t found it to be very useful in my life. Maybe I’m just doing it wrong.<br /><br />Aj @ <a href="http://ajsterkel.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Read All The Things!</a>Aj @ Read All The Things!https://www.blogger.com/profile/02860483414620371093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193309628838073849.post-69805511646462714852015-08-17T07:52:11.975-06:002015-08-17T07:52:11.975-06:00My Bloglovin’ favorites folder has been a huge hel...My Bloglovin’ favorites folder has been a huge help. I can actually find the stuff I’m looking for without having to scroll forever.<br /><br />Aj @ <a href="http://ajsterkel.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Read All The Things!</a><br />Aj @ Read All The Things!https://www.blogger.com/profile/02860483414620371093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193309628838073849.post-58580082828439147412015-08-17T07:50:34.683-06:002015-08-17T07:50:34.683-06:00I’m hoping to become a college professor after I f...I’m hoping to become a college professor after I finish my M.F.A., so I’m trying to be careful about what I post on social media. I have a personal Facebook page, but my blog doesn’t currently have one because there is a lot of drama on Facebook. Many conversations descend into bickering, and I don’t want to deal with it.<br /><br />Aj @ <a href="http://ajsterkel.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Read All The Things!</a>Aj @ Read All The Things!https://www.blogger.com/profile/02860483414620371093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193309628838073849.post-49312274143935987932015-08-17T07:42:43.707-06:002015-08-17T07:42:43.707-06:00I also have a combined personal/blog account on Tw...I also have a combined personal/blog account on Twitter. I thought about separating them, but there aren’t many people in my real life who use Twitter, so I haven’t done it yet.<br /><br />Aj @ <a href="http://ajsterkel.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Read All The Things!</a>Aj @ Read All The Things!https://www.blogger.com/profile/02860483414620371093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193309628838073849.post-5253436533200423492015-08-15T00:09:01.315-06:002015-08-15T00:09:01.315-06:00This is a tough one, because I have mixed feelings...This is a tough one, because I have mixed feelings about it too. When I first started blogging, I absolutely followed every single person (or hell, maybe spambot!) who followed me, just because I wanted to make connections, read more blogs, etc. Now... things are harder, and I realized a few things: First, I don't always have a lot in common with a blogger, which is why I might not follow back. For example, if we read zero percent of the same books, why would I follow? It doesn't even make sense. I did this for so long, and then my feeds got really overwhelmed with posts that I just didn't care about, so I have been more picky. Plus, I don't even always realize when someone HAS followed me these days. Bloglovin never alerts me (I don't know why even, I never changed my settings!), and Twitter is so hard to keep track of on a good day, sometimes followers fall through the cracks unfortunately. <br /><br />That said, if I DO have similar interests to a blogger, and we chat a couple times, I generally do follow back. And if I build a rapport with someone I follow them regardless of interest. At this point, I kind of do it on a case-by-case basis. OH- and I rarely, if ever, UNfollow, it just seems WAY too mean. You'd have to seriously offend me or piss me off to get unfollowed ;) <br /><br />LOVE this post, it's such an amazing discussion! <br />Shannon @ <a href="http://itstartsatmidnight.com" rel="nofollow"> It Starts At Midnight </a>Shannon @ It Starts at Midnighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10043593641190645773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193309628838073849.post-48721019566664292392015-08-14T05:13:00.590-06:002015-08-14T05:13:00.590-06:00Just read this cause I'm signed up for your em...Just read this cause I'm signed up for your email updates. I don't always follow for follow. But I ALWAYS at least make a visit to the blog that has left a comment on my blog. I tend to follow smaller blogs to help boost their numbers but admit that if I see a blog has over 1000 followers I'm not always as quick to follow. I follow blogs who interested me. Since like you I read and review a wide variety of books there are a lot of blogs I follow. But like I said while I may not follow every single blog I always at least visit once. That helps boost their monthly hits. I don't expect everyone to follow me. I'd rather people follow me because they want to not because they feel an obligation to. <br /><br />Melissa @ www.mommywantsroread.blogspot.comAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13906302971194197232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193309628838073849.post-75892541573749228132015-08-14T01:17:08.498-06:002015-08-14T01:17:08.498-06:00I... don't really follow for follow. I mean, s...I... don't really follow for follow. I mean, sometimes I do - and I always try to comment for comment - but as a general rule I follow exactly who I want to follow. I don't really think there is a right or wrong way to do it, either. This is a really interesting discussion though, on a topic that I've never really given much thought!<br />Beth x<br />www.thequietpeople.comBethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17673018973472849465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193309628838073849.post-3886062414106763862015-08-13T16:32:09.305-06:002015-08-13T16:32:09.305-06:00I keep going back and forth on this situation too ...I keep going back and forth on this situation too - because I so agree that my feeds are a hot mess! I have just started doing notifications on the ones I really want to read!<br />Missie @ <a href="http://www.aflurryofponderings.com" rel="nofollow"> A Flurry of Ponderings</a><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193309628838073849.post-79583050968215197322015-08-13T15:40:51.282-06:002015-08-13T15:40:51.282-06:00To be honest, I do have qualms when I see blogs th...To be honest, I do have qualms when I see blogs that have "follow for follow" not because I think they produce bad quality content but rather I feel like these blogs aren't confident about their blog and advertise for the numbers instead of the sincere interactions. However, I see that your blog is not that case at all. To each his own, of course. Also there is some negativity for f4f just because I've noticed some internet users (not bloggers per se) have promised other accounts and mutual follow but then they unfollow them after a period of time, which isn't a big deal but it's still a shady promise of friendship in my opinion.<br /><br />However, I do understand what you mean by it seems like courtesy to follow other book bloggers. My mind does battle with this sometimes, but I only follow blogs if they genuinely are wonderful and produce unique, quality content. And a blog I know will stay committed and continue to post. It's even better if these bloggers interact with me through my blog or reply to my comments on their's. <br /><br />As for my followers, I used to check, comment, and thank each blog but now that I've reached a number that makes it hard to keep up and do that, I only visit blogs that leave thoughtful comments on my blog. I do strictly keep to my "Bloggers Commenting Back" pledge. So I've stopped feeling bad about not following blogs that followed me ever since I started participated in that. <br /><br />Anyway, great post, AJ! And thank you for visiting my blog.<br /><br />Summer at <a href="xingsings.wordpress.com" rel="nofollow">Xingsings</a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com