Compiling Thanks to Commenters
June 19, 2009 by Lillie
Each month when I post my thanks to commenters, I get questions about how I compile the list. I have answered several times in comments but finally decided to put the answer into a post to make it more accessible.
People often ask if there is a plugin to compile this list. If there is, I don’t know about it. If anyone knows of such a plugin, please let me know. There are top commentator plugins, but I haven’t found one that gives credit to every comment each month.
Note added 10/21/11: I have modified the system slightly and edited the instructions below to show the latest process.
Here is my system:
- I maintain a spreadsheet in Excel throughout the month listing all commenters, their URLs, and the date(s) they comment.
- I update the list every time I moderate comments—it doesn’t take much time each time I moderate, and I have all the information in the spreadsheet by the end of the month.
- When I’m ready to put the post together, I add a column and enter the number of comments. Since many people leave only one comment during the month, it doesn’t take long—I fill in the numbers greater than one, then copy and paste many rows of 1 at a time.
- Next, I sort the list by the number of comments—from largest to smallest and add header rows to break the list into categories based on the number of comments.
- I copy the first two columns of the spreadsheet (commenter name and URL) into the WordPress visual editor (as if posting from Word).
- Then I add the image and opening sentences above the table, and the post is ready to publish.
Using this method I can compile a thank-you post in less than an hour each month, and I consider the time well-spent to show my appreciation for comments.
I just randomly found your site and really love some of your writings. Can tell you take the time to write and reply to everyone.. makes it so much more personal. I just wish many other bloggers where as nice and had a cool system like you! Makes it worth both of our time to both comment (add relevant content for you) and you link back to us, giving us an incentive to stick around and to add to the conversations going!
Jonny,
I’m sure mega-successful bloggers simply have too many commenters to respond to individually. I’ve found that many bloggers with smaller followings do take the time to respond and develop a community.
[...] Every month when I post thanks to commenters, I get questions about how I compile this list. I have explained my system in detail in Compiling Thanks to Commenters. [...]
[...] I get questions about how I compile this list. I have explained my system in detail in Compiling Thanks to [...]
[...] Every month when I post thanks to commenters, I get questions about how I compile this list. I have explained my system in detail in Compiling Thanks to Commenters. [...]
Well Lillie, I had this question too and landed up with the answer. It is nice of you to reply to each and every comment and write additional posts to make it easier for us. How do you manage your time? Don’t you get impatient in answering few same questions every time? I am learning a lot from your blog and I love your attitude. I would also remain involved in my blog and reply to all commenter as early as possible. This idea of thanking is great. Thanks Lillie.
Jonathan,
Managing time? I never have enough time. I’ve cut my posting down from three times per week to twice a week, but replying to commenters is a high priority with me. Blogging is my hobby–I do this when other people are watching TV or playing sports. When I get the same questions over and over again, I try to answer them in a post so I don’t have to keep repeating myself—just like this post that answers the questions I get every time I post a thanks to commenters post. Glad you enjoy the blog and find it helpful. Best wishes on your own blog.
[...] Every month when I post thanks to commenters, I get questions about how I compile this list. I have explained my system in detail in Compiling Thanks to Commenters. [...]
I agree with Jonathan. Not easy to reply to all the comments, that too so early! I was feeling you must be having people who help you out with all this. I was surprised to read that you do them on your own. Wonder when would I develop the art of managing time like this! To be honest, I seriously find it very difficult.
Jason,
We all have different talents. I am generally fairly organized, so this isn’t too hard for me. I’m sure you have skills that I don’t have.
Well Lillie, after reading your posts and comments, I feel that you should write a post on how to manage time. Many people want to know how you are so active with the blogs without compromising on your personal life and other routine things. May be a few tips would help us as well because I grow frustrated when after a week I check my blogs and have a huge number of comments to reply! Please share your strategy with us. Thanks.
Dominic,
I certainly don’t consider myself an expert in time management … but I’ve added the topic to my list of topics for upcoming blogs and will see what I can do.
Dominic has said right what I wanted to. I understand this because I too have a blog and I get stressed out in checking it every now and then and moderating queries followed by answering questions. I want to know how can I manage time and give adequate attention to my blog while performing routine activities like office, family, travel etc. Thanks.
Gareth,
Actually, this topic is a good follow-on to the one I have planned for tomorrow, so I’ve changed my schedule to add this next week.
Interestig system you have there. Thank you for sharing with us!
Marius,
I wrote the post in self-defense.
Every month people asked me how I compiled the list, and after I answered a few zillion times in comments, I decided it was easier to link to one post every time.
[...] Every month when I post thanks to commenters, I get questions about how I compile this list. I have explained my system in detail in Compiling Thanks to Commenters. [...]
[...] Every month when I post thanks to commenters, I get questions about how I compile this list. I have explained my system in detail in Compiling Thanks to Commenters. [...]
This makes so much sense! I’ll have to keep your process in mind when I ramp up my own blog. I know I’ve said it before, but you (and your blog) are very impressive.
Matt,
It took me a while to develop the system, but now it takes only a few minutes to compile the thanks post.
Thank you for the compliment!
[...] = 468; google_ad_height = 60; Lillie (from Lillie Amman’s Blog) compiles a list each month, thanking her readers for their comments, I used a similar method to thank our readers in my the importance of comments post.One of the most [...]
[...] Every month when I post thanks to commenters, I get questions about how I compile this list. I have explained my system in detail in Compiling Thanks to Commenters. [...]
[...] Every month when I post thanks to commenters, I get questions about how I compile this list. I have explained my system in detail in Compiling Thanks to Commenters. [...]