Hello Bloggers!
I keep talking and talking (and talking) about this word “reciprocation.” According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, reciprocation means:
“to return, requite,” 1610s, back-formation from reciprocation, or else from Latin reciprocatus, past participle of reciprocare “rise and fall, move back and forth; reverse the motion of,” from reciprocus (see reciprocal). Related: Reciprocated; reciprocating.
Let’s focus on this idea of “to return.” Reciprocation means to give back what has been given, or to reflect in equal measures. Now sometimes, we can reciprocate above and beyond what we have been given, but for now, let’s just look at the prospect of equal reciprocation.
What does this look like in blogging? In some ways, it is extremely simple:
If someone visits your blog, visit theirs.
Of course, we can take this even further with a like for a like or a comment for a comment. 99% of the time, I do my very best to engage in this method of reciprocation. For instance, if someone visits my blog and leaves a comment, I open their blog in a new tab before I respond to them and so on and so forth. If you examine the photo below, you’ll notice that I have 17+ tabs open.
The first tab is my site, this is where I open my notifications and check my likes, read comments, and respond. As I am going through my notifications, every time I come across a comment on my blog, I do my best to open a new tab with that bloggers blog. After I have finished my responses to comments, I then spend about an hour or so going through the blogs and reciprocate!
When I go to their blogs, I often read the latest post or find a post (if they have many) that stands out to me. Sometimes, if I have nothing to say (which happens rarely), I’ll simply “like” their post because I hate leaving empty, meaningless comments. For the most part however, I usually leave at least one comment on one blog post before moving on to the next blog.
“Now Kayla Ann,” you might be asking, “Does that mean I have to follow everyone who follows me?”
Goodness no! Following should be a response of genuine interest, but I’ll discuss this further in an upcoming blog post!
So what do you think of my rules of reciprocation? Do you have a similar system? How do you engage in reciprocation?
Happy Blogging!
©KaylaAnnAuthor
© KaylaAnn and KaylaAnnAuthor.wordpress.com, 2019. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to KaylaAnn and KaylaAnnAuthor.wordpress.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
I’m new to blogging, recording my progress as I procrastinate in writing my first book for children. But so far I’ve visited this site of everyone who has visited mine, and started following most. I like the feeling of community and, of course, having new things to read show up in my Reader.
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Hi there! I apologize for the late reply!
It sounds like you are blogging for success. What kind of blog are you creating?
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I’m hoping that the blog will encourage me to keep on track with my progress. If I have followers who are interested in what I’m writing, I think that will motivate me to continue.
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Only 17 tabs open? I have 62 open in Chrome and another 40 or so open in IE. I will get through most of them today. But there are still some that will roll into tomorrow. It is the only way I can monitor things. I do like commenting and visiting and do so in those minutes in between everything else. Thanks for the reminder. 👍
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I often start deleting tabs and do batches of 20 otherwise it just gets too overwhelming for me (although you will have probably noticed my absence lately, sorry about my late reply). How have you been?
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Yes, I was beginning to wonder where you were. I am well. Busy beyond belief, but still managing to write. 👍
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I popped up only to disappear again, such is the life of a first year teacher. So many lesson plans! But I am working on getting back into blogging
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With you all the way and sharing, KaylaAnn! 🙂 Have a wonderful week!
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Thank you so much Bette! (Sorry for the late reply). How have you been?
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I’ve been well and feeling blessed, Kayla. ❤ Wishing you a blessed and beautiful weekend, my friend. xo
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Well, tit for tat. I think it’s imperative to return a nice gesture. It’s not easy reading these days let alone even interacting.
Personally, I have a look at anyone who follows me to see if we share similar motives or interests. It’s worth the look.
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You are so right, it is not easy in any way shape or form to respond as accurately as we would like to with everyone. We can only try our best.
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I try to do this as best as I can. Sometimes it can feel like a full time job in itself, and I simply don’t have the time as it would take away from the little time I have to spend on writing. But I do try!
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You and I can keep on trying! 🙂
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Sometimes overwhelming but I try to reciprocate to each one. Anyone who follows, I reciprocate thanking them for the follow, and if there are shared interests, I follow them. I also write for other blogs and get a large number of likes and comments via email. I set it up that way so I can read their posts and return the favor.
I open tabs for google mail and my two blogs in Chrome. I open and respond to each email and close the tab. If I open too many tabs in Chrome, my computer gets the shakes! 😬
I open tabs for Yahoo mail, LinkedIn, and beBee in Firefox which is open all day.
I play games in the Edge (IE) when I need a break from blog land, which is open all day.
IMO, no comment is meaningless. If someone leaves a one-word comment such as “beautiful”, that’s fine with me! Hey, at least they read my piece and took the time to comment.
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Eugenia, thank you for such an informative comment (I think someone reading this could find some helpful advice on how to engage in reciprocation). I also agree with you, NO comment is meaningless. I love even the one word comments.
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You’re most welcome, KaylaAnn.
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I’ll definitely check out the site of someone who’s liked a post or followed me. I won’t promise to like or follow them; I may not be interested in the content. But I’ve also found many great sites by following this approach.
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Sounds like a great way to blog. It doesn’t cost us anything to return a view for a view, we might even find that we enjoy what we read.
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Tabs are the best invention since sliced bread. I have SO many open. I do exactly what you do.
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It’s the only way I know that works for replying to everyone!
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Wise words. Thank you.
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Thank you for stopping by and commenting!
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I’d add that it should be ‘meaningful’ reciprocation, otherwise it becomes a “thanks for commenting” recycling bit.
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A great point for sure.
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