A year ago, I came across blogs with this badge, calling it Delurking Day. It made me smile…and leave a few comments.
I am not pointing fingers. After all, I am a lurker, sometimes. That sounds creepy, doesn’t it? No, I am not hiding in the bushes looking into windows. A lurker is an internet term describing anyone that reads blogs, chatrooms, forums and message boards, but rarely or never participate or comment. Wikipedia gives these statistics “lurkers make up over 90% of online groups”.
I have a long list of blogs I love to read. I do not always comment because
- I cannot think of anything “clever” or interesting to say.
- I run out of time.
- I disagree and do not want to debate with the author.
- The comment process is too convoluted and/or I misspell the identification word a few times and give up.
When I started blogging, I realized that comments are so important and often more interesting than the actual post. Thanks to everyone that comment here at the Mindful Merchant. It is your comments that keep me motivated and inspire me to hit the scary “PUBLISH” button. I get a thrill when I see new comments following a post.
Thanks to the wonders of Google Analytics, I know you are out there. Lots of you out there! Hello to readers in Belgium, Singapore, Latvia, Australia, Romania, Ireland, Norway and Brazil.
In the spirit of fun, I mention Delurking Day. If you feel like saying “wassup” that would be fantastic. If you aren’t into leaving a comment…that is totally cool. Thank you for reading along. 
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
o.k. “HI” from Niagara Falls. I like reading your blog.
Hi. I haven’t been lurking long actually, as I just started following the other day, but I’m hoping to find new ways to make enviro efforts in my new(ish) location, since a lot of the ones I used to do heavily in Canada (like sorting into compost, recycling, and trash) aren’t really fully implemented in our infrastructure here in Belgium. Also, I love keeping up on environmental news, so thanks for your efforts with this blog.
Cheers,
-Jessica.
I don’t think I’m a lurker, but I try not to post comments if I don’t think I have anything interesting or useful to add.
Since I’m posting this, I might as well share this handy link to the City of Ottawa’s public consultations on trash.
Locals can click here to fill out a survey to tell the city what they think of the current trash collection schedule and services including recycling and the green bin program.
I am not a lurker but a faithful reader. I don’t comment every time for the reasons you have listed above, but I always read!
Hello CC! So nice to meet you.
Jessica – Wow, you’re in Belgium. Cool!
I’m surprised recycling, composting etc. isn’t part of the infrastructure. I hope you will share environmental news from your part of the world too. Good luck with your new move.
Thanks for the link to the survey Allison…I will tweet that out too. Thanks for saying hi too.
Hi Finola. I know you read faithfully but have noticed you haven’t commented on the site for a while. Missed you.
I am so totally a lurker way, way too much!!! You caught me out! It sucks – life is so busy, you hardly have time to read, let alone write comments too! : ) And what to say, how to be witty… and NOT make a spelling mistake! eek! : /
But I totally know what you mean – comments definitely can make someone’s day. Love the badge and the post – thanks for the reminder. There are so many great bloggers out there – my resolve is to say hi more. : )
Green Urban Girl – I was chatting about this with a blogger friend and explaining I felt silly typing “great post!” – when I REALLY like it. The truth is, if I were to get that comment, I’d be happy. Now I’m trying to comment, even if it is a simple compliment.
I totally lurk on your blog and I am a BIG fan of Heartfelt. It is fantastic. I will make an effort to be less shy in 2011 and comment.
hi….I just learned I’m a lurker.
Hi Karen!
(you’re not the hiding in the shrubs kind of lurker though….right?) lol
HI LAURA!!! Love your blog. I comment off and on. Seems when I read your posts on my Blackberry I tend to comment less often. But I do enjoy reading your posts, always looking forward to new ones.
Thank you for the compliment and reading Cindy.
Thank you for shedding light on this issue! Maybe I’ll write a quick post about Delurking Day a few days late, just to see if that will inspire more comments on my blog – it clearly worked for you, and the above comments are well-deserved.
You should totally do a post on it Andrea! Thanks for saying “hi”
I can’t think of anything clever to say, but I wanted to say *something.*
Me neither… except thank you and hi Zoom!”
I’m not a lurker since I’ve commented before
but I laughed at #4. That’s usually my problem. I write a comment and then can’t seem to get it published and give up. Glad your comment process is easy!
I always try not to Lurk. Sometimes I do, but I almost always find something worth commenting about. This is my first time here. Everything is wonderful. Keep up the great work. I have two blogs which I really just started. One for my party planning business and one for all the home caregivers/stayathomemoms. http://www.myplaceyourkids.blogspot.com I haven’t really received any comments yet, but do look forward to a few with any luck.