Sorry for Not Replying to your Comment

When I joined DoC as a contributing writer a couple years ago, I would studiously reply to anyone who commented on my posts. Even when I didn’t have anything to add, I’d write “thanks for the data point” or something of that sort.

I truly believe that if someone took the time to read my post and comment on it, they deserve a reply – if only for the chance they’ll come back and see that I actually read their comment. Certainly, when someone gives a compliment they deserve a thanks. And when someone gives critique they deserve a reply.

As the blog gets bigger and I’ve been writing more posts, it’s become overwhelming to keep this up. Sometimes, I go through the comments (reviewing, approving, etc.) and come back a few hours later to see 100 new comments. It’s a great feeling to see people interested and engaged – please continue to comment! – but it’s increasingly difficult to respond to everything.

I try replying when I can. If I have something to contribute in a reply, I’ll usually do so – time permitting.  I’m better about replying to a post written in the past day/two.

When people correct factual information in a post, I’ll always acknowledge it and update the post accordingly. I don’t think a day goes by that readers don’t write vital things in the comments – whether a correction, a new deal, an old bonus which came back to life, or something similar. Reader’s comments are an integral part of the site’s content, without a doubt.

A lot of times, someone comments with a question that I’m not really sure what the answer is myself. In those cases, I usually don’t reply. Sometimes the question is excellent, I simply don’t know the answer.

Luckily, we have many astute readers who often contribute in the comments. Obviously when someone asks a question in the comments, they’re asking for anyone who will be able to answer it.

[It’s an enormous help for us, by the way, when readers answer other reader’s questions. When someone else answers effectively, there isn’t much reason for us to answer it which saves us time.]

And so to all readers: Thank you for commenting! I probably did see your comment if it’s on one of my posts, and there’s a good chance I saw it even if it’s on another writer’s post. The lack of reply is due to the volume of comments on the site. Don’t assume your comment went unnoticed, even if no one replied to it.

Comment Tips

A couple of tips to increase the odds that I’ll reply to a comment (the same I’m sure goes for Will’s reply).

When asking a question, particularly if it’s on a blog post which isn’t recent, try putting the context into the question. For example, instead of “Can anyone confirm this still works?”, you can write, “Can anyone confirm that it still works to PC from CSP to Sapphire and then to Freedom in less than 12 months?”

When we see the comments, we’re looking at it on the back-end where there’s pages and pages of comments on dozens of different topics across the site. Often, a question someone asks is well understood at the bottom of the page where it’s written, but not as immediately understood when reading it without context.

This doesn’t mean you have to write a long comment. In fact, short, concise comments are more likely to get a reply. But if you can add a couple words to give context, it helps us understand the question quickly.

Another tip (and don’t tell anyone I said this) is that I have a soft spot for someone who addresses me by name, like “Will or Chuck, do you know if ….” It goes against my manners not to answer – although I’m not promising anything.  🙂

Again, it’s usually not important to address me or another writer since there are lots readers who are just as knowledgable about the given subject. That said, I realize that to you, another blog commenter is usually an anonymous person, and so you might want a reply from me or Will or Sirtheta or Don, which is why I’m mentioning these tips.

And of course you can always reach out to us via email as well. I’m chuck@doctorofcredit and Will is will@doctorofcredit. Try keeping the message brief and to the point as much as possible.

Thanks again for reading the site and especially for commenting!

[Quick note from Will, I’m also currently on vacation so that’s why you haven’t see any comments or posts (at least ones I didn’t schedule ahead of time) recently. I’ll be back to normal in two days time or so]