how do you all deal with direct comments to you?

[sp802]

Ok. I believe Steve posted a blog post about this, and I'm wondering how everyone else deals with this as well. How do you all deal with comments directed to you? Whether it's on twitter, your blogs, etc...? I can't help but feel rude, if I don't comment back especially if it seems it took the person a lot of courage & thought to post the comment to me.

I used to respond to every comment to my own detriment. I couldn't get anything done and felt overwhelmed. I've started to selectively respond, but I still can't help feeling bad if my not responding affects a person adversely. What do you all do?

[cacheborn]

I am not sure I understand. Is it a problem because you are getting way too many comments? In that case, you can just declare( on your blog) that you will not be able to respond to each one personally.
On twitter, I have become really selective. I don't follow persons whom I do not know or persons who do not offer value. Twitter is a blackhole. you could get lost responding to people if you are not careful.

[sidsavara]

I think part of this may be your personal view of how people interact online

I think you've got ingrained in your beliefs that when someone comments or makes a passing reference, that they are expecting a response back

I can only speak for myself - I certainly don't expect responses to everything. I check forums, twitter, comments etc sporadically.

I do try and respond to direct emails, messages and comments on my blog, but if it's just a conversation going on in a forum/twitter/blog that I'm a part of - it's ok to let it go =)

[Talkofthatown919]

the way that i deal with direct comments toward myself i just deal with them how i normally would in real life.