Last night I had an Oh, No! experience.
It was one of those heart-sinking realizations.
“My readers must think that I am too good to reply to their thoughtful comments on the blog.”
Those were my thoughts. I was sure you thought I was a blogging snob. “She must think_______.” Or something equally not true.
I had no idea that when I took the time to reply to all your sweet comments that you had no idea that I did. Somewhere along the line I neglected to add a plugin, something called Comment Reply Notification.
When I started this blog I worked really hard to get the mechanics of it right. Or as much as someone who needs to read the WordPress tutorial for dummies is capable. Okay…I’m not saying I’m a dummy. I’m saying this was a venture into a whole new, bright and shiny, bells and whistles, code and html world. And as a plug and play gal…there was a huge learning curve. Actually, there still is in this highly technical world.
First, I want to apologize to you.
I really truly believe what I wrote on my about page…
You see, this blog is not all about me…it’s about us…sharing in each other’s lives and helping each other to be the wonderfully extraordinary individuals we were created to be!
Sharing in each other’s lives.
Um. That wasn’t happening unless you clicked on the notify me of follow-up comments by email button.
I am truly sorry. Please forgive me.
From this point on….you should receive replies to your comments in your inbox.
Are you a WordPress blogger and guilty of the same thing?
If you are…you can very easily correct the issue with this plugin: Comment Reply Notification. Now, I need to give a caveat. This plugin has not been updated in a while, but it seems to work well. If you know of another plugin that is better. Please let me know. In order to help us all be better connected, I will show you how to add this plugin to your WordPress blog.
How to install Comment Reply Notification on your WordPress blog:
- Go to your WordPress Dashboard, and on the left sidebar, scroll down to ‘Plugins,’ hover there and click on ‘Add New.’
- Under the heading of ‘Install Plugins’ go to the ‘Search’ box and type in…Comment Reply Notification and click ‘search plugins.’
- Comment Reply Notification will probably be the first plugin in the list. Click ‘Install Now.’
- Next, on your left side bar, scroll down to ‘Settings.’ Hover over ‘Settings’ and you’ll see a list. Comment Reply Notification should be in the list. Click it.
- Using the graphic below as a guide: Click on ‘Replied by the author of the post or administrator ONLY.’
- And add your blog’s name in the brackets as I have done, below
- And finally click ‘Update Options.’
Comment Reply Notification
That’s it. I love a super easy fix. It took more time for me to find it on Google by far than installing it and testing it.
You’ll want to test it. Have a friend or family member comment on your blog post, reply to their comment, and then check it to make sure that it looks fine. (You can have them forward the e-mail to you.) Also, I was concerned that my e-mail would be in the comment…and it is not.
So….after thousands of comments and replies….it’s finally going to be An Extraordinary Day!
This simple fix will certainly help you, and me, feel more connected.
Be watching your inbox for a reply, the next time you comment.
And please ‘Share Your Thoughts’ — I LOVE hearing what you think. I really do.
I’m so glad that we will be chatting with each other, finally.
The only that would make it better….
you and I chatting in person, in my sunroom,
and enjoying an Extraordinary Chocolate Banana Magic Sundae.
Who knew that something as simple as a Comment Reply Notification plugin could be so gratifying?
I feel better already.
You too?
Wishing Extraordinary YOU an Extraordinary week!
Diane
P.S. Because every post, in my humble opinion, needs pretty pictures, I thought I’d share these lovely Lupines that I came across on one of my walks. My Michigan garden included a few wild ones, I wonder how they look now?
I’d be honored if you used the sharing buttons at the bottom.
Please let your friends know the goodness that awaits them here.
To receive FREE bits of inspiration like this in your inbox or reader, subscribe now.
Well, I am embarassed to say that I didn’t have that plugin either, although I think I’ve been able to interact back and forth. I downloaded it. Why don’t you reply back to me here, and I’ll test it out!
Oh…I’m so glad to know I’m not alone. But, I figured that if I missed it…someone else did too. 😉
It will be interesting to see how or if this helps. But, I do think it will.
Have a blessed day, Barbie!!
😀
Diane
It seems to be working as I received a lovely email this morning 🙂 No need to apologize ~ The Lupines are so lovely, I might have to try them in my garden ~ Enjoy your day ~ Judi
Yay!! I’m glad it’s working nicely! Much better, yes?
Thank you for your understanding Judi! 🙂
May your day be full of JOY!!
Diane
*chuckling* I can imagine that brain hitting overdrive! No worries–I didn’t expect an email and I’m one who drops back for the conversation. I didn’t even know there was that function–I don’t click boxes. *laughing* But I’m kinda like that. I engage in conversation on other folks’ web logs and use my own for emptying my brain so I’m……semi-functional? LOL
It’s all good here, ma’am. No worries. But for those folks who had an idea of how it would work and it failed to work that way–I’m sure it’s nice to have that rectified!
LOVELY flowers. I see them at our community flower garden and I wondered what they were–now I know! They’re just beautiful!
Haha!
Well, Mel, I’m glad I didn’t let you down…but now you’re stuck with one anyway. 😉
Hope the cooler weather stays for you a few days. It’s a cooker here today.
Diane
no worry! I just knew you are a very busy lady and didn’t always expect replies tho it seems I have asked a few questions here and there. so I guessing all those unsent replies are hanging out somewhere! no way to resend? that would be fun to get! love all your pretty pictures!
hugs
glenda kremer
Oh Glenda…
Now I know why it was frustrating to answer your questions only to have you ask the same ones again and you never got the answers. I am really sorry. All for some silly technical thing.
Thanks for always being so encouraging.
You are a blessing to me!!
Diane
chuckling* I can imagine that brain hitting overdrive! No worries–I didn’t expect an email and I’m one who drops back for the conversation. I didn’t even know there was that function–I don’t click boxes. *laughing* But I’m kinda like that. I engage in conversation on other folks’ web logs and use my own for emptying my brain so I’m……semi-functional? LOL – See more at: https://anextraordinaryday.net/i-did-reply-really-i-did-comment-reply-notification/#sthash.BtqNwJMv.dpuf
Haha! Guess the feelings are mutual, Rose?
Blessings!
Diane
Hmm, funny, I’ve always gotten your replies to my comments! That’s one of the things I love about you! Many bloggers don’t reply, and I don’t mind. But I do especially love those who do, and make sure I follow those blogs! May God bless you richly today! Dona
Oh my Dona, that is funny. 😀 Hmmmmm.
Did you by chance check the box to receive replies? Maybe that is it?
May your week be filled with unexpected joys!
Diane
I have to check this plugin. Thanks for shooting it here, Diane!
I’m so happy that this might be helpful to you, Eleni. 🙂
I just installed it! Maybe you would like to visit my blog and leave a comment to see if it works! I think that we still have a lot of things to learn about wordpress and it is good to share such informations. Thanks one more time!
Yay! Eleni, I just popped over to your blog and left a comment….so now you can see how it works on both ends. 🙂
As far as learning WordPress….I don’t think we’ll ever stop learning. 🙂 Probably that is a good thing. It keeps us on our toes.
Happy Blogging!!
~Diane
Hi, I have noticed the same issues on blogger. Some of my favorite bloggers are answering on their post and I never see it. I just don’t have time to go back to that particular post on the chance I may see a reply. So glad you got the plugin. I am sure it works on blogger somehow.
I am notified in my inbox when someone comments. I reply to the ones with email address and skip the ones with “No Reply” in the place of an email address.
I love your blog, Blessings, Ginger
You are right Ginger…it’s takes time and it’s hard to remember to pop back to see a reply to a comment. I think your method is a great idea too!
You are so sweet…thanks for reading my blog…you help make this spot on the web, Extraordinary!!
[hugs]
Diane
Well, I just comment on people’s blogs and I had much rather have a comment back on my blog. I get lots of comments by email and I answer them. I have noticed some folks answer you comment on their blog. I don’t like that as I don’t go back to see if they’ve answered me. Things seemed to be so much more simple a few years ago.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
I agree, Sheila, it is nice to know that someone has replied to our comments….and everything has become more complicated.
Thanks for taking the time to stop and comment today. Hope your weekend is Extraordinary!
Hi sweetie, are you still using this plugin? It hasn’t been updated for almost three years and I am nervous to use it. I googled. it and found a couple of crash problems. Have you had any issues? xo
Hmmm…I haven’t had any problems using it Katie…
I learned about it from “Blogging with Amy.” You might look to see if she’s still using it. She was the one who gave me the thumbs up for using it.
Hope it works for you. 🙂
Blessings!
If you need something minimalist, without a plugin, you can use a great snippet of 30 lines: https://wp-store.ru/comment-reply-notification/ Does the same as the Comment Reply Notification plugin.
Thanks, Elena! I actually need to update that post as I am using another one that is lightweight and up to date!