How do we get people to leave comments on our blogs?
By begging, pleading, offering large sums of money.
Actions all done in the name of persuading someone to fill out the comment portion after a post and press “submit.”
Comments are the way we know someone is reading, understanding and most importantly interacting with our words.
When I think of why writers love to see comments lining their inbox, the image of Sally Fields’s Oscar acceptance speech for her Best Actress nod flashes to mind.
But here’s the conundrum: as much as we love standing there in our formal attire gushing over all that adulation, taking the time to return the favor is often one piece of the blogging puzzle we neglect.
Why leave comments?
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- Leaving comments builds community. Commenting is interaction. It introduces the blogger to you. If someone takes the time to comment regularly on your blog, there’s a good chance you will hop over to his or her blog to do the same.
- It drives traffic to your blog. Most people look through the comment section of a post. If your remarks spark an interest in them, they are likely to click on the link to see what you are all about.
- A thoughtful comment—or hilarious one—will reinforce your place in your niche whether your niche is as a fishing, foodie or anti-room-mother mom.
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Tips on how to make your comments stand out. Number one: make it clear you’ve actually read the post
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- Read the post, and let your words reflect its content. Add an illustration from your experience that reinforces the author’s point. Even better: include more information on the subject.
- Ask a question. Comments that ask a relevant question are likely to be answered and stand out.
- Comment early on a post before there is a trail of 200 comments in front of you.
- Make your comment aesthetically different. If the majority of comments are short, leave a long one. If all you see are short answers. leave a longer thought-filled one.
- Comments reflect on your ability as a writer. Misspells and grammar miscues are noticed. This is a weekness (sic) of mine. We are all in a hurry but best to proof before hitting submit.
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It does take effort, but successful bloggers allot time to not only read blogs in their niche, but leave thoughtful comments as well.
Comments about comments in comments…
This is a guest post from Jamie Miles.
I’m back to testify that this works!
I commented on a blog post today, another reader responded to my comment, clicked over to my blog and followed!
Ah, comments. I try to write comments on blog posts, but usually only when I have something thoughtful to say. If all I have to say is “nice post” I usually feel that clicking the “like” button does the trick. Recently, though, I’ve been encouraged by a fellow blogger to try to say something, even if it’s just “interesting post.”
Today I’ve been pretty busy trying to reply to all the comments on my post that got Freshly Pressed this morning #humblebrag m(_ _)m I’ve finally caught up and so my next goal is to visit the blogs of as many people as possible that have commented, and if I find interesting things there, to comment and return the love. I’m glad today’s challenge is about commenting, because it is going to be my life for awhile at this rate! I want to get to all the challenge grid posts this week too, good thing I have no plans tonight! I need to not have a job… hahaha
I try to comment on the blogs I follow regularly. I also like to leave a comment if I’m participating in a challenge on a blog or using a prompt. Especially, if it’s the first time I have visited a blog, participated with a challenge, or prompt, I like to let the blog owner know I have been there. I adore comments and I enjoy interacting with other bloggers. I have found it to be true, the said above, if I comment on someone’s blog, they usually return the favor. Comments can make people feel appreciated.
I try to comment on the posts that I really like and relate to. And I always appreciate the comments that come my way and try to reply to all of them.
It’s funny Meg. I’m sometimes better about clicking over to a person’s blog and commenting on their post rather than responding to their comment on mine — unless it was a direct question. Not sure that makes sense but that is what I do at times.
Great points about commenting, Jamie! I, too, enjoy commenting on posts I read, mainly because I feel like if someone is talking to me, I should talk back 🙂
I agree. When I read a post, it usually sparks some response in me just like it would if I were in a conversation with that person.
Jamie, you are the perfect person to write a post on this topic because you’re a faithful commenter and you always leave good ones!
Thanks Louise. It’s funny. Thinking on commenting’s place in the blogging machine, it occurred to me that I just enjoy it.
The comment karma of yeah write past was a great thing. I will admit that lately I’ve been a terrible commenter. There are a variety of reasons, but none of them matter to the person whose post I missed because they won’t know why. The other reason stems back to the inability to comment via phone on blogger, so the recent post about that is very relevant, especially when so many of us are reading the grid on the go.
And I will admit to some comment anxiety. There are some blogs that I’m too intimidated to leave comments on. If I do write one, I’ll pour over it forever, editing it more than I do a post on my own blog. I’m going to try to get over that though, and comment on a new post.
Michelle, I have experienced the frustration of trying to leave a comment while reading on my phone then having it all disappear. Ugh. It does happen more often than not with blogger. Often times, when I am on the Yeah Write grid or when I’m in reading and commenting mode, I try to do it on my laptop. I wonder if anyone has suggestions that makes it easier to comment by phone?
And I agree that some bloggers are intimidating. But I’ve found if I keep commenting — and chatting on twitter — I can strike up a friendship or acknowledgment they read my blog every now and then.
I don’t think there’s a way around the blogger thing. I usually try to read the posts I know are blogger on my laptop and hit the ones I know are WP from my phone. But if I don’t know until I start to read, it can be frustrating. I also get a lot to my email, so when I read them there I have to make a note to actually go to the site to comment. Almost always worth it in the end to do so!
I’m smiling Michelle because I definitely have the same frustration. If I pull up a favorite blog on my phone (and I’m itching to comment) and it’s a blogger blog — I’ve actually flagged it to reply on my laptop. Crazy. 🙂 That is love to go to those limits to leave a comment.
When I first discovered Yeah Write, I was intrigued by the “Comment Karma” badge. It does take time to comment thoughtfully on all of the posts on the grid. Sometimes, I just can’t think of a suitable/unique/meaningful response to someone’s writing, but I make my best effort to come up with something and appreciate the others who do the same.
It’s my own personal challenge when I’m on the Yeah Write grid to not only read each post but digest it enough to leave a comment that adds something or encourages. I try to do that with every post I read. Though sometimes when I’m reading by phone, I don’t even attempt it because the problem Michelle brought up. I’m not suggesting everyone needs to comment on every post — replying must fit something in my personality because I genuinely enjoy it. Everyone has a story and I’m forever intrigued by people. Responding to their words is just natural for me.
Yes. Comments are a wonderful thing. You feel like you’re actually reaching someone.
I “write” [term used very loosely] a bunch of blogs. It wasn’t until I started my fashion blog, SpyGirl, that I got comments on a regular basis. The art blog and gluttony blog before that? Comments very rare. I guess the fashion bloggers are a gabby bunch. I like that.
That’s a great point. Certain blogs and subjects definitely have personality. I think successful blogs and their commenting karma reflect the blogger’s personality. Maybe a chatty, fun side to you really shines through in your fashion blog. I’ll hop over and check it out. Lord knows, I need all the help I can get in that area.
Excellent point! I am very dry on the art blog. Hardly any verbiage.
I like to think I’m entertaining on the gluttony one, and if I’m only amusing myself? So be it!
(Spygirl has links to all the blogs on the sidebar).