Comments on: 5 Tips for Getting Blog Comments

By: Chasing Joy

Chasing Joy — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 03:23:28 +0000

I am new to blogging. I appreciate these tips. I do get some comments now. Most are from my friends but they are not the private inside joke type comments. I would love to get more comments and followers in the future. I think If i’m cosistant they will come. I will take your advice and try to ask more specific questions in my blog posts.

By: Deb Ng

Deb Ng — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:13:06 +0000

@Jean – I was wondering if Disqus is the way to go for my my blogs but some many commenters complain that I’ve been hesitant to try it out. I do use CommentLuv and it appears to be working well. (Although it doesn’t appear to be working here and I’ll need to check that out.)

@Doug – I think it’s all in the presentation? The secret to getting comments is to say and do the things that will encourage the comments. We don’t want people to read, nod and walk away. We want them to say, “That was a good point, but…”

@LPC -I have a post on commenting faux pas coming up – and no, spam isn’t a comment. Even disguised spam such as “I wanted to comment but instead I wrote a post” or taking part in a comment and dropping a link in the middle somewhere, “You might be interested in my take on the topic..” It’s disguised but it’s still spam.

@Wendi – The blogger comments are the ones I tend to avoid. I have no problem putting in my name and URL but I have a big problem with having to create a blogger account because the blogger will only allow those with an account to respond.

By: Wendi Kelly

Wendi Kelly — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 20:21:49 +0000

I especially like your point about not making it difficult to comment. Those discus blogs and blogger blogs that make me fill out forms or make me have to copy the squashed squiggly words really discourage me from commenting. I almost never bother to leave a comment if I have to go through that much trouble. There is almost nothing I feel can be that important to say that is worth that much trouble to me. I wonder how many comments they lose from having those roadblocks in the way.

By: LPC

LPC — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 16:43:05 +0000

I agree with everything you say. I have been considering a small post on my comment policy, or a page once I get those up. Sometimes I want to respond to all comments, but sometimes the post isn’t something where I feel I should say anything additional. I’d like to let people know that. Also to let them know that if I overlook their comment when I seem to be responding to all, it’s just middle-aged eyesight and they should email me and let me know. Because I do want to respond, and I, as you say, love every single comment I get. Even the haters.

And spam is not a comment. But you knew that…

By: Doug Bittinger

Doug Bittinger — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 16:02:45 +0000

I’ve taught woodworking for 30 years. Most recently was teaching it through a bog on my employer’s custom furniture web site and I agree with every thing you just said. If you put 20 skilled woodworkers in a room and ask them what is the best way to do something, you will generally get 15 different answers. If we don’t allow this to degrade into a fight over whose way is “best” we will all learn a new trick or two. But on a blog, inspiring discussion can be a challenge.

By: Jean Sarauer

Jean Sarauer — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 14:53:03 +0000

I ‘do on to others’ in blogging – so when I wanted comments and tweets, I did those things for others. Then, when people visited my blog I had content waiting for them that spoke to their situation. That, plus asking them a question at the end brought on the first comments. Interacting with folks and treating them sell has allowed the conversation to continue.

Also, I listen to my commenters. More and more were telling me they were having trouble with my Disqus comment system and preferred CommentLuv. So, the change is being made today. Things are a bit messy at the moment, but it will all get sorted out