Several asked how to get more comments.Since I do not excel in the area, I asked some experts to offer their advice. These bloggers get 35+, 60+, and 100+ comments respectively.
Blog comments. The number one way to earn comments on your blog is to leave them on other blogs. I know this is obvious, but it's true. Most bloggers try to visit the blog of every comment they get, to return the favor. Most, but not all. But not all comments are created equal. The best comments show that you read the post, are a mixture of humor (when appropriate) and thoughtful honesty, and answer any questions that are asked in the post. Even better is if you can add new information to the conversation.
The best part though, is that if you've established a pattern of leaving great comments, you can sometimes leave quick jokes, or even just stop by to say hi. If a blogger knows you, and knows that you actually read their posts, and usually leave thoughtful comments, no one is going to be offended if you leave a shorter one sometimes. In fact, if you've built a rapport with someone, you can even skip their blog from time to time, and not offend them. For example, I spent over a year reading 50-100 blogs a day, and building some great friendships. Lately I haven't had time to read any blogs (for like a week or two), but no one has given up on me, because they trust that I'll be back.
The only other way to earn comments, besides being some kind of celebrity, really, is through your own content. The best posts are those that get readers involved, by asking questions, or holding votes, or asking them to chime in on something like a critique of some kind. Images are also extremely important. The most popular posts in the history of my blog are those that had universal images that many people would find in Google searches. The caveat to this, of course, is how much you care about having random visitors who may or may not care about the actual purpose of your blog. Personally, I don't have adsense, and I don't care about selling anything to anyone, so for me, connecting with readers and writers is the only thing that matters.
There’s no secret to getting lots of comments: all you need to do is comment consistently on others’ blogs. Of course, keeping your posts short and posing a question at the end always help, but the real key is interaction. If you visit other people’s blogs, they’ll come to yours. Keep that up, and before you know it, you’ll have a steady stream of visitors coming your way. Besides getting comments, you’ll build up great relationships with bloggers from around the world. I’ve also discovered that the more genuine the post, the more you’ll connect – blogging is like real life that way. No one wants to see a mask you’ve put up; people want to be let into your world. While writers still need to be professional, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with getting personal about challenges you might face. So, to boil it down to three things: comment on other blogs; keep it short; and keep it real!
How do you get more comments? You don’t - you encourage more comments.
Encourage more comments by commenting on other blogs. Relationships are two-way streets. You build them by visiting other blogs and getting involved in the lives of other bloggers. And you do this by commenting.
Encourage more comments by posting interesting stuff. People like information. They like to be entertained. They need to connect with the blogger. If you post about your passions, others will connect. Ask questions to spur discussions. Get involved in blogfests.
Encourage more comments by making friends. Get to know you fellow bloggers. Let them know you understand. Support and encourage your blogger friends. Feature them on your blog. Shout out their accomplishments to the world. Get involved and give back to this community whenever possible.
Now, go make some friends!
- Alex J. Cavanaugh
Any questions for my wonderful guests?
79 comments:
I have over 428 followers but it I get 40 comments I'm lucky. Many followers I can't get back to as they have no blog, others are from years back who If I write a comment I get no repy. and others have disappeared off the face of the earth. What it all boils down to is one happy to get the few comments they get or just try to flog a dead horse? I answer all my followers who write yet I don't get half the replies back in return.
Have a happy day.
Yvonne.
Blogging and commenting is such a fine line to walk. I follow over 250 blogs, so commenting for me is a hit or miss proposition. I always respond on my blog, to the bloggers who have commented on my blog. That way if I don't get a chance to comment on their blog, at least they know I've paid attention to what they had to say.
Other than that, I try to make it around to everyone between M-W-F on the days I post. If I'm not writing. I mean, I need to have time to write too. And unfortunately sometimes blogging has to take a back seat.
Like anything in life, blogging seems to take some work and dedication. Thank goodness this is one of those jobs that is a blast. I love meeting new people and checking out other blogs.
This is all great advice that I have certainly found to be true. But generally I find that getting a lot of comments requires a big investment in time and effort. Sometimes I do seem to hit a content jackpot that seems to generate comments with little effort on my part, but most of the time the comments I receive seem to be reciprocated from comments I've left on other blogs.
Lee
Tossing It Out
Alex how long does it take for you to answer 100 blogs if you reply to everyone. I'd be glued to my pc all day and not getting much else done.
Yvonne.
Matthew, I have a couple bloggers who've come to expect short, funny comments from me and we enjoy the blog sparring.
Yvonne, a couple hours a day. Fortunately I get to blog from work.
It really is that easy. Just comment on other blogs, build relationships, and they'll follow you right back. It's great to have interesting topics to blog about, and to let your personality shine through, but if you never visit other blogs...it goes both ways. Great post! It really does take about two hours to visit 100 blogs...I've timed it. :)
Since I started with Facebook it's harder to visit as many blogs as I used to. Also, working on getting a book ready takes time and concentration, since I'm a slow writer. I try to comment on blogs where I've already made friends with their owners plus add random new ones but I can't get to a lot of them. Some days more than others.
I've found that catchy subject lines and offering something in return such as promo can bring in comments.
Morgan Mandel
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com
Excellent advice for all and I fell right below my sparring partner, Alex!
Hi Talli and Alex. Nice to meet you Matthew.
You all gave wonderful advice. The one thing I'm finding is that just like with real world friendships, cyber friendships take time to cultivate. Hitting 20-50 blogs every other day requires a significant investment of time, but I believe it is worth it if you are able to build some real connections.
Great advice from 3 of my favorite bloggers!
Though they're too modest to say this, all 3 of them are nice, down to earth people who offer encouragement and helpful posts. That goes a long way.
Great blog L. Diane!
Matthew also makes sure that if he can't post on your blog in response that he emails a response when you post to his. It's nice that he takes the time considering how many followers he has. The same with Alex.
Great post.
Great advice... I do this as often as I can... sometime life gets in the way and I just don't have the time... Any suggestions on visit tons of blogs in limited time?
Thank you Mathew, Talli, Alex for good tips. i post for my readers, and I care about what they think and I look forward to their comments, not quantity but the few blog buddies I love.
Seems the condensed version is "give and get." To me it is all about the connection, whether that be 2 comments or 20. :)
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow
Hi all!
Big thanks to L Diane for asking me to contribute to this post. I feel honoured!
Blogging is give and take, like most relationships. Sometimes real life does get in the way -- I've found that during busy periods, I need to cut my blogging back to three times a week so I can keep on top of comments. I feel guilty if I keep posting and generating comments without being able to return them promptly. But now, it really comes down to wanting to check in with my friends. I miss people when I can't keep up with everything.
Excellent advice. Asking a question where you genuinely want input really brings out the comments it seems.
It seems a lot of people sign up to follow but very few consistently comment. Probably between 15-25. I always respond to comments, but sometimes wonder if that's necessary. I know when I comment I seldom go back to the thread to see if the writer acknowledged my comment. What are your thoughts on this? More importantly, I think, is to go to the commenter's blog and post there. It is hard to keep up and if I find myself blogging more than writing I have to back off. But seeing a new comment or a new follower is such a rush! I hate being such a needy little writer.
This is all helpful...but for those who can't read blogs at work...it's hard to keep up. That said, successful blogging means giving of your time to other bloggers...
Exactly. It's all about reaching out and becoming a friend.
Laila, you're faster than me!
Isis, it's worth it.
Thanks, Suzie.
Michael, stick to short ones if limited on time.
Yvonne, even if they never return, others see that you do respond.
Thanks again, Diane!
A certain sci-fi author once told me to keep it short and be myself. Best blogging advice I ever got.
Psssst. Thanks Alex.
Matthew makes a great point when he said lately he hasn't had time to read any blogs, yet people still stopped by his site and left a comment. Because they know he'll be back and reciprocate.
I had this happen too as through June and July I only visited a few blogs throughout the day dues to finishing my WIP and going through the editing process. Yet people still stopped by to say hello. Because they know I'll be back around an consistently visit them again, which I've begun doing once again.
Great tips from writers who know! I'm tweeting this one.
Mary, thanks and you're welcome!
Thanks to Talli, Alex, and Matthew. I'm often awed by the ability of all of you (including you, D.) in your ability to comment on so many blogs. Cultivating relationships is vital to all of life. With my slow reading and writing, I don't think I'll ever catch up to your abilities to do so but am inspired!
Great posts. I'm off to make sure I have a good question on all my upcoming posts for September now!
Hmmmm...I like comments, of course, but many of the blogs I visit (like yours here, today)I'll zip over from a tweet and scan quickly, get the info I need, and move on. I just don't have time to make scathingly brilliant comments everywhere and think up and write scathingly witty stuff to sell, too. (Maybe I need to take one of those speed reading courses, 'cause seriously...100 blogs in 2 hours PLUS commenting? That makes my brain hurt thinking about it.)
I think people get saturated. I visit lots of blogs, leave lots of comments, follow lots of blogs... but don't really get many return follows or comments. I think the issue is these bloggers are already committed and can't really extend themselves any farther -- and still have any time left for their 'real' lives. So I don't sweat it too much. I want the follows, the comments, the new friends, but at least people know I'm here... and I'm interested in that as well. Cool post... three in one.
Cathy - I'm with you, I've been honestly trying lately to monitor and build upon many different facets of the social media universe, but all it has told me is that I am horrible percentage-wise at leaving comments (I leave comments on about one of twenty useful articles I read - 5% - and useful articles are but maybe 50% of all articles I read).
Guessing if my "leave a comment" ratio was higher than 2.5% (like say 10% at least), I might end up with a few of those folks straggling back my way to see what I am up to. Who knows.
Anyway, these are some good suggestions - as always, I guess the follow-up is to actually make time to reach out and build those relationships.
This is like the triumverate of blogging pros. Thanks for the advice. /bows to Matthew and Mr. Cavanaugh and Ms. Talli
Diane, this is good, solid information. I consistently get a small number of comments, though several people have volunteered to me that they stop in and visit my blog.
Basically, it seems to come down to consistently working at posting quality material and leaving good comments with others.
First off, I want to thank Diane for having us, and my fellow bloggers Alex and Talli, who are far more popular (and awesome) than me.
I think about this a lot, or at least I spent a long time thinking about it a lot, and I can probably add a few more things.
Sometimes it really is a mystery to me. For example: yesterday I wrote a post that was a kind of book review. It got over a hundred page views (which is a bit below average for me, but not drastic) but only 12 comments (which is way less than average, less than half). I have no idea what might have caused such a low rate of traffic, or what might have caused the traffic that did come to choose not to comment.
Personally, I would never read a blog post and not comment on it. It doesn't make sense to me not to take 30 seconds to say something that shows: I came, I read, I enjoyed, and I care. But the thing is, not everyone feels the same. That's okay. At least half of the people who read my blog every day don't comment. I don't have any problem with that. I don't understand it, but I don't have a problem with it.
Another thing that I think drives some of the most popular posts (at least for me), is when you are being selfless, lending a hand to someone in need, and offering a specific example of something that will help people accomplish something.
Some of the most well-read and commented on posts I've ever written are query critiques, and examples of queries that actually worked. I put up my friend Bryan Russell's successful query at one point, and since he used to be a client of the Internet Superstar Nathan Bransford, Nathan linked to it on his blog, and my post ended up with thousands of page views.
Something that helps people, and they can put to use in their life, whether in their quest for publication or whatever, is going to be pretty popular.
Now maybe I should go write a post about how to replace the flapper in your toilet tank. I need to do that when I get home today.
Oh, and one other point from the long winded-sage (me):
I far prefer replying to comments by email than by commenting on my own post. For one it allows me to have a better idea of the amount of comments I'm getting (so half of them aren't me) and for another thing I would never have time to go back to visit a blog I already visited to see if the author replied to me, so I don't expect anyone to do it on my blog either.
There. End rant.
I can say for certain that replying to comments on my blog makes or breaks how many comments I receive. Once upon a time, I replied to all blog comments in one, long comment toward the end of the day. Then life got chaotic with a messy divorce and the all the crazy promo stuff involved with the August release of my debut novel. I started replying sporadically, then rarely. The number of blog comments I received dropped by almost half.
The hits were still coming in, and my readership volume didn't drop at all, but comments certainly tapered off. In one post (I forget the topic I'd covered) several readers who DID leave comments specifically said they rarely comment anymore because I no longer reply. I felt bad.
Now that the book has been out almost a month and some of the promo obligations are starting to die down, I'm trying to return to replying to comments again. I don't know if that will make a difference, but I suspect it will.
Tawna
Lynn, I don't read or write fast, so there's hope!
Doralynn, one day I'll hit that, but until then, when I notice someone new commenting on my blog on a regular basis, I make sure I visit them every time.
Matthew, I agree - if I read, I comment.
Tawna, that's why I reply on my blog instead of emails - people like to see that a blogger interacts.
And now Tawna just made a liar out of me. I have actually gone back to a blog to look for replies. It was hers. I had to, because she's effing hilarious.
Alex/Tawna - agree to the interaction factor - I get hardly any comments on mine (probably content-driven, and my lack of reaching out) which is why posts like this attract me, clearly. But I have found those that I interact with in the comments have come back more often than not. And I have also found it beneficial to subscribe (like now) to comments on other blogs so I can come back when someone else adds more. Eventually I will unsub but eventually traffic to a particular post dies, too, so you don't get flooded.
I visit all 3 of your blogs, and it's because you are regular commenters. When people comment back, you get to know them, they get to know you. It's more than just the posts. Like you all said - it's relationships.
I get a pretty high # of comments too. I'd rather post less and comment more.
This is such a great discussion! Thanks again to L Diane for hosting us. She's a wonderful blogger herself!
While content does have something to do with it (I'm a big fan of keeping it short and easy to read), as Tawna says, I think the number of comments you leave does have a direct impact on how many you receive back again. You can miss one or two, but if you drop off for longer than a month or two, I think you'll really see the comments drop considerably.
And the real secret to getting a lot of comments? Invite guest posts from those who do! LOL
Wed. is my busiest day (and to top it off, I have a TV interview tonight) so I usually don't post until Thurs., but I wanted to give these three bloggers and extra day. What they do, they do it well.
Wonderful advice and very true - it's all about relationships, and conversation! It's not called the virtual water cooler for nothing! Only you get to pick the people you chat with, which is even more awesome.
Great post!
Absolutely terrific post. I've taken a break on blogging as of late and because of it my comments are done. I must get back into the groove. Thanks for giving me the inspiration to do so.
Best wishes,
Donna
It takes me forever to read comments and respond and I have nothing like 100 comments a day. Maybe I'll speed up;-)
Great post--and great tips! I think the one thing that a lot of bloggers forget is how much TIME it takes to build a relationship. And online relationships are so much harder to build, because well, they're online. We often drop online things to maintain real-life things.
Comments are a good thing, and if you want more, you do have to comment more. That said, I don't think comments are worth ruining real-life relationships for. I've had to cut way back on things online in order to maintain my sanity, and yes, my comments dropped. But you know what?
The people who like ME for ME still come. They may not always have time to comment, but they're my friends. Maybe they email instead of comment. They check up on me, because they know that if I had the time, I'd be at all their blogs, reading and commenting.
So building relationships is the important thing--and it's also one of the hardest things to do authentically.
And now I've typed a blog post, so I'll shut up. :)
Awesome tips from some awesome bloggers!
You picked three great bloggers for this post!
I'm lucky, I have lots of spare time at the moment so I do spend a lot of time on blogs. My blog is building up nicely and I love all the comments I get. I recently asked whether people liked replies from me. I was pleasantly surprised by how many do come back to read my replies, but I've also started emailing them, as I want everyone to know that I really do appreciate them. I know I can only do that because I have the time, but I love the interaction.
I follow a lot of blogs that have never even visited me. It doesn't bother me - every blog I read is because I enjoy that blog. An unexpected side-effect though, that I've only recently noticed is that people who comment on those blogs have been coming to visit me, so there's that!
Cameron, interaction is key!
Jabblog, I'm really slow as well, so if I can do it, so can you.
Sarah, I get a lot of new followers who mention that they saw my comments elsewhere and came to see me.
4 of my favourite people all in one place!!! Yay! :)
Not surprisingly great advice all around. I haven't gone to email comments in return yet because a lot of my followers said they are alreay inundated by email and prefer not to get more. I think it's a toss up which way to do it :)
Yes comment, comment, comment! I try to leave comments. Sometimes I'm so late to the party that 50+ comments are left before mine. :D
I love having my favorite people all on one blog! Woot!
comments are more important for writing blogs than the number of hits because writers like to write. In my own field, due to the topic of my blog, hits are more important. But I'm lucky to have both :) Since I have about 1,000 to 2,000 hits every day, I also have lots of regular, daily readers who do not comment who just drop by and read me and don't really comment since they don't own their own blogs. Commenting is usually a habit of us bloggers.
Blogs which have more than 50 comments for each post have owners who, as you admitted yourself, visit up to 100 blogs daily. I find it a bit weird since you can't really leave quality comments and do some quality reading on so many blogs, so I prefer less comments but quality comments :)
There was so much great advice in the post and comments. I probably should check my comments more to follow commenters I don't follow. It's hard to balance the blogg ing time with working, family and writing. As anew blogger, it helped me to join ablog when Casey was lookinf for a partner.
Great advice. Blogging is a time-consuming, but rewarding activity.
Jemi, I prefer commenting on the blog. I don't want to kill anyone with emails.
Mel, you are never late.
Dezmond, I have always left short comments, and that hasn't changed. I read every post I comment on as well. Talli and Matthew do the same thing. Not weird, just lots of friends.
Totally agree with everything that was said. When i first started blogging I had little clue and I tried a few different things. I'd follow other blogs but not comment--and rarely got a follow back. I'd comment but not follow, and I'd get a comment back and sometimes a follow back, but I'd never see them again. So now I follow and comment and I return and comment again, and then I started getting the connections I had been searching for. I follow and comment on far more blogs than do it in return, but that doesn't matter. I value the real connections I have.
Excellent ideas from Matthew, Talli, and Alex for ways to interact with other bloggers and attract more comments to your own articles.
I believe the commitment required to accomplish these goals includes ones time and a true desire to meet new people and share ideas.
There is relief in Alex's comment that missing a post or a week of contact won't cause a drastic exodus of followers.
I started blogging around the time of the intense April A-Z Blog Challenge. I'm not sure I have recovered yet, but when I post a new article, friends still read and comment. I plan to use the information in your article to increase my blog visits and improve the quality of my remarks.
Lynda, that's it - it's all in the connections.
Gail, Laila said she can hit one hundred blogs in two hours, and that's not a big chunck of time.
Sometimes I get busy at work and don't check my post until after lunch and there will be fifty comments already. People will support you even in a brief absence.
Great post! I feel like I know everyone here. Talli, Matthew, and Alex are regular commenters at my blog, as I am at theirs.
It's true that the tit-for-tat commenting makes for more comments in the long run. I think I have a pretty steady stream of commenters because people know I will always go back to their blog and visit. The only exception is when I'm on vacation. That's it.
Also, I try to have really fun content. Medical Mondays by far get the most hits on my blog, because it's a little different and generally grosses people out, LOL!
So true. Wonderful post. I love visiting other blogs and reading their posts.
Great tips, and it was fun that three people contributed.
Very good advice. And you have over 60 comments too!
Every Savage Can Reproduce
Wow! What a response. Thanks again Talli, Matthew, and Alex. Now that I have a moment, let me respond to a few comments.
Yvonne, I'm sorry so many never reply.
Arlee, I think I hit one of those jackpots with this post.
Morgan, Facebook just didn't do as much for me.
Talli, I don't like to post unless I can comment, either.
Elizabeth, thanks for tweeting.
Cameron, try leaving more comments and see what happens.
Tawna, I don't reply as often as I should, but it does make a difference.
Jemi, I get over 300 emails a day, so thanks for not adding to that total.
Dezmond, if hits matter more, you should get a domain name and possibly a website instead. You'll show up in the search engines more often that way.
Lydia, I'd recommended your Medical Mondays to Elizabeth for inclusion in the Writer's Knowledge Base because I thought they were so unique.
Enid, I know! Need to host more superstars.
Clearly great minds think alike! Loved each perspective - the same but different, and I have to agree. I've always thought the law of sowing and reaping was a key element to building a blog. And, as Talli says, keep it short and be real.
Great post!
Hi Diane, Matthew, Talli and Alex .. great thoughts - and it's definitely building relationships and commenting around .. cheers love making friends .. Hilary
Thanks for those tips, i think sometimes i forget about leaving a really good comment on someone's blog because I'm focused on the post that I've just published. So ill need to do a better job of leaving an impression on someone else's web site. Richard
Lydia, you've done amazing with your blog!
Richard, it makes all the difference in the world.
Diane-you really did get the experts here, eh? And all of them say the same... comment on others' blogs and they will come...
Excellent advice. There really is no 'magic formula' to getting more comments other than to interact. If I visit a blog and leave comments several times without at least a response, then I won't return. I'm going to assume I'm not welcome and move on. Like many others in the blogging community, I've made some great links with other writers/bloggers.
What a great post! I love reading the blogs of all these three - and it's like they all said, it's because I feel that I know them because they appear at my place too...
I never did get the hang of answering comments - what do people feel - best to answer on the blog, or to send an email... and if email, what to do about 'no-reply' addresses?
Lxx
Laura, I get 300+ emails a day, so I'm glad I don't get too many replies that way. Responding on the blog post shows interaction.
thanks for the valuable reminders for good practices, especially about building relationships. it's really interesting to see such successful bloggers say there's nothing more important than putting in time and interacting with others. makes sense. much appreciated.
Hey Spunky, thanks for hosting this group post of excellent tips. It's nice to know there's nothing super-magical or impossible about it.
Hey, I've got another good tip for getting lots of comments - have Matt, Talli, and Alex do a post together!
Excellent tips. now if only I could clone myself so that I could actually visit blogs and comment on others ,then life would be easy smeezy. lol
Great tips and well done everyone! Nice of Spunk to host this~ I go through spells, where I am really loyal, then life tosses me a curve ball. Hubby on leave(vacation), kids off for the summer, a challenge and I am behind the 8-ball, again! I agree with all the tips, being real and reading the comments is huge. I have had odd comments that left me knowing they didn't read my post. I guess we all can relate! Thank you all so much~
Nicki, you got that right! LOL
Ella, life gets in the way for me, too.
Awesome to see this conversation continuing.
I just want to add (in the hopes of clarifying a little): I think there are advantages to both replying on your own blog and replying by email.
I reply by email because I personally visit so many blogs each day that I rarely have time to go back again to check whether someone has replied to my comment.
On the other hand, I also get way too much email, so I can understand how it might get annoying.
As much as I'd love heavy-hitting comments, I just can't manage to hit that many blogs and leave comments. I catch as many posts that I can that are informative and tweet, FB, and GooglePlus them, but don't always have the time to comment. I wish I did!
Great advice. I hope it works for me.
Yeah, I'm having trouble with the time-to-viit thing too. Lately, I'll get up an hour before Chickerdoodle to have some time, but it's hard to get to more than six Blogs in that time (I'm not a fast reader) Oh well; she won't be 2 forever!
I have learned so much from reading your "spunky" post about getting more traffic and comments on our blogs. Also, learned much from the comments of others. Thanks a bunch.
Marlene HIbbard
www.books2blikehim.com
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