Do You Want More People Commenting On Your Blog?
When looking back at my blogs I get the feeling that although I am doing all the right things and most of my blogs are getting lots of hits, very few people are taking the time to comment. Now if you’re like me you just have to agree that getting comments virtually breathes life into a blog. Without comments it’s sort of like talking to the wind. If we think of our blog as a room and the readers as visitors to that room then perhaps getting that initial comment would be like what would happen when someone breaks the silence and a conversation ensues. So, what we need is a way to break the ice, and what better way than to offer an incentive and the incentive that I have in mind is that we return the favor by commenting on a post on their blog.
Considering the vast amount of bloggers out there who would dearly love to increase the comments on their blog I reckon the solution should be very popular. I want to start a “You Comment And I Will Comment On Your Blog” movement, and to show who is involved in the movement we should display the following icon.
In addition I feel that like the ‘dofollow’ movement we should also get rid of the no-follow tags that is standard with most blogs.
Anyone who wants to get involved in this movement needs to meet the following requirements
- Always follow the commenter to their blog and leave a comment otherwise it defeats the purpose of the movement.
- Try to leave a quality comment that relates to the post. Comments like, ‘nice blog’, or ‘nice post’ should be avoided.
- Do not spam while commenting. Yeah I know this is obvious but I don’t think we should leave anything to chance.
- Let people know you are part of the movement by displaying the icon. If you don’t like mine feel free to make one of your own.
Displaying the icon is as simple as copying the following code onto your blog. The code will also link to this post but it would be a great idea if you introduce your readers to the movement by providing your own post.
<!–Start I Follow–>
<a href=”http://wassupblog.com/2008/08/22/do-you-want-more-people-commenting-on-your-blog//”<img title=”You Comment And I Will Comment Back” src=”http://www.wassupblog.com/images/commentback.gif” alt=”You Comment And I Will Comment Back” height=”40″ width=”88″>
<!–End I Follow–>
If there are any other requirements that you think we should add to make this a better system then why not leave me a comment.
Before you leave I want you to just think about all the blogs you have left a comment on, and how many of the bloggers have actually reciprocated?
Edit: In case you are worried that any Tom, Dick or Harry from a totally unrelated blog, leaves a comment forcing you to reciprocate, something that you would not be comfortable with, then perhaps you could set a few rules in your comment policy.
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Tagged with: blog comments
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You have provided some valuable information here, and I am sure the readers are glad that you have brought this up. I think you could add more value to a site solely based on the readership that expands ideas presented.
Armen Shirvanians Last blog post..Spoken/Written Words vs. Intent
It hasn’t really taken off yet, but there is still plenty of time, and I am known to be a patient man.
Let me know when you join up so that I can include you in the F Group.
Sire´s Last blog post..Relaxing Pool Of Water At First Falls Adelaide
It is true that without comments it’s sort of like talking to the wind.
Nice blog.
j/k ;)
I don’t know if I can handle pressure of the expectations that would come with that animated gif, but maybe I can be an unofficial member. Is there a t-shirt? :)
Lindsay´s Last blog post..$250 Writing/Blogging Contest — Write a Fable for Your Blog and Win!
A T-shirt? That’s a good idea….are you listening, Sire? LOL
Yan
PS: Good to see you here, Lindsay
As soon as I make my first million you will all get a T-Shirt.
You could, but how would people know?
I have just implemented Do Follow and try to respond on my blog to all commenters and also visit and comment on their blog. I think this is just good policy.
But let me put forth a contrarian opinion. While I appreciate all traffic,but if you come to my site just because I commented here, is that the kind of traffic I desire? Your blog is about blogging. Mine is about real estate. If you are not interested in real estate are either of us going to get much value by you commenting on my site? If you are only coming out of a sense of obligation are we benefiting from that?
Don’t get me wrong you are welcome on my site any time. You might even find something that interests you, perhaps the humor category. But my hope is that people come to my blog because they truly want to be there, not out of a sense of obligation.
I understand your point well Ned, but I still feel that all bloggers crave good quality comments regardless of where they come from. Those bloggers who have chosen certain niche blogs may well find that comments are few and far between. I feel that regardless of the blog you have most good bloggers have the capacity to leave a quality comment that relates directly to a particular post.
I would have tried to reciprocate your comment regardless of the the movement that I am trying to start, which only makes me try all the harder. If I can’t come up with a half decent comment then I would have to leave it for a later date. I hope that the two comments that I have left on your blog meet with your approval.
Wow you are fast. I have to admit it made me feel good to see your comments on my blog just minutes after leaving mine here.
PS: by the way I use Lucias Linky love Do Follow plugin. Unfortunately the limit is at least 3 comments before the commenter gets a do follow link back.
Ned Carey´s Last blog post..Lessons from Warren Buffett on Real Estate
Hey, that’s cool. that provides an incentive for the commentator to come back and leave more comments. That is as long as he knows about it. Perhaps you should include that fact in your comment policy?
Good evening, Sire.
I’m still not ready to formally commit to the movement you’re starting, but over the past few months I’ve come to develop an appreciation for the concept and the way that you and several others not only leave comments, but become part of the conversation.
So, while I won’t commit to comment back for everyone who comments, I’m doing more of it than I did in the past.
Maybe you can teach this old dog a new trick, after all.
Act on your dream!
JD
John Dilbeck´s Last blog post..Instant Banner Creator Review
Gee, I don’t know John. Can one old dog learn from another old dog?
Mate, even though you haven’t actually committed to the movement, you’re almost there mate and the way you respond to all your commentators is a tribute to your efforts in running a good blog.
Awww, shucks, Sire.
‘Twern’t nothin’.
Seriously, I’m learning from a group of people who set good standards and follow through.
I suppose that like everything in life, when blogging you pick up the habits of those you associate with. That’s why it is always best to hang out with those who have good ethics and strive for improvement rather than those who prefer to sit on their behind believing that the world owes them a living.
This is precisely what I’ve been struggling with (getting quality comments). I think the biggest obstacle is just not knowing what of value you have to contribute. I will admit that sometimes when I get a “nice post” comment, I consider deleting it, because I worry that it’s just someone looking for a back link.
I recently read that a good way to garner comments is to be controversial, but I’m not sure that’s the best policy either. Many of us blog because we are looking to share our knowledge or experience, so hopefully it would have some level of credibility and general acceptance.
Andrea Hill´s Last blog post..Six Services to Enhance Conversation and Community through Comments
I think you can safely say that the majority of ‘Nice Post’ comments are there solely for the purpose of getting a back link. Is it really that hard to say why it is a nice post?
I’m not that into controversy either, although I do tend to do a satirical post every now and again, just to have a bit of fun. ;)
I recently saw one of my old comments on a site and was embarrassed to see that I wrote something like “great post” I didn’t know it was inappropriate at the time. I worry about the risk of insulting someone who is new and genuinely wants to give a sincere compliment.
Ned Carey´s Last blog post..How do I Make Money in Real Estate?
Ned, blogging is one big learning curve. Unless someone tells you that ‘nice post, is slightly inappropriate, then how are you to know. Heck, I reckon that even I let a few slip by me in the beginning. The thing is that once something is learned then it is up to us to do the best we can with that knowledge, not only for our benefit, but for the benefit of those we come into contact with.
I guess even commenting can be an art. It is good manners to reply to a comment in any case, Also you don’t know what you may have missed by not reciprocating; there may be an offer you couldn’t refuse?
Please visit my newish Green Planet blog sometime
Cheers,
Peter
A correction to my above comment. bloody stupid of me! It should read http://worldofcae.blogspot.com
yes, please do visit my Green planet blog. I think it can take over 60-80 posts for your blog to make some impact!
Regards,
Peter
No worries Peter, I’ve actually fixed your comment for you, and just so you know I have made it especially easy to add links in your comment. First you choose you keywords, then you highlight them with you mouse, then click the ‘link’ tab just above the comment box and finally paste the link in the box that is revealed and you are all done.
Also you made a good point when you said
I will be visiting your blog mate as soon as I can.
We certainly need more comments! In real estate, we’re hard pressed to get comments as our stuff isn’t as interesting as yours Sire. ;)
Coco – Kennewick Real Estate´s Last blog post..Stethoscope! :o)
Well Coco, I reckon that most niche blogs would be suffering the same fate. As for interesting, it’s all in the mind of the reader
Sire,
Just joined the movement. I used your image, hope that’s o.k. I have been blogging several years but just starting to learn the intricacies. I wonder how many opportunities I have missed by not reciprocating. Thanks for starting a movement.
Steve´s Last blog post..What Were You Thinking?
That is excellent Steve, the more people we can get to join the movement the better it will be for those involved. I will add you yo the F Group first chance I get.
No worries about the image at all. Perhaps I should post a code for that people can use to place the image on their blog.