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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What Is The Best Comment System For WordPress Blogs
Yes, the argument for the best comment system for WordPress blogs is continuing but I’m here to tell you, no matter what you read on other blogs, the best comment system for your WordPress blog is the default one. Don’t be like all those sheep out there who install third party comment systems like Livefyre, Intense Debate and Disqus just because others are doing it. Why, because if you do, you will get fewer comments.
I proved that when I wrote my post on how Disqus is costing people comments. Out of 183 people who took part in the poll, 54% said they would not comment on a blog that used Disqus. It would have been higher but some said they would comment if the blogger was someone they knew. So, if you’re a newbie I definitely would stick with the default system. Why the heck would you change when it has all the benefits a commentator would want, not to mention the added benefits from those bloggers who have installed commentluv and keywordluv?
Sure some of those comment systems might have bells and whistles but are they
worth it when you consider that it could well cost you valuable comments? Then there’s also the possibility if your third party comment system bites the dust that it would take all your comments with it! Now there is a horrible thought. I’ve had people using Disqus email me asking for help because they were scared of losing their comments knowing that their comments were held off site. Unfortunately I couldn’t help them because I was never silly enough to install it and so I didn’t know much about it.
You may be wondering why I dislike those commenting systems so much. It’s because I refuse to go through any extra hoops when leaving a comment, which my previous post proved to be the most popular reason for not commenting on those blogs. What’s that, I can register for free and then it’s easy to leave a comment? True, but there’s the rub, there is the extra hoop I have to jump through, and then if I delete my cookies, which I do a lot, I have to sign in again when wanting to comment on those blogs. Those damn hoops, I have enough crap to put up with without having more spoiling my blogging experience.
As far as I’m concerned I believe that old saying, ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’. But hey, don’t listen to me, you go ahead and install it, that’s just one less blog that I need to comment on.
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