Blog Catalog Discussion: Why is it so hard to get comments?

earthlingorgeous on 'Why is it so hard to get comments?'

earthlingorgeous — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:38:32 -0500

I think some would just go and read and then say "ahhh" or "hmmm" or "duh" or "cool" so instead of being accused as a spammer they would rather not leave a comment :)

flamingspinach on 'Why is it so hard to get comments?'

flamingspinach — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:14:28 -0500

What kind of language do you use when asking for comments on your blog? Do you blatantly say, "Leave a comment and let me know what you think"? I'm confused exactly how to do this and not seem like I'm fishing for comments...

flamingspinach on 'Why is it so hard to get comments?'

flamingspinach — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:12:46 -0500

How do you encourage comments in your blog posts? Do you blatantly say, "Let me hear what you have to say by leaving a comment" or are you more subtle, saying something like, "What do you think?"

JacobDiv on 'Why is it so hard to get comments?'

JacobDiv — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:07:22 -0500

need a critical mass to keep it running continuously.

I don't bother with comments on my blog. If I want comments on something, I post it here.

pobeptr on 'Why is it so hard to get comments?'

pobeptr — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:05:08 -0500

What makes you think your blog is worthy of comments?
Is your blog designed to draw comment few will ever read.
If comments are what you seek, better to post in discussion groups as you have done here

booboostrider on 'Why is it so hard to get comments?'

booboostrider — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 19:34:17 -0500

It's all about writing interesting posts and soliciting comments, doing poll questions.

Get Your Sexy Name

www.boinkedpika.co.nr
www.booboostrider.co.nr

pelenaka on 'Why is it so hard to get comments?'

pelenaka — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 11:54:42 -0500

Just because there is no comment posted on your blog doesn't mean there isn't a comment in the reader's head. I know because I get alot of feedback on a forum I belong to that deals with my blogs topic. Also have gotten comments on a few yahoo groups that I belong to.
I think that one of the main reasons people don't comment is the hassle of becoming a registered user.

Travelcerts on 'Why is it so hard to get comments?'

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zawadi on 'Why is it so hard to get comments?'

zawadi — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 21:36:04 -0500

Thanks for the comment. I know I need to just research more and write more on my blogs, like I used to. I had a blog once with a PR rank of 3 and It was becoming popular and I stopped Blogging for a while.

Now that I am back at it again, it's not going as well as I had hoped.

I think I will have to get back into it and lay off the PC gaming lol.

Yes I have asked questions on my blog, but most of the comments I get come from the Dicussion Forum lol.

The comment on my Blog New World Oder, has not been SEEN, because It is lost among millions of other blogs.
The little pic I posted in there I will remove this, I was not trying to insinuate, that this was representative of Middle Easterners, but my own confusion about the quote compared to the explanations they(Muslims)give. So I just make silly weird faces at it, and I need to remove that pic. That is a religious topic, and it's not funny.

Thanks for the critique Norski , I will keep working on it.

Norski on 'Why is it so hard to get comments?'

Norski — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 21:24:15 -0500

I took a very quick look at New World Order, trying to get a feeling for what we were talking about.

First, my blogs are (1) Very new, (2) not heavily visited, and (3) not overloaded with comments - for obvious reasons.

The words of your August 23, 2007, post, "Kill those against Islam," the one asking for an explanation for an excerpt from the Quran (Quran 5:33), clearly sought comments.

However, the photograph at the top of the post, showing an emotional orangutan, clad in what might be Middle Eastern garb, might be interpreted as an indication that you do not take Middle Eastern culture or beliefs seriously.

This might not encourage people in that culture, or sharing those beliefs, to communicate with you.

Just a thought.

Besides, I suspect that a very small percentage of a blog's visitors leave comments.

Norski on 'Why is it so hard to get comments?'

Norski — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 21:12:39 -0500

I'll be right back.

zawadi on 'Why is it so hard to get comments?'

zawadi — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 21:10:27 -0500

Wow, I am surprised this discussion is still running.
I am still having some problems with this area, but I have been playing World of Warcraft to much and watching scary movies when I should be posting an interesting Topic.
It's weird when I look at my page views with other sites I have that I do not promote here on BC, and this one is getting more page views and not only that, but generating revenue. I have maybe one link up to promote the site and
I did it this month, but it has always generated more page views than my blogs have.

http://gametv.magnify.net/
I haven't tried the Blog Addon to the site yet, I will look into it.
This one gaming site has generated more views and revenue in one month than all my blogs combined.

v1ctorya on 'Why is it so hard to get comments?'

v1ctorya — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 18:24:25 -0500

I get enough for me (of course I'd always love more and lively interaction, but still), and find I get more on the more personal posts then the ones that are more storytelling or informative. (not that I'm meant to be informative, but introspective anyway.)

SocialCitizen on 'Why is it so hard to get comments?'

SocialCitizen — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 17:39:29 -0500

I started a similar discussion this past weekend. I definitely got some interesting feedback:

http://www.blogcatalog.com/discuss/entry/do-you-think-comments-are-a-gauge-of-success

fruitspecies on 'Why is it so hard to get comments?'

fruitspecies — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 16:20:34 -0500

Maybe when you have the time, you can try to put comments on other blogs which you find interesting. About 70% would drop by your site and comment on yours too. Well, that's what I got.

And when you see other blog author's comments while you are there, go to their blog and comment on their blog too (if it interest you), chances are higher that they will comment on yours too (as they are the kind of bloggers who bother to make comments on others).

Try to reply to their comments on your blog, regardless of whether they read it or not, it usually make them or others who drop by later, feel that you are interactive.

My 2-week old blog does not appeal to a wide audience as it is more of a niche blog but that does not stop bloggers from commenting and I thank them for doing so. It's just an opinion anyway. Good luck and cheers

modemlooper on 'Why is it so hard to get comments?'

modemlooper — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 15:55:32 -0500

I have had posts on my site with 400+ comments. Its all about hitting a nerve enough that someone will want to respond

werelax on 'Why is it so hard to get comments?'

werelax — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 15:52:47 -0500

Thanks to businessblogger, I just added recent comment links and more importantly a top commentator list of links on sidebar of my blogs. These links are dofollow. So if you want to leave a comment while you stumble it would be great. I also added comment_relish plugin. It sends an custom automatic email to new commentators and subscribers if they left an email address.
http://www.we-relax.com
http://www.cookingsalmon.net
http://www.painrelief101.com

Madlabent on 'Why is it so hard to get comments?'

Madlabent — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 15:23:20 -0500

Comments are usually left on posts that interest readers so much that they want to leave feedback. You could try commenting on other blogs that you like. The blog authors may return the favor and comment on your blog as well. That may help.

ianternet on 'Why is it so hard to get comments?'

ianternet — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 14:07:09 -0500

how much is your traffic? is your post controversial? do you ask questions?

suburbqueen on 'Why is it so hard to get comments?'

suburbqueen — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 12:25:52 -0500

Most of my posts end in a question which I think helps the reader to comment. Most people will only comment if they feel they have something to add. If you've written a post in detail and covered all the bases, they may feel as if they have nothing to contribute. Good luck though!

http://suburbqueen.blogspot.com/

bsd13 on 'Why is it so hard to get comments?'

bsd13 — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 12:05:54 -0500

It took me nearly 4 weeks before I saw my first comment. I was convinced no one read my blog because, well it's so great how can you not comment? j/k

I read your blog,it's good. I'm interested because I was just diagnosed as BP about a week ago. Think is that I didn't find anything I read as something to which I could contribute a meaningful comment. So I didn't. If people don't comment it doesn't mean anything other than they don't have anything to say.

You really need to invite comments. Ask questions, leave room for opinions, etc.

Take a look at an article I wrote. It's not directly about getting comments but it is about feedback in general http://www.ablogaboutnothing.com/the-importance-of-feedback

kariknapp on 'Why is it so hard to get comments?'

kariknapp — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 11:42:49 -0500

I think this is a very interesting question and I have been thinking about it lately. I think you have to be a blogger yourself to understand that you are actually wanted to comment on websites. Still - most websites are not blogs, and they don't expect anyone to interact. This is also a generation thing as well I think:

- My grandparents generation (70-dead): They would never comment, they are not online (much),
- My parents generation: They are online, but this interactive thing, isn't that dangerous?
- My generation: Very reluctantly have an opinion, and if anything it would probably be an anonymously and negative one (which I am not really keen on getting anyway)
- Our kids generation: Very used to the whole interaction thing. They will be great bloggers (see - we have 12 year olds here who are amazing already) and probably also great commenters.

So - I guess, we just have to target the young ones. Or train us old farts... :)

clioandme on 'Why is it so hard to get comments?'

clioandme — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 11:28:00 -0500

Why do we need incentives? What kind of incentives are you talking about? Do follow? If so, I really don't want to bribe fellow bloggers to comment. Either they have something to say or not.

In the case of personal blogs though, I often feel uncomfortable commenting, or I don't want to put my name on the blog, but neither do I want to comment anonymously.

JayNeely on 'Why is it so hard to get comments?'

JayNeely — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 09:55:41 -0500

Because the incentives for commenting are poor.

Kiwipulse on 'Why is it so hard to get comments?'

Kiwipulse — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 06:29:58 -0500

If someone comment on your blog, it's because they have something to say about your article. Try to make your post interesting, as a writer, you should know how to interest your audience.

Just imagine you are in front of your readers, and you are doing a speech. Don't you like to see them asking questions at the end of your speech? Try to end your article with a question. :D

shaydelgado on 'Why is it so hard to get comments?'

shaydelgado — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 02:48:04 -0500

so true.....at least you got comments from your discussions here...lol

zawadi on 'Why is it so hard to get comments?'

zawadi — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 17:04:49 -0500

yes I comment on blogs I am still new to this community so I may not have commented or seen allot of blogs here yet lol
When I find a blog I really like I have posted their link on my list of Bloggers I like so they are seen on my page. :)
These are bloggers who have also commented on my blogs in the past.

willow on 'Why is it so hard to get comments?'

willow — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 23:29:53 -0500

zawadi, fyi I visited yr site, and liked what I saw so I've added your feed to my Blogines... however, I didn't have any $0.02 to share at this point. Perhaps later? :-)

~willow~
http://noweepingallowed.blogspot.com/

PrettyLady on 'Why is it so hard to get comments?'

PrettyLady — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 23:27:03 -0500

Do you comment on other blogs?

zawadi on 'Why is it so hard to get comments?'

zawadi — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 23:00:14 -0500

Great Feedback from all of you. Thanks. I will put more effort into my blogs.

shimniok on 'Why is it so hard to get comments?'

shimniok — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 22:53:05 -0500

I donno... I guess it depends on whether the entries are something readers can relate to... or whether they provoke thought... ?

BusinessBlogger on 'Why is it so hard to get comments?'

BusinessBlogger — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 22:52:28 -0500

Check out this post. I hope it helps.

http://www.businessblogger.net/top-commentators-plugin/

clioandme on 'Why is it so hard to get comments?'

clioandme — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 22:48:48 -0500

Somewhere I've run into a site that will help you put together a short opinion poll on anything of your choice. I've never done it, but it might be a useful hook. It's so easy to participate: just click. I take your point about asking, though. People might not know it's important.

clioandme on 'Why is it so hard to get comments?'

clioandme — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 22:45:36 -0500

There are also readers who like what they read, but have nothing to add. Maybe, though, they will talk with someone else about what they read. Don't take it personally. Just blog and see.

RTCunningham on 'Why is it so hard to get comments?'

RTCunningham — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 22:44:06 -0500

To get more comments, ask more questions of your readers. It works.

zawadi on 'Why is it so hard to get comments?'

zawadi — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 22:44:22 -0500

all the action is here always :).. Ok I will try harder to better my Blogging and content. I know how to start a fight in a empty room so I just have to learn how to write it down, to get people speaking. I will have to spend less time looking at this forum if I want to do this lol lol

clioandme on 'Why is it so hard to get comments?'

clioandme — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 22:43:06 -0500

Yeh, I get that feeling too. Gotta spend less time on the forum and more on the blogs.

Boba on 'Why is it so hard to get comments?'

Boba — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 22:41:17 -0500

Im going to move my blog over here lol

zawadi on 'Why is it so hard to get comments?'

zawadi — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 22:37:33 -0500

I think I will have to change the Mood of my Blog. I will work on it.
thanks for the feedback I will take the advice.

Boba, this Forum is where all comments are, yes you are so right lmao

neoauteur on 'Why is it so hard to get comments?'

neoauteur — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 22:36:40 -0500

There are two key factors that encourage and discourage people from posting comments. The first factor is whether or not your contents are good. The second factor is luck. No matter how well-written your posts are, most people will not leave comments if the subject of your posts is not one of their interests.