Surefire Ways To Get A Truck Load Of Comments On Your Blog Posts
Add to : Del.Icio.Us / Reddit / Digg / Stumble Upon
It’s quite difficult to measure a blog’s success, there is no scientific formula or equation, but the number of comments a blog receives surely gives a good idea.
Christine from Create Business Growth wrote:
Jonathan’s posts are notorious for having tons of comments
wow, now that feels good to read! :)
I guess almost every blogger writer out there could use more comments and more feedback from their visitors and readers. So how can it be done?
Ask questions to your readers
The comments section of a blog is like a bunch of friends discussing a topic, usually in the offline world, when there’s a conversation going, people ask questions to each other, well you can do the same in your blog posts.
Of course replying to the comments is a no-brainer, it’s a discussion! Imagine you’re at a party, someone ask you a question, and you don’t answer… Same with blogs.
Make It Easy For People To Leave A Comment
If I need to register on your blog to leave a comment chances are I won’t. Please turn off the “registration required to leave comment” option. You wanna make sure it’s easy and fast, and you probably don’t want to turn people off by asking them to register.
Tell A Story - Yes It Works
People read your blog because you are the writer, and they like your stuff. It is really ok to write more personal posts and tell a story, just gotta make sure it’s relevant. If you check out my post on content theft for example, it received quite a good number of comments (and traffic too!).
I told a story, how I resolved a problem I had, and wrote about the steps and actions I took in order to resolve it. If you write in an authoritative way and still tell a story, chances are your post will receive a decent number of comments.
Leaving Comments On Other Blogs
Relevant comments that is! You read a post on a blog, and you feel you can add something to the discussion? Well go for it, leave a comment, better yet, leave a relevant comment, ask questions in your comments, add value to the conversation. It is very likely that the blog owner will notice and visit your blog, and maybe leave a comment on your blog also. It can be the start of a new blogging relationship, that can eventually turn into a business relationship.
Worked for me! :)
How To Get Comments From Non-Bloggers?
It’s a known fact, most people leaving comments on blogs are bloggers themselves. When designing your blog keep in mind the “non-bloggers”, make it easy for them to leave a comment. If you run a blog, you know how a comment form works, but a lot of people coming from search engines, looking for information on a specific topic, have no idea what a blog is. Keep that in mind.
Another way to get comments from non-bloggers, is to writes posts that will appeal to them, give away invites to a new service that’s still in beta! :)
Know Your Readers
The best way to get more comments on your blog is to get to know your readers, what they like, what they usually comment on and why. Back to point #1, ask them questions, invite them to participate and ask for their feedback. Write for your readers, not for the search engines or the social networks. If you know who visits your blog, and who leaves comments, you can then write your posts with that in mind, if you know what they like, chances are they will comment.
Your Turn To Talk
Do you know why people are commenting on your posts? How many comments does your posts get in average? What do you think you could do in order to increase the number of comments on your blog? Please share your thoughts and experiences. I left out some important points in my post, like the “top commentators plugin” and the “dofollow”, do you think those help get more comments on a blog?
One thing’s for sure, not every blog post gets the same response from readers, some will get 50 comments, others will get 12, and some won’t get any. Doesn’t matter, just have to keep writing! :)
Take Care! :)
Add to : Del.Icio.Us / Reddit / Digg / Stumble Upon
I like how you end your posts frequently with “Your Turn To Talk”.
I really have no idea why I am not getting the number of comments I would like. I am sure if I stick to it I will figure it out sooner or later. Got any suggestions for Pixelhead to increase comments?
Adam, thanx, I found the “your turn to talk” thing to be quite effective.
Suggestions for pixelhead? well the number of comments a post get is not directly related to the traffic it gets, but the more traffic the better. I think you’re design is fine, but maybe removing the “identification” section at the top of the sidebar would help. It’s positioned right at the top of the sidebar, it’s the first thing people will see, maybe an “about” blurb at the top of the sidebar would help. :)
Best tip is to keep testing, trial and error is the key. Some of my posts received 50-60 comments and others got 5-10, every single comment I read tells me more about my readers, so when writing a new post I try to keep what I learn in mind :)
I run several blogs and I’ve noticed that the posts with a title that asks a question tend to get the most comments. I also repeat the question at the end of the post as well.
Inviting people to leave comments and/or writing on a controversial topic also produces quite a bit of conversation.
Thanks!
Maria, absolutely, asking question either in the title or in the post is one the best ways to make people want to comment, it’s an invitation :)
I’m not really into controversial topics, but sometimes you know a post will make people talk, and want to comment. hehe
Some bloggers have “open comments” or “free comments” posts weekly to encourage their readers to comment. I found that it just gives the author a break from blogging for a day. :D
Hi Grace, you’re right, like Liz Strauss (successful-blog.com) or example with the “open mic nights” (which I always seem to miss cause I’m in the studio recording guitar tracks hehe)
EXCELLENT post. I really like the part about intertwining a personal story with your point - you are so right about that. Looking back over the posts that received the most comments, this is the commonality. Thanks!
Hello Christine, thanx a bunch! :) I found that when you tell a story, and it’s highly relevant to the topic of the post it works really good :)
Very good post. And it certainly
works, too. As I was reading it,
a new comment came in from
a reader on my blog’s latest
post. Just a coincidence???
Who knows…
Jaya, thanx! hehe well never know, maybe it’s coincidence, but maybe it’s because of my post :)
“The comments section of a blog is like a bunch of friends discussing a topic, usually in the offline world, when there’s a conversation going, people ask questions to each others, well you can do the same in your blog posts.”
I believe you meant to say “each other”
You’re right Tyler, that’s what I meant, it’s fixed now.
Thanx! :)
I am %100 in agreement. Personally, I have a lot of blog traffic but am so amazed at how few people leave comments. I would much rather have a useful on-site discussion than a ton of incoming links or a high PageRank or whatever!
Hi Urbanist, same thing here, I prefer discussions and interacting with my readers. I get quite a good amount of traffic, but I’m into blogging cause of networking and relationships. :)
[…] Wealthy Rich - Surefire Ways To Get A Truck Load Of Comments On Your Blog Posts You read a post on a blog, and you feel you can add something to the discussion? Well go for it, […]
I couldn’t agree more about comments being more worthwhile than links. I’d much rather have someone interact with me so we can build a relationship than simply link to one of my articles.
Commenting is much more personable all round, and you do a great job of welcoming them here.
Nice post, Jonathan.
Hi David, thanx a lot! :)
I find it really rewarding to read comments and chat with my readers, of course I don’t mind the traffic and all, but building relationships is what I like the most.
Good advice, Jon! I’ve been working hard to incorporate more of these ideas in my posts but I’m still not getting many comments.
(Extra big thanks to David Airey above who did just recently stop by and leave a note!)
Perhaps most frustrating is that posts that I’m most proud of - and frequently poured all the more heart & sweat into - seem to garner little attention.
Looking at my site, can you suggest more that we could be doing to encourage reader interaction?
Hi Rob, well I think you’re doing a great job with your blog! :)
As for suggestions, maybe adding a sidebar, and featuring some posts on there (like a “popular posts” section), and adding a picture of you, so it would be more “personal”. You already have a pic on your blog, but it’s at the bottom of the page, so maybe adding a sidebar to the right and having your pic around the top of the sidebar, with an “about blurb” would help. :)
Whoa, thanks for those tips man, I just feel that if I’ve been putting loads of efforts to make sure people read my blog and yet no one is dropping any comments, especially if I did ask some questions in my posts, that will make me feel as if “uh oh, I am speaking to the wall!”
I don’t have problems catching attention of the bloggers but I do have problems having non-bloggers to comment on my blog. Hmm looks like I gotta pump some magic in my blog? Anyway, it’s a great post and nice tips! Nice to know this blog, I’m so gonna link u up!
Rob,
You’re more than welcome for my comment on your site. I value your visits to my own site so it’s the very least I can do in return.
Hey Cedric, I’m happy you found my post useful man! Having non-bloggers leave comments is definitely not easy, a lot of non-bloggers don’t know what a blog is, they’re simply reading an interesting article, and then they move on to the next one, sometimes they will bookmark, and maybe subscribe to your RSS feed, but most non-bloggers will simply read, and then move on to the next blog or go back to google or to their favorite social network.
Well, you got my attention, I got your rss feed! :)
commenting is great - it helps create controversy which I try to make within my blog - when I leave comments on other I make sure I have something on my blog about that same topic - just to cause a different source or a different view to others, another great post jon
Hi Ian, good point there, leaving comments can help get more traffic to your own blog, and even better if you have a post on a similar topic, or you leave comments on blogs in the same or related niche.
[…] Surefire Ways To Get A Truck Load Of Comments On Your Blog Posts - some bloggers are measuring one blogs success by the number of comment posters… hmmm Agree? […]
great post.. I think a successful blog can be measured by the number of comments… its a testament that your blog is visited by a number of followers and frequent readers
Hi Melo, exactly, and as a blog owner, it really feels good when you write a post and it receives many comments :)
You guyz rock!
I am curious if anyone has used insults as a way to get more comments… like “so and so blogger sucks.” I bet that would drum up some commentary :)
More stuff for you next time you are on Skype my friend.
Hey Goldy, haha it sure would make some people reply, although I’m not sure it would be good press. Let’s just say I won’t try it lol
Will be on Skype later tonight buddy :)
A successful blog is one that gets read and not by how many comments are left on it…. but thats just my thoughts. If people are taking the time to read it then that has to be successful wouldn’t you say??
Jasmine xx
Hi Jasmine, I think you’re right, you can definitely measure a blog’s success juddging by how many RSS subscribers a blog has. On the other hand, when a blog is “conversational” kinda like SWR, the number of comments a post receives is really a good indication that the post was good. imo :)
Thanx for stopping by Jasmine!
I think you have provided some valuable information here. I have yet to receive any comments as my site is very young. I guess I have lots of work to do.
Great tips. Now. I can see how many comments you have.
Hi Michael, I’m happy you found this useful! :)
There’s always room for improvement, your blog looks fine (got your feed), but I can try suggesting some things. Maybe changing “admin” for your name would be good and maybe adding a picture of you on your about page, would help make it more “personal”. my 2 cents :) But keep up the good work, you’re doing awesome!
Terence, don’t forget that if a post receives 60 comments, around 25 are my own replies :) but still! heh
[…] For more insight on how Jon manages to gain so many comments, take a look at his recent post Surefire Ways To Get A Truck Load Of Comments On Your Blog Posts. […]
OK…I’m new to this whole business of blogging. One question I have is whether it makes a big difference (with search engine visibility) to have your Blog hosted on a high Google page ranking site? Thanks!
Hi SureFire Guy, you mean having your site hosted with blogger/blogspot for example?
[…] there waiting for another person to input their ideas. Jonathan is a prime example for his blog, SmartWealthyRich. He participates in his own comments reaching back to his readers. This bond he has with his […]
[…] Surefire Ways To Get A Truck Load Of Comments - A great article by Jonathon over at Smart Wealthy Rich. He discusses what you can do to acquire a lot of comments on your blog, and how. This is a must-read! […]
I think the “Your Turn to Talk” at the end of your posts is a great way to get comments/feedback. It’s at the end and is the perfect conversation-like segue that encourages the reader to say something.
Jon - Are you speaking at Postiecon in Vegas in Nov?
Great post - Thanks!
Aaron.
[…] came across an interesting article today. It has some great tips on blog comments-as-internet-currency. One of my favorite points is […]
Hi Aaron, thanx! :)
I’m not speaking at postiecon, but I sure would like to attend though :)
Hi—Jon:
Have you ever come across a reply someone left, where you did not know how to respond? How do you feel about introverts who blog? Would you say (generally speaking) that if one is not a great conversationalist in person, that it might be a detriment to their blogging. As they say blogging is a conversation one has with readers. Or is it more like a new blogger is shy, because they haven’t yet built up that readership/audience base, just yet.
Hi Missy, good questions! :)
It happened before I didn’t know what to reply to a comment, and it still happens sometimes. But if it happens I usually don’t respond right away, and will do the next day or something to give me sometime to think about it.
Well I think you can be a great blogger even if introvert and not necessarily a good conversationalist. There’s nothing to be shy about, even with a small audience you can bring value and interesting stuff to readers. Just have to keep writing :)
Thanxs, Jon. Sometimes (some people, like me) need a kick in the skirt. lol. That is good advice, about stepping back, and coming back when something valuable and thoughtful strikes. I started the new (wordpress) blog to challenge myself and to grow, even though i’ve only been blogging for like 3 months. lol. I love to challenge myself and to get out of my comfort zone, so to speak. I’ve done that with Groovy Vegetarian, and right now am working on a (blog index) to organize myself as far as blog posts, to have a consistent voice, and to handle a readership. Soon enough, i will have a truck load of comments, myself so i figure i better be ready, when they hit. lol. Missy.
Hi Missy,
wow a new blog ? that is so cool! :)
Can you share the url yet? or it’s still in development?
By the way, nice move on the theme you got for groovyvegetarian.com! :)
Jon,
Yes, I’m referring to blogger/blogspot as an example.
Thanks.
Hi SureFire Guy,
Well blogger/blogspot has a PR9, but since when you sign up with blogger you get a subdomain you don’t get a PR9. If I’m not mistaken you start with a PR0, just like with a new domain name with no history. I’m no SEO expert, but my guess is if they were to give better rankings to blogspot blogs, I’m sure a lot of people would take advantage of that, so my guess is you start with a PR0, just like any other blog, which is more fair for everyone (Google is all about being fair anyway… lol kidding) :)
oh! no. i didn’t start a new blog, i meant groovy veg, the one you helped me with. i have no plans to start another wordpress blog, anytime soon. i have my hands full, as it is. sorry for the misunderstanding.
Hi Missy, oh sorry I got that wrong :)
If you ever need any help just ask, customer service free of charge hehe :)
Thanks Jon.
No prob! :)
[…] Surefire Ways To Get A Truck Load Of Comments On Your Blog Posts submitted by Jonathan Philllips shows that when you hit a topic that connects with your audience the links, comments and visits just flood in. […]