Last week on one of my favourite blogs, And Then There Were Four, Multiple Mum wrote about Getting Comments On Your Blog and how she feels it's important to "take the time to interact with your readers (most if whom are bloggers just like you)."
I couldn't agree more.
However, are we really expected to follow hundreds of blogs and be reading and commenting on every single post? I don't know about you but I simply do not have that time (although I wish I did!) and I do not expect it from others. I think popping in at least once a week, and more often if you can manage it is nice blogging etiquette.
Today I'm going to share with you what makes me leave a comment, and what doesn't.
It might be different for you, and please feel free to leave a comment adding your thoughts because I want to know what gets you to comment too!
 |
| Image from here |
Things that stop me from commenting:
-If I read your post and then get distracted, if find it hard to come back. Your post needs to make me NEED to comment right now. Not in 5 seconds, NOW.
- Reading a topic that seems to be trending in bloggy land. It happens, there are always trends, and you should share your story, but make your story stand out, use a different angle or something else that will pull me in. If you write something that someone else has written and they've written it better than you...well I will comment there. Blogging can be as much about topic as it can timing, and sometimes you may need to hold off on that post until the craze dies down.
- If I'm swamped with posts the time I have to read and comment will obviously be shortened. I always try to at least read, but this again is where your post needs to jump out at me.
Things that make me comment include:
- A post that leaves me feeling like I have something to say and I need to say it NOW. If you can turn the smallest story into something that hypnotises me, I may just hit the follow button.
- If there are no comments, I tend to want to comment a little more, because I know what it's like to put yourself out there and wait, and wait, and wait for someone to say something, anything, even if they think it was a rubbish post, just let me know!
- Bloggers I'm engaged with and feel like I have a strong connection or friendship with. It's like catching up for coffee, you're sharing a recent tale/an old tale/a thought/an opinion and my job as your friend is to give you feedback, to agree or disagree or simply to let you know I heard you.
- Posts that ask me about me to share my own stories or opinions. I want to answer your questions and let you know my story after hearing yours. I need to feel like you're interested in me too.
- Twitter. Twitter has a big part in how I bond with bloggy peeps. Twitter is with me everywhere I go, and having people link me to their recent blog posts and letting me know what it's about can sometimes capture my attention faster than going through my google reader, which is longer. I click, I'm on your blog and reading.
- Being a good bloggy friend. This means you need to be engaged with me. Thing is as much as I'd like to, I can't follow everyone. If your name is popping up all over my blog, Twitter or Facebook then I'm going to get curious and start looking into who you are. Likewise if I am never having interaction from you, my interest in your blog will eventually die off.
And;
- Make what you say count. This is my biggest rule in blogging. I am not one who thinks that there is a one set list of rules for all, you need to make your own up to suit your blog and your goals, but this is a rule I think everyone could use and adapt to suit them. There is no point commenting on a blog post without staying within the theme or topic of that post. If you're commenting on lots of blogs with the same generic thing "Thanks for sharing" that gives me, the writer, nothing. What part part did you enjoy the most? Do you share similar thoughts or experiences? Why/Why not? Open a dialogue, tell me something about you in relation to the post. And remember, it's ok to disagree. You can say that you disagree, but explain why, and keep in mind that we all have different experiences so it's ok for people not to agree with you too.
So, what makes you want to comment on a blog? And what stops you from commenting? Are you afraid to say you disagree?
I totally agree with most of those points, especially the one about if theres no existing comments I'm more likely to comment and also it depends who it is. I have a handful of loyal readers who comment on many of my posts and I make an effort to follow them up. There are not many blogs I get to check as often as I like but there will always be the "faithful few".
ReplyDeleteI wish I had more time to comment on others' posts because I know the best way to get comments is to give comments but its so time consuming. At the end of the day I blog to write not to read and comment.
When i started blogging it ws purely to get shit off my chest, but once i started getting a few comments ( always from the same two people mind you... ) i found i wanted more!
ReplyDeleteAnd, as you suggest, i found that once i stopped simply posting stories from my day or a little opinion piece and actually closed the post with a question, i get a few more comments - people really DO want to be engaged, and treated like they are more than just a reader....
I read most posts through email or links via twitter & facebooks usually through my iPhone so it's a bit of an effort to comment. A post that drives me to do so really has to strike a chord (or offer a bloody good giveaway!) I agree with the relationship thing. The primary reason I started blogging was to connect to kindred spirits. I find it frustrating when I have trouble commenting (blogger blogs hate me for some reason). My other issue is: don't comment on my blog if you are only doing so that I come & look at yours!
ReplyDeleteGreat post (but you already know that because I made the effort to comment!)
I'm with you Miss Pink - I like it when people ask questions, or ask for opinions. Every blogger loves to get comments - it helps you stay motivated, helps you learn what people are taking away from your blog, and (I think) helps you to become a better blogger. Your tips on "what makes you want to comment" have been helpful! Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteOh look I'm commenting again! For me, it's about friendship and relevance, and if I really have something to say about something. That's why I comment :)
ReplyDeleteAsk me a question and I pretty much feel compelled to answer it. It almost seems rude not to?! But the question needs to be relevant to the post - I like go think that comments add to a post, actually!
ReplyDeleteThat's as long as I'm not reading your post on my iPhone because I really hate commenting via it. So time of day that I read your post is important!!
x
Typo courtesy of the bloody iPhone AGAIN... See, I was compelled to comment regardless!
ReplyDeleteAlso, just wanted to add that I sometimes leave a comment on a blog that I really love that I gave read but haven't commented on for a while. Exhibit A... x
I'm not a great commentor myself so as much as I would love lots of comments on my blog posts, I hardly expect it. My #1 blog post with the most comments (25) was a Silent Sunday picture of a flower - go figure. This post was wonderful advice!
ReplyDeletelol, if the post appeals to me I always start by commenting and end up by telling my whole life story hahahaha. great post! I came to visit from FYBF x
ReplyDeleteI can't. I tried at the start and it meant I was too tired to update my own blog and keep on top of my space, which is why I started it. Eventually I learnt to let it go, and I worked out that having a read first thing in the morning, then a quick read at lunch time, a quick afternoon read and once the kids were in bed helps to break it up. Even then, I still follow very few blogs. It's ok on days that not everyone updates, but think of it this way, if everyone you followed updated on the same day you would have a hell of a lot of blogs to try to get through. It's not possible. Being fussy doesn't stop me visiting those blogs i'm not subscribed to, it just means i'm not getting notifications daily.
ReplyDeleteI agree it can depend on your mood as to what you want to read, what will resonate with you. I have found that wrapping a post up with a question does prompt the reader to want to share too though. Even if it's a funny blog post or food for thought.
Very good points about the post content. I agree entirely! If your post ends up long for some reason, try to split it up into paragraphs or proof read and try to get rid of some of the "fluff". If it's one very long body of text with no places that I can stop mid way through if need be, chances are I will only skim read or I wont absorb it properly because I will get distracted.
ReplyDeleteI think blogging is about more than just writing for yourself, or putting something out there. If we wanted that we'd put pen to paper privately. We may just want to write, but I think we all want a connection to come along with it, and that's ok. But we should keep in mind that what we're wanting may be what others are wanting too, and so we should share that with others if we want to receive it.
ReplyDeleteThat is basically how twitter works for me.
ReplyDeleteI have your back AND your front. And I appreciate you taking care of mine ;)
ReplyDeleteI completely understand that. I have moments where my hands are busy so i'm just reading. If it's a post I want to make sure I comment on I open it up in a little tab so it will be waiting for me when I have time to come back. I also make sure I wrap up any posts I wanted to make sure I read/commented on before I go to bed at night. Start fresh on a new day!
ReplyDeleteI think it's ok to not be a big commenter, but that you shouldn't expect what you aren't prepared to put out ;)
ReplyDeleteI am loving your list Miss Pink and I also love how you've acknowledged how you can't possibly read and comment on everything. I like your strategy of returning the favour and also the interaction you get with other bloggers and that making you want to share and participate in their blog too.
ReplyDeleteI like being asked questions I also like food for thought, or something deep and also something hilarious. It all depends on my mood or when I can get time away from my kids!
I agree with everything you've written, 100% completely. My fave blogs to comment on are the ones where I know I'll get something in return from the blogger because they enjoy the readers reading. I'm into bloggy-relationships I guess lol.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you've written.
ReplyDeleteI don't usually comment on a post with lots of comments on it already.
Also I tend to not read posts that are really long. I don't have time to sit and wade through loads of text. Short, easy to read paragraphs encourage me to read and then comment.
I use Facebook rather than google reader to spot and click through to blog posts and new blogs, especially if blogs I like recommend a read. That's how I found YOUR blog! I'm pretty useless at commenting, but usually do so if I find some similar ground, situation or have a similar story. I also say if a post as been super helpful!
ReplyDeletemy reasons for and against are pretty much the same as yours. If I feel I have something to share, I HAVE to put my opinion forward ;)
ReplyDeleteAnd if I see a lonely post with no comments I have to comment because I know the feeling too well of putting yourself out there and not getting anything back!
xxx
Good bloggy friend here. We have each other's back.
ReplyDeleteIt was a tip I picked up on fast. The posts that finished with a question had me WANTING to comment where others felt like I was told and story and what? Was I supposed to give them a virtual pat on the back? I didn't know HOW to comment, to follow it up, especially with nothing being asked of me.
ReplyDeleteI think you could post one tiny tidbit of your day, completely mundane and if you finish it with the right question you will get a comment.
I think you hit the nail on the head. I don't care too much about page views, it tells me what? That people have read. It doesn't tell me if they like it, they dislike it, they agree, they disagree. I want to know what people are thinking. I have had posts i've poured my heart and soul into get nothing and it does hurt. All it takes is that one person to reach out and say something, and we have the power to be that one person.
ReplyDeleteYou have made me want to comment right now! Very good points and I agree with all of them. My problem is I read lots of posts over breakfast but don;t often get the opportunity to comment right then and there and I end up missing out on commenting on posts I would normally love to comment on. I don't get a lot of comments myself but I do cherish each one and try to comment back and visit their site to return the favour. I also try to catch up on commenting on weekends and so my best to comment on a wide variety of blogs when joining in on linkups.
ReplyDeleteI am not a huge facebooker. My stats show honestly how much I put into it. I do my shout outs on twitter, but I also like to save it for posts I feel are hidden gems.
ReplyDeleteYeah I rather repay the visit and try to hit as many blogs as I can. But if I have to try to force a comment, then that tells me I probably shouldn't comment because it is usually something lame. Sometimes I what I want to say is really short though, so that's good too!
ReplyDeleteSometimes I hit publish and I just know I'm going to get a lot of comments, I feel it in my bones! And other times I don't get that feeling but am surprised by the lack of comments and other times something resonates when I didn't think it would. It's very random and possibly also comes down to how good your title is.
ReplyDeleteI love getting comments, so now instead of trying to respond to everyone on my blog (although I'll still respond if I feel like I have something to say) I try to head over to the commenter's blog and return the favour.
The connection I have with the person on Twitter and subjects that I'm passionate about eg child behaviour and parenting. I do comment a fair amount and RT posts and do shout outs on Face Book because I think it may be of interest to others. Although I can't say the same happens to me. I fully appreciate its not completely reciprocal. I follow my heart and do feel connected too many bloggers and try and at laest leave a comment once a week on one of their posts.
ReplyDeletePs thanks for sharing ;)LOL
I comment when I have an opinion, or if there was something in the post that I connected with - anything from complimenting a cute photo or offering my support if the blogger is going through a tough time.
ReplyDeleteI'm also more likely to comment on a blog if it's one of my regular reads, I like to stay connected and engaged with my community. There are times when I've read a post on my phone and don't have the option to comment, and I sometimes forget to go back to it when I'm on my computer, which sucks and I do feel bad.
The only thing that stops me commenting is if I feel like I have TOO much to say, and I have often written my own post and linked back to the original. Which I'll probably do now, this is something I've been meaning to write about for a while :)
i comment on a wide cross section of blogs, from my old ttc blogs that i used [and still do some of them] follow, to some "mummy" blogs, to personal blogs to blogs about nothing in particular.
ReplyDeletei have my "regulars" that i read no matter what, it doesn't matter WHAT they write about and i nearly always either leave a comment or a marker to let them know that even if i don't have anything to add to the conversation, i have been there and read what they have to say. for me, letting people know that i'm reading them even if i don't have anything to add to what they've said, is important for me. i hate seeing page views go up and yet no comments - so i think it's nice to let people know that i've stopped by.
if a post has a lot of comments i tend not to want to comment as much because it feels like my comment will get lost amongst all the others. i like to spread the comment love around as i know what it's like to pour your heart into a post and receive no comments and it makes you less likely to want to do it again.
Nice blog - im venturing out into blog land, because Im finding mummy blogs fascinating, and I have to agree theres a real symapthy clause now with my comments. Where before I was content to just read and enjoy (even the comments) now I feel the urge to comment and take part so that the communication is not one way. I almost feel like i've crossed a barrier into blogworld that I didn't know existed before
ReplyDeleteGreat tips Miss Pink!
ReplyDelete