I remember when I was just a blog novice, I was hungry for comments. I would check my site every hour or so for a comment. I was so frustrated when I didn’t get a comment right away on my first post. So i asked my friend who has been blogging for a long time. She told me that I should comment on other people’s post so they will comment on mine.
When I got my first comment on my blog, i was ecstatic. i couldn’t remember what the comment was or what I’ve posted but I remember the joy that I’ve felt. So what really drives people to comment on your blog? Here are the 8 reasons that I’ve learned.
People could relate on your post - Indeed, if people could relate on your post they too will share their thoughts or experiences. This is a good thing because you will also learn a lot from your readers. If you amazed people with something, people would truly appreciate through commenting.
People wants answers - Some people wants some answers from you based on what you posted and you should respond. This way, you are building a strong relationship with them. You are starting to build readership.
People had bad reaction on your post - If your post get a little bit controversial, expect a lot of nasty comments to be thrown at you. People that are offended would truly speak their voice. Nevertheless, A good or bad publicity is still publicity. Just don’t make it a habit.
They responded on your question - End your post with questions like “What do you think?” or phrases such as “Tell me what you got. ” There’s a huge chance that people would respond to your post. I tried doing this to some of my posts before and it truly works!
Top commentators widget - This widget works wonders especially if your site has a high page rank because of a free text link advertisement for one month of course! Text links on high page rank sites is expensive, so grab the opportunity of you can get it for free!
You comment on their blog - This is actually the first tip that I got to get comments on my blog. This has been and always will be effective. Through this, you are building a network of your readers for your blog. However, do not forget the comment etiquette. If you posted something like, I’ve found your blog through *insert here* and I find it interesting, then you are sounding like any other spammers.
Giving the commentators a reward - Top commentators or random commentators. I too had once joined the crazed of the top commentators contest, but it was hard. I didn’t had the time to camp on a blog for a day, a week or a month just to comment. I didn’t want to dig old post just to make more comments. But sometimes, the rewards are pretty tempting that I would always would like to join.
CommentLuv plugin - You may find it hard to believe but sometimes I look for blogs with Comment Luv plugin most especially if I have a new post that I want to promote. I love this plugin so much! If you don’t have CommentLuv, better download and install it now.
So far, these are the 8 reasons that I know of on what drives people to comment on blogs. Share yours!
This entry was posted on Friday, November 14th, 2008 at 10:03 am and is filed under Articles. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
On my blogs, usually about 30% of people commenting have something interesting to add to the post, about 10% a question and the remainder I assume are hoping for a reciprocal comment / visit.
Johns last blog post..Malham Tarn, Yorkshire Dales
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Great article!
Here’s what I do
1. I sometimes ask questions at the end of a post.
2. I ask people to comment. This tip i got from shoemoney.com (example “Comments. What say you?”). And it seems to work
3. I respond to almost every comments.
4. I try to comment often and and well on other blogs. That way, people that read my comments wants to check out my site.
I also use CommentLuv. Well, who doesnt use it nowadays
Sondres last blog post..5 nydelige og gratis WordPress temaer
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Riyanne Reply:
November 15th, 2008 at 4:57 am
Thanks for the additional tips. Yeah, I love commentLuv
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Wow your on a roll. Just checked out your awesome post on entrecard. I hope tons of people come here and give you the props you deserve. You can write girl
Best wishes to you
Stubmled
John Sullivan@POTPOLITICS™s last blog post..Preparing for the Google Page Rank Update
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Riyanne Reply:
November 15th, 2008 at 4:57 am
Thanks John
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Hi Riyanne! You’re really doing well. And I agree with John, you really write well, aside from being one great graphics designer. Thanks by the way for the superb design you made for the erpbiz.net site.
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Riyanne Reply:
November 16th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
You’re welcome
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nice tips!
Eric Tans last blog post..Dear Mr. Obama
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Riyanne Reply:
November 22nd, 2008 at 11:33 pm
Thanks Eric
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nice info
Thanks for sharing !
pacos last blog post..Win contest from tech dose
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Very nice post. I have employed these tactics on many occasions, some came with much success, others were not as fruitful. One thing I did learn throughout it all though was that blogging is fun. And trying to get comments is probably the best part
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Riyanne Reply:
November 16th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
Getting comments is the best part of blogging because you get to share ideas or collaborate with other people
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Very well put. I can equate just about ALL of my recent successes in sign-up AND comments on my blog to commenting on other blogs.
You’re right also, the call to action at the end of the post is extremely effective.
I’ve found it more effective however as a follow-up to the subject line being a question in itself…especially combined with commentluv.
Btw, the subscribe to comments plugin is also a must.
Dennis Edells last blog post..We Will Stay Do-Follow, But…
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Riyanne Reply:
November 16th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
You’re the second person who told me to install the subscribe to comment plugin. I’ll work on it soon.
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those are basically everything, really. if i would have to add something, it’s the essence of not being ignored.
you see, this might just be an online thing, but like what i said on the manila bulletin print, there’s the inter-activity in blogging that creates a sense of community, a sense of camaraderie, a sense of friendship that in turn creates a virtual relationship. yet however virtual it is, the feelings are real, the emotions are real and the possibility of an EB humanizes the character that you met online. if you achieve this, people (online) will come to you.
let me share you about “The Interview with the Vampire”: http://reynaelena.com/2008/11/10/blog-o-rama-with-reyna-elena/
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Riyanne Reply:
November 23rd, 2008 at 12:00 am
I know there are a lot of bloggers EB here in Manila, but i am too shy to come
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How about a Do-Follow?
loys last blog post..Dissecting the Dream (Mis)Match: Pacquiao vs. De La Hoya
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Riyanne Reply:
November 23rd, 2008 at 12:02 am
I once received a comment just asking me if my blog is a do-follow. Honestly, I was annoyed with it. But let’s face it, do-follow sometimes drive people to comment on blogs.
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I can’t say about the others but personally it’s due to my active participation on other blogs. In most cases, if not all, they are more likely to reciprocate the same. Anyway, you have pretty much covered most of them.
Yan
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You are right commenting is the essence of blogging. People dont comment as much as they should. But I have seen that good bloggers are also voracious readers and they also comment a lot.
lvss last blog post..India’s Moon Mission: Lets Not Feel Proud About the Low Price Tag
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Riyanne Reply:
November 23rd, 2008 at 12:20 am
I couldn’t agree more lvs
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Thanks for the great tips. I’ve just installed CommentLuv.
Regarding no-follow/do-follow, I’ve been following Jim Connolly’s do-follow experiment and his early results indicate that comments and spam don’t increase, links in do but Google doesn’t like it.
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Riyanne Reply:
November 23rd, 2008 at 12:20 am
Great! Enjoy the CommentLuv plugin
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I see the comments as the sign of the success to break through the threatening silence of current world. The received comments symbolize the thrown away masks and thus are the main earning of the blogging. Therefore I read your article with great interest and thank you for the explanation of how the dream could be fulfilled. Your post awaked me once again.
I will try everything anew.
Though I tried everything already, yet can’t boast with great results. Maybe, the comments will visit me one day too. I want to trust that very much. Your article shows that comments arent the fantasy - Thanks once again
Tomass last blog post..homeland of lullabies
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Riyanne Reply:
November 23rd, 2008 at 12:21 am
Your welcome Tomas
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Yes indeed. It feels great if other people, particularly blogger leave a comment on your blogs.It gives us an added adrenalin to continue what we are doing. It also helps us learn more of our selves and our reader as well. I’ll try the Commentluv. Thanks for sharing.
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Riyanne Reply:
November 23rd, 2008 at 12:23 am
Yep, I truly recommend the CommentLuv plugin
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Well, it’s not just novices who crave comments — to me they are the lifeblood of your blog. I not only rejoiced when I got my very first blog comment but I started a BlogCatalog discussion about it! Pathetic, eh? I am now commenting on your blog post because I discovered you when you left me a comment (that’s how it works sometimes). I looked at your recent posts and this title struck home. I don’t just reciprocate, but try to leave some of my experience. CommentLuv is good. I like SezWho from the point of being able to see what comments people leave on other blogs — hate the rating system though…
SBAs last blog post..How to Map Blogger and Custom Template Colors
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Riyanne Reply:
November 23rd, 2008 at 12:24 am
Thanks SBA. I tried SezWho but I am not a huge fan
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blackzero85 Reply:
November 23rd, 2008 at 7:50 pm
SezWho isn’t that bad, it just needs more development so it can be more usable.
blackzero85s last blog post..Features And Things I Want On Google’s Products..
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Hey
I’m a fan of commentluv plugin. Question, What’s your name? unless I missed it somehow. I looked at your about page, nothing was mentioned. That being said, how do I know if you’re not a spammer?
Sharing your name and picture on your blog has its benefits… Personally, I like to see the person behind the blog. So, who are you? Cheers.
-Miguel
Miguel Wickerts last blog post..Links of Interest
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hi! i found your link from bloggingwithsuccess and this title immediately caught my attention. very interesting topic to blog about and even more enjoyable as i read through this entry. i think you’ve tackled all points that drive people to comment. excellent post ^_^
techniqueal t.s last blog post..How To Open Multiple Links In Just One Click
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I love the CommentLuv plugin, not just on my blog but I love seeing it on other blogs as well. It makes it easy for me to check out new blogs.
Carlas last blog post..Holiday Gift Ideas | Not Buying it
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I must agree about Dofollow - I’ve noticed a marked increase in comments since installing it. Apart from that, it’s good to reply to comments, engage with questions or points that others raise, and generally do whatever you can to build a community around your site.
Rodney@Blogging with WordPresss last blog post..Translate your website
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Plus one to the dofollow. Ever since i changed my blog to dofollow, i noticed an increase in comments, well readers are really encouraged if they know that commenting would help them have a backlink while the publisher knows that it makes the discussion alive., either way you look at it its a win win situation.
Jamezs last blog post..Winter Bells
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I mainly comment on other people’s blogs because I like to add to the community. I like to get out there and share my ideas with others.
Most folks comment on other blogs mainly because they like getting back-links and more traffic. I focus on providing good comments rather than hunting the traffic benefit… lol
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wow this is very helpful!!! thanks!
don_Sers last blog post..The Business That Changed Our Life . . . (A Success Story???)
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Quite an extensive coverage on commenting. Adding a comment policy may also help. Thanks.
Raj Krishnaswamys last blog post..Gifts for bloggers
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