Oct 11, 2012 / Beginner

Quick Tip: Be the Perfect Guest

Yesterday, Elizabeth published a great post on moderating comments to encourage thoughtful conversation. But what if you have no comments to moderate? Many of us, new and not-so-new bloggers, still struggle to attract commenters other than our mothers.

There’s no magic button that turns your blog into a comment mecca (drat!), but there is one simple thing you can do that will have more impact than anything else: engage with the community. No one knows about you or your site? Get out there and comment on others’ posts. Add something substantive to the discussion (No “Great post, I agree!” comments, please), and before you know it, others will want to know what more you have to say and will find their way over to your site.

We’ll be doing longer posts on attracting an audience and being a good community member in the future, but wanted to drop this quick tip now. Get out there, and get talking! Use the topic listings in the Reader, visit other Writing and Photo Challenge participants, whatever—just go.

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  1. I’ve been blogging for a while now, so I can look at my stats to find out which posts attracted the most comments:
    1) Posts about changes in my life, especially posts about moving to a new country. Probably a divorce would also be good. Or maybe an abortion.
    2) That brings me to rule no. 2. If you are provocative, you’ll get more comments. I even got death threats once.
    3) Topical, divisive issues. Gun control, Middle Eastern politics, stuff like that brings comments. Most of them from total nuts unfortunately.

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  2. Yes, yes, yes. Blogging is a community and a way to interact. I’ll put it out there right now: follow me and I’ll follow you. Comment on my blog and I’ll be sure to return the favor.

    To me, that’s what blogging is all about — connecting with other people.

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  5. “Asking questions” is the bottom line — It’s pretty hard to not get a response when you pose a question to an engaged reader. I pay close attention to the folks that reference something within the first three lines of my articles — it’s usually a dead giveaway that they didn’t read it — haha!

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  6. Thanks so much for this tip! I am new to WordPress so this info is quite valuable to me. My only problem is patience, which I lack…quite tremendously. I do have 5 “likes” and 1 “following”, but as I look at other blogs I find myself wishing for more readers. I will just keep posting, liking, following and commenting and hope that it leads me to something incredible. Thanks again! x melissa little

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  8. Here’s the thing that I find dispiriting. I have done the very thing that you suggest. Find sites that interest me, actually read the article, and then comment. Here’s what happens. I will get a reply but not a visit. Or I will get a reply and a visit and a ‘like’ for one of my articles but no comment or I will get a reply and the very occasional response. If I get desperate enough for a visit I will post a recipe. People seem to like recipes. But I’m not complaining (not much, anyhow). I did begin with granny type articles, but now I’m trying my best to push out of that comfortable envelope with other ;pieces. I’m sure that sooner or later I’m sure to get the mix right.

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    1. Drop the ones that don’t return the visits. You will eventually find the ones that are polite enough to do so. Trial and error.

      I add recipes, but usually at the bottom of a post about something else 😀

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    2. It is partly trial and error, yes; it can take a little time to find your spot in the community. We’ll get into more strategies for doing this in future posts.

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      1. Thanks so much for for the encouragement, Michelle. I’m just wondering though, is it because I am resisting Facebook and Twitter? (I like to hope so). 🙂

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  9. Just go…. great you sound like my mother! But it is great advice and I have few more people commenting on my blogs just because I connected with them through my comments on theirs.
    I am not trying to set the blogging world on fire but I do want to connected to others.The big reason I blog is Community and sharing the gifts I have, however that looks, with others.

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  10. Yes, this is spot on. Commenting will get you more readers, more followers. If they like what you’ve put in your comment they will surf into your blog via the link in your comment. That’s how connections happen in the blogosphere. And the way those connections grow is when the blogger responds to comments, particularly when they respond in kind.

    I’ve grown my blog this way… it still has a way to go, but I’m getting there. 🙂

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  11. Just trying to be the 200th person to say “great post, I agree.” 😉 Unfortunately, many topics do not offer an issue to debate or disagree with, and a complimentary comment shows that the reader cares. I appreciate any comments, even though it may be repetitive to answer “thanks, …” repeatedly.

    I found that I did not receive comments until I began regularly commenting on other’s blogs. While this is fun and a great way to form your own little blogging community, it does take time and commitment. And at times when my life is to hectic to read and comment on blogs I regularly follow, I feel that I am letting down my blogger buddies.

    I also find that non-bloggers are reluctant to comment or click like. They might email me or comment on my FB page, but are reluctant to go through the rather painless registration in order to comment. I probably should post somewhere about how to comment and that their email address will not be shared, etc, which might encourage new commenters.

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    2. I think non members are not allowed to like. But they can comments and their email address will be revealed to the host, but not to the public. I have comments from non members but they are my family or personal friends! They told me they cannot ‘like’. Too bad!

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      1. Hmm, I thought anyone who registers can like or comment. I have a few regulars who are not WP bloggers and they comment. I think some people just don’t want to sign in.

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    3. I think likes are valueless. And I found sharing on FB ended up with people commenting on FB and not on my blog. What is the point of that? So I stopped doing that. Actually I stopped FB.

      I tend to put commenting before posting. If I don’t have time to post, I visit blogs instead and comment.

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      1. I like the “likes”, but I find the same thing with FB – my friends comment on my FB post but not my blog (except in one case where I specifically asked them too). I think, however, if I didn’t post on FB my limited readership would fall. Since my blog is so narrow in topic – a nature blog about birds I’ve seen and wildllife I’ve photographed – it appeals to a lot of my naturalist friends, and I interact with them primarily through FB.

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  12. Enjoyed your post, thank you for sharing!

    Is there a difference between readers who are bloggers themselves, and those who are not? I find a lot of my commentators are non-bloggers, and they sometimes post rather lengthy comments, but due to the nature of my subject we tend to end up continuing the conversation via emails, so I don’t get lengthy chats on my blog, which is a pity cos then I get a lot of repeat questions. I do try to follow up with posts on popular queries received… But I just can’t keep up!

    Any tips on attracting readers/commentators with something further to add/discuss rather than just readers who are looking for advice… Not that I don’t enjoy advising and sharing… I just felt it would be nice for my readers to have access to input from others with ideas to share.

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    1. My basic advice would be the same – find other blogs in your boat, and start leaving supportive/helpful comments there. Let them know through your participation that you want to create a community.

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      1. Thanks for the helpful tip, Michelle! I guess that ties in with your advice to “engage the community”… I need to seek out the community that focuses on my blog’s subject-matter.

        So far I’ve been getting most of my readership via FB… When friends then share my links on their FBs, it really helps a lot… But I guess FB is too general…

        I did find that having a poll for people to vote on helped create an element of interactivity… Giving people options to choose from is great for those who aren’t good with formulating a comment or response I guess?

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  15. Welp, as my prompt on my ‘leave a comment’ says, “Comments release endorphins. FREEDOM TO THE ENDORPHINS!” I’m learning ever so slowly about this whole blogging experience. I just learned a month ago that I could change what the prompt says – who knew!! So that must mean that I could learn a whole bunch more in the coming days . . . and weeks . . . and months . . . and years . . . and . . . . . . . . I do have to say that I have ‘met’ some wonderfully funny, encouraging, and engaging bloggers here.

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  17. Agreed and disagreed. I just wrote a long comment on a post because the subject matter is interesting to me. For other posts like art and photos , I just appreciate them, and so there isn’t a lot to say. But it is true that there are some comments that are more sincere than the others. I don’t have problems receiving short comments. If I got some comments, I am already very happy! There are blogger friends who support each other and show their likes to each other. No harm. We all like to be liked, and get nice comments, even if they are short….short and sweet…why not?

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  18. Here’s a question though… while I try to go and visit the blogs of every person to comment on mine, I find that not everybody does the same. I’m not sure if I’m not writing the correct kind of comments, or maybe I’m just going to blogs where the writer already has an established community and can’t spare the time to reply or visit to their visitors.

    Is it recommended for a fledgling blog to visit other fledgling blogs, to grow and progress together?

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    1. I too visit the blogs of all new commenters and followers, although as you say, not everyone does this. A good clue is to look at the number of followers if it is available – someone who already has 6,000 followers might not be responding to a new one. However, my personal feeling is that it’s rude to not respond to comments, even though it may take a big time commitment. I think your idea of visiting other fledgling blogs, or like-minded blogs is good, to start building your own community. Spend your time building your blogging community with bloggers who have the same interest, and are interested enough in you to comment and respond to comments.

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      1. Well said Huffygirl and I do same… We were all first timers once and to forget that is to forget that we once appreciated even a “great post” comment.

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    2. Drew,
      Spread your wings a bit more and comment on other blogs; some bloggers are more supportive than others and only time and effort will reveal them to you… 😉

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  21. Recently I have done just that and you are right, it makes a huge difference. Even just having more presses of the ‘like’ button has spurred me on. ( great tip! ) 🙂

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  22. the fact is that most bloggers are so busywith posting stuff that they dont care to be a reader themselves… you ought to be a reader yourself if u think others should read yours too…

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  23. Frequently I find witty blogposts and amazing photos, introducing nice and friendly people and revealing universes of everyday life in other places. But my english is far too weak to express my thoughts correctly. I get a few visitors to my photoblog, and I realize it would attract more comments if I could write my posts in english as well.

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    1. ninano,
      You have an interesting blog, with some beautiful images. I particularly liked your “Before and After” photos.
      There is nothing much wrong with the English on your “About” page. It can be understood, and that is the main thing!
      I have copied it here for others to read. I hope you do not mind.
      “Working as a graphic designer i Göteborg, Sweden, I walk to my office in the centre of town almost daily. Often looking at people, buildings, clouds and birds, always carrying a small compact camera, capturing many impressions every day. The less beautiful views I later try to enhance in Photoshop, using the brightness, vibrance, and layers tools – among others.”

      It is much better than some of the translations I edit as part of my work! And it is much, much better than the three words of Swedish I know!

      I have made a few small changes to this paragraph, so that your “welcome” reads more naturally in English. the bits between *—–* are the slight errors I corrected:

      “I *work* as a graphic designer *in* Göteborg, Sweden. I walk to my office in the centre of town almost *daily, often* looking at people, buildings, clouds and birds, *and* always carrying a small compact camera *to capture the more striking impressions*. The less beautiful views I try to enhance in Photoshop *later*, using the brightness, vibrance, layers *and other* tools.

      The point is that you make beautiful pictures. May I suggest that you continue to write in Swedish, and provide just one or two sentences in English (perhaps in a different colour, or a text box? – I do not know; you are the designer!)

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      1. Thank you very much, Allison! I made the changes you proposed.
        I’m happy you like my photos, and I will follow your advise: a sentence or two in english close to the swedish text. I will follow your blog as well – and probably improve my language.

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      2. Thank you for following my blog. I like your photos because you are openly presenting them as an image. Photoshopped images receive a lot of bad publicity, but your eye for the poetic combined with image editing makes it possible to enjoy the photographs as a visual experience. Some people would call that art. 🙂

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  25. If you could post an entry on making blogs more engaging, that would be helpful. A lot of the content I post is information-related – it’s about science writing – and I feel like it could be made more engaging. I’ve tried asking questions but have not gotten as many results as I’d hoped.

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    1. Had a quick glance at your blog, and the subject matter is interesting. In terms of engagement, rather than being stand-back analytical, maybe add your personal opinion and style to each post. Why you think these are important issues. Or add some specific stories to give colour and meaning to the topic. (If you look at a couple of recent posts on my roughseas blog I’ve written about the Spanish economy but from some very individual perspectives). Hope that helps.

      PS I don’t like questions but I said that on the previous DP post. I’ll probably say it every time it comes up. People will only answer questions if the blog is sufficiently interesting – in which case – there is no need for a question.

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      1. I have been adding personal opinion and style to some posts. I think that is why the blog was Freshly Pressed a while ago. Telling specific stories has been helpful too; I plan to do more of this as the blog evolves. I appreciate your comments and ideas!

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      2. Ha! Then you have achieved more than I have in being Freshly Pressed. Although to be serious, my main interest is in building up a good readership base who contribute interesting and thoughtful comments. I think I am there with that one.

        You’re welcome and hope your blog continues to receive comments and followers.

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  26. I browse a lot of absolutely fantastic blogs, but I comment on a fraction of them. I don’t like talking for the sake of talking. Rule of thumb has been – if I’m not moved to comment within moments after reading, I leave the comment box alone. As some folks have said here, when you feel you ‘click’ with a writer, the words come quite easily. That’s when you can potentially connect in a meaningful way. Also, as some folks have said, sometimes “great post!” is perfectly appropriate (and I appreciate those comments on my blog as well), even if they don’t inspire a back and forth.

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    1. This is my approach, too. If I have to stop and think about what aspect of the post I might be able to comment on, then I don’t comment – I comment because I’m provoked to by the post.

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      1. Interesting… I visit and comment on posts from my blog buddies and new commenters/followers. I also check out the Weekly Photo Challenge contributions. I feel we have to support our community in any way we can. We were all beginner bloggers once and I never want to forget that. Every post I read might not provoke a comment but I find a nugget in there to add my voice and support or to add a Like. 🙂

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  28. As a novice blogger with a brand new blog, I am more than grateful for any pearls of wisdom you may impart that help to increase the amount of traffic to my website. I want to reach out, with my own quirky sense of humour, to an audience wider than that of my intimate circle of family and friends, but the furthest I have managed so far is an unintelligible comment from some guy in The Netherlands. So keep the suggestions coming. I, for one, am listening and hereby, heed your advice.

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    1. Hi there! I cannot give you any advice, sorry! I am also on this boat 😉 But I know waht it is like wanting to approach a wider audience. It’s just so nice ro connect with others out there!

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      1. Thanks for your support. As you say, it’s good to connect with a wider audience. I wish you well with your blog.

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  29. Thanks; I’m in rather a frustrated mode right now. Although I get lots of LIKES, I seldom get comments. Also, although I comment on dozens of other blogs, I never seem to get a reply?! I often wonder if my comments are being shunted to a spam folder? I read of another bloggers issues with that. I wouldn’t know how to detect that or fix it if that is the case. I am a talker (writer), so I always leave nice long comments, but seldom does anyone acknowledge me.
    Am I doing something wrong? Maybe no one is receiving my comments.
    Anyway, thank you for your input and advice; you can be sure I will use it.

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    1. I don’t know… people are perhaps less generous with comments… but I promise to reply if you leave me one… should you venture into my baby blog, born this wednesday,..=)

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    2. Do you check back to see if your comment has posted on the blog? If it has then the blogger has acknowledged your post but didn’t respond. Spread your wings a bit more and comment on other blogs; some bloggers are more supportive than others and only time and effort will reveal them to you… 😉

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    3. Hi there! I’m afraid I really know what you mean… I am also very enthusiastic and I don’t save on comments when I like something, but many times they are not replied :-/ It makes me wonder because when I get a comment I get all excited and I always write back. Except to answer some of my mother’s comments like “when are you coming home?!” hahaha! Anyway, I guess some bloggers don’t really need comments, they are happy just by publishing and don’t really need to start the conversation part. Too bad for me, I guess.

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  30. this is a community of sharing idea’s, comments and thought process. the fact that you are here looking at this stuff is reason enough to confirm others are looking for something also. This should be reason enough to give back and encourage others to accomplish their goals.

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