It’s New Years Eve and I want to wish you and your families a Happy New Year.
After a comment by Rowell Dionicio, saying “I’m starting to see more comments on my blog but would like to see more interaction.” I decided to look at my stats and I noticed that I had gotten my first 134 comments, and then I noticed that I only have 8 posts. After a little math it came out to about 17 comments per a post. I know it’s not really that much but for a new blog it seems like a nice average.
So I wanted to share with you all, a few tips that I think can help you get the reader engagement that you want.
1. Writing quality readable post’s.
I like to think at least half of my posts are high in quality, and that all of them are easy to read. I recently wrote about writing better posts so i’m not going to go into too much detail, but if you write quality READABLE content you will pull in more comments. When I say readable content, I mean posts that are literally easy to read.
2. Write about controversial topics.
When I say “write something controversial” I don’t mean post about opinions that a ton of people frown upon. I’m talking about topics that every one has an opinions about. My most popular post so far has to do with posting frequency, the reason I think it became so popular is that so many people had their own opinions on how often to post.
3. Your posting frequency matters.
I wrote about how posting frequency can get you more comments (the controversial post) a little while ago so I won’t get into too much detail. But the general idea is that the less you post the more reader interaction your gonna get.
4. Comment else where A LOT.
I’m definitely not a Dennis Edell when it comes to commenting but I find my way around, and I comment at about 40 blogs per a week. Not only do I get some decent traffic from these comments, but I usually get at least one comment here at blogict at for each comment I make elsewhere. Although it’s usually a blog owner that comes here to leave a comment, you will get some occasional gems like, Rowell Dionicio, who wander in and leave quite a few quality comments.
5. Give ‘em a little something, use them plugins.
I personally try to comment at blogs that have the CommentLuv plugin (which I have here) or a Top Commentator lists in their sidebars. Why? Well it’s simple, if I take the time to add a little something to your blog I like to get a little something back. Since CommentLuv gives me another chance to pull a new visitor to my site, I will usually leave a comment and that little link at all the good posts.
I also just installed a plugin that allows people to subscribe to comments on a specific post, this can theoretically get you repeat commentators it’s still too early for me to tell.
6. Ask questions.
I’m not too good at this really. I just tend to ask a question at the end of the post, saying “what do you think?” But it’s a time tested technique, and if you can manage to ask questions through out the posts the right way, you can pull in a ton of comments. I’m talking about those quality comments too, not those spammy “Nice Post” comments.
7. Follow up on comments.
I love to follow up on comments, and your readers & commentators will love it too. If people see that you will take the time out of your day to reply to comments and questions one by one, they may post a comment because they see you appreciate their comments.
What other people say:
I obviously don’t know everything their is to no about attracting comments, as I’m still fairly new to this, so I dug around the net to find some more tips for you all.
8. Quote them.
Skellie points out that if you quote comments in a positive way it shows your commentators that what they say means something to you, and that you actually listen to them. (I can’t find the exact post that I read it at but, I gave it a shot in this post)
9. You can get old ones back.
Hussein talks about getting old commentators back using a plugin by Ajith. If you use this the right way I really think you can get a lot of your previous commentators back for another comment or two.
10. Link out.
Ikki talked about a little bit in a comment below and I thought it was a tip worth mentioning. When you link out to other blogs, weather it’s within an article or in a link love, it’s going to show up in the persons Wordpress dashboard. 90% of the time those people you link to will come on over to your blog wondering why and where they got mentioned. If its a positive thing, these people will most likely drop a comment thus adding to the conversation.
If you want to talk about the domino effect of linking out; in the long run you may get a link from them in return thus adding to your traffic and comments.
11. You tell me.
You guys and gals have any other super secret tips you wanna share? Spot number 11 is open for a good tip from you.
Just as a side note, this actually happened as I wrote this post, Blogict.com now has a PR of 3!! Party anyone? I started a thread about it at my favorite forums, WTF, if you wanna talk about the PR update check it out here
Image by: kaibara
Great ideas, I will have to implement some of these myself
Wesley’s last blog post..My First Wordpress Plugin: Improved Plugin Installation
Hey!
I think controversial topics, commenting on other blogs and ending the post with a Q work well.
*Instead of doing the math get the Blog Metrics plugin for lot of data*
Farrhad A’s last blog post..Tips To Leave A Lasting and Good First Impression
Thanks for the mention of the contact commenters plugin man… In fact, it works if used in moderation
The other points are very practical as well.
Ajith Edassery | DollarShower’s last blog post..Bail Out Post Ideas to rescue you from Writer’s Block, Boredom or Lack of Time
@ Wesley: Thanks for the comment.
@ Farrhad: I have been looking for a plugin like that for forever. Thamks you.
@ Ajith: No prob, it’s a good plugin.
Thanks Ardit, I’m flattered that you used me as an example here. Thanks for responding to my comment via blog post. I’m sure my obstacles are encountered by other bloggers.
You’ve got a great comment average per post. How old is your blog?
Rowell Dionicio’s last blog post..Blogging Success – Measuring Success With Goals
Hey Rowell, no problem I feel that people that come around like you deserve at the least a mention some where in a post.
This place is only a newborn, still 5 weeks old.
Wow that’s awesome Ardit! I’m a new follower of your blog so you’ll see me here often
Rowell Dionicio’s last blog post..Blogging Success – Measuring Success With Goals
Excellent tips on how to get comments on your blog. I use many of these myself and they definitely do work. I am not all about getting comments though. I’m all about getting traffic, subscribers, and making money. If people see that you do have a lot of comments it does make them want to subscribe.
Blog Expert’s last blog post..Free Logo Design – Pimp My Blog’s Logo
@ Rowell: Ill hold ya to it
@ Franklin: Thanks, and I like making money too, but comments motivate me to keep going. I can’t explain why, but they just do. Your right about having an active blog, it can persuade people to subscribe.
Really nice post Ardit!
And, about the PR update, good job, and hopefully you get a 5 next time.
Good luck.
Klajdi Hena’s last blog post..WTF just happened?
Thanks klajdi, glad you liked it.
Im aiming for a 5 by next December now, with this un expected update I need to fix my PR goals
I believe that Blog Commenting is the most effective strategy of them all!
You can also get some extra comments if you link back to other sites / articles in your posts. Chances are that the owner of that site will follow your link to see why you wrote about him / her – I know I do.
P.S.: Hey, you got a PR3! Awesome!
Ikki at SEO Blog’s last blog post..My Goals For 2009 (& Merry Xmas Everyone!)
Thanks for the nod my friend, I appreciate it. Excellent tips. Spot on.
Numbers 5 (as long as you implement 4) 6 and 7 are KEY.
With commentluv, be sure to put a little extra effort into your title, otherwise it’s pointless.
Subscribe to comments plugin does work as planned, no worries there.
Assuming of course, people tick it.
Dennis Edell’s last blog post..Who Will Be My First Top Commenter? Subscribe Now!
@ Ikki: Commenting is definitely the biggest one for me. Im gonna add a little something about what you said, I never thought about it, but really linking out can get a few comments.
@ Dennis: No prob dude, your a comment master. And yeah, some creativity is needed when you set titles for people to see with comment luv.
I usually ask for feedback at the bottom of each post! I love what you say about post frequency and comment count. I have recently slowed my posting down a bit and am consistently getting a much higher comment count then before.
Tom – StandOutBlogger.com’s last blog post..10 Things Climbing A Mountain Taught Me About Goals
I believe most blog owners will visit the commentators site and leave a comment on theirs as well. As time passes, they will become regular readers of each other blog. This is definitely the most effective methods in getting more comments for a blog. At least it is happening between you and me isn’t it?
Cheers
Wei Liang
Wei Liang | Earn Money Online’s last blog post..Lesson 23: Earn Money Online With Email Marketing
Hi,
Nice blog…
Happy new year,
Asking the question to user/reader will surely increase the comment count. Nice post.
Chetan’s last blog post..New year wishes and Google pagerank update.
I think if you just ask for comments it will work but I really believe that it starts with high quality articles.
Rowell Dionicio’s last blog post..Blog Ambitions – January 2009
@ Tom: Glad to see it’s working for you too, Slowing down a little gives time for people to talk about it.
@ Wei: Haha, I will probably be back at your place later today, cause of your comment here.
Chetan: Thanks for the compliments.
Very good tips. It seems everyone is talking about comments these days. Chris Brogan just did it over at his blog.
Probably the best tips that you mentioned were ‘commenting on other blogs’, ‘linking out’, ‘responding to visitor comments’, and ‘writing quality posts that engage your readers’.
When it feels like a community, then people will talk. Everyone always wants to be part of something ‘bigger than themselves’. lol (Or something like that.)
Velvet Blues’s last blog post..What’s Up With The Wikipedia Plea for Donations?
Thanks, and people really do like being apart of something big. I think that’s why when popular people launch something every one wants in.
p.s. I published mine before he did.
Great Article !! Obviously Quality post engages many peoples !!
Abhishek’s last blog post..Clean Up time
Thanks for calling it an article
That’s a great list. I can’t think of a thing you missed and since I’m comment #24 you obviously know what you’re talking about. I’m adding this post to the ‘Great Reads’ section of the Extreme Ezine’s next issue.
Brian D. Hawkins’s last blog post..A New A Year Of Vision And Focus
Im glad you liked it
I try to only write about things I know really well.
Great post. Thank you for sharing this advice. I definitely believe it’s important to follow up on comments visitors leave – as it generally starts to develop a sense of community and discussion.
Smart Boy’s last blog post..Happy New Years – Friends & Readers
While this post and the follow up comments have managed to include all aspects of better blog commenting and subsequently getting commented back, I would like to get into a wee bit detailed aspects of better blog commenting and attracting comments in return.
Be “Laser focused” when commenting on other blogs. its better to keep on the topic on commenting so that the blog owners return the favor when commenting back.
Build a Fan club, in other words, help others and get comments in return. Whenever a blog announces a competition, jump into it as a sponsor to get maximum exposure. Help other new bloggers set up and kick start their blogging venture and you will be favored with comments and frequent traffic.
Forsaken@Domain Marvelous | Domain Name Blog |’s last blog post..Welcome, 2009
Great tips, I already do a lot of these! I’ve also written on the topic of post frequency, and got lots of comments for it. I also use CommentLuv and Top Commentators, and have a dofollow plugin that rewards my commentators when they leave a link on my blog (I filter out the spam, of course).
Diana Freedman’s last blog post..Brand Your Site With a FavIcon
definitely some good advice that I will have to follow. Thanks for the tips.
BrandC’s last blog post..Rampage Jackson Interview
@ Smart Boy: Replying to comments really does add a sense of community to a blog. You know your not just talking to a server, their actually people reading what you say.
@ Forsaken: I agree with all that you’ve said about commenting. You have to stay on topic, or you can always expand on the one being talked about as you did here. As for building a “fan club” your right again. Its sorta like taking people under your wing, help them out and they will show you their appreciation by doing things like dropping comments at your posts, and visiting frequently.
Anyway that’s a topic for another day
@ Diana: Thanks, and topics like the one about posting frequency are hard to find but they pay off big with comments and traffic, if your lucky it’ll go viral.
The fact that you’re getting a decent amount of comments here prove that your methods work. I’m not too sure if you are referring to less posting frequency or more, I have to disagree with #3. It doesn’t matter at all. Let nobody tells you otherwise.
Yan
Blogging Tips’s last blog post..2009 is the Year of Internet Marketing
Oh I forget.. Congrats on your PR3. Keep commenting!
Yan
Blogging Tips’s last blog post..2009 is the Year of Internet Marketing
Thanks for the comments Yan, I really #3 does matter, just more so on smaller blogs. Cause we all know problogger does 1 or 2 posts a day but gets a good 50 comments.
p.s. I will never stop commenting
Oh don’t get me wrong! I’m just trying to say that don’t compensate quality for a higher posting frequency. Darren started when blogging was only reserved to a select few so getting 50 comments a post is quite the norm. With 75K subscribers, it should be more, shouldn’t it?
Yan
Opps, I think theirs just a little misunderstanding here.
I think that posting less quality posts gets you more comments per a post.
As for Darren getting low comments/post, I truly think it’s because no one answers comments their. I can’t count the number of times I have asked a question and had it go un-answered. Its almost like talking to a wall, you’ll never get a response.
That’s the reason why you never see me at a-list blogs. Not that I don’t follow them. I’ve learned a lot from them but I never participate. The truth is no one cares about your opinions. You want to get an answer, do it at TSB.
Here’s the trick:
Comment on blogs below your level and I guarantee you’ll get a new subscriber almost instantly. Oops, I’m letting the cat out of the bag again.
Yan
Blogging Tips’s last blog post..2009 is the Year of Internet Marketing
No worries, some of us already knew it.
Dennis Edell’s last blog post..Google Page Rank Update: Thank YOU For My 3!
Dude, I like that little secret. Im now on the hunt for smaller BLOGS!!!!
Thanks for the tip Yan.
And as for commenting at big a-list blogs I would do it if they have a top commentator plugin. It’s an easy link…
Those are some of the hardest TC lists you can imagine.
Dennis Edell’s last blog post..Google Page Rank Update: Thank YOU For My 3!
Nice tips dude… However I still haven’t used up the comment-luv plugin. I get decent number of comments but then maybe I can get more with that plugin. Wht do you think?
Melvin’s last blog post..Spam Spam Go Away
After I included the the commentluv plugin I began to see more comments on my blog. Commentators love the plugin because it encourages conversation.
It’s like an extra thanks – “Thanks for commenting on my blog, I’ll let you link to your latest post.”
Rowell Dionicio’s last blog post..How to Comment on Blogs Like a Pro – 7 Simple Tips
Absolutely Melvin. They should double if not triple, assuming you are doing your share of promotion as well.
Dennis Edell’s last blog post..UPDATE: Changes Made To The Permanent BackLink Page
@ Dennis: Alot of them aren’t that bad cause most of the commenter at them are one or two time ’spam’ commenters, I’m still trying to top shoemoney’s list but damn its hard.
@ Melvin: It may get you a few new commenters, like Dennis over here. I think he’s one of the many that comment only at blogs that use commentluv.
I don’t even bother, and you know how much commenting I do. LOL
Dennis Edell’s last blog post..UPDATE: Changes Made To The Permanent BackLink Page
Thanks Rowell, See melvin it really can add to the conversation.
p.s. Rowell, thanks for linking to me from that forum.
Yah no problem Ardit! I’m not all about sharing my content
Rowell Dionicio’s last blog post..How to Comment on Blogs Like a Pro – 7 Simple Tips
Nice blog. You would have a subscriber but I’m old school and don’t use a reader. I live inside my email application. Feedburner please.
Otherwise, bookmarked.
@ Laurence: At the top right of the blog their is an orange link that says “Email” click it and it will bring you to the email subscription page.
Yep, got it.
All great blogs will allow you to receive updates in multiple formats
Rowell Dionicio’s last blog post..Discover New Blogs for 2009
I guess this is a Great Blog
.
Now if only I could finish one of the great 4 posts I started yesterday!!!
First post I have read here and found it very useful. Not long started a blog myself so its interesting to read others tips
Warm regards
Michelle
michelle’s last blog post..Is it the end of the High Street Store