Blog comments, they’re not just for spammers!

Stu,

One of the things I’ve noticed about this blog is that my comments very rarely get responded to :p

Maybe that’s just cos I’m not saying anything useful

Tom

Hi Tom,

I’m genuinely sorry you feel that way. I actually went back over the last 15 pages of posts (75 posts in all), and worked out that I had replied personally to two of the four comments you made. (One of the comments you made was a “thanks” for some link love, which I thought didn’t really require a response.)

As I said, I’m really disappointed in myself for letting you feel that way, and I’ll do better I promise.

(I know that that sounds smarmy and sarcastic - it’s not, I genuinely hate disappointing people, as I know how it feels to be disappointed.)

Stu, no worries!

I wasn’t having a go. It’s just some blogs you know you’ll get a response, and others it’s less likely.

But then again the stats don’t match what I’m saying so maybe I’m wrong anyway!

Seriously mate, forget I mentioned it, I think your blog is top notch..

Thanks Tom, They do say that perception is reality, so if you felt like that, I wonder if there are others who felt the same way?

I’m trying really hard to learn all I can about blogging / traffic building etc, so I will certainly take on board what you said, and try hard to learn from it.

many’s the time I’ve really wanted to comment in a blog, but felt worried that I’ll be ignored, or worse still, be derided, by the “in group”

That’s the problem with familiarity; it often gets confused as a clique. I once felt a bit put off commenting on Burt’s blog because everyone who already did seemed to be familiar with each. Now, I read it most days and comment quite often. Do I feel part of that ‘clique’ now? No!

In fact, I’m quite proud of just how independent I feel. Whether or not I come across as that in my own blog, I’m not so sure. I think as long as I’m attracting comments from new readers then I’ll believe that I am to some extent.

Does that mean I’ll feel bad if I start attracting a group of regular commentators? No! But I’ll do what I can to make all feel welcome (apart from drive-by spammers - grrrr).

That’s an interesting point Will, I worry a little about that whole familiarity thing here. About 50% of the comments are from the same half a dozen people (which I love, by the way), but I know I get a slew of new visitors each day. The question is, how to get them involved?

Look at it another way, half of your comments are from new commentators! Sounds like an excellent proportion to me.

As for getting lurkers involved, I think I’d be rich if I had the answer to that question as I’m sure it’s asked by many a blog/forum owner.

I say, treat them like children or animals! Stay with me on this one… Make it really easy for them to get involved, make them want to get involved by offering some sort of incentive, make them feel special for coming out of the woodwork, reward them for good behaviour!

Not sure I’m really qualified to say as my comment rate isn’t that much (although I obviously appreciate and enjoy reading responses).

I like the whole incentive idea. I’m working on a competition at the moment, but it won’t be ready for a month or so. It’s all about publicity and link-building - getting people to write in their blog linking back to here, with a prize (cash) for the winner. (With a yet to be determined criteria for picking the winner)

The idea is to get people talking about this blog.

I’ve got THE Most Exciting News You’ll Hear ALL Day…
But the word is out, so you absolutely must hurry…

I usually don’t leave a comment when a blog is WAY too long. I get bored too easily, and just move to the next one.

Good list here. I would say that a theme that ties a lot of these together is the lack of a relationship. When there is a relationship between poster and commenters, a bond is formed and folks just want to chat with their friend.

Know what I mean?

As far as getting new readers involved, it may help to go out of your way to show appreciation for their first post. Let them know how much it means to you. Other newbies will see how you reacted, and they will want some of that attention.

:O)

P.S. If you left a comment on my new post (see sig) I would show mucho love!! lol