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.
Trackbacks & Pingbacks
- Do you love blogging as much as I do? | Arty Old Bird
- Dipstick « Beyond the Masquerade
- Dipstick « Beyond the Masquerade
- Five kinds of comments | bottledworder
- Like, Comment, Follow « Beyond the Masquerade
Comments are closed.
Great post, I agree!
You made me laugh
Seriously, though, I have picked up most of my readers exactly this way, by finding posts that interested me and commenting.
Me too!
made me laugh too!
I second that!
I couldn’t resist this one… TY Michelle, it takes effort and a desire to stay connected (an unending feat). We fall behind sometimes and then have to follow up. As I wrote in Elizabeth’s post, I add a postscript to all my blog posts: *Please bear with me as I continue to catch up on reading and commenting on your blogs… etc. We do the best we can! I keep saying I’d love a virtual assistant or the Goddess Durga’s extra graceful arms. 
Great post. I agree. (just kidding) I do think that making comments on other blogs is an excellent way to gain “exposure” and meet new people. I’m delighted with some of the interesting bloggers I’ve found this way, and they’ve often found their way to my site!
Great post. I agree! Sorry… couldn’t help it!
Aw, jeez… I guess I’m asking for it!
Thanks Michelle. I must admit that I have had a good deal of traffic from new readers by comments I’ve made on others posts. Including yesterdays post regarding comments! Go figure!
I personally felt impelled to click on your cute little icon.
Why thank you! Me too. (I mean yours)
Thanks! I love my fancy lady. Enjoy today’s post, assuming you’re feeling frisky.
The trouble is trying to think of something worth while to say in the comment. I like lots of posts but can never think of anything worth reading to say other than ‘nice post’ or similar
and sometimes wonder if that’s enough?!
Well, I would say it’s not. If you look at the previous post here on the DP I wrote an exceptionally long comment (not exceptional for me but longer than the DP norm) about replying to comments and commenting on blogs.
If you can’t think of anything more to say than ‘nice post’ – maybe you are reading the wrong blogs? Depends what you are interested in. The blogs I read always make me think of lots of things to write. My commenters always do the same. Or maybe I just write too much
Incidentally, I did look at your blog before I wrote this. It takes one hell of a long time to load. Do you downsize your pix?
Thanks for your comment. Apart from ‘huh?’ on your question re my slow loading blog I stood there wide eyed, trying hard to think of a response that wasn’t just ‘No, I upload my images full size and they are displayed on my blog usually around the large screen size, sometimes smaller’ which wasn’t anywhere near the kind of response I would like to give when you have read my comment, looked at my blog and written more than one point for reflection.
Before being able to get a decent thought process, I’ve been to the previous DP and read your comment, thought to myself you must be a writer or journalist to write such a large amount and express your opinions with gusto (not a bad thing, it’s very engaging). That led me to your blog where I noted the size of your posts that show a writing skill I’ve seen during my course and something that makes me a little envious. Obviously I’ve now seen your ‘about’ page and had a few assumptions confirmed but that’s irrelevant.
I’ve made a cup of tea, read a few other comments and then sat down with a cloud of thoughts, think of them as bubble above my head, tens, hundreds of replies but broken and jumbled to each point you’ve made. I then have to try and piece them altogether to write my reply. The problem I then find is that half of the good ones have shifted to the back and I’m now only seeing the small comments and having trouble reaching the others. They don’t flow and I spend ages working it altogether into a coherent bundle worth saying or reading. Do others have this problem?
I understand what you say about the need to read blogs you enjoy and I do but I do struggle with conversation. I’m not sure where this stems from; it’s not just on paper but also in real life. I can enjoy a conversation but have trouble with thoughts and how to reciprocate; if it’s a subject I love and have knowledge of then I’m fine. The problem with that is I really don’t have a great deal of knowledge on much at all which is why I struggle. This lack of knowledge isn’t for the lack of reading or going to school but I just don’t absorb information easily if it’s not something I really enjoy. It’s like tunnel vision; anything else around it doesn’t go in, is ignored or is forgotten!
Re: Pix – I didn’t think that made much difference with WordPress as it’s held on their server for easy loading – is this not the case and should I be downsizing then? I’ve never been told otherwise but then maybe I should have read the WordPress jargon when I first joined and what the best way to present photos was. At the same time my thoughts lead to question what kind of connection you have or if the server was just having a bad time.
I started reading at 9:30 and writing at 9:50, it’s now 10:55! A long time for one comment don’t you think?
LOL! I’ll reply on your blog, if it doesn’t take long to load
You have steered me in the right direction. Thank you for the advice
I frequently start out with nice post
and then tell them what I like about it. I know that some of my posts get a lot of likes (for me) and others get just a few (four or five) and I frequently wonder what makes some posts “likable”.
I wonder too.. I’m a new blogger.. since this wednesday…never blogged before.. and would love to have feedback from the few souls that have found their way in there so far…
Maybe I must give to receive?…
That is helpful. I will use that idea.
I’m in the same box here. I love the post but sometimes don’t really know what to say in a comment. I guess if you read and engage with what the writer is saying then you do usually think of something.
I really enjoyed this little post about comments, I have a low readership at the moment but am quite enjoying the few people that do read and it especially when they leave comments.
One thing that is a bit tricky is getting comments on a fictional blog. I think people kind of read and dash sometimes.
Are you writing a whole novel in this way or just posting as the ‘days go?’=) I’ll take a look=) I’d love for you to see my blog too=)
@Beyond the Masquerade, seems like you have the basis for a great post that will stimulate an interesting discussion here!
Thanks, although I’m not too sure how I’d transition that into my own post. It’s already here being discussed on DP with most of my thoughts – wouldn’t me reposting that comment or a version of it, just be cheating?!
You are so right. I try to comment on almost all posts that I read and feed back that I get when someone send it to me pertaining to my posts. Thank you for Sharing…maybe someone who has not been to see my post will see this and stop by for a visit
wanna someone comment back to my post, but my blog in indonesian language. And almost people use blog with english. So the foreign people that come can’t understand what i’m saying and just like because they saw my photography
I find that if you are willing to spend the time commenting on others’ blog posts, you will attract visitors and commenters to yours. It is all a question of receiving what you give.
Exactly! No blog is an island.
I agree!=) I’m sure you’ll find my newly created blog stimulating and would love your feedback! Have never blogged before….but first..I shall give what I wish to receive
I wish I had more time to visit many more blogs, but alas, there are just not enough hours in the day. I have, however, made some very close contacts and friends world-wide through blogging – and so yes, I too agree…
Yes, time is limited. Especially after you have blogged for some time.
It is challenging to find the time, but it’s also critical to building an audience. I found that if i set small goals for myself – “Today I’m going to visit 5 sites I’ve never been to before” – it became manageable.
And we do! However when we follow and support over a thousand blogs, it takes more effort to keep the wheel spinning. As our blogs grow, we learn to adapt to new ways of reaching out and it could mean segmenting blogs into comment groups and days. A number of my blog friends do that. Also responding to comments on my blog and clicking back to the author and commenting back is another option. Likes are great too. I don’t object to any way a fellow blogger supports me as we are all pressed for time. TY! And yes, great post!
Great tip!
Great post, I agree…Just kidding…. It takes a lot of work sometimes, and I think the mood of the reader at the time they are passing by and how much time they have. I think it’s also a matter of gaining rapport with your followers.
Hi! I thought I would comment since there aren’t any comments yet! Go figure . . . I have done all the suggestions above, but my readership remains limited and I generally get comments from two people in my audience. My blog is new — only three months — so I intend to be patient and attract readers by building a quality blog that will gain more readers as word get out. I have attracted more readers by featuring other people in my blog posts to increase interest. I avoid sensationalism or catchy little posts to just increase my stats. I want to know what people think and I need my stats to give me a true picture of what my readers really want. Thanks so much for all your helpful suggestions! I appreciate your daily posts. Thanks, Valda
One way I built up my following and commenters when I started out was that every time I wrote a post, I went and searched specifically for posts that had recently been written about the same subject. Then I would comment on their post, and mention within my comment that I was interested to read their post because I had just written one about the same, or similar, subject – obviously you have to say more than just that in the comment, but as long as you are adding something interesting to the discussion, it will probably pique their curiosity enough to want to come over and see what you had to say about the subject! That might sound a bit manipulative, but actually it’s a good way to start hooking up with like-minded bloggers.
That sounds like such a simple and affective way to look at it. Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome!
Vanessa, that’s a great idea, but I doubt there are too many other bloggers writing about Rico Suave today. Ha Ha. My topics usually come from somewhere in left field, and so while I will try that if I do write about a more popular topic, I tend to write whatever oddball subject strikes my fancy most of the time, unless I’m taking part in a challenge. I think that may be one reason why my regular readers come back. They never really have any idea what I’m going to be spewing on my page.
There might not be anyone else writing about Rico Suave, but there might be other people writing about rap music? (assuming that’s the Rico Suave you’re talking about here!). I’m fairly random in what I write about too – I keep wondering if I should be more specialised, but it’s much more fun this way!
Yes it is!
When I tell people I write a blog, their first question is always “Really? What’s it about:?”–My answer is usually. “Um…..I have no idea.”
This is a great idea. I will have a go, start search now…
Good luck!
Vanessa— great tip! I started my blog on wednesday and did just that thing (and felt very smart) have had 120 visitors already.. but only 4 comment=( alas, it is harder to get them to say something than just pay a visit.
Well that’s a great start! It can take a long time to start getting a lot of comments, so be patient
Good luck with your blog!
Thanks=)
Lavendercotton: Give it time and patience… Keep connecting and it will grow.
Whoo, that is wonderful. Appreciate you sharing this thought!
No problem, hope it helps!
I’m new to the blogging world and am wondering how you search posts. And if someone leaves a reply to something I’ve written, where do I find it? LOL!
When you leave a reply there is an option below the box to ‘notify me of follow-up comments via email.’ Choose that box and you will know when someone replies
There is more than one route, but one way to search posts is like this:
1) When you are logged in to WordPress, hover over the W in the top left hand corner, and select ‘Reader’ from the drop down list.
2) Once you are in the Reader, on the left hand side you’ll see it says ‘Topics’ – click on the ‘Explore Topics’ next to that.
3) Next you will see a whole load of suggested topics you could click on, your you can enter your own word into the search box at the top, and it will bring up any posts in that topic.
With regard to your other questions, did you mean if someone comments on your blog posts, or if someone replies to a comment you have left on another blog? If it’s the second one then as samiamnan says, you can choose the ‘notify me of follow-up comments via email’, but the problem with that is you can end up with too many emails if you comment on a lot of blogs. But if you look at the top bar of WordPress when you are logged on, there is a little square top right, in between New Post and your name, and that will turn orange when you have any notifications – those notifications are either that someone has commented on or liked one of your posts, or followed your blog, or that someone has replied to an comment you made on another blog. If you were asking about how will you know if someone comments on your own posts, well they should just appear under the post, unless you have it set where you have to moderate and approve comments before they appear. I shall go and comment on your post now, and you can see what happens…
Of course the best part of commenting on someone else’s blog is the excitement of checking back later to see if they’ve posted a reply. Many of the bloggers I love aren’t just great writers or artists… they’re engaging conversationalists.
It’s such a thrill to comment on an intriguing post and receive a thoughtful response in return. This is what’s great about WordPress to me… it’s a perfect mix of original observations, interesting arguments and casual chats!
Quality is the key. Got it!
Great post, I agree! (Honest! It’s a good post!)
Thank you for the tip. I’ve been blogging for a few months and although I know friends, family and other bloggers are enjoying my blog, few are leaving comments or clicking ‘Like’ which is somewhat discoursing.
Something that also might be helpful is taking your post to other mediums. Share, share, share. Facebook and StumbleUpon are great locations to submit a piece and even ask for feedback.
I thought about leaving a lone emoticon as my comment, but I’m afraid of Blogging Karma.
One of the best things I ever did was start the habit of reading a few blogs through global tags everyday. I have found some of my favorite blogs that way, and I often find interesting conversations where I can contribute and follow.
Horrible post! I strenuously disagree! (because I’m not one to follow the crowd…)
Actually, one thing I like about having few comments is each one feels more important to me, and it gives me a greater chance to interact directly with them.
But on the flip side, it’s nice to know something you posted was worth someone else’s time to leave something more than a *like.
I do not comment here to attract comments on my own blog.
it’s like same if you say i don’t believe in gravity so the gravity rules doesn’t apply on me! lol
don’t mind 
I was the 8th like on this post but I only see three comments, are you sure this works. I would much rather see a comment than a like. Like really doesn’t tell you why the person liked your post. I was just thinking about writing a blog on this same subject. I’m glad you brought it up. thanks
OOPS!! I don’t where these other people came from.
You forgot to add, for the love of god, give it a quick reread before hitting “submit comment”. I have a bad habit of cruising WordPress when I’m groggy and leave some less than clear comments, or I’m missing a word, and I read it later and cringe.
Oh, me too! That’s all I need is for new people to discover right away that I’m an idiot. ( They will find that out in time if they read me, but I like to fool them for at least a little while.) I have left quite a few comments and have seen later they are full of typos–I have a bad habit of not wearing my glasses when I am on my pc at home.
I bet our husbands would like to meet each other and complain about how we don’t wear our glasses when we need them. I can’t see distance, at all. He always thinks I’m upset when really I’m just squinting.
Great post, I agree. Laugh out loud!
I don’t want to be an out-law, so let me leave all these words just the way they are.
I just can’t help but laugh!
I was tempted to do as some have done; leave it at “Great post, I agree”. But as you can see, some others beat me to it.
Your post is striking, brief and hilarious! All the necessary point were passed. I call that; hitting the nail on the head. Did I just say: I call that? I seemed to have forgotten that it is general English.
I would have loved to go on and on, and write about how commenting is a good way to let other bloggers know about your blog but that would be repeating the point that has already been made.
The perfect response would really have been “Great post, I agree”, but it seems prohibited.
Great post!
The traffic exchange is nice, yes. I enjoy the camaraderie that develops from the comment thread. Like many others, I look forward to hearing a reply to my comment and find it enjoyable when someone comments on or replies to my comment. Sometimes the blogger will go further in the comments than was left in the original post, clarifying and expanding on points made earlier. Works out great for us guests.
I have no fear of “blogging karma”, as does becomingcliche, but the hitch is that my range of emoticons is very limited.
I do appreciate “likes” just as much as comments because then one can tell who has actually read your post and liked it.
I find it interesting how so many people who appear to be so different from one another – judging from their blog output – can like the same thing. Sometimes it is surprising.
When it comes to my own blog, it is often the posts I view as less inspired which have greater appeal than the ones I like the most myself. There’s no accounting for folk!
Allison, I’m with you on that one… I appreciate LIKES, comments and even the occasional emoticon. It’s all good! It is not always so clear what appeals to the masses as blogging tastes vary tremendously. What I continue to do is keep on blogging, varying my content, and reaching out to others.
Every piece of advice helps
I enjoy reading the comments that are left on other people’s blogs, and have gone to the commenter’s blog when I noticed that they left thoughtful comments, and have found new blogs that I now follow. I agree that leaving meaningful comments is a good way for people to become intrigued and come to visit your blog.
Great post, I agree, and it is good to know the importance of comments. I write a blog with inspirational and funny stories, and I get some really nice comments and very few mean ones.
I love visiting blogs. It’s interesting to learn about others and witness the world through their voice and images. I have no regrets about reading a post and letting them know what I liked. This is a great community booster.
See.
One of the best things about wordpress is how easy it is to access other blogs. It’s definitely a great way to meet new people by commenting on their stuff and more often than not you’ll get a comment in return.
The ease of finding other blogs was why I dumped my previous blogging site in favor of WordPress. It’s much easier to get connected here.
i second that! when i started exploring WordPress, i came to know that WordPress is a huge blogosphere and it’s access is quite easy.
My favourite part of blogging is seeing what others are writing about and leaving comments in response to their posts, sending some praise and hopefully having a conversation with them.
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.
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.
wonderful ideas, both in the post and in the comments. Some things I had never considered.Thank you for the ideas and the encouragement… DAF
Yes, posting comments is a good strategy, but I would also though in pingbacks and linking to their posts from within you posts as well.
“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!
Oh, and don’t moderate! God man, that’s half the fun!
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
I am new to blogging, and this article caught my mind . Great post, inspiring..
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.
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
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
Arghhh – should say “…when life is too hectic …” Darn homophones.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
Blogging is definitely a two-way conversation, or why bother.
Somehow my “Leave a Reply” box and my Like have disappeared off my blog! Any ideas on how to get them back?
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.
As a new blogger, I appreciate the tip. Look forward to more.
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?
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?
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.
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.
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…
Good advice! I’ll try to do that!
Whenever someone comments something substantial on any of my posts, I tend to go and visit their sites… and may be others do so as well.
so true. can’t wait for the longer post ^_^
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! )
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…
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.
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!)
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.
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.
Totally agree!!! I enjoy commenting on other blogs. Makes for great discoveries and conversation.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Noted – I’ll add that topic to the hopper.
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.
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.
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.
Good comments, good icons, good readerships
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.
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!
Thanks for your support. As you say, it’s good to connect with a wider audience. I wish you well with your blog.
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.
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,..=)
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…
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.
Hi am a new follower to your blog now! Looking forward to reading from you in the future
I am looking for some WordPress blogs written by writers who write creative fiction on their writing blogs not blogs about writing creative fiction because I want to read your writing and think about how you wrote it and why and then maybe write some feedback so that you can write better and I can write better and we can write better.
Where to look? Who is out there?
Fiction blogs are a great idea for a future “Focus On…” post–we’ll add it to the list.
In the meantime, have you checked out the “Flash Fiction” topic (you can add it to your topic list in the Reader)? There are tons of bloggers creating interesting short-form fiction, weekly challenges to follow, etc. Give it a read!
I have checked out the flash fiction topic yes, but most of those tend to be more “slice of life” than actual stories with characters and a plot. I am looking more for short prose, or even short stories.
‘…looking more for short prose, or even short stories’ for what?
to read
O.K.
If any of you are thinking that forcing yourself to comment all the time is going to be a drag it can actually be quite fun. WordPress feels like a community because people can engage in thoughtful comment based discussion — this is why I personally prefer it over other blogging platforms like Tumblr. Unlike most of the rest of the Internet comments don’t usually deserve to be herp derped.
Yay! The other side of the coin!
Can’t believe you read my mind.
“Great post” feels like inert matter.
Not sure if I ought to say this, but sometimes nothing is a tad better than auto-responder. Why go through the anticipation of possible wonderful, just ot get the contents of an empty brain. Got nothing (for this one) share nothing.
Ok, sometimes the anticipation is fun. So go ahead and comment. “Great post!”
Great post, by the way.
Hope this doesn’t sound like (overly) blatant self promotion but I did a post a while back on finding interesting blogs (and new friends) on wordpress. http://empressnasigoreng.wordpress.com/2012/08/14/on-following/ Sometimes the more obscure search terms can bring up the most interesting gems!
Just bust in and say Hi! Thanks for having me. Where’s the fridge?
Thank you
very true. I admit to being a bit absorbed in my own blog. I don’t often seek out others, so my mid-October resolution has been made haha. A good post
Hehe. I visited a friend’s blog and was amazed at how she got strangers commenting on her posts, then I thought that maybe it was because she also comments to other people’s blog. And then, hey, I read this and find out that my theory is true.
Thank you for the post! It’s helpful.
With the execption of one friend, I wrote my fifth post before I got a comment from a reader. This in fact came from someone whos post i had read and commented on. During the week I try to read at least 50 post and comment on as many of those posts as warrants. My “likes” have gone up greatly and now I am getting more comments. — Bill
You’re ahead of the curve! When I started, I think I went a month before I got a “Great post, I agree!”
I always struggle to write something ‘interesting’ or ‘engaging’ in the comments section other then ‘Great post! I agree!’ LOL
But I have noticed that when I do write something ‘engaging’ on someones post, I do get a reply and they do come visit my page.
Your theory works, I just have to write better comments I guess =)
Writing a bit longer comment is important, but I definitely don’t like to read, nor write, a mile long comments. I saw few of this type here and I prefer to skip past them. So be thoughtful but don’t overdo it
. Good post, though.
Wow i just started blogging for the sake of blogging but its true that it’d be great to have more traffic on your blog and it makes sense also whats been mentioned but just responding to comments doesn’t seem like enough and they do end up too long sometimes, Responses have to address the commenter in a way that they’ll understand what your saying at the same time not losing them in a block of text.
Ran across the Daily post while searching for something else. New blogger here, looking for inspiration and guidence…I have found some here.
Appreciate the thoughts you shared in this post about putting comments out there. I am looking forward to finding some fun blogs to comment on! Anticipate your upcoming posts on attracting an audience and being a good community member.
Welcome!
I didn’t read through all the commets here so I applogize if this is repetitive, but does this go for blogs outside wordpress? It always seems a bit weird to me when people leave a link to their blog in the comment section. Or is it okay as long as there’s a thoughtful comment preceding it?
This goes for all blogs. Typically, when you leave a comment, you’re asked for your name, email address, and URL; when your comment appears, your name will be a link to your URL, so there’s no need to leave it in the comment itself (which is usually frowned upon).
Ah, that makes sense! I sometimes see people leaving the link in the content itself. But you’re right, there’s usually a place to provide that info while commenting without being tacky. Thanks for the reply!:)
Reblogged this on AKANA IUMOLA and commented:
Who? The Queen ? England II ? England Iumola ? England Junior ? Some blog group rubbishing up her good name in the world ? Elisabeth II ? Elisa Beth Iumola ? Eli Sa Beth Junior ? Wrong is WRONG . Will this change on the line ?
Who? The Queen ? England II ? England Iumola ? England Junior ? Some blog group rubbishing up her good name in the world ? Elisabeth II ? Elisa Beth Iumola ? Eli Sa Beth Junior ? Wrong is WRONG . Will this change on the line ?
Great post! But as some other comenters above I was found this way some time ago.
Great post! Now, click my blog and read some entries! LOL. you’re going to have a blast! (or not)
)
Reblogged this on 2shorth's Blog and commented:
No “Great post, I agree!”
Hey there! This is such a great discussion! As a new blogger I am learning so much with every post from WP and with every comment you guys are writing. I just had to write about it myself on a post called “Will blog for comments”
Would love to see you around…
http://grazforkids.wordpress.com/2012/10/17/will-blog-for-comments
Reblogged this on Ze Blog of Reblogs.
I have to admit that I find it annoying when people leave a comment or press like just in order to have me go check out their blog.
I am constantly looking for new blogs to read and follow, I find them thru friends, freshly pressed and StumbleUpon. I think that if you want more readers/traffic on your blog all you should do is just keep writing like there are thousands following you.
I have had my blog for almost two years now and have managed to collect a following of 50 readers (+all my friends on FB and twitter were I publish links to my blog), something that I am very proud of. They have found my blog one way or another, sometimes because I left a comment on their blog, I only(!) do that when I feel like I have something to say.
I guess it make a difference if you are writing for yourself or for others.
Reblogged this on bajoreden.
“The Daily Post