Learning To Blog IV: Getting More Comments

With just over three months of running this little blog behind me, I'm trying to break some of the bad habits I've developed and become a better blogger. To that end, I've been reading the Blogging Tips from Harvey of Bad Example. I've been treating it sort of like a course of instruction. (There's a little irony there that I just can't explain, but know that I'm enjoying it.) Anyway, since I'm treating it like a course, I'm not reading ahead. So, I'm real curious to see how this works out.

Harvey's topics (along with my post on that topic) are:

• How to start blogging  (Learning To Blog I)
• Finding your blog voice (Learning To Blog II)
• Getting more traffic (Learning To Blog III)
• Getting more comments (This post)
• Free image hosting
• Google search code
• 12 steps to better blogging

So, let's plunge in. Here are excepts from Harvey's post, with my comments on how I'm doing and what I need to do:

ON COMMENTS

... Blog readers are often busy and ... leaving a comment is a time commitment for the reader ... As a blog-host, understand that a lack of comments doesn't necessarily mean a lack of love or readership.

Yeah, I'm beginning to understanding this now. As my blogging has continued, my readership of blogs has grown. As a reader, I initially just lurked. Then I began to comment regularly on some. But now I do it less and less. This is something I've not considered when it comes to you, one of this little blogs Gentle Readers. But Harvey has brought it to my attention.

Don't think I've not valued your comments. I have. Now, I do even more. For taking your comments for granted, I'm scoring this a loss. 0-1.

... Consider this technical aspect: How easy is it to use your comments? Do they remember the readers' information from one day to the next? There have been many times that I've not left a comment simply because I didn't feel like typing all my info in AGAIN. And I won't even discuss the misery of having to go to a separate page to log in just to leave a :-) or LOL!

TypePad does remember, so I'm doing good there. Actually, I felt the same way and this was a consideration when I left the old Blogger/Blogspot site for this one. 1-1.

If your blogging software doesn't have user-friendly comments, you might consider using a third party comment service. Haloscan is excellent (and free). You can install that with a tiny pasted bit of code and disable the native comment service.

I feel good about this. I installed HaloScan on the old site shortly after start-up. Even with Blogger/Blogspot improved commenting features, I think HaloScan is the way to go on blogs hosted there. Even though I'm no longer using HaloScan, I did follow this advice without receiving it. 2-1.

...in the outer... shows one way to display Blogger comments after installing Haloscan.

Wish I had read this then. I lost my first couple of comments when I made the switch on the old site. 2-2.

For your readers, the great thing about Haloscan comments is that, once they sign in on ANY blog with Haloscan comments, they will be remembered on every other blog that uses Haloscan. Very convenient.

Unless you screw up on your browser settings. I'm a tinkerer and have done that. But, yes, I appreciate that as a reader/commenter. No score, still 2-2.

Once your comments work well, how do you get people to use them? ....

End your post with a question: People leave comments when what you've written sparks an idea in their heads. Asking a question makes the reader answer it, and probably makes them think up a "why" to justify that answer.

I don't do that much. Sometimes, I'll move my last sentence to its own paragraph in order to emphasize a point, or to try to be funny or clever or thought-provoking. Maybe I ought to try this. What do you think? 2-3.

ASK for comments to your post: A more direct version of the above suggestion. ... Sometimes shyer readers ... (are) hesitant to say anything, even though they have an urge. Inviting them in so many words can tip the balance for an indecisive reader.

Again, I haven't been doing this. 2-4.

Keep your posts to a single subject: Although it's easy to get caught up in your own stream of consciousness and range over a variety of topics, it's often only a single point you make that a reader will want to respond to.

I'm screwed. 2-5.

If you go off on other tangents, the reader may feel like his comment isn't really "on-topic" and may decide not to leave it. This is not to say that long, rambling posts aren't perfectly ok - they most certainly are - it's just that they're not as comment-encouraging.

Actually, I thought the opposite: cover a wide variety of (sort of) related stuff might increase the chance of hitting something the reader would connect with. While it might, I see now that it could reinforce the "reader" aspect and de-emphasize the "commenter" aspect. Still 2-5.

Then there's the more indirect approach. These techniques might not yield immediate results, but they help develop a more talkative readership.

What? Oh, took me a minute, but this is the intro to the next part. Okay, let's keep reading:

Comment on reader's comments: When people leave comments, reward them with a little attention by leaving a comment of your own that responds to what they said. Positive feedback is always appreciated.

I don't do as much of this as I'm inclined. I occasionally say "thanks" or respond with a joke or some silly remark, but I've actually canceled some comments I've started because it's stuck me that I'm not contributing anything and am coming across as "Hey, I got the last word." Not that I do that in person. 2-6.

Comment on other people's blogs: Reciprocation is the norm in the blogosphere. If you leave comments for other people, you'll get them in return.

I do this on occasion, but not as much as I should, I guess. Many times, it's because the comment would be "me too" or "LOL" or something that otherwise doesn't contribute. However, I don't mind getting those type of comments; why should I mind leaving them? 2-7.

Blog about your reader's comments: One of the biggest thrills for a reader is to see that something they said inspired its very own post. ... I don't suggest that you try to FORCE an entry if you're not truly inspired, but if a comment is particularly stimulating, why not put it on stage with a spotlight?

I haven't done a lot of that. At least, not to make it obvious. There have been some posts directly from reader's comments (this series is an example), but others have been indirect and I haven't made it clear. I'll do better. 2-8.

Finally, there's one more thing you can do, but use it with caution:

Whine about how you never get comments: If you're really sick of seeing "comments(0)", put up a pouty, tantrum-filled post about how hurt your feelings are.

I'm not sure how my personality would come across with something like that. I'll think long and hard before ever trying this. Because I haven't done it, but also because it's to be used only with caution, I won't score this one. 2-8.

The risk here is that these posts often get linked elsewhere, and you may get bombarded with all kinds of weird stuff by quirky-humored bloggers.

But, if they link to you, is that bad? It's all about the links with me, isn't it?

I should end here, but I suppose that, for the sake of completeness, I should mention that you can always go the melodramatic route and threaten to quit blogging, just to get people to beg you not to go. Not that anyone actually does that sort of thing.

So, I'm 2-8 for this round. I'm getting worse as we go through this series. By the time we get to the last one in this series, I'll be doing nothing right.

Anyway, here's the short run-down: I've done a good job of setting up comments/commenting system on the old blog and on this one, but a poor job of inspiring comments.

Here's where I'm a slacker and can do better (remember, one was Blogger/Blogspot-related and no longer applicable):

• Showing appreciation of comments/commenters.
• Ask more questions.
• Ask for comments.
• Stay on topic.
• Comment on comments.
• Comment on other blogs.
• Make comment-inspired posts apparent.

If you've been following along, I'd like to encourage you to read Harvey's complete post. I've quoted most of it, but it's best to get the full effect from him

Anyway, I know what I need to do. So, let's see what happens.