How to Get More Comments on Your Blog
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This is a guest post: by Alisa Bowman. In addition to being a friend of mine, Alisa is also a freelance writer and blogger. She gives free marriage advice and help. at her blog ProjectHappilyEverAfter.com. You can find her on Twitter @AlisaBowman.
About six months ago, I had 1500 blog subscribers—all of whom left few if any comments. On a good day, I would get maybe 8 comments.
On a bad day, I might get zero
It hurt my feelings more than a little.
And it made me wonder: Is anyone actually reading my blog? Or are all of these people pressing the delete button whenever my blog feeds into their inbox? Am I the most unloved blogger on the planet?
I thought about throwing a De-Lurking Party, as I’d read about other bloggers doing that sort of thing. But that seemed, well. In a word? Terrifying. What if I held a party and no one showed?
No, I couldn’t do that. No. No. No. A De-Lurking Party? That was waaaaay too risky.
So I did all of the usual things that people tell you to do in order to get more comments. I ended each post with this line, “Please leave a comment.” I installed the Comment Luv and the Subscribe To Comments plugins. I begged my Twitter followers to please comment on my blog.
Nothing.
Then, one day, I accidentally purchased the wrong size of bed sheets. I opened the package and washed them before realizing the issue. I didn’t know what to do with the dang things, so in the middle of a post Of Cobwebs, Bedsheets and Butter I wrote: Would you like a set of free Bakugan bed sheets? Leave a comment on today’s post that makes me laugh and forget all of my life’s problems and they are yours.
It was a joke. I didn’t think anyone would want them. I mean, seriously? They were kid’s bed sheets. They were already out of the package.
They had Bakugan designs on them.
That post? It generated 23 comments. As the comments flowed in, I danced around my room saying, “Who-hoo. People really do read my blog. Who-ho. People love me.”
Reward Your Readers
Let me tell you something. I. Did. Not. Want. To. Come. Down. From. That. 23 Comments. High.
Did not.
So I decided to give away more stuff.
I included a line from Where the Wild Things Are in one post’s headline and offered to send a chocolate bar to the first reader who figured out the book from which I’d stolen the line.
I won a bunch of dildos at a conference (don’t you just wish you were at THAT conference?), so I gave two away to my readers.
I re-gifted swag. I gave away crap that I didn’t want anymore. I gave, and I gave, and I gave.
Here are some other things that I did:
Created a Reader of the Month award. I give it to one frequent commenter each month.
Thanked my readers. I thanked them in my posts. I thanked them in the comments area. I told them just how much their comments helped inspire me. I told them just had crappy I felt whenever a post did not generate a lot of comments.
Started a Reader Participation post. I did the first one on a morning when I was busy and didn’t have enough time to write a real post. So I posed a question, asking, “What was the best marriage advice you ever got?” In the body, I told readers that they would write the post instead of me. I would, however, reward one commenter with a subscription to Wired magazine. That post? It got 46 comments. Now I regularly post questions—usually ones that were sent to me by readers—and I ask my readers to answer them.
Installed the My Top Commentators Widget. It keeps a running tab in your sidebar of who has left the most comments. This is a nice, free way to reward your readers, but it’s also helpful for you when picking Readers of the Month.
Other Secrets for Getting More Comments
Now it’s a rare day when a post elicits zero comments. Whereas 8 comments used to be a big day for me, now it’s a slow one. I’ve averaging around 25.
You want some of that, right? Sure you do. Everyone loves comments, even bloggers who have that elusive trait known as self-confidence.
So here are even more comment-getting secrets that have worked for me, and might just work for you, too.
- Ask questions within the body of your posts. I often insert little phrases here and there like, “Don’t you think?” and “Would you have done the same thing?” I think of each post as a conversation and I try to write it just as I would say it to a girlfriend over wine.
- Write about controversial topics. Readers are more likely to comment about something they feel passionate about. If you continually write safe posts—defined as posts that are about topics that nearly everyone can agree upon—you won’t tempt your readers to comment as much as you will if you write posts that are more controversial.
- Suggest they leave a comment, and give them ideas of what to say. Many people don’t comment because they can’t think of anything to say. That’s why the “please leave a comment” doesn’t always work. Be more specific. At the end of your post, include a bolded section about what types of comments you’d like to see from your readers. For instance, you might write, “Readers, I’m curious about your take on this situation. How do you define marriage? Should people stay married just for the kids? When is it okay to get a divorce?” (Can you tell that I write about marriage?) And, just in case you missed it, that parenthetical was an example of how I might embed a question in the body of a post.
- Write about your weaknesses. One of my most commented posts of all time was a rant I wrote about how I was embarrassed about my paltry mothering skills. I broke nearly every single blogging rule in that post. I titled it “How M&Ms Got Me a Better Flight,” even though it’s not remotely about that topic at all. It’s one of the longest posts I’ve ever written. And it’s not on topic in terms of my blog niche. It generated 68 comments, though, because it’s about weakness, and that’s something that a lot of other people can relate to.
What have you already done to increase the number of comments on your blog? Do low comment days make you cry, or does that only happen to me? Do you sometimes approve spam comments, just so your posts don’t seem to God awful lonely? Did you find this post helpful, or did I come off as kind of braggy? Share your thoughts in the comments area.
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Tags: blogging, Social Media
Hesham @ FamousBl...
Bhavya
Brian
Carter Cole
Claire Jarrett
This is an awesome article that shares some GREAT ideas for all bloggers looking to generate more comments
Lisa Collier tweeted this, and I am so happy I clicked on the link. Your blog is so helpful, especially to a newbie blogger like me. I will be sure to pass this on.
Tusen takk ( Norwegian for 1000 thanks, and no I’m not Norwegian, but my partner is and I like saying it
Patty,
Thank you so much for the kind words and I’m glad you found my blog useful.
Also it helps when I have great writers like Alisa doing guest posts on my blog.
Thanks for stopping by and keep in touch.
This is a very useful article for those that blog. I will pass it on! Thanks! Sign me up for the free dildo btw!! (I prefer the vibrating kind) LMAO! LOVE the monkey picture btw, where ever did you find that??
Great advice! It’s always so hard to know that there are people out there *maybe* reading…or maybe not. I’m going to see if I can implement some of these tactics myself!
Kris Bordessa´s last blog ..Coconut Bay Resort & Spa
Thanks for the great blog post, I’m definitely inspired! I’m sure there’s lots of stuff I can give away on my blog, starting with a bunch of books I have here about working at home.
Angela
Angela Wills´s last blog ..Getting Grounded & Balanced in Business
Good post. I find that giving stuff away always causes people to comment. Yay, buying love and validation!
Stephanie – Wasabimon´s last blog ..Prosciutto, Havarti and Tomato Gluten Free Panini Sandwich Recipe
I love your spirit and the fact you think outside of the Box! I Love the dildo give away! How Tawdry was that? Brilliant! LMAO! Love YOU! Love your post!
Wonderful ideas on how to get readers more involved. I love the giveaways, it’s like playing a game with your readers. Great post!
Heather Villa´s last blog ..Pay it forward for big payback
Alisa,
Thanks for taking the time to put this guest post together. I remember when you wrote the Where The Wild Things are post and gave away the candy bar. Also remember the others lol. Creative and effective ideas.
What I really like about that post is that Alisa is talking from experience – this is priceless.
Ann Smarty´s last blog ..How Guest Blogging Made Me 5-Figures in 2009
I’m just here for the free bed sheets.
Susan–you win an award for giving me my first out loud laugh of the day. THANK YOU!
Thanks everyone else for making me feel like a writer who gets read and not like a, well, I better not go to that place.
Alisa Bowman´s last blog ..How to Accept Defeat, part 2
Awesome tips. I love the giveaway idea. I love the comments too – one inane post of mine on getting my husband’s hand me down GPS got me 107 comments. It was ridiculous. Would love to keep that momentum.
Hadassah´s last blog ..Moving Advice Needed
thanks a million for the tips, very helpful….
Here’s another tip–write about how to get more comments on your blog and anyone with an ounce of civility will leave you one! You have some great, practical ideas. Best of all, you write humorously and well, which alone ought to bring everyone back for more.
Erika Kotite´s last blog ..Short-Waisted People
I enjoyed this article and the tips you provided so much – thank you! I usually refer to conversational writing as “friends having a chat over lunch” but I prefer “talking with a girlfriend over wine” much more! Great stuff.
My dear friend, you never cease to help me out on my blogging problems. You are such an inspiration. I just might give out some free candy on my blog today!
Just brilliant!
nandoism´s last blog ..Levi Johnston: Gay Icon
Alisa ~ Great post! Stumbled and Retweeted! I remember most of these giveaways LOL … I too often feel bummed when my comment numbers get low … I’ll put some thought into what I can give away … could get interesting LOL … thanks for the great ideas! *SmiLes* Suzanne
P.S. I read every single post you write … often from my Blackberry … but I’m one of those “lurkers” who doesn’t make it all the way over to comment *sigh* … I KNOW better! LOL
Suzanne Franco´s last blog ..Checking In and Free eBook Offer
Great post. I’d add one more thing: comment on OTHER people’s blogs. I realized I was guilty of this myself. I adore getting comments on my blog, yet I often wouldn’t take the time to read and comment on my commenters’ blogs. No fair, right? It’s the same on Twitter. I won’t follow you just because you’re following me, but I will happily follow you if you respond to my tweets.
And also? Just because people aren’t commenting doesn’t mean they’re not reading. I constantly have people e-mail me directly w/ comments or people that I know will respond in person. Some people are just shy about commenting publicly, or feel that other people have already said it better.
Abby´s last blog ..46 Inches of Fun
Great tips! I will definitely try them out for the new year.
Patricia´s last blog ..A look back at
Great ideas. I can definitely relate to being hurt when you spend a lot of time on a post and nobody comments.
Gerri´s last blog ..absolutelytrue: RT @BridgetAyers: How to Get More Comments on Your Blog http://su.pr/1xBe1N via @mayhemstudios @the_gman @AlisaBowman
LOVED IT! I have given personalized printables I make away but have often cried too because of lack of comments. This post was so much fun to read
Thanks for the wacky, and ..ummm.. inovative iteads lol
Belinda
Cooking with Kids
Alisa
I was smiling the whole time I read this post (and all the comments too). As a new blogger I feel like at times I’m writing my heart out but all I can hear are the crickets typing. LOL
Giveaways are what I pay attention to so I guess giving away is what I’ll be doing more of.
I love your writing.
Vernon
Vernon Harleston´s last blog ..Stuff Somebody Should’ve Told Me Before I got Married
“What have you already done to increase the number of comments on your blog? Do low comment days make you cry, or does that only happen to me? Do you sometimes approve spam comments, just so your posts don’t seem to God awful lonely? Did you find this post helpful, or did I come off as kind of braggy? Share your thoughts in the comments area.”
Hi Alisa,
I have to say that I get a little frustrated when I get little comments. LOL. So you are not alone
.
Well, I must admit that I had once approved a short and meaningless comment to make it less lonely. Haha! But now I don’t anymore.
And I find this post really helpful (tweeted it), because it comes from your personal experience, like Ann Smarty said.
And about two months ago I’ve written a post on 11 Ways to get more Comments on Your Blog on my blog. So those are my tips to get more comments
.
Cheers!
You also wrote this amazing guest post on my blog 15 Ways to Get Your Blog Comments Noticed
You had some great tips on increasing comment participation there as well.
I have been following Alisa’s blog for several months and am grateful to have this summary of what works for her, since I’ve experienced the same problem with lurkers on my blog. The idea of giving away free stuff doesn’t enchant me, but it does seem to produce results.
Alexandra ´s last blog ..Article on Cape Cod Appears in Latitudes/Life
I just love Twitter… My friends take time to share brilliant articles with me.. And this was a real winner today.
I will study your suggestions and techniques here.
For sure will be interesting to see what effect using these techniques will have on my articles.
You got a new subscriber here..
Cheers.. Are
Are Morch´s last blog ..Are You Still New To Twitter?
OMG Alisa I was SO thinking this morning that I should throw a delurking party then realized I would die of embarrassment if nobody participated.
Thanks for this post, it is very helpful too me. I’m in a similar position, fair number of subscribers, great page views, and a tenth of the comments of other blogs that I know get fewer visitors than I do.
I think really my problem is I’m not very interested in what others have to say and it shows. Hehehe. Winkie.
These are great tips. The following things helped raise the number of comments I receive on posts:
- Promoting my site as Dofollow and CommentLuv enabled (huge plus)
- Commenting on other blogs
- Promoting posts on other networks (especially Twitter, StumbleUpon)
Kikolani´s last blog ..Reasons to Love CommentLuv Blogs
I’m right there with you Kristi. I have gotten some of my best comment results by simply commenting on other blogs. Just wish I had the time to do more of it these days. And of course Twitter and SU FTW always!
Alisa,
I’ve read a number of the usual “how to” articles on this subject. None has come close to the variety and depth of methods you’ve used successfully. So thank you!
As others have said, I too take the community approach – engaging on other people’s blogs routinely (while maintaining integrity of adding value) is a big one for me. I also engage everyone I can on twitter with true respect, and also fun because that’s part of my particular voice.
Replying to as many comments as possible within reality is also a cornerstone approach I learned. It means the world to me when I leave a comment on someone else’s post and they acknowledge that.
From time to time, I also call attention to some comments through a tweet, which both gives credit to the commenter and lets others know about it.
Another method I use is occassionally switching things up and posting an article to my personal blog, rather than my professinal blog – in that emotional honesty or off-beat subject matter way, so people get a much better sense of who I am as a complete person. Like revealing the human behind the curtain.
But mostly I blog about highly controversial topics. And either go on a deep long rant, or take the humor aspect of an otherwise serious subject to a whole new level.
I think everything helps in the long run. And I’m seriously going to incorporate some of your methods and suggestions in coming articles.
Alan Bleiweiss´s last blog ..Google AdWords Contact Forms – A Bad Idea
Alan–Those are all GREAT strategies. Thanks for mentioning all of them. I think they really help to add to the mix. I really like the idea of highlighting a comment in a tweet.
One other thing that I do (that I sort of forgot about) is that I have an unofficial “comment ring,” which is basically made up of a few bloggers that I’m friendly with. We all keep up with each other’s blogs and comment on nearly every single post. I think this strategy can especially help people who are very early in blogging, with the subscriber numbers are still low. It makes the blog come alive.
Alisa Bowman´s last blog ..How to Accept Defeat, Part 3
Alisa – regarding the comment ring – when I first heard about it, it was in an article that made it sound like an underground secret clan thing, black-hat-like. And my first reaction was “evil”. Then a while later, I got the same concept presented in a new way, where it was presented as friends helping friends out. That changed my whole perspective.
Because that’s how IRL friendship works. We always only help each other out when we really do agree with the others article or position on something. Or offer a counter-point that’s also a legitimate point of view. So it’s really an online way for friends to have dialogue. Which, I’ve discovered, in turn then encourages more dialogue from others.
Anyhow, that’s just my take on it now. And oh yeah – I now cherish my online friends for their support and encouragement more than ever. Go figure.
Alan Bleiweiss´s last blog ..Google AdWords Contact Forms – A Bad Idea
Excellent information!
I find thanking personally every loyal reader of my SEO blog, works well in creating better long term readers. This always leads to more and better blog comments!
Alisa,
like your sense of humor.
interesting to ehar you experience with giveaways, thanks. been considering doing that.
for some reason, number of comments has never concerned me. I see people reading, spending time on the blog, linking to it, and coming back — if they’d like to say something, fine, if not, I think they are still finding something they like.
that said, one of the methods I think no one’s metioned yet is to do jusr as you are with this post — do guest posts. I’ve found this brings in comments, sometimes long after the time of the actual post.
Kerry Dexter´s last blog ..Winter music: first week of January
Not only is guest posting a great way to get more comments but it’s also a great way to expose yourself to a new audience and gain new RSS subscribers. Guest posting FTW! :-p
Some brilliant and simple tips here some of which I already use. Although I have failed to get anywhere with the user interaction posts, but I think that could come down to the quality of the post that and the subject I choose.
I think I need to work harder at networking with other bloggers that have products that they can donate as at the moment I am not making any money from blogging to donate as rewards.
But I love the idea of having a best commentator of the month award etc… I think that I might do more of that too.
I have had more trouble with this in recent months. I think something more than my blogging has changed. I have seen a random post get well over 100 replies on my blog in under under 48 hours, but these days they seem far more elusive. A lot of people will comment on Twitter, Facebook, or other networks about a post, but completely neglect to add their comment on the blog.
I really like the post and I can relate to it.
Mark Aaron Murnahan´s last blog ..How Connected Are You With Your Social Networks?
Levo–you could give away old things you have in your house. I’ve given books off my bookshelf. People seem to like winning things, even if the prize is not anything remotely elaborate.
Alisa Bowman´s last blog ..How to Accept Defeat, Part 3
Amazing trick you found to increase the comments, I hope I will be able to figure out something to give away on my blog.
Hameedullah Khan´s last blog ..Google just can’t replace twitterfeed for now.
Great post! Thanks for giving not only the tips, but a fun read!
Rosie´s last blog ..We Tree Kings
Real good information. I have been blogging for over five years and I have used it all to no avail. Still looking for what will work for my blog.
Scot Duke´s last blog ..The Fun of Social Media
It seems only fitting that a post like this should generate a bunch of comments, so here’s one more.
Thanks for the tips.
Adam Sherk´s last blog ..Hearst Skiff Reader Looks Cool
this is very useful articles. thanks for sharing….
zsameer´s last blog ..Baby Girl brushing teeth
Yea, news I can use! Great post! I’m going to try several of the ideas.
Congrats Alisa, it sounds like you’re really on the right track! You’ve actually given me some cool new ideas for comment getting, and that in itself is a rare find nowadays.
(Many of my readers have asked me to write a book on the topic. lol)
You’ve installed all the right plugins and have really come up with some excellent suggestions. I’d be careful and slow down the freebies a bit though, becoming known for that can actually harm you in the end a bit.
Let me know if you ever wanna bounce some ideas around.
Dennis Edell´s last blog ..Updates – Latest $10 Domain Winner, Latest Move News, and more.
I’m not really too sure how giving away stuff for comments can really translate into a profitable activity for a blogger, the rest of this post has some interesting ideas that can help people.
Its interesting that the event seems to have given you critical mass to build a community and get regular comments. Good work
Excellent ideas Alisa! Getting blog comments is relatively easy… getting intelligent, thought-provoking comments is harder
Another tactic that can inspire more comments is don’t say everything in the post… leave holes for commenters (i.e. leave info out deliberately).
I think rewarding your readers and actually responding back to their comments helps build more of a discussion.
Hi Alisa,
What I do to get comments on my blog is commenting on other peoples’ blogs.
I don’t find your post braggy because your motivation is sharing what works for you.
I never approve spam comments even though sometimes the spammers are quite clever.
Today I received 3 diversified spam comments from one person and they all looked quite OK at first glance but were obviously generic and used over and over.
I have found your post helpful, especially the part about the call to action at the end of your posts.
It helps people to leave a comment if you ask them with a hint as to what points you want them to comment on.
Vance
Vance Sova´s last blog ..Get Blog Traffic Increase With Blog Comments
Yes, giving stuff away — the more expensive the better — always works for me.
But I’ve also learned that asking people to leave a comment and disclose something embarrassing also generates a lot of feedback. I always try to connect it to the topic of the post or the giveaway.
After a week’s worth of knife sharpening videos, I asked readers to comment about a knife in your past, either one you’ve loved or one you’ve been terrified of, in order to win a knife sharpener.
It generated 158 comments, a record so far!
Lisa@behindtheknife.com
this is such a useful resource. thanks for the insight.
Hi Alisa,
Besides giving me a solution on how to increase my blog comments, think you also helped me figure out what to do with all those little things that’s lying around the house that’s either unopened or totally no use to me.
Thanks!
Ryan ´s last blog ..Getting More Comments On Your Blog
Great post Alisa! Definitely am going to read it a few more times and take notes. Some great ideas to try out on a couple blogs I have struggled getting comments on.
I also make sure I drive my lists to my blog posts through broadcasts and my best posts I highlight and put into my autoresponders; inserting a reason to post a comment.. building a list, might as well build a readership on your blog as well.
Thanks!
-Matt Levenhagen
P.S. You might break that record with this blog post.
Matt Levenhagen´s last blog ..Why the ‘Research’ in Keyword Research Matters
Alisa, this post certainly generated a lot of comments! Excellent advice; thank you for sharing. I’m going to try to incorporate some of your suggestions into my own blog. Like you, I know people are reading. Also, like you, I love when people comment!
So THAT’S how you do it. Well, it obviously is working for you. Thanks for sharing, Alisa. A blog is so much more fun when you get lots and lots of comments!
I never get comments
Do you comment on other blogs?
I also notice your name isn’t linked, do you have a blog?
Yeap good point Dennis.
Difficult to get comments on a non-existent or unlinked blog…
Dennis Edell´s last blog ..Blog Move Is Imminent ! I’m Looking For Launch Partners…
This was amazing advice.
I thought something was wrong with me.
I tried all the things that “everyone” tells you to do like inviting people to leave comments etc.
All I got was a big fat goose egg.
I am going to try giving stuff away for free
Chris the Dunwoody Electrician´s last blog ..Dunwoody Electrician Offers FREE Phone Help
Comments are exactly what I’ve been pondering today. I got my 3rd comment today-yipee! My dermatology/medical blog has been up since September and I’m wondering what people are thinking about it. Google Analytics tells me that I’m getting traffic, but no comments. Your ideas to ask readers a question or give them specific comment topics is now on my ‘to-do’ list. Can’t wait to see if it draws out the comments. Thanks.
cynthia bailey md´s last blog ..Understanding The Alkaline Diet
Cynthia,
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I’m glad you found Alisa post useful.
Let us know how the tips work out for you!
Thanks for the great article. As i’m just about to launch a huge blog in the travel industry, I plan on using all of the tecniques that you have suggested. Gracias
Arthur
I wrote a similar post,I think comments grow with reputation. But if you are a very active commentator, yourself, then you can expect to get a lot more number of comments
gautam hans´s last blog ..How to boost your pageviews
That’s true. Another benefit of actively commenting on other blogs is that you will become more knowledgeable because in order to comment effectively you have to read first.
@Gerald:
You are right. I spend a lot more time commenting than writing my own blog posts. I recently wrote on the importance of reading and commenting on others’ blogs and what it can teach you. It seems that some people are often too absorbed in their own blogs to realize that point.
Mark Aaron Murnahan´s last blog ..Tynt Helps Track Content When it Leaves Your Website
Thanks, Alisa, for the link back to the Top Commentators widget. Although I myself use the widget to increase reader participation, I blog mostly for myself, so if no one leaves a comment on my post, it doesn’t bother me. The widget is just a way for me to thank those who even bothered reading my posts
Lorna´s last blog ..Paid posts are out of my life