Do you like to have loads of people commenting on your blog?
When I first started blogging about 9 months ago, I was wondering why no one read or leave comments on my blog. On a good day, the number of comments would max at 12. On a bad day, there would be zero comments!
Lately, a few bloggers wrote to me asking how I managed to attract so many comments on my blog. Wow! I was really flattered when they asked me this question. It’s not like I have hundreds and hundreds of comments in every one of my posts, so I think I am not really qualified to answer them.
Besides, there are many bloggers out there who receive more comments than me, so they should be the ones answering this question.
However, I do know how frustrating it is when no one reads your blog and every time you post something, there is virtually no one responding. Didn’t you wish someone, anyone would just care to leave an opinion even if it’s a scathing criticism of your post? At least that would be better than zero response!
So today, for the sake of all bloggers out there who are looking for more responses to their beautifully written posts, who have toiled long hours just to come up with a post worth reading, here’s my guide on how to increase comments on your blog.
Now, notice I say how to increase comments. Not readership or traffic. Increasing comments and increasing traffic to your blog are two different things.
You can have lots of traffic to your blog everyday, but no one leaving any comments!
Or you can have over 50 comments a day, but that does not mean there’s a lot of traffic going to your blog, or that your blog is ranked high on Google’s search engine, although the chances are there!
So, let’s be clear about this first.
If you want to make money from your blog, you need lots of traffic. You will need to know about SEO and make full use of them. I have to admit I am still learning about this so please don’t ask me how to increase traffic to your blog. There are many experts on this, and it would be better for you to learn from them.
But if making money is not your priority, and you have the passion to blog, and want the satisfaction to see more people leaving comments, then perhaps this post might be of help. Of course, if you are aiming to make money and also have lots of people commenting at your blog at the same time, this can help too.
OK, so here are the 10 things I do to increase comments on my blog.
1. Write good quality posts.
I think this is a no brainer, however this alone does not guarantee that people will leave comments on your blog. There are a lot of blogs out there with excellent posts, but no one comments on them!
2. Ask a question.
Try to end your post by posing a question to your readers. Or have a question as the title for your post. Readers will be more inclined to leave comments when you ask them a question. You can see an example of this on my post here.
3. Don't tell everything.
Try and make your post open ended. In other words, don't say everything you know. Leave some things unsaid even if you know them just to allow your readers to contribute their knowledge. Give your readers a chance to be experts too. If you say everything there is to say, your readers will be left with nothing to add. They may love your post and even bookmark it or submit it to DIGG but they would not be leaving any comments!
4. Write controversial posts.
When the topic of your post is controversial, it would invite lots of debates and comments from readers. Readers may even end up debating with each other without the need for you to put in any replies. But be careful here - don't overdo it! Controversial topics sometimes put people off!
5. Interact with your commentators.
Always reply to each and every comments on your blog. This will encourage those who left the comments earlier to return and post even more comments. People do like to be acknowledged for their opinions. I personally do not like to leave comments on blogs that do not reply or respond to my comments. In fact, one very effective way of discouraging comments is to ignore all comments left on your blog. The only exception to this is, if you are very popular and have more than 100 comments on each of your posts. In such a case, it's acceptable not to reply to every comment as it takes up too much time.
6. Encourage comments using Top 10 Commentators widget.
Some readers who leave comments like to have their links displayed on this Top 10 Commentators widget. It is also another way to promote themselves. If you do not have this widget on your blog, get it here.
7. Show appreciation for your regular commentators.
You can do this by highlighting your commentators' blogs on your posts. Do mention about them if it is relevant to your post. Or use one of their comments as a topic for your next post. They will surely thank you for it! This post is my way to show appreciation for my regular commentators.
8. Make it easy for readers to leave comments.
Make sure your blog does not require your readers to register first before allowed to make comments. Personally, if I have to register and fill up my details before commenting, I rather not comment. It's just too much of a hassle! Also, do allow anonymous readers to leave comments. In fact, make it easy for anyone and everyone to leave comments on your blog.
9. Do not moderate comments.
Some bloggers may not agree with me on this. Although moderating comments will prevent spam from appearing on your blog, however, if you seriously want to increase comments, you will have to do away with this. People simply do not like to be censored. Furthermore, it feels nicer to see your comment appearing right after you've posted it. Also, do not delete any comments if possible. How do you like it when you leave a comment on someone's blog only to see it gone the next hour?
Now, if you follow all my 9 tips above, there is still a huge possibility that the number of comments on your blog will remain small. You see, you can do all the above and yet see no result. Simply because you did not do the ONE thing that can change it all. The One thing that you must absolutely do to increase the number of comments on your blog.
Which leads me to my last tip .....
10. Leave comments on other people's blogs.
Yes, that's right! Visit other people's blogs (or go blog hopping, as they say) and leave your comments there. Now when you comment on other people's blogs, granted, not everyone will return the favour and comment on your blog, but most do. Logically, the more blogs you visit and leave comments on, the more comments you will get on your own blog. So how did I get over 40 comments on my blog? I simply visited over 60 blogs and left my comments there! So you want 100 comments? Now you know what you must do!
Of course, many of you will think it is too much hard work and time consuming to visit over 60 blogs. Just imagine, if I take 5 minutes to read and leave a comment on one blog, it would take no less than 5 hours to go through 60 blogs! Now you know how much time I spent online!
Well, who says getting what you want is easy? Nothing worth achieving is easy! You want people to leave comments on your blog? You will need to work for it! There's no such thing as writing a post and sit there and wait for the comments to come in. Unless of course, you are a celebrity blogger like Kenny Sia. Now, that's a different story! Even Kenny Sia himself did not start out as a celebrity blogger. He worked himself up. So, if there is a short-cut way, please tell me!
Of course, there will come a time when you would have developed a group of loyal followers of your blog. These followers would visit your blog and leave comments whether or not you visit them in return.
However, to reach that level, you will need to have one important ingredient. That ingredient is PASSION. Yes, you need to have passion to write blogs and to read blogs. Without passion, you would rather do something else like watching TV or reading a book instead of blogging. That is why I can go through more than 60 blogs a day. It's because I simply have the passion for reading other blogs, besides writing my own blog. I don't find it hard work at all - in fact, I enjoy every minute of it!
Now if reading 60 blogs is too much for you, then aim for 30. If 30 is still a lot for you, then go for 15. It all depends on you. Not everyone wants to have 50 or 100 comments on his or her blog everyday. Some are happy with just 10, and that's fine. But this post is about increasing comments on your blog, so I guess if you are reading this, you won't be too satisfied with just 10, right?
In actual fact, I don't read 60 blogs a day. I sometimes read more and sometimes less, but I break them up into 2-3 days. Which means, I only read about an average of 30 blogs a day. Now that's not too difficult, is it?
Well, there you have it! 10 ways to increase comments on your blog! I do hope you benefit from this post. Despite this, I am still far from being an expert on this subject. If you know more ways to increase comments and would like to share with me and all my readers, you are most welcomed to do so.
By the way, if you would like me to drop by your blog and leave my comment, why don't you make the first move and leave a comment here? And if you are a blogger with Blogspot and would like to be a Follower of my blog, you are most welcome to click on "Follow This Blog" under Followers on the tab to the right of this post. Thank you! Let us help each other make our blogs soar to greater heights!
Great tips you have there.. I agree with them esp. on the last one. It will really help as most bloggers practise in exchanging comments..
I'm fixing up my top commentators widget too and will be doing some changes..
Thanks for sharing! :)
OOooops... It's top commenters.. :P
Oh.. And I left sth out.. I have to disagree with the moderating part. I feel that it's a must cos I'm having 100+ spams each day! And it's so sickening..
nah..here's my contribution to your comment box liao
9 months into blogging and you are doing very well my friend! In fact, extremely well, judging from the number of comments you received for your posts.
You pretty much covered everything necessary for a blogger to attract more comments! Too bad you are on blogspot that you cannot reply directly to a commenter's comment just like those on wordpress threaded comment. Nor you can modify comments or delete comments after you publish them. (Anyway you don't moderate, that's good!) Blogspot commenting features lacking of these features, I think.
I never really put it in a list what are the things to do.. but I think I also do no 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 (not that often now.. LOL!) No 1-4, it's not up to me to judge haha!
You read average 30 blogs a day? And you drop comment on each of the blog? That's a lot!
Great tips! For me, I feel that it's good to build friendships with fellow bloggers...not just for the sake of keeping up with no. of comments. Also, doesn't mean you have few comments..there's no one reading them. There could be silent readers. I took an advice of a fren who started me off blogging. Blog becoz you want to do it for yourself and your enjoyment...otherwise you won't last.
Having said all of the above...Foong, you have a great blog and I enjoy reading it. Keep up! :)
Great tips Foong! Thanks for sharing these. You are right about all points. I see a lot of bloggers that do not care to acknowledge the comments they receive nor do they return the favor and comment on the other person's blog. Sad.
Well said and can see that you've done some research on this :D
Thanks to this post, I'm compelled to comment. :-P
Thanks for the tips but I don't think I'll be using them since I blogged because I love to write and not to be famous. It doesn't matter if traffic is no good or lack of comments. It's just my passion.
Tip #10 is definitely a good one. Some bloggers only check out your blog after you leave commends in his/hers.
However, not everyone likes controversial posts. In fact, most prefer to read "personal posts", like what you eat and how you feel. They don't want to think too much.
thanks for sharing da tips :)
and i think i do no.10 da most :P
Great tips. I'm just happy that there are people who even take the trouble to leave comments in my blog :D
Wow! This is very helpful! I did notice that you get a lot of comments and I will say that I enjoy commenting on your posts because they are interesting and fun. You are also a very reliable return commentor and that counts for quite a bit I think!
intersting. i'll have to take these into consideration. my comments seem to be slim pickins these days, but i haven't really written anything worth commenting on i guess.
"Well, who says getting what you want is easy? Nothing worth achieving is easy! You want people to leave comments on your blog? You will need to work for it!"
True. This piece of advice is actually applicable in all areas of our lives.
Love it!
Ok...I've commented here liao, so now it's your turn. Go over to my blog and comment right now!!! LOL!!
Hey great tips there! I am leaving a comment...so it's ur turn :)
hello (: that was quite a fun read! well, you can add an 11th item: 'write an entry namaed - how to increase comments on your blog'
:D
Foong, I'm with MBL and eiling. I started my blog because I just wanted a place to pen my thoughts and for sharing information with whoever interested enough to read. I never imagined anyone who find my blog but I was wrong.
I feel traffic is more important than comments as I do not mind people visiting and not leaving comments but if they feel compelled to do so, so much the better.
Thank goodness I don't get spammed much so there's no need for moderating comments. The thing I am most thankful for are the people who regularly read my blog and some of them have been around from the very beginning. A big part of the traffic is organic.
Foong, this is a great post. I've been thinking about revamping my blog, I might consider the comment widget. Thanks.
I get much more comments ever since I use commentluv
cashmere, is it commentators or commenters? I notice some bloggers use the word commenters whilst others use commentators.
wow! you have more than 100 spams daily? That's a lot!! No wonder you need to moderate comments! I'm so thankful I don't get much spams! : )
wuching, thanks for your contribution. No guarantee I will visit your blog, though. Just kidding. Haha!
bongkersz, thanks! Yes, I do realise wordpress is much better than blogspot. I also prefer to reply directly below each comments as it's easier for the person who left the comment to find my reply rather than having to scroll all the way down. Blogspot should really introduce this!
However, I can modify and delete comments with Blogspot. Although I never ever delete unless people sometimes accidentally sent two similar comments - then I would delete one.
I think you are good at writing controversial posts. I used to read a lot of your controversial political topics. Haha!
I love to read blogs! So 30 blogs is really nothing to me, but sometimes I'm busy can't do that many. Like today, no time to read that many blogs! : )
my bug life, thanks for your kind words! : )
You are so right - blog for yourself and your enjoyment. No point doing something that you don't enjoy!
Yes, I agree we visit each other blogs to build friendships. I really enjoy building friendships with so many bloggers all around the world! And I love reading about what they do and what they have to say. I must say some bloggers' lifestyles are more interesting than storybooks or movies!
It's also true what you said - just because there's no comments does not mean no one is reading your blog. Just look at the Feedjit or Wowzio live activity widget and you can see so many people actually visiting your blog! That's why I think a blog is such an amazing tool to tell others and in fact, the world about what you want to say : )
babette, thanks. You know, normally if a blogger does not respond to my comments, I would take it that he or she does not care much for his or her readers. If I like the blog, I will still visit, but I will not leave any comments cos I don't like to be talking to a wall.
shionge, thanks! : )
gallivanter, thanks for commenting! : )
eiling, I can understand totally. Anyway, I love reading your blog! : )
khengsiong, I would say majority of bloggers out there only check out your blog after you leave a comment on their blog. That's why to increase comments on your blog, you need to leave comments on other blogs.
You are right - not everyone like controversial posts. In fact, a lot of bloggers are too lazy (or should I say too busy?) to read long posts and posts that need some brain power. They prefer just to look at photos and read a few words : )
annant, I think so too cos I do see your comments in a lot of blogs I visit. Haha!
nick phillips, I believe you always go blog hopping, don't you, cos you do have lots and lots of comments on your blog! : )
health nut wannabee mom, I like to share my opinion especially on blogs that I love to read. And your blog is just so right up my alley as I love to talk about health! : )
mystery man, glad you find my post helpful. Well, I do enjoy reading your posts, so maybe what you need is just do more blog hopping! And enjoy it while you are at it! : )
rej, thanks for visiting and commenting! I didn't think about that sentence you highlighted when I wrote this post, but now thinking about it, I guess it's kinda inspiring, isn't it? : )
suituapui, haha! Don't worry - I will definitely have a say at your blog : )
marsha, thanks for visiting and commenting. Will visit your blog soon! : )
hangukdrama, haha! Didn't think of that! Thanks for dropping by! : )
Wow!
This post had all the good tips, thanks for sharing.
I still consider myself as a newb, but that will hopefully change in time.
Keep the posts coming.
happysurfer, I agree traffic is more important. But for me, I love reading comments and replying them, so I always look forward to comments on my blog.
Also it's because I like to hear what people who've read my post got to say. It's like a conversation. I've expressed myself in my post - now let me hear it from my readers. I welcome differences of opinions, and I also feel that I can learn a lot from the comments they gave.
Yes, I'm thankful I don't get spammed that much too! Oh, you want to revamp your blog? Good, now I can look forward to a brand new look when I visit your blog! : )
relax, I think Blogspot cannot use commentluv, right? Maybe I should move over to Wordpress! : )
george serradinho, you are welcome. Btw, thanks for dropping by! : )
Great tips foongpc, I really agree with all of the points you listed out. For number 8, I hate it when I need to register just to comment. It's such a hassle. I will lose interest in commenting & move on.
Tip number 10 seems to be the most effective way of building up commentators. I think every blogger appreciates receiving comments.
Very helpful post indeed & judging from the comments you are receiving per post, it's effective indeed.
Nice blog article, thanks. I agree about your views about comments. It feels good, rewarding and more fulfilling when somebody comments on your articles. My purpose of writing and creating blogs is not only for my personal hobby but me wanting to share it with people.
thumbs up for the eye opening post. i've seen many blogs adopting item no.6 n i'll consider displaying the widget on my blog.
it makes me feel good that there are people who take the time to read my posts and leave comments in my blog.
Well said my friend. :) Thanks for all the great tips. Let's see if it will work with my blog. *LOL* And by the way, I think one does not need to moderate the comments to prevent spams, they just need to add in the Word Verification part. That way, one can prevent spam AND the reader's comment will show immediately. :)
adding 1 more of those tips, "keeping the post short, so everyone can finished reading them instead of quitting half way." :p there you go, my first "scathing criticism" on your blog. *flees*
such a detailed post on the tips. but i totally agree with u, esp the no. 10. hehehe
Good advice.
You usually write long posts. hehe..... readers blog hopping don't have the luxury to read. My 2 cents.
I already did most of what is on your list.
acura, thanks! Yes, commenting on other blogs is the most effective way to increase comments on your own blog. At least that's what I personally experienced : )
ayie, thanks for dropping by! Yes, I love reading comments on my blog - gives me lots of satisfaction indeed! : )
life ramblings, thanks. Yes, go get the Top Commenters (or is it Top Commentators?) widget. I also feel good when people really take the time and effort to read and comment on my blog : )
iamthewitch, I agree with you. With the word verification, spams can be avoided. So no need to moderate comments : )
levian, thanks for your 'scathing criticism'! Haha! I will take it constructively : ) I have to admit my post is rather long, maybe i just like to talk and talk and be a bit longwinded. LOL! Oh, btw, I look forward to hear more of your 'criticsms' in my future posts : )
xin, thanks. I think you do quite a lot of blog hopping too, right? : )
eastcoastlife, I know you already did most of what is on my list. I actually studied your blog to see how you get so many comments. So in fact, you are my sifu! Haha!
As for the long posts, I can't help it. I tend to be longwinded, that's my style. I just hope you don't get bored reading my long posts, but it's OK if you skip some parts. Who has all the time to read everything, right?
Probably, I should add Tip No.11 on how to increase comments on your blog - Keep your posts short! : )
I agree with ALL OF IT
5. Interact with your commentators = yes this is the good one, but I find a lot of bloggers don't really practise this, I find like when I do comemnt and they don't reply , its like i have invaded their property lol
9. Do not moderate comments.
hahahha *hi five*
Mostly I don wish to moderate it ...as well as put some kinda word verification to readers...
bcoz i myself find it less appealing kekekeke if i am the reader
wah...bro...this is seriously good tips man
thx for the tips Foongpc!
I definitely need them! lol
Thanks!
lisalicious, glad you agree with all the points! : )
I find bloggers who don't reply to comments a little rude cos people take their time and effort to read and leave comments.
Ideally, we should do away with moderating comments and word verification, but since spamming is still a threat, I'll settle for word verification.
vialentino, thanks! : )
rad, you are welcome! So if the number of comments in your blog skyrocket, what do I get? : )
eiling, you are welcome! : )
if I get loads of comments, you'll get more comments from me! haha ;)
Is that all I get, rad? More comments? No gifts? No money banked into my accounts? Haha! Just kidding. I look forward to more comments from you! : )
Very well said Foong. I agree on many of your points. When I first started blogging, I used to moderate my comments. It was only about 3 months back that I stopped. ;)
Replying comments is also important. I don like leaving comments on blogs who don reply back. Feels like I'm talking by myself lol! ;)
And yay me for being ur TC here lol! :):):)
Hi Foong!
I'm not sure myself.. But I believe it's commenters. Commentators are those who do commentaries e.g in soccer match, etc.. :)
*snooped around checking on the reaction* :p its true that showing appreciation meant a lot to other bloggers. your number 7 point. linking them from time to time from a post. it's like advertisement! :D
Lisalicious writes:
"5. Interact with your commentators = yes this is the good one, but I find a lot of bloggers don't really practise this, I find like when I do comemnt and they don't reply , its like i have invaded their property lol"
Yes, I have similar experience too. Guess who they are?
These are usually Chinese Malaysians who blog in the so-called mother tongue. They are chauvinists who have been brainwashed to disdain English speakers like us. (Not that I don't speak and write Chinese.)
Hi Foong,
These are all very good tips, I have been blogging for a year now but I can still use these tips.
It's very nice of you to share them.
Hi Foong,I think your tips is very great for me! Your blog is one of mine must-read, and I am so glad that I can learn so much from you!
Wah, you have SO many comments here, I jeles already. I mana boleh qualify to become your sifu wor...>_<
I hardly get comments wan but then it must be because I sometimes no time to reply them...heheh..
And yes, you are right. No comments doesn't mean no traffic.
~The female Foong who doesn't have many commentors in her blog~
You do have good tips here, add you another tips. Subscribe to those blog rolls. I think tat will create more awareness too. :)
I usually practiced no10. On a free day, I would be blog hopping. :) the bad thing is I'm hardly got a free day. :(
Very good, something I should learn from. If only other stuff in life didn't take up that much time from blogging. :\
Nevertheless maybe a target of say, 20 blogs? Ehehe
mariuca, good thing you stopped moderating comments! : )
Yeah, it does feel like you are talking to yourself when your comments have no response. Sometimes I wonder why they even bother to have that comment option there.
Congrats for being my No.1 top commenter! I notice you are always in the top 10 TC in a lot of blogs - you must be a blog hopping addict! : )
cashmere, you are probably right! : )
levian, snooping around? Haha! So link me more often in your blog, yes? : )
khengsiong, really? How you know? Were you like that last time? Haha! But I don't think it's all Chinese Malaysians who do that. I've came across bloggers from other countries who don't reply to comments too.
jade, thanks. You are welcome! : )
iWalk, thanks for your kind comments. I love reading your blog too : )
foong speaks her mind, you can be my sifu in making money online. I know many bloggers who don't care about comments in their blogs cos all they care about is traffic and the money they earn from their blogs. Well, I don't mind starting a second blog like that, where it's all about the money : )
goolooloo, thanks for the tips! No free day? Maybe you want to change job where you get more free days? haha! : )
JL, targetting 20 blogs a day is a good start! : )
Hi,
I found your blog while goggled for CNY and Feng shui. Great tips that you've put them up.
Just as you, I started my blog in end Aug 08. Am trying to attract more traffic and comments to my blog.
Thanks for the tips.
treasure memories, thanks for dropping by! Glad you find my tips useful! : )
Foong! I've switched to JS-Kit Comments on my site; I love it! ;-)
ok, now i know why you got lots of comments! hahahahahahahahhahaha!
monica, really? Will check it out! : )
faisal, I don't think I really have that many number of comments compared to you. So, maybe you can let us in on your secret? : )
Foong! I see u at my site now. For commentluv right, try inserting ur URL without the www for ur most recent posts to appear, try and see if it works! ;)
Ganas man! So many comments! If I can get er...10 enough lor. LOL :D Anyway thanks for the tips. Will try to improve mine.
mariuca, I never include the www in my URL. But it's kinda funny cos sometimes it works and sometimes it does not.
tekkaus, I checked your blog and see that you are doing very well already. Also lots of comments! But if you are thinking of making money from your blog, comments don't really matter, so you may want to switch your priorities to bringing more traffic to your blog and improve your blog's Page Ranking instead of increasing comments : )
i used to get 70/80 comments but not anymore. for a while, i was a bit demotivated but now... dont really care much. as long as i know ppl come to my blog and spend more than 3 minutes each time, i am happy :)
zewt, why you no longer get 70-80 comments now? I guess as long as people read what you blog about, you'll be happy right? : )
wow i certainly agree with this
great ips my friend thanks for sharing this to us
The question pretty much sums it up. I'd like to increase readership and commenting to my blog. I always bulletin my blog entries when I post them. What else can I try?