I’ve discovered the secret to getting people to comment at your blogsite. Controversy.
Bring up a controversial topic and, if you have any followers at all, you will get comments. People will take sides, criticize you and some of those others who comment, rant, thank you for bringing up the subject, lambaste you for bringing up the subject and everything in between. And some of those comments might become fodder for future blog posts.
Another way to get comments at your blogsite is to make it personal. Post on topics close to the hearts of your visitors. If it resonates with them at an emotional level, they are more apt to respond.
But just because you don’t get a flurry of comments at your blogsite every single day doesn’t mean that you don’t have followers. Most people are not going to comment. Heck, some don’t even acknowledge your personal emails to them when you have responded to their emailed question or concern.
We no longer RSVP when it is requested. (I had to call nearly half of the people invited to my mother’s recent 90th birthday party to find out if they were coming or not. We needed a head count because we were footing the bill for the meal.) We neglect to contact colleagues or friends when we change our plans—even when those changes will affect the other people. Many of us show up to engagements and meetings late—and with no other excuse than, “Time just got away from me,” or “something came up.” And what about the person who holds up a meeting and has no excuse.
I am firmly against waiting for the latecomers. If a meeting is slated to start at 7, it should start at 7. I never understood why we cater to those who are irresponsibly (or even justifiably) late, when we should show more consideration for those who are prompt.
But I digress—I’m off on my own rant this morning. And there are probably people who do not appreciate that trait in a writer. (Although, this topic may evoke responses…)
If you have a blog that does not receive many comments, you probably feel like you’re blogging into the ethers—that you are not being heard/read. But I think it is more likely that your visitors just aren’t moved to comment. I get very few comments at my blogsite. I actually had two people comment on one of my blog posts this week—but they emailed me directly to tell me what a good post it was. And while at a recent book festival, I had a handful of people come to my booth and say such things as, “I love your blog.” “You give so much good information. Keep it up.”
I’m always encouraged when I get this sort of feedback, but sometimes I yearn to see a string of comments at my blogsite coming from a variety of people living all over the world. And I think I know how to accomplish this. I could bring up the horrible Penn State scandal. What a mess that is. And those who are blogging about it are sure getting the comments. Why? The world is curious and this is definitely an emotional issue. No one can think about this situation without feeling an emotion—generally those in the anger category (fear, disgust, hatred, sadness etc.)
I’d like to know—what blog topics inspire you to comment? Is there something related to writing/publishing/book promotion that you would like to discuss with me and my other followers?
By the way, I want to say a huge thank you to those of you who have provided feedback by way of your comments at my blogsite. I SO appreciate all of you.
For more about me, my work, and my books, visit my websites:
http://www.matilijapress.com
http://www.patriciafry.com
Patricia:
You hit the nail on the head here. You do have a great blog and I follow it religiously but only comment when I think I have something to add. With my own blog, the most activity I have had is when I included references to Microsoft and all the Microsoft haters came out of the woodwork.
I do get more comments when I try to take my experience and link it to someone else’s area of expertise like libraries.
You have a great point that I had not considered. People may just read a blog but have nothing to add. I think sometimes my blogs are too long and that readers might not get to the questions part of the article. All of things run through a bloggers mind. Your blog is great food for thought.
I watched your blog for two weeks just to see what would happen with the comments. Your blog indeed is great food for thought and every blogger should take heed in analyzing their audience and what makes them tick. Sometimes I think that our readers soak up the ideas and have nothing to add. I hope that is the case. Keep up the good writing. I am still a fan.