We all hope that our blogs will eventually transition from ‘just another blog,’ into an active community discussion platform. This largely starts with readers beginning to actively participate in the comments. But how do you encourage your readers to leave comments (without personally hunting them down and begging them, of course)?
Discuss, Don’t Lecture
There’s a fine line between a discussion forum and a lecture. If your posts read like a lecture, they’re not very open to commenting. If you’re essentially just rambling off a list of your opinions without opening the floor to anyone else to contribute theirs in some way, then why would they take the time? Put your points across in a way that opens up an avenue for discussion or debate.
Don’t Over-Police Comments
If someone comments once and finds that their comment has been heavily edited to fit in more with the beliefs of the blogger, they’re unlikely to contribute again. Even if someone disagrees with your points, they’re entitled to their say. And this can be great for opening up discussion. Some of the most commented on guest posts take the form of debate. Someone disagreeing with your opinion really isn’t something you should take personally as a blogger. Comment moderation is necessary to fight against spam and obscenities. It’s not necessary to fight against diversity in opinions!
Don’t Sit on the Fence too Much
If you’re blogging about a feud between a couple of celebrities, as an example, by all means quote both sides. But, unless you’re writing for a high brow professional publication that demands it, sitting firmly on the fence doesn’t really promote any active discussion or debate. What’s your opinion? People will read your blog because they like how you write and how you put across your opinions or information? Listing off facts or repeating newspaper clippings isn’t going to set the world alight. If you’re writing about something people already know about, you need to add your own spin on it. Otherwise, why would they read about it at your blog in the first place? Why would they not just go to a newspaper’s website? Sitting on the fence and refusing to elaborate on an opinion means that those readers with an opinion don’t even know whether they agree or disagree with you – because they don’t know what you think!
Respond to Commenters
If someone comments and asks a question, the polite thing to do is to personally respond. Of course this might not be possible if you always get hundreds of comments. But it’s certainly worth trying. People leaving comments like to know their comments have been read. Why would they leave them otherwise? Responding to comments means that you remain involved in the discussion after the initial post and this sets the standard and really places your blog firmly as a platform for interaction.
Read, read, read.
Read the blogs of others in a similar niche. If a certain post makes you want to comment ask yourself why you want to comment. Understanding the psychology behind a compulsion to have your say means you can apply the same principles to your own blog. And taking the time to comment on the blogs of others means you are becoming a part of a network. Strong blog networks are made up of a number of bloggers who read one another’s posts regularly and comment.
Of course, different methods apply to different blogs and everyone tries different tricks.
What works for you?
Asking a question has been really effective to me in terms of getting people to comment. That is also good when your question is followed-up by a poll. Look at most popular sites like Lifehacker – they set up reader polls weekly.
Great post and nicely written
Thanks, Ann.
I agree, posing a question definitely opens up for discussion. Will go and check out Lifehacker. Polls are powerful… not only for opening up discussion but for gathering Internet habit/usage info.
I agree with your post and have blogged about these points, though I break them up. Actually the first person I heard was Liz Strauss at WordCamp Chicago 2009, and I was like, I am glad I am on the right track. It was something I felt was important and I am an old school blogger (more than 6+ years.)
If you have sat down in a convention and listened to any social media consultants, they will say the same thing. I actually have myself, but I really appreciate that Stacey took the time to write for my site and share her insight. I have said many times… it never hurts to hear something again, especially if it is the truth.
Posing a question is important and opens the door for further conversation, again as Stacey said… whether on your own site or commenting on the original article.
Thanks! It's amazing how we can overlook the simple things in trying to figure out how to make our blogs more interactive.
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I've always enjoyed commenting back to those that comment on my blog, I think it shows that you do actually read comments and show that you are an active blogger, not just one that posts and forgets.
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As still a somewhat of a newbie, you offer great points Nile. Thanks! =]
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lol… I appreciate it. This one is a guest post by Stacey Cavanagh…however, she does share many of my own thoughts in this article.
Yes, read, read and read.
Really appreciable tips. Will certainly follow.
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I think the most important thing is interact with your readers off your own blog, by commenting on their site because not everyone will return to your blog to see if you replied to their comment(s).
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I agree, all time i ask questions!
Nice blog
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I agree, posing a question definitely opens up for discussion. Will go and check out Lifehacker. Polls are powerful… not only for opening up discussion but for gathering Internet habit/usage info.
Good Topic…Nile. Rightly, encouraging blog comment is very important for many reasons. A comment that suggests innovation, find any mistake (not all but in some cases), or to be supportive to writing always has higher priority and the points revealed here are all about making the comment worth for commenting. Liked the stuff….Keep it up. Thanks for the nice share.
Good info, I realized that every time that I commented on a post was because a question was posed.
I’ll be going back over my recent posts and adding some questions.
Thanks,
Jim
Interesting topic NIle,
I think comments tell you how much blog is popular. Also, many comments on a post speak for the usefulness of that particular blogpost. In my personal opinion, leaving a little mystery is a great way of engaging people. Plus, you can always ask for their personal experiences, tips, and advice if you want to engage and encourage them to comment.
Thanks,
Diana
Besides spam comments, I’ve only deleted 3 comments in my entire blogging career. One was using the “N” word.. and the other two were another blogger trying to start drama. Other than that, I let everything go through. I have found that when someone leaves a semi-offensive comment, it gets others to comment… like a big snowball… lol 🙂 These are great tips.
I struggled to get comments. I even went as making a banner image to encourage comments. That helped but didn’t get the results I was looking for. Great Post!