Why do some bloggers/readers comment and others don’t? Why does it appear that it’s the same collection of bloggers / readers who feel compelled to comment each time you publish a new article…like clockwork?!
Your blog’s statistics are made up of unique and returning visitors (easily tracked by IP Address) . Everyday. This never changes. You don’t have control over it. Your blog is available 24-7 to anyone…in any country. Think about it. You are a global. (That is cool, right?)
Yet, when I look over your blog stats, only a very small percentage are leaving comments. Why do you think this is?
How can we get more of your readers off the bench and into the game? After all, your blog is interactive…and far from a bulletin board!
I recently read an article that only 1% of blog readers actually participate. When you blend that with the 9% who contribute on rare occasions, this leaves 9 out of 10 readers not contributing at all.
But, what does not contributing mean? What if they became a fan of my Facebook Fan page? What if they…became an RSS subscriber? What if they…umm…bookmarked my blog to come back and read it when they had some down time at work?
I’d call that participation. Wouldn’t you? But, I don’t think that was what they meant. They were referring to comments.
Before we even get into this discussion, ask yourself, how often do you leave comments? If you don’t frequently leave comments, is it fair to ask others to? And what are some of the reasons you don’t? (You can see where this leading) Could some of the reasons you don’t leave comments be the same reasons as your readers? And what can you do about it?
Web Study: Readers Explain Why they Don’t Comment
I spent a few days searching for reasons why readers don’t comment. This is actually not the first time I’ve researched this. It’s definitely a recurring mystery throughout the blogosphere currently being discussed on many blogs, in many forums, and in many blog communities.
Some of the reasons are unusual.
Here’s a short list of what I came up with.
- Some of these concepts are a little too technical for my taste and not sure what I could contribute
- Commenting on your blog is going to expose me for being the goofy newbie!
- There’s an energy from your blog that seems too elitist. I don’t really know your crowd. Plus, they’re a little hostile.
- Who has the time?
- What does commenting really do for me again?
- 95% of comments are so sappy and complimentary. No thanks. I’m not a groupie.
What I Do To Reward Readers Who Participate in the Source Blogger Community
First of all, what should I do? Should I have contests? Should I single out those who comment the most? Nah, not my style.
If I feel you are truly wanting to make a difference in this community, I will let you know about it. Look back at my replies in other articles and you’ll see. I really take the time to respond to your comments. And no, I don’t thank EVERYONE for leaving a comment when I don’t have a valid reply.
I do use CommentLuv. Because I am trying to entice readers? Not really. Honestly, it’s because I like to keep track of what people are writing about. And yes, I click your “last article” links in CommentLuv to read your stuff too. (Why not?)
The main method I employ to entice commentators is pretty fundamental. I maintain the most dynamic content on the web.
Admit it. There are bloggers and there are bloggers who can really write. I’m not shy about it. This is Source Blogger. Compare my material with other blogs you know. I’m here to set the standard. Many bloggers have contacted me and said that my blog’s vocabulary is too scholarly… blah blah blah. I should blog at an 8th. grade level. (8th. grade level?) I can’t do it. Blogging is a science. And yes, some of the concepts can be very analytical and complex. 8th. grade though? So, I should be writing for 13 year olds?
I write for mature, sophisticated bloggers. Bloggers like you. That’s my demographic. That’s why you comment here. And that’s why you are an appreciated member of the Source Blogger community.
The Bottom Line
The bottom line is the best way to get readers to comment is to get them to comment simply because they enjoy what you offer them and because they want to. Sure, I’d like to have a higher percentage participate in conversations. Who wouldn’t?
In closing…pay close attention to what interests readers, not just what interests you. Spend a lot of time on other blogs reading comments and in social media. Start seeing trends of what creates more responses. Now write about it.
23 Comments
Hi Source Blogger,
I often wonder why people don’t comment as much. I know for myself, I am compelled to comment especially when the blogger has written a post that I think is really good and of interest to me. But I’m trying to increase my commenting, because it does help build community.
You mentioned that someone told you that you should write on an 8th grade level. I think you should write however you like. As long as you are being you, what more can anyone ask for.
You have motivated me to do more commenting on the blogs I read instead of doing a drive by and leaving. lol One thing I also like doing is sharing the post after I have commented.
Well, I’m the first commenter and I feel pretty good about that.
Take care,
Evelyn
Evelyn recently posted..Are You Leaving Your Commenters Hanging
Evelyn said: “Well, I’m the first commenter and I feel pretty good about that.”
I don’t think that would be a first for you here, dear!
If I go to 10-12 different blogs in a day and see the same person commenting on over half of them, I have an enormous respect for that person. I actually admire them for injecting themselves into so many communities.
I want to comment on a variety of different blogs, but try to avoid blogs that will not be around in a few months.
Thanks Evelyn!
JeffreyB.
Source Blogger recently posted..Ask Yourself- Are You Networking Or Really Just Socializing
Hi Jeffrey
I just wrote a similar post to this only this week! Wow keeping up with you experienced bloggers; I obviously am learning heaps from visiting here and other blogs
I love networking, meeting new bloggers and learning from those who are more experienced. Because I want to learn about successful marketing, am visiting marketing blogs of people who are successful at what they do. Not interested in just hearing the theory. Have read enough of that. Want to hear about their journey, lessons learnt and also the real deal. No fluff thankyou. And I find the blogs where I ask questions and they get answered will have me going back to learn more.
Although I find it encouraging that I get heaps of comments on my small niche blog; I appreciate this does not mean that a blog with less comments has less value. Marketers view commenting completely different to many bloggers and some blogs lend themselves to more comments than others.
I enjoy visiting here and I can manage more than eight grade Jeffrey so thanks for appreciating there are those in the blogosphere who want to read quality posts.
Patricia Perth Australia
Patricia recently posted..Are You Lurking Behind The Lavender Bush
Hi Jeffrey,
I would say, I’m hearing an echo, because Patricia has written on the same topic why people are not commenting. You are adding more reasons to I haven’t thought of.
I often don’t comment because it too requires mental energy to comment for that specific post, and I have to ask myself if it is the best use of my time and effort to do so.
From December, I’m slowly transitioning from being someone who browse the Internet for specific information to solve in immediate problem to some one who is trying to connect with people.
Those 2nd approaches is very different because I’d often land on post that I wouldn’t read before but read anyway and comment now.
Ben Wan.
Ben Wan recently posted..How Important is it to Connect with Real People Online
Hi Jeffrey!! Ohhhh noooo! NOW I feel sooo guilty!!! I DO read you (and love that you DON’T write at an 8th grade level) but many times I am either rushed or busy reading the 100s of blogs that I follow (which you know is time consuming in itself) Other times I honestly feel I have nothing of value to add to the discussion….hence….I shut up (something my husband has been trying to get me to do!)
I often wonder why as you said there is a small percentage of people who comment and it always seems to be the SAME people! I am grateful for all comments but I really appreciate that you cleared the fog somewhat on this issue!
I AM READING!!
caren gittleman recently posted..Blog The Change For Animals! Guest Post By Cheryl Lang From No Paws Left Behind
Again, a wonderful post! I thought that some of the reasons you compiled for why people don’t post comments were especially interesting. I’m still finding my way in terms of what to post that will entice reader comments, however that is half the fun of having a blog–being willing to experiment is a big thing, especially if you are in an area where the competition is fierce.
Krissy Brady recently posted..Word of the Day – fiction
My biggest problem commenting everywhere is that I do follow a lot of blogs and it is hard to devote the time to comment on each one. However, I do have a set of blogs I have try to “give back” to as I get a lot of value from them, and yours is one of them!
Art of RetroCollage recently posted..Emerson Star
Another reason why visitors don’t comment is if you make t hard for them to comment. I did a post givin some reasons why your visitors don’t comment, and some of these include, comments are closed, too much process to comment, no comment luv installed, no do follow, no top commentators list, and the list goes on.
Kharim recently posted..How To Make Money From Your Blog In 2011 & 7 Great Ways To Do It
@Kharim,
When I looked at my settings, I saw that articles had been set to a deadline of 500 days before comments are closed. Should I remove it to always allow comments?
You also mentioned enticements like CommentLuv, DoFollow, and the Top Commentators plugin… at this point I am using CommentLuv, but mainly to see what you guys are writing about. If a blogger is deterred from not commenting because these conditions are not in place, what could you surmise about the potential comment to begin with?
@Caren,
I want the blogger to know I was there. I’d rather comment on 8-10 articles on a busy day than “run track” through a 100 blogs.
@Krissy,
I wondered if bloggers ever felt the pressure to comment on every blog? I’d love to comment on more blogs. But, if I am not truly adding to the discussion, there’s no point, In addition, some topics don’t require further comment.
For example, if someone is writing a “Blackberry vs. iPhone article, I may read it, but will not feel the need to comment. Do you know what I mean?
I’m enjoying your comments. This is good. I like this.
Source Blogger recently posted..Is Your Blog A Business Let’s Rephrase That Is Your Business A Blog
I’ve found it really comes down to setting expectations for your readers. If they’re popping in expecting a nugget of information, they’re not compelled to drop in comments. If I write a post that really goads readers into supplying feedback, I can get dozens.
Increasingly, I’m finding more of the conversation pulling back to the social web, so I’ve been using the BTC Connect plugin to reference tweets about each page. That way, visitors can at least see conversation’s taking place (instead of seeing “zero comments.”)
Joe Taylor Jr. recently posted..How to tell people you make music for a living
I felt compelled to comment.
Part of the problem is the fact it’s mainly bloggers that comment. This I think puts people off. The newbie or the general reader.
It is not a bad thing for people not to comment, they might read your post and move on, gaining the information they require.
For me, yes it is nice to have a healthy amount of comments, I comment on a lot of blogs so people maybe are returning the favour, I don’t know.
I look more at the time on site, and the articles that are most popular. This is more important I think.
Pete
Pete Carr recently posted..To Post Or Not To Post – That Is The Question
It’s so true–while I follow a lot of blogs, there is no way I would ever have the time to comment on them all, and I’d obviously like to contribute a more compelling comment then “I like your post,” lol! I try to rotate through the blogs I follow as best I can. When I first started blogging, I felt pressure to post, but I think it was just because I was new and wanted to absorb as much of the learning experience as possible. Now, if I feel compelled to post, if I feel I can contribute more to what has been said, then I will do so. Another thing that I find helps to trigger my commenting is if someone leaves a question at the end of their post. It helps get my thought process going, and I feel I should contribute more in some way.
Krissy Brady recently posted..Story Tracker Coming to Mac App Store in 2011
Hi there
Nice one….
First, it is so right that if you don’t comment you can’t expect others to do it. Me commenting on many blogs (but only because I really read them and wanted to say something) resulted in some people becoming regular commentators on my blog and also resulted in one of my posts being highly shared and has 190 comments at the moment.
I answer all comments on my blog even just to thank the person. I just like it that way, helps me connect. If I don’t answer I missed it somehow.
I also installed KeywordLuv, CommentLuv and TwitterLink to thank my readers. However, aI use the ComLuv to find out about their posts and often I will click a good title to go and read it straight away.
Brankica@How to blog like a star recently posted..How to use StumbleUpon Don’t bury yourself…or your fellow bloggers
Brankica,
Congratulations on that post that got 190 comments! That is awesome!
Maybe I’m foolish, but I’d like to believe that if WE did not provide any incentives like KeyWordLuv, CommentLuv, Do Follow, or TwitterLink, that WE would all still see the same amount of comments.
What do you guys think? Still possible?
Hi Jeffrey
I would love to think as you do Jeffrey. Only I do not believe a lot of people would comment on blogs if all those plugins were not evident on the site. In fact many of us have perpetuated the importance of commenting on these sites!
Was encouraged to do this myself by more experienced bloggers and up until recently they were mostly the only blogs I commented on. However, can miss out on meeting some experienced bloggers/marketers and have now had others who have these plugins who are starting to question how long they will keep them up.
I like to see what new posts people have so commentluv plugin means I often get to see what has just been published and I can choose or not to visit that blog and comment. However through my Twitter feed I also see other quality posts. Have widened the blogs I visit but will still keep all the plugins on my blog as I think there are more positives than not.
Patricia Perth Australia
Patricia recently posted..A Gardener’s Guide to Growing a Business
I should probably comment more than I do. First finding an article I feel like I would want to comment on. Second being able to add something meaningful or relavent to the conversation. Third how hard is it to leave a comment, on some blogs I feel like I am jumping through hoops trying to comment.
Great post Jeff. Can’t be more excited to see where you guys end up another 12 months from now.
You know i just restarted another blog. I’m
getting a few hits but not enough. You are right visiting other sites is a good way of networking. I get sidetracked real easily though. I need to just set certain days specifically for commenting on sites. I just didn’t want to come off writing comment just to get exposure, that’s being fake to me
Jeffrey,
I must be having some sort of deja vu. i’ve written a very similar post to yours. You can actually see it right down there at commentluv. honestly, it wasn’t looking at your post and coming out with it. it’s actualyl soemthign I realised about my blog and then decided to blog about it and ask for some opinion. Interesting stats you have there, Jeff. 1% is really little so what are the rest of them doing? Like you said, just bein a spectator and not responding to comments or just feeling out of the crowd?
I think this siutation is quite parallel to real life social situations, where you know a big crowd, you feel like getting into it but you just don’t feel part of the crowd anyway. but yet you still want the attention.
but anyway, I did make some stupid mistakes, rectified it and got a little more comments than usual especially for some of my older posts.
I think a lot of people don’t comment because:
1. You are the expert, so they don’t feel like they have anything of value to offer.
2. They have had bad experience in the past with people shooting down their opinions.
3. Commenting requires effort, you need to think, it’s too much work.
4. Drive by, they get the info they wanted and their outta here!
5. Commitment, leaving a comment makes you feel like you need to follow up later.
I don’t know, I am just pulling this off the top of my head, but hey, I left a comment!
I like how you say to just let the comments roll in as they may. You cant really force the issue because some people are just shy and others like to read and keep comments to themselves.
cupcake boxes recently posted..Cupcake Packaging
Does it benefit my overall blogs stats if readers comment on my posts or is it just increasing interaction?
Jennifer recently posted..TOP POST: Giveaway (4/16-20): Mini Utility Bin by Thirty One
Jennifer,
Welcome to Source Blogger. That’s actually a great question!
Assuming the reason you write/blog is to garner both visits/pageviews and for your content to get attention, then comments are the answer.
As both a blogger and one who frequently leaves comments, I am sometimes torn about leaving comments that either will get ignored or will do little to enhance my online profile . I just don’t have the time for it. (But unlike many, I will usually leave a comment regardless. )
Commenting binds readers together. More comments will always mean more visits from the blogosphere. And we want our comments read just as much as our last blog post.
I normally try to shoot for at least 25-40 comments per post.
Don’t get discouraged if an article you are excited about does not get the commenting in the beginning… eventually it comes.
What do you think?
Source Blogger recently posted..Is AFLAC A Good Company To Work For? Or A Hiring Scam?
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