Blogging & Commenting

Okay so firstly I don’t have a blog as I am old school and have a website which I built from scratch myself. But am a regular visitor to lots of blogs everyday so will answer this with what I have seen which works and hopefully help with some useful tips. The first thing which I see which helps to attracts comments is to have a recent comment widget running on the side of your blog. I often spot someone’s comment which intrigues me causing me to check out the post it was made on and often leads me to make my own comment either directly about the post or in a response to the comment I spotted. Secondly the majority of the comments I make end up on posts which finish by posing a question. It’s probably one of the best tactics you can use when constructing a post, well other than a catchy title and unique content, because it automatically makes the reader think. It’s even better if you can pose a couple of questions in the post placed under clear defined sections. Thirdly responding to comments also encourages more participation because if someone sees that the blog owner actually cares enough to respond they are more likely to leave a comment themselves. It also pays to make sure your comments area is a friendly place with any abuse made by other commenters dealt with swiftly. There is nothing more off putting than wanting to leave a comment but not wanting to get abused by another commenter who disagrees. On a technical level it also encourages people to comment if they can leave their web address as a link behind the name they use. Many commenters are looking to create back links and so a blog which doesn’t offer this often gets less comments. All of which is not much use unless others are already aware of your blog, so get out there and start commenting on other people’s blog building up a recognizable presence within your niche. That is if you aren’t doing this already. Hope this helps.

I will answer you questions as best I can: 1) Yes I do blog 2) Yes, people do leave comments 3) Yes, I do encourage people to comment 4) I do that by simply asking them to at the end of each post. If someone has an opinion about what you have written they will be motivated enough to leave a comment. If you send me a private message I will be more than happy to make a comment or two on your blog if you would do the same for me with my blog!