Written in response to the Writer’s Digest 2015 October Platform Challenge
Blogging is an excellent way to express ourselves, improve skills, impart knowledge and expertise, or share stories. But, what role do comments, both given and received, play? Are they important?
When I began blogging in 2008, I had no aspirations beyond using my blog as a way to express grief after the sudden loss of my best friend. But, then people began to respond. I made connections, my grief lessened, and my writing evolved. Without their encouragement, I’m not sure I would still be writing.
The Value of Blog Comments:
- They are the lifeblood of any blog – connecting us to others.
- Tell us our words have resonated with someone.
- Sometimes, they express gratitude.
- Other times, they offer us a different opinion to consider.
- An avenue to share resources, give recognition, or validate information.
- Provide ideas for future topics.
- Creates a network of bloggers, writers, classes, and groups.
Given these benefits, how can we create an atmosphere of interaction?
Ways to Invite Reader Participation:
- Lead the way – Comment on your favorite blogs. Make sure what you have to say will add value to the conversation.
- Keep it simple – spam is a valid concern. However, CAPTCHA’S can actually discourage readers from leaving comments. Trying to match blurred letters or numbers in little boxes is more annoying than trying to read the fine print on the back of a medicine bottle.
- Do away with registrations. Requiring readers to fill out a form before leaving a comment is a sure-fire way not to get one.
- Readers respond more often to a call-to-action or questions.
- Be an active participant on your own blog – respond and interact with those who have taken the time to read and respond.
Not only is replying to comments, the polite thing to do, but doing so helps create a network of like-minded bloggers and writers, which adds value to all of us.
People blog for different reasons and the topics are as varied as the names. We want to believe our blogs provide valuable information or entertaining stories, but without reader participation, how will we know?
I’d love to hear your comments. Talk to me. Tell me your story. And as always, you can follow me on Facebook at SheilaMGood, Pinterest, Bloglovin, Twitter @cofcmom, and Contently.
COW PASTURE CHRONICLES 
Great advice. I’ve found comments are the key to building a blog, but more importantly, that’s where the online friendships develop. 🙂
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Absolutely! It’s also where we learn together, share our stories, and learn from each other. Nice to meet your acquaintance.
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Thanks for sharing. Great post.
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Thanks, I’m glad you liked it. Stop by the Cow Pasture anytime.
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Hi Sheila, As a participant in PlatChal, I scrolled to find an autor I might relate to. Love the title of your blog, Cow Pasture Chronicles. That was the hook. I write historical fiction set in the last wilderness territory of the US–the Lake Okeechobee, FL area. I research a lot about country living in 1918. Your article on the value of commenting on blogs is one I need to read more than once, as a reminder to be a kind and considerate blogger. Thank you for sharing your valuable insight. Have a blessed week.
Cheryl
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Oops! Haste makes waste…make that author. 🙂
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Lol! No worries. Made me smile, thank God I’m not the only one.
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Thanks Cheryl, I’m happy to meet your acquaintance and glad you liked my blog. Sounds like you are writing some fascinating fiction. Thanks for stopping by the Cow Pasture and I hope to see you again. Good luck in writing.
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I found you through the October platform challenge. Great thoughts on the value of blog comments! I love interacting with others on my site, and love it when bloggers respond to my comments on their site. Getting folks to comment, tho…there’s the rub. A call to action certainly helps.
However, should I become so popular that I get hundreds, may, thousands of comments on my site, I’ll need to rethink the whole interacting thing. Ha!
If I may be so bold, I riff on my lack of commenters in my blog post: “8 Tips for Bloggers, From One Who Knows.” http://squirrelsinthedoohickey.com/8-tips-for-bloggers-from-one-who-knows/
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I’m glad you discovered the Cow Pasture. I checked out your post, loved it and I don’t think you’ll have any problems getting comments. You might have trouble keeping up though. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
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Pingback: The Value of Blog Comments | A.J. McCarthy
Thanks for the ping back! Glad you liked it.
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I have just now committed myself to commenting on blog posts. You are absolutely right. We all crave feedback, and we won’t get it if we don’t give it. Thank you for the advice.
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Aww, thanks A.J. It can be a daunting task sometimes, but I love hearing from my readers. It makes me a better blogger and writer. Thanks for stopping by the Cow Pasture and taking the time to comment.
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Pingback: Bloggers of the 2015 October Platform Challenge | Lee Peterson
Lee, I appreciate the ping back. Glad you found the post helpful. Hope you stop by the Cow Pasture again, real soon.
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Pingback: Bloggers of the 2015 October Platform Challenge | Sevena Flores
Sevena, so happy you stopped by the Cow Pasture. I’m glad you liked the post and appreciate the ping back.
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Pingback: Bloggers of the 2015 October Platform Challenge | Gavin Bennett
Thanks Gavin for the ping back. I’m glad you liked my post. Thrilled you stopped by the Cow Pasture.
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Pingback: Bloggers of the 2015 October Platform Challenge | Charles Martinez
Thanks Charles for the ping back! So glad you stopped by the Cow Pasture.
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Of course, I tend to think being feisty and opinionated scares people. But then…as a Horror writer that should make me happy, if not a lonely blogger!
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It definitely intimidates people. When I met my husband, he told me I was the most challenging and opinionated woman he’d ever met. Lol. We’ve been together 28 yrs and married 25! Thanks again for stopping by and I’m thrilled you’ve joined me and my fellow fence jumpers, welcome.
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Sheila –
I read your post because Peter reblogged it so thank-you Peter. I agree that comments do make a difference – often they provide encouragement that is so much more valuable than a “like.” Likes let you know someone is reading your blog and it is certainly nice to be liked but making a connection with others has been one of the most delightful and unexpected aspects of blogging.
I have heard from friends who read my blog but don’t have a wordpress account that they are asked to leave their email before they can comment and so they don’t. Do you know if that is a feature that can be turned off?
Thanks for this article.
Kalen
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Kalen,
I’m so happy you found my blog and a big thanks to Peter for passing on my post. I agree with you about connections. I appreciate every “like” I receive but it is meeting and interacting with new people that makes it worth while. Yes, you can turn off the requirement to fill out an email. Go to your site admin then settings and to the discussion section. Uncheck the registration requirement and the email section. Hope this helps. Welcome to the Cow Pasture.
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Thanks Sheila – I just made the adjustments you suggested (now let’s see what excuse my husband comes up with for not “commenting!”
Thanks very much for the tip and your post.
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Oh I imagine if he’s like mine, he’ll find some weak excuse. Lol. Glad it helped.
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So true, commenting is like the life blood of a post. But so is passing the post on through Twitter, Facebook, Google+ or any of the other media outlets. It only takes a couple of seconds to hit the buttons, but encourages the writer to keep writing a lot longer than a few seconds. Good post Sis!
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Reblogged this on The Peter and Gertrud Klopp Family Project.
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Very good advice! I will reblog your post on my blog. Thank you, Sheila!
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Thanks Peter! I’m honored you found the post so helpful and have decided to share it on your blog. Much obliged, my friend.
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Very good article on commenting. I will say this about myself and commenting on posts: It takes time for me to read a post and let it percolate through before a comment hits me. So, usually, I have to wade through and find the post again to comment. Rarely, and it’s truly rare for me, do I impulsively comment on a post. Any thoughts on that?
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I don’t think there is any time line for commenting. At least not from my perspective. I too, on occasion have to let a post percolate or time to think of the words I want to share. For me, it’s all about recognizing the readers who do comment by engaging and interacting. Thanks for taking the time to give my post consideration and commenting.
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