Did you see the Kidspot Masterclass I did for Voices of 2014 on Building your online community this morning? If you missed it, you can watch it right here… I am very earnest – do not laugh, please.
To add to this short video, I thought I’d build a few posts around some super-practical things you can do straightaway to help find and get to know your tribe (actually, I quite loathe that ‘tribe’ expression and regret ever using it…). These are simple things that don’t take a lot of time, but do them regularly and you’ll be amazed at their impact on your blog.
I’m starting with the number one community builder – commenting. Comments make the blog world go around because comments are what keeps a blog and its posts dynamic and active. Comments are a living, breathing thing that turn a blog post into a heartfelt discussion. It’s no wonder we love them so much. Just always remember the golden rule of social media: you own the comments as well as the post. Sometimes the comments will go off on a tangent that you never predicted and it’s up to you to monitor and moderate the conversation.
It’s often bewildering to a blogger how 1000 people can read a post and not a single one will take the time to respond. Even the hook of asking a question at the end of a post can result in crickets. What can we possibly do to make our readers react and become part of our blog? How can we make comments work for us and build our community off the back of them?
1. Make it easy for people to comment
If you want to encourage community on your blog, you need to make it as easy as possible to comment. So get rid of the Captcha code and allow Anonymous comments. Yes, you will probably be hit with spam, but it’s up to you to deal with spam on your blog, not your readers. Why make their experience of your blog difficult by asking them to type weird stuff or have mandatory rules for commenting just because you don’t want to have to deal with spam? Why should they have to log into a different account or set up a new profile or jump through five hoops just to talk to you about something you wrote? Can they even find where to go to comment on your blog?
Make commenting a simple, straightforward thing that naturally makes people want to share their thoughts.
2. Respond to comments… or not
I tried for three years to get a commenting system installed on my old blog that meant I could respond to people’s comments. To me, it’s just good manners to talk back to someone who has taken the time to talk to you. Responding to comments is a way to get to know your readers and really have a conversation about the things you write about.
Now, for whatever reason, my old blog wasn’t buying it. I did manage to get an email response thing set up so I emailed my reply when I could, but it wasn’t ideal.
Now here I am with a really cool commenting system that lets me reply back to you and also lets you know I’ve replied back to you (tick the box!) and… crickets. I’ve never had less comments on my blog. Go figure. But the comments I have had I have enjoyed responding to immensely and I really do feel like I’ve gotten to know people a whole lot more. Sure, it’s time-consuming, but I honestly can’t think of a better way to spend my time than saying hello to someone who took the time to say hello to me.
So I like it and I’m sure you will like it to. But do remember this is a very new thing for me to do on a very old blog.
3. Comment as often as you can
I can’t stress enough how important giving comments are if you want to receive them and build your readership to boot. Visit as many blogs as you can and comment as often as you can.
The purpose of this is not just to get your name out there across blogland (although it does a good job of that – see point 4 below), but also to showcase your opinions and your community spirit. You see, the comments you leave become an extension of your blog – people get to know you through the comments they read on other people’s blogs. Be a nice, interesting, genuine person to meet at other people’s places and people are going to want to call in at your place. That’s life.
4. Leave your blog calling card wherever you comment
“Comment coasting” is one of my favourite ways to find new blogs and your blog should only ever be a click away from your name. The comments you leave should be your blog’s biggest ongoing marketing campaign: if people like what you have to say on someone else’s blog, chances are they will click through to your blog to hear your thoughts on other things too.
Now, I’m not a fan of the practice of manually pasting your blog URL into the comment box. Many people do this and I suppose it must be successful because why piss off people who don’t like your pushiness for no reason, right? Bit like the telemarketing conundrum… So, no, I’m not a fan of the manual paste, but I am a huge fan of using the resources available to you.
Disqus
Take Disqus for example. Just now I did a quick survey across three blogs that I know use Disqus – being My Little Sunshine House, Mama Nourish and Woogsword. I looked at the first 10 comments on their latest posts that I knew were from bloggers and discovered that only 30% of bloggers have put their blog URL into their Disqus profile. Only 30%! So 70% of bloggers are potentially missing out on lots of click-through love from their Disqus profile. Yeah, I’m talking to you Bec, Denise, Renee, Kirsty, Lana and so many others!
You don’t even need to visit the Disqus site to add your blog URL. Just click on your latest Disqus comment, click “Edit Profile” and put your blog address in the box that says “Site (If you have one)”, ‘cos baby, you have one! :
Too easy! And then, Disqus very kindly makes your URL clickable so anyone who likes what you have to say can clickety-click-click to visit you and hear some more:
WordPress
On an open WordPress sites, it’s a pain, but I urge you to take the time to copy and paste your blog URL into the box provided. This makes your name on the blog you are commenting on clickable straight through to your website. If you leave a cool comment, you will get clicks and maybe those clicks will turn into readers.
While you’re at it, click the “Notify me of follow-up comments by email” box so that if the blogger responds to your comment, you’ll receive an email. Then you can have a chat.
It’s actually a pretty good idea to set up a WordPress account, even if you don’t have a WordPress blog.
Gravatar
A gravatar is a “globally recognised avatar” that is attached to your WordPress account. This means that when you type your email address in at any WordPress site, your picture will attach to your comment. It’s so nice to have a face and your face often makes your comment stand out.
It’s not just WordPress that recognises your gravatar either. Disqus, Hootsuite, Intense Debate, RSS feeds… lots of places. It’s easy to sign up for a gravatar, just visit their site and follow the prompts.
Blogger
Add your blog URL to the Web Page box on the blogger profile to have a click-through appear in the LHS of your blogger profile. When someone clicks on your name on a blogger comment, they’ll see this box and can visit you with ease.
Google+
If you have your Blogger profile linked to Google+ it’s a bit harder, but you can get your blog URL as close to people as possible by adding it to your ‘Introduction’ section on your ‘About’ page.
Go to your profile and click ‘Edit’ in the ‘Story’ box. Add your blog name and link it to your URL.
5. Encourage people back to your blog to comment
There is a mystifying trend towards leaving comments on Facebook for a blog post, rather than on the blog. Well, it’s not really that mystifying – commenting on Facebook is so convenient and the conversation is often over there. Which is just such a great shame because, as I mentioned above, comments become part of a blog post in a way that is enriching and satisfying. Leave the comment over on Facebook and it’s gone in a day, lost from the original post forever.
Facebook commenting on your blog
You could always install the ‘Facebook your commenting system on your blog… this one is on Zinc Moon…
This makes a lot of sense since it keeps all your comments with the original post and you are less likely to get hit by spam as people can only comment from a genuine Facebook account. Three things to note (and they are big things):
1. Facebook owns all the comments and you can’t easily get rid of them if someone says something nasty or defamatory.
2. Facebook comments are not backed up to your website at all, so they are held over on Facebook in the profile of the person who commented, not on your actual post.
3. Not everyone uses Facebook, so it’s restrictive from that perspective, but it’s even more restrictive when you consider that a lot of people reading blogs don’t necessarily want their Facebook profile made public… so they are less likely to comment.
There’s also the issue of the checkbox ‘also post to Facebook’ being pre-checked, so if someone comments on your site but forgets to uncheck the box their comment randomly pops up in their Facebook feed. That may sound like great news (because your blog profile pops up too), but it’s pretty annoying for the commenter and they might blame you… wah!
So what can you do?
1. Don’t put your CTA (call to action – generally the question at the end of your post – see more on this below) in your Facebook update. Save it for your post.
2. Keep a nice balance between your own updates and engaging, entertaining, motivating, useful stuff from everywhere else so you can still have your chats on Facebook – just about other people’s content, rather than your own.
3. Become clever at the art of ‘click baiting’ and indeed it is an artform. Use it for good – enticing interested people coming to somewhere that directly corresponds to your Facebook update – not bad – luring people over with empty intrigue. Here’s an example of great click-baiting from Bianca at Bigwords:
You wanna know what a camel hump lover is too, right? Click to find out!
For examples of bad click-baiting, see anything posted on social media by Mamamia. Dreadful stuff. And read what Facebook are doing about stopping the empty click-bait lures.
4. Finally, make sure you always click through on other people’s Facebook updates to read and comment yourself. Be the change you wish to see in the world…
8. Ask for comments
There’s no shame in it – if you want people to talk back, ask them! There are a few ways you can do this:
1. You can outright ask – nicely. Even beg a little if it’s that important to you. That might be necessary to get the ball going with a few regular commenters. Once a few people start commenting, more will come…
2. Ask a direct question – don’t be vague (“what do you think?”), instead be a bit provocative with your end question to encourage people, nay, compel people to respond. Matter of fact, be a bit provocative with your whole blog post and you can’t go wrong.
3. Ask about the personal experience of your readers – has this ever happened to you? How did you handle a similar situation?
4. Ask for your reader’s advice – Can you offer me some ideas? What should I do? Did I do the right thing?
5. Make sure your readers know they are part of your community – talk about your community, invite readers to leave their opinions because you value them, open up your comments for wider discussion about the issue you’ve raised.
9. Keep it personal
If you’re vulnerable and raw in your writing, people will be there for you. There’s no doubt that when we write about things we really, really care about, people are more compelled to respond to us. There’s something I didn’t share in point 2 up there – yes, my comment count is down, even though my traffic is increasing, but that’s mainly because I’ve been writing a lot more “how to” posts rather than “how I feel” posts. If you want engagement, write from the heart. It’s the only way to truly invite our readers to respond to us.
I’m too gun shy now to ask any kind of question at the end of this post! So I’m just going to ask you to leave me a comment, any comment about anything, and put me out of my misery. Say hello. Hello! HELLO!
Michaela Fox says
Hey Bron,
Loved all your tips here and think you’re a natural on camera. You have a very approachable manner and I am certain this is linked to your success as it shows in your writing too!
Ok, but I do have one small question about building an online audience. While I see the value in commenting on other people’s blog posts and social media updates, I sometimes worry that the only people commenting and retweeting are fellow bloggers. Which is totally fine but I wonder how to engage the READERS (i.e not just bloggers who “get it”). Do you know what I mean? I am finding that the only people who comment on my posts are other bloggers and my sisters….. but I really want to reach other mums. Any tips? x
Maxabella says
Ah, this is the big question, Michaela. The fact is, most of them you will never hear from… they are readers and rarely writers. I have a whole post on this exact thing lined up for this ‘series’, so stay tuned. x
Helen K says
Thank you! I look forward to reading this properly (and opening at home, when I can watch the video) but glad to read your thoughts on commenting. Sometimes I feel I comment too much (like the person who hogs question time – or worse, is the one who comes up with questions to avoid the awkwardness of a presentation where no one responds). So good to know they are welcome, but I also think there is an art in questions (sometimes i get right, sometimes not). Part of it is not too be too long (which I now am). So off to work out about the linky think to my blog – which I rarely remember, and do get self conscious about. Cheers, Helen
Maxabella says
See, Helen, I didn’t even know you HAD a blog until now… please link to it next time. I adore your comments. I think you are a true comment artist – always adding something valuable to the conversation and posing questions and opinions that really make me think twice. Love it! x
Reannon @shewhorambles says
Helen I comment HEAPS too & often worry I’m more annoying than anything but I don’t let it worry me enough to stop commenting 😉
Bridie says
Hello!! Love this post Bron. Begone misery. Will be saving that video for when the littlies are asleep tonight.
One thing I’m trialling at the moment is visiting the sites of people who comment on my blog, and commenting thoughtfully on something on theirs, before replying to them on my own blog… Otherwise I can forget. I get that it’s probably only feasible for smaller bloggers, like myself, who aren’t overwhelmed with comments, but I really feel like it’s helped me to understand and connect in a much more meaningful way.
Oh and SO SO agree about bad click-baiting – drives me nuts! Xx
Maxabella says
This is something I used to do religiously, but have become slacker and slacker at. Thanks for the reminder. x
GoodThingsSmall says
Great article – thanks again Maxabella, these are so helpful. Please keep them coming 🙂
Maxabella says
I will, promise. x
Michelle says
Fabulous post Bron, it’s strange how people don’t seem to comment much these days….I love your new look blog too…so fancy!
Maxabella says
Thanks Michelle. Fancy is good, right? Your house is pretty fancy, lady. Fancy lovely. x
Reannon @shewhorambles says
Hey Bron!
I am a massive commenter on lots of blogs but there’s just as many that I don’t comment on. Sometimes I’m too busy or have nothing to add but many a time I’ve left lots of comments on posts only to be ignored by the blogger time & time again. That is a massive turn off.
As a (new) blogger I reply to all comments because it’s fun. I love getting comments! I try to check out any blog of commenters that visit me or anyone who subscribes I visit too.
Blogging is all about community for me so I just love this post x
Michelle says
You’re the best commenter Reannon, you should win a trophy you’re so ace at it!
Reannon @shewhorambles says
Oh thanks Michelle. Stacey once told me I comment more than anyone in the history of commenting & then I got all freaked out thinking I was being a nuisance but she assured me I wasn’t. I do love to chat & I think it’s important to let bloggers know that as a reader I love their stuff. It’d suck if nobody commented on anything right? x
Maxabella says
Totally! Don’t ever get freaked out about a massive compliment like that, Reannon. It’s bloggers like you who pull this whole big community together. Don’t ever forget that!! x
Maxabella says
I just popped over to say hi and I love your blog, Reannon. I’m a rambler too, so I felt like I was talking to myself as I read your post. Loved it! ANYWAY, I totally get how annoying it is when bloggers don’t respond to comments. As I mentioned in this post, I didn’t respond to most comments for about four years… just couldn’t! But I do like to try and pop over for a visit and now that I’m able to respond to comments, there will be no stopping me. x
Reannon @shewhorambles says
Thanks for popping over Bron 🙂
I get that some bloggers never reply, & that’s cool if they never reply to everyone but when you see them replying to a select few & it’s the same ones each time it’s a bit disheartening. Especially if they do ask questions & you feel you have something to add to the conversation so you comment but then nothing! Sorry that is my only peeve about blogs & thankfully I have only come across a few who do that. 99% of bloggers are awesome.
Carolyn @ Champagne Cartel says
I love these posts you write – so much good stuff to learn! For some reason, my delightful computer doesn’t store my web address to complete it for me when I start typing, but it DOES store the two times in the history of the universe that I have mistyped it, so it always tries to finish it for me with a spelling error. Grrr.
My comments have taken a huge dive lately, but I have been participating in less link ups because I just don’t have the time to spend on them at the moment. Hoping I can get back into the communal spirit soon.
C xx
Maxabella says
A little ebb and flow is normal, I think, Carolyn. We do what we can and that’s usually more than enough. x
Carolyn @ Champagne Cartel says
One of the big problems with commenting, of course, is when you type a three-par, considered and informed response, and then come up with a page error.
Waaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!
C x
Maxabella says
It’s there! It arrived… this time. I SO know that feeling! The iPad is notorious for eating my comments and it’s SO FRUSTRATING (she yelled). x
Kathy says
I like the culture of commenting amongst us bloggers, but like Michaela above (see I also read the comments) I sometimes feel like its a circular activity (a nice circle, but still a feeling of going round and round, engaging with the same people). I think you are right that there are people who just read (although I would like many more of these for sure). Your how-to posts have been really useful (well of course) but being a emotional, feely Cancer I do love getting to know you, and others, through the ‘how I feel’ posts.
Maxabella says
I’ve been slowly adding the ‘feeling’ posts back in… I’m working on a balance. I mainly did the how I feels for the first couple of years of blogging and I think I ran out of feelings for a little while there 🙂 What I love about having a blog is that we get to write about and experiment with whatever has us curious at any one time. I enjoy doing the ‘how to’ posts so much. But I will feel more, just for you. x
Erin says
Well you didn’t need to beg me this time cause I have something to say;) lol
Actually really glad you addressed the update your profile, I’m so not a fan of Google+ because 98% of people haven’t updated and so I can’t see their blog. whenever I get comments I always try to visit the commenter but often can’t, I also find new blogs through comments left on other people’s blogs, but I agree, if they haven’t updated, no traffic.
Once upon a time many bloggers had lists of other bloggers and we could find new blogs that way, sadly that’s gone by the way for many so comments are our opportunity.
Maxabella says
Ah, the Blog Roll – I’ll be posting about that, don’t you worry!! I have mine filed under ‘blog life’ and then ‘daily(ish) reads’, but I should probably just call it Blog Roll and have it at the top of the page!
You are an awesome commenter, Erin. One of the readers who adds so much to a post. x
Erin says
Ah hadn’t found that title yet, though I knew it’s a subject dear to your heart (via blog tour). Still finding my way around your new look (was trying to find a grow your blog via fb the other day, couldn’t then thought I must have imagined the post).
Love the new look btw and the new title:)
Aww I’m so touched, what a lovely thing to say.
Look forward to your blog roll post (somehow I’m not surprised you;re going to write about that:)
Having been thinking about having my own blog tour posts to spread the blog love btw
Maxabella says
Do it! I’m going to kick off a few more Blog Tours myself – the more the merrier! They are heaps and heaps of fun too. x
Erin says
hey maybe you could host a linky party;)
Maxabella says
OMG, that’s SUCH a good idea. LOL. x
Erin says
oh good:) I’ve been wanting to suggest for awhile but didn’t want to be bold
Reannon @shewhorambles says
Erin I have a blog roll! I love the blog roll. It’s how I found so many of my very favourite bloggers 🙂
Maxabella says
I’m putting you on my blog roll immediately, Reannon. You have completely won me over with your comments today and I want to read more. (see, it works!). x
Reannon @shewhorambles says
Bron that is awesome! Thank you x
Erin says
Reannon popping on over but really your blog title captures my interest, “She Who Rambles” now interest is definitely captured
Annaleis says
Hi Bron, great post. I love that through commenting on blogs I have gotten to know the blogger so much better. I love to pop over and read the post but I also like to read their comments from others and to others. I know there isn’t always time to respond to everyone but I find bloggers that comment back you want to read more of and indulge in that getting to you part of being a reader.
Maxabella says
I agree, Annaleis – it’s so nice to bring the conversation around the blogs, it’s the bit I love the most. x
Miss Chardy says
Hi Bron, I love your new website – it looks great. Just listened to you on the e-MasterClass. I love learning from you Bron and your presentation at the PBEvent 2014 was one of my favourites….although I still haven’t managed to get my shit together and sort out a routine/schedule. I can’t even seem to get my washing on the line let alone schedule a blog post. I need you here to kick my ass. Thanks for all of the tips, you are a legend.
Maxabella says
Baby steps, Miss Chardy, baby steps. I am no good at the washing either… x
Malinda @mybrownpaperpackages says
I personally hate those commenting systems that link to your facebook account but that’s just me. I do get frustrated when the whole conversation happens on social media though and not on your actual blog post, all that lovely community interaction and it is lost in the blink of an eye. I admit (just quietly) that I do sometimes take the lazy approach of commenting on the Facebook feed only, even though it helps boost their reach, I also like to comment further on the actual post. Thanks for all of your awesome advice.
Maxabella says
A little comment on the post, a little comment on Facey – everyone’s happy! I also quite loathe the Facebook embedded comment system, but wanted to show it as an option. x
Bec @ The Plumbette says
Omigosh, I actually had NO IDEA about the profile part on Disqus. Proves I’m a dumbass plumber!! Thank you sooo much for highlighting this for me. I’ve updated my Styled by Bec one too. I love commenting on other blogs. I love it even more when I receive a comment back from a blogger too. I’m big on community. I do get the crickets every now and then.. but if I see a blog post with no comments, I add a comment because the blogger has spent time to write a post from their heart and it can be disheartening when no comment love is left. Great post Bron. Honestly your blog is amazing and your posts lately have been the bomb. I need to sit on the couch and feed Phoebe and catch up on the goodness I’ve missed recently. I also invest in some outdoor play equipment for the girls to play outside with. The girls kept digging up our veggie garden so I got one of those clams and filled one with sand so the girls can dig there. It’s been beautiful weather to enjoy outside. Anyways, Phoebe is calling. Thanks for the headsup with this post. x
Maxabella says
Oh Bec, you are so far from being a dumbass you’re making me laugh. I didn’t mean to offend calling you up like that, just thought it was a fun thing to do. Anyway, fix it, lovely because you of all people will benefit greatly from people being able to click through on your comments. Your comments are all kinds of awesome and then some! Enjoy being outside and great job getting the sand pit in. I’ve never met a kid who didn’t love a sand pit (well, actually there was this one kid…) x
shannon @my2morrows says
This is awesome Bron. Thank you. Just shared with my fellow Clever Cookie School of blog grads.. know they will find it handy. Thanks for your wisdom. Xx
Maxabella says
Thank you, Shannon, that’s really kind of you. I’m glad you found it helpful. I know that learning from other bloggers is what’s made me tick along all these years myself. x
Krissy says
I found you earlier today via clicking through the blogosphere…and then the aLovely Shannon posted telling us about this awesome post 🙂 thanks for sharing your tips…super helpful!
Xx
Karen Andrews (miscmum) says
Hello 🙂
Short and sweet x
Maxabella says
And very, very welcome. x
Sarah Mac says
I had no idea about the disqus profile thing so thank you! I also think the comment baiting tip is great. I always reply to comments although with blogger you can’t reply directly to individual comments (really wish they would sort that out!) so you do have to remember to make it clear who you are talking to. A really interesting and useful post, thank you so much.
Maxabella says
My pleasure, Sarah. You are a good commenter from way back, so I’m glad you fixed your Disqus thingy. Disqus comments are one of my fave ways to blog hop. x
Rach aka stinkb0mb says
Sarah, you can reply directly to comments on Blogger!
Shannon @ forty up says
I love a comment!! I do read a lot of blogs on blog lovin though, & unless you change to the original post, there’s no where to comment!! So my theory is more & more people are reading blogs in a reader format which makes commenting harder!! Boo! A comment above all means someone actually read what you wrote regardless of whether they liked it or not!! xx
Maxabella says
That’s a really good point, Shannon. I also use bloglovin’ (actually, note to self: I need to change my blog URL on bloglovin’ soonest!) and I tend to hit the cross at the top RHS as soon as I get to the blog, mainly because I hate all the bloglovin’ ‘junk’ at the top of the page, ruining the blog’s good looks. I’m a bit weird like that. Ad choices also send me batty. x
Robyn says
Hellooooo helooooo!! Hi Bron, I loved this post and your video too. So much useful stuff. I try my best to comment as often as I can but I know I can do better. The age of thing of ‘lack of time’! I really think I should make Sundays mornings in bed, my blog reading and commenting time. How good does that sound??? xx
Maxabella says
That sounds like an ideal Sunday morning, Robyn, that’s what that sounds like. You know, even if bloggers just visited one or two blogs and left a comment each day, it would sure pick up the community spirit again. x
Jodi Gibson (JF Gibson Writer) says
Brilliant as always Bron. Captcha is my pet hate. I will only persevere if the post is super good otherwise I click away.
Maxabella says
Captcha seems so old-school to me. I get quite cranky. Remember in the good old days when I used to write posts about my random adventures in word verification? x
Jodi Gibson (JF Gibson Writer) says
Yes! Classic! Those were the days…
Jo @Countrylifeexperiment says
I recently made a commitment to myself to comment on blogs more often. Having said that, if there is captcha I don’t even try. I too had noticed a decline in comments on my blog… I write what seems to be a popular post in terms of page views, and…. crickets! Since commenting more, I have noticed an increase in traffic from click throughs…
Maxabella says
See, it really does make the blogging world go around! As for Captcha… it’s like the ebola of the blogging world… too soon? x
Jo @Countrylifeexperiment says
No lol
Dani @ Sand Has No Home says
Thank you so much for this post.
During the course of reading it, I went in and did the recommended edits to disquis and google +. God knows I’m a bit of a luddite, and my site needs an overhaul (I’ll have to pay someone, or it will never happen), but it is nice to have the reminder to bother to comment. I tend to do it when I attend blog link ups and am rather lazy otherwise, unless a post particularly touches me. Like everyone else, I read a lot but don’t comment nearly as often.
I truly appreciate thoughtful comments and get a bit exasperated with comments just for the sake of commenting (this probably happens more in link ups). Anyway, that is pedantic I suppose, as I get crickets most often. I get a lot of my best readers through my personal Facebook page.
Thanks again.
Dani
Maxabella says
Those crickets are mighty active at times, Dani. I don’t mind a quick comment – I do appreciate that they took the time, regardless. I like that people want to leave a note to say they were there. Sometimes, though, it’s a bit obvious that they didn’t actually read your post, they just want you to see them. I just ignore those ones… x
Nicole - seeking Victory says
Aha! So many comments, I have a thumb cramp from all the scrolling:)
I have a little theory on the reduced comments- I hate commenting on wordpress blogs because I tick the little box then have to log into email straight away to confirm my subscription to the comments. If you don’t do this straight away and the blogger responds quickly, you don’t find out that you have a reply. Plus the inbox fills up with everybody else’s comments- nice for community, not so nice if I am a bit busy and stressed and trying to deal with email quickly.
I am a regular commenter but I am less likely to comment because of the above unless I really love the blog (which I do in your case). My 2 cents:)
What’s the solution? I don’t know, maybe Disqus?
Maxabella says
I hadn’t noticed that about WordPress… I thought you only got an email if they replied to your own comment – at least, I think that’s how it happens on the set up I have here. There are some WP sites that do exactly as you say and if it’s a particularly popular post, you can get slammed. I tend to set up email rules that deal with that on my behalf. x
Reannon @shewhorambles says
I agree Nicole! I have one of those annoying WordPress blogs that emails you about every comment & even my best friend told me she comments less on my blog because she doesn’t want all the emails. Instead she’ll comment on my Facebook page which isn’t as nice as a blog comment but it’s still nice. I have no idea how to change or stop that commenting system & I’m sure other bloggers don’t either. It is a big pain!
Nicole - Seeking Victory says
I have been thinking a lot about this lately. I reckon Disqus is pretty sweet if you have a self-hosted WordPress.
Caz says
Thanks for the informative post Bron. I’m constantly amazed by the generosity of so much of the blogging community and am so glad I’ve been sucking up my fears and getting my toes wet. Looking forward to catching up on some of your previous posts 😀
Maxabella says
Just keep feeling that fear and doing it anyway, Caz. What have you got to lose? I’ve always thought that occasional humiliation was a small price to pay for everyday joy. x
Seana Smith says
Hello, I read and watched and am having a sudden series of awarenesses (if that’s even a word) about how very very reticent I am on my blog. In real life I can chatter and natter about personal stuff, you should have heard me at Tastebuds Cafe this morning with my pals… but on the blog not at all and it’s all to do (I think) with fear… but I thought I was a brave soul, but not in this online context.
Anyway, life too short to be so worried about offending people, and being brave (and funny) is my challenge du jour… how does that fit in with Sydney and Travel, I have no bloody idea… how does it fit in with part-time job IN AN OFFICE and four kids and an errant husband… no idea at all….. Thanks for the video missus it was good and I watched a couple of others too, whilst cooking dinner and it was GOOD!
Maxabella says
You are one of the most infectious, joyous, fun people I’ve ever met, Seana. Be brave and let that big, bold, golden personality shine everywhere you go – even online!! x
Videc Riverside Garden says
Hello, everything is going fine here and ofcourse every one is sharing information, that’s really good, keep up writing.
Renee Wilson says
Hello, hello, hello 🙂 I’ve been a very good girl this evening and updated my Disqus. Huge oversight on my behalf. I’m very appreciative of the heads up. Thank you. Lots of great advice in this post. I don’t use Disqus on my blog. I’ve heard good and bad things about it. I would like my readers to know when I respond to their comment though as I do reply to every single one. I think Nikki Parkinson mentioned at Problogger a reply all plugin you can install or something. Keep meaning to look into that …
Maxabella says
Do you have a blogger blog or wordpress, Renee? The wordpress commenting system lets people tick the box and get replies (I have this one). I think Disqus is good – I really like it on other people’s blogs and it’s the system i tried and tried to get on my old blogger blog. Either way, it sux to reply to comments and nobody knows… x
Susan Priestley says
Hello hello hello
Thank you Maxabella for your helpful tips!
As a newby to bloggersworld I was thinking my efforts were falling on deaf ears and was at a loss on how to expose myself to a wider audience.You have highlighted a number of ways to improve communication with my potential audience,thank you for being so generous with your advice.
An enormous learning curve for me but enjoying the journey!
cheers Susan
Maxabella says
There’s a lot to take on board, I know, but the great thing about a blog is that you can go at your own pace and pick and choose the things you want to do. Definitely visiting other blogs is the best way to get started. x
Vicki @ Boiled Eggs & Soldiers says
Hello! Am new here today so couldn’t not say hello! Love your post, I had never heard of “click baiting” before I’m a newbie blogger so all the tips are so relevant, thank you!
Maxabella says
You’re most welcome! x
Maxabella says
I just popped over to your blog, Vicki. Talk about running flat out straight out of the gates – what an amazing space for a ‘newbie’. Really impressive. x
Sasha @ From the Left Field says
Thank you, thank you, thank you! And hello! 🙂 Such wonderful tips, and so great to share your top ideas. Awesome stuff! Community is everything, isn’t it? As they say ‘no (wo)man is an island’. As a total newbie, I love jumping in and finding so many amazing bloggers out there, but it’s also daunting and a bit overwhelming to try and keep up with the pace of it all! And then get the guilts for not commenting enough! But, baby steps!
Maxabella says
It’s TOTALLY overwhelming out there, Sasha. I am always so glad that I started blogging back in the dark ages when it was just the blog and a linky on a Friday. I think we would need to be full-time bloggers to get all the stuff done that is out there… so I try to keep things realistic and I just focus on a couple of things that are enjoyable to me. x
Sarah @ Lady Sadie's Emporium says
I loved this masterclass so much that I had to share it on the BloggingME website. When I started blogging a few years ago, I didn’t put myself out there and yet I wanted to be successful…duh! But now I have so much more confidence and I’ve definitely found the more I interact with other bloggers thew more readers I’m gaining to my blog. Slowly but surely I’m building a community, a small community, but a lovely one that I’m proud of x
Maxabella says
Isn’t this true of life in general – we want to make things happen, but we’re afraid to leave our comfy couch! It’s interesting to me that some of the comments today have talked about ‘readers’ and ‘bloggers’ as if they are not the same thing… most blogs will be read by bloggers for a very long time. It’s only the ‘bigger’ ones that are even on general ‘readers” radar – except our mums, of course.
It’s lovely that you are proud of the community you are building, Sadie. x
The Exercise Hitlist says
I just had to say hello after this post! I am fairly new to this blogging thing and I have to admit that I tend to be a bit of a lurker and tend to hit the ‘like’ button instead. But I am working on it! 🙂 I am enjoying all the new blogs that i have come across and look forward to connecting with many more. Love all your tips, Thank you.
Maxabella says
I think it can be tough to find your voice in the blog world, but it’s just like in any ‘social’ situation – start small, make a few friends, feel more confident with their support, go bigger… x
Jo @ You had us at hello says
Thank you for your wonderful tips and advice Maxabella
Jo @ You had us at hello says
^^ Love it when that happens! New kid on the block here so loving all tips to avoid crickets. I try to comment often, it’s great encouragement and a good laugh. Hope to chat to you again one day soon.
Maxabella says
Definitely, Jo. It’s so lovely to hear from new people! I’m off to check out your blog before the school run hits… x
Tash says
Love it Bron! I’m always surprised that a lot of bloggers don’t have a gravatar! Makes commenting so easy. Your vid was super and a good kick up the butt for me!
ps.. thanks for your comment on my blog today 🙂
xx
Maxabella says
Why did I not put the gravatar in my post, Tash! You are so right. I might go and edit it in later today as it’s a good one to know. Thank you!
x
Claire says
Hi, I have just tripped over your lovely blog whilst looking for social media people to learn from. I have just started a blog and still finding my groove. This post is very opportune as, just this morning, I was looking for opinions about commenting on others’ blogs. Thanks for some great tips! I agree that declining comments must be in some way related to an increase in use of Feed Readers? I use Feedly – it’s the only way I can keep up with all the blogs I like. On one hand it makes it more difficult for me as I have to click through to the blog to comment. On the other, I scan the summaries so I only read what interests me, which means I actually have more time to leave comments on those posts. I can see how some posts on feed readers might be falling between the gaps if they don’t have a title and summary that are well enough related to the post topic. I would just gloss over them without reading. Or maybe readers’ time is just spread too thinly nowadays across more social platforms? BTW, you have some really great commenters on here, really enjoyed reading. I’m looking forward to savouring all your photography posts with a cuppa later 🙂 Claire
Maxabella says
It’s lovely to meet you, Claire. I think blogs have always been read in readers, so it’s a matter of getting into the habit of clicking over. Whatever you’re comfortable with! x
katepickle says
Guess I better leave a comment on your post about comments! LOL
Love this.. especially the part about being a bloggers job to deal with spam and not to penalise your readers! LOVE that!
And I wonder if a lot of people don’t see your little box to tick to notify comments via email… maybe that is just me? I use a plugin that automatically sends replies to comments via email… but that has some drawbacks too. I’m remembering the click the box now!
Maxabella says
I usually forget to tick the little box myself, Kate! x
Astrid says
Thank you for sharing Bron. I love reading up on blog advice as I am starting to be more consistent on my own blog.
I guess I’m a newbie as I am fine tuning it now (I opened up my blog last year but never followed through, I was afraid of the social media world).
Now I am more confident and it was my supportive bloggy community who got me here. So thanks Bron for clearing up about commenting, I’m in need to find a better comment box as I need to find more of my tribe.
Maxabella says
The social media world can be completely overwhelming, Astrid. But then we find people we can relate to and realise they are just like us and it all becomes smaller and more manageable. Good luck with it all! x
Lisa says
Hi Bron, love the blogging about blogging posts-so much info to digest. I have ebbed and flowed with the comments because I used to do heaps of link-ups, then used to feel bad that I couldn’t get to all the blogs to respond. I now actually start on page 2 or 3 on a linkup to comment because most people skip those pages after commenting on the front page linkup, or the same bloggers would comment on the same blogs & the newbies wouldn’t get any comments. (Gosh, ramble, ramble-did any of that make sense?)
I don’t need to schedule posts, I need to schedule commenting. Thanks for sharing xx
Maxabella says
Such a good strategy, Lisa. On the weekend rewind, I most often start at the end and work backwards – lots of people forget to pop back over to say hi to later link ups. x
Amber Melody says
Hello hello hello! <3 Nice wisdom and sage advice thank you Bron… looking forward to following some of your tips when my new blog hits the webosphere! You're fab. Love, Amber, XO
Maxabella says
You have a new blog? Remember to let me know, Amber! x
Lucy @ Bake Play Smile says
This was awesome Bron! I loved it. Gosh you speak the truth. The best thing about blogging has been finding people who are like-minded, getting to know them and sharing the blogging love around. Thank you xxx
Maxabella says
Ain’t that the truth, Lucy! I’ve never felt more surrounded by my kind than when I started blogging. It’s such a comfort in so many ways, in everything I do. x
The Travelling Lindfields says
Great post. Thankyou – the clickable link thing in Google+ never occurred to me but I have put it in now.
Maxabella says
Ironically enough, the old Blogger profile was so much more blog friendly! x
Mardi from Party Ideas in a Box says
I really love your writing style, so fresh, genuine and very personable. I have been clicking through from your facebook posts quite a lot recently. I have only just started to comment on peoples blogs that I feel are relevant to my business, and I am starting to see the benefits – a lot more engaging than facebook comments!
Maxabella says
Um, did you just say party ideas in a BOX? How cool is that! I’m heading over to check out your site… !! x
Sandra Kelly says
Hello! Hello! Hello! Thank you for sharing so much of your bloggy wisdom. I’m finding bloggers to be such a caring sharing bunch and it’s so refreshing. Thanks x
Maxabella says
I love the sharing, Sandra. It seems to me that a lot of the ‘sharing’ has become monetised in some way, which I think is a bit sad. x
Karen says
Hello! Great post with lots of wisdom. Enjoyed your eMasterclass too! I always feel like comments are like virtual hugs- when you’ve connected with someone, inspired them or made them laugh. I’ve installed the wordpress plugin “Comment Luv” recently which automatically posts a link to your last post when you make a comment (and are a blogger). It really encourages the community side of things and prompts me to check out my reader’s blogs. x
Maxabella says
I should get that plugin, Karen. I’ve seen it on other blogs and, of course, I click and click away! x
Mother Down Under says
So many comments!
I love leaving comments and I love getting comments.
I always say all the action happens in the comments section!
I have found that I am reading blogs more and more on my phone…and that it is generally a pain to comment when I am on my mobile…it doesn’t really have anything to do with the commenting system…just my fat fingers.
If I know a post is going to be a good one I generally save it until I am at my computer just so I can comment.
I don’t know what all this commenting says about me…I am a chatterbox who likes sharing my two cents!
Maxabella says
Or just a very natural blogger… 🙂
x
Sarah @ Zinc Moon says
Thanks for the mention Bron! Although I am sad that you don’t like the use of Facebook comments on my blog 🙁 I have used them with no issues with spam, which is good….plus, I am using a plugin that does import the comments into the wordpress database. However, I am aware that it only allows those who use FB to comment so have been thinking about switching to Commentluv, or combine FB with wordpress comments. Personally, I prefer commenting systems that are easy to use, especially on an iPad….which I am using now! Nothing worse then typing a comment…and it all disappears…and anything with Captcha is a nightmare! Decisions….decisions….. 🙂 x
Maxabella says
It all comes down to personal preference, so if Facebook comments is working well for you, then yay! I don’t mind it – I mean, I still leave a comment! x
Karin @CalmtoConniption says
Thanks for this post Bron and your Kidspot lesson. I have learnt heaps and I’m thinking I have all my commenting in order now. 🙂
Maxabella says
Happy to help 🙂
Jess says
Thank you for this post. As a new blogger, I found this info incredibly helpful!
I admit, I always used to just lurk and read people’s blog and never comment. But now that I have my own, I realise that how amazing it is to get comments on your posts, so I am much more enthusiastic about commenting on other people’s. 🙂
Jess
Maxabella says
This is why most of the comments we get are from fellow bloggers, even though lots of people who don’t have a blog do read our posts. x
Charlene says
Fantastic tips! Thank you for sharing! I had some problems with my Commenting section a couple of weeks ago…since then I have changed all my settings so that anyone and everyone can comment on my blog…however I am still waiting for those comments. I know it will happen! It’s still early days.
Maxabella says
I really loved your blog, Charlene. x
Jennifer Ely says
I literally just went live with my blog today. It’s so new not even family members have commented yet. So for me, this post was very helpful. I found your site through pinterest and I’m so glad I found these helpful tips right from the start. Sometimes when you’re new you don’t even know what questions to ask yet. Thanks again and Happy Thanksgiving.
MelAnn says
Extremely helpful tips that were duely noted!
I wonder about blogging communities in other languages. I come from Quebec, Canada, where we speak both english and French, but I tend to blog in french as I achieve better eloquence, but the blogging phenomenon does seem to be handled differntly among the francophones of the world. I would think doing both languages would feel cloggy and to have two blogs with the entry translated not as authentic…
anyways, just tuned in but will be sticking around for more helpful reads!