A Crash Course in Comments

January 21, 2009 · Comments

the conversationComments are currency. I learned this first from Liz Strauss. They are the ultimate in social proof, because if we’re all supposed to be about joining the conversation, and yet you aren’t getting a lot of back and forth in the media you’re making, it might be time to look at this a bit more. If comments matter to you, read on. Here are some thoughts to help improve your back and forth.

A Crash Course in Comments


First, the Basics

  1. Give to get - If you’re not leaving thoughtful comments on related blogs without spamming them about how awesome your blog is (or how awesome you are), then you’re missing the first big secret of comments. Comment elsewhere. Find the good stuff, add your two cents (and not just “great post!”), and watch the authors and other readers visit your site.
    conversations
  2. Double Vision - Double check that your blog design puts a “comments” link at both the top and the bottom of every post.
  3. Please Spammer, Don’t Hurt ‘Em - Make the sign-in process super easy. (Annoyingly difficult CAPTCHA is a quick vote for no comments.)
  4. Spread the Comments - Comment platforms like Disqus are now much easier to integrate with your site, and have lots of added features. (See an example at my Dad’s Poker Blog.)
  5. Patrol your spam filter to make sure good comments aren’t being eaten. (Happens often to me.)


Getting Comments By Tailoring Your Content

The truth is, once the mechanics are out of the way, here are the most likely ways to improve your blog to get more comments.

    The Letter Writer
  1. Brevity rules - The shorter the posts, the more likely people will stop and comment.
  2. Answer “WIIFM” - If you write posts that answer any reader’s primary question, “What’s In It For Me?,” you’re far more likely to get comments.
  3. Ask questions - I always encourage your feedback. Why? Because the value you give me in my comments section is way better than anything I could ever write myself. Ask questions.
  4. Reply as often as you can - I am the #1 commenter on my blog. I’m not always as responsive, and I don’t always answer every single comment, but I learned early that if I respond back, I get more follow up thoughts and ideas in the comments.
  5. Give your ideas “handles”- If others can take your ideas and run with them, they’re apt to comment on their gratitude, and/or their new variation on what you did. Encouraging that is a great way to build more conversations.

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The Bonus Round

    pure communication
  1. Promote others- Finding ways to promote the people who visit your blog, to praise your community, to engage them on their own blogs and sites, are all ways to build a relationship that gives back.
  2. Offer some tech help - On my blog, I use a WordPress plugin called Subscribe to Comments. You might offer that, and/or an RSS subscription to the comments feed. In fact, if I were clever, I’d add that RSS to my comments section. It’s often better than the post.
  3. Experiment - I’m not sure why we don’t, but if you’re writing the same thing over and over and no one’s commenting, STOP WRITING THAT THING. If something doesn’t work in the mainstream media world, editors make changes. They fix it. Do the same.
  4. Be Your Own Editor - That’s one position most media makers don’t seem to give themselves. Edit your posts to be better, tighter, more punchy, more useful. The better your work, the more comments you’ll get.
  5. Use an outpost strategy to get more attention.

In Lieu of Comments

One quick note: when folks don’t have time to comment on a post, but they like it, what I hope they at least do is share it via the various social systems. Meaning, if you don’t have time to comment, but you’re reading a good post in Google Reader, share it. It’s as rapid as hitting Shift-S. That one gesture does something for the work. Ditto using StumbleUpon or Delicious. Using social sharing gives a post more chances to be found and enjoyed by others. Doing this gives more back to a blogger, so when you can’t comment, consider sharing something forward for others.

What’s Worked for You?

I don’t have all the answers, for sure, but I’m grateful for the comments I do receive. What’s worked for you? Did I miss anything you’re doing that’s worked for you? What else haven’t we covered here? Oh, and did you notice how blog design and graphics make a difference?

Photo credits polandeze, KevinDooley, Rita Banerji, and iandeth, in that order.

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  • uggs123
    The editor part is the main thing that I miss when blogging. I need someone to say, "Cut this" or "That is too many words," I really miss that.
  • Loved these tips and appreciate getting your stuff in my inbox too! Brevity is not one of my strongest traits, however what you said makes total sense :) Thank you!
  • Thanks Chris.

    I currently have a registration on my new blog... I used to run a BB on my site but kept getting thousands of spammers advertising unmentionables and I don't particularly want that to start happening on my blog. Is there another way to prevent that so I can turn off the registration?
  • Comments are the key I agree. Comments are feedback. The more people comment, the more you know what they think about your posts, plus you get the additional links. Great article, and there are several things I am going to put into place to try and increase the comments to my blog.
  • Great post!!

    Also, thanks for the tip on spam filters. Never thought of that one. Heading over to check my spam box now.
  • They are the ultimate in social proof, because if we’re all supposed to be about joining the conversation, and yet you aren’t getting a lot of back and forth in the media you’re making,
  • I know for those sites that require registration to post or comment Facebook Connect is a wonderful option. It reduces the barrier to entry and gets people involved with a single click.
  • Sorry Lori. Went back and reread Chris's post. Oops. :-)
    Molly
  • LOL, just had to respond to Molly's comment lest people think my website is something other than what it is (and don't visit). I am a photographer, and my blog is mainly photos and stories about my adventures on the trail in the Mojave Desert, which is why I think it is strange that people would prefer to e-mail me rather than post a comment.

    Chris' remark about gay Catholics was in reference to another blogger.
  • Great article as usual. I don't have any comments at all, yet, though I know I have readers so your advice is extremely relevant to me.
    As for Lori's problem w/gay Catholics, perhaps she could create a group for them to join in which they can select from avatars and nicknames so their real names and pics remain anonymous.
    Molly
  • @Maria Lavis Godot :-)
  • @Chuck - super great point of view, and I see where you're coming from. Those kinds of comments kind of look like clutter in a rich comment stream that often has some gems. That makes sense.

    On the other hand, it's like a little piece of digital graffiti (albeit with links) that shows others who's come by. You see your own name, the names of your colleagues, and it sparks a kind of "we all hang out here" kind of thing.

    I think this is important. What do you think?
  • Chuck
    I think you've got a terrific blog here, Chris. I forwarded one of your articles to a friend tonight. However, I think one intelligent part of a comment policy would be to consider NOT approving people who have nothing more helpful to say than "Great post, Chris" or other "You are GOD, Chris"-type comments. It takes up space, and doesn't justify a link back (or the potential traffic that goes with it). It's great that you honor commenters and benefit from the additional content, but (in my view) people should have to WORK to earn a spot in your comments section: to share a personal take on your perspective, to argue, to offer examples, to share additional relevant resources.

    I don't have an active blog like yours...I simply don't think I have that many fresh things to share, and I've never wanted to make it my goal. It's just a space to share things that interest me from time to time. But I moderate all my comments, and I'm a bit harsher about approving "empty shell" comments. I think you owe your readers (and substantive commenters) similar respect. I believe it's too easy to let the other stuff just flow by. Just my two cents' worth!
  • If it's from Chris Brogan, I always know its a great conversation. Thank you for yet another great one, Chris.
  • Only here would a post about commenting receive so many comments! ;)

    Now if only I had something interesting to say...
  • fds
    General wondering….how important is it to write about social media to be successful in social media?
  • Great tips from the comments master himself! I have a niche web development and online marketing blog. It gets a respectable amount of traffic for being relatively new and has a good number of RSS subscribers.
  • Is this what you had in mind?
    --
    To what extent do you think you can influence the sentiment of a discussion, if you are amongst the first to post?
    If you wish to comment on my comment why now find me on @thewikiartist
    --
    Mr Brogan you have done it again - a post about comments that inspires lots of people to comment. What will you think of next? You have already written a post about inspiring people to follow you on Twitter that, unsurprisingly got lots of people to follow you on Twitter.

    Could you perhaps write a post about how it is a good idea to leave track backs? wait you have that covered.

    General wondering....how important is it to write about social media to be successful in social media?
  • I firmly believe in getting a part of what you give, and in commenting wisely and honestly. Fabolous post!
  • I've always worked on the less is best theory as long as the quality is still up there. I have several posts on my blog on the importance of commenting as well as a comment policy to help promote quality comments. I've also found and continually search for ways to thank my commentators, This includes things like;
    Making my comments dofollow
    Using the Keywordluv plugin
    Using the commentluv plugin
    Reciprocating all comments
    Making it easy for people to use links in their comments etc.

    I've noticed that these all help to encourage people to share what they have to say.
  • @steve soucy

    that's awesome how it worked out for you, it pays to comment and of course reply back =]
  • Chris, 2 days ago, my wife read your topic, and posted a reply. Our website ended up with about 100 unique hits, coming from this very blog. I wasn't so sure about your advice until then. Now, I'm responding to everything we get. Thanks!

    Steve
  • Great suggestions on how to generate comments. The more you give, the more you get. Thanks for sharing the magic!
  • Cont:
    For more from Mark check out his blog at:
    http://msco.com/blog/customer-service-in-search...

    Also, look for my full review of his seminar next Monday on http://www.applesassy.com
  • Awesome post Chris, but you should really come visit my blog! j/k

    Nathan
  • Great post Chris!

    IMO blogging is truly another form of social networking. It is not simply a tool for the blogger to "preach to the masses."

    There needs to be interaction with the readers.

    However, that being said, those who do comment should NOT be adding their comments solely for the hopes of "being discovered"

    I LOVE reading my favorite blogs and leaving comments allows me to interact with the blogger.
  • Great post Chris!

    IMO blogging is truly another form of social networking. It is not simply a tool for the blogger to "preach to the masses."

    There needs to be interaction with the readers.

    However, that being said, those who do comment should NOT be adding their comments solely for the hopes of "being discovered"

    I LOVE reading my favorite blogs and leaving comments allows me to interact with the blogger.
  • Lin
    Really opened my eyes to some mistakes I'm making. Trying harder now....thanks.
  • If I say, 'great post', I'll explain why I liked it and how it affects my own life.
    Otherwise, I try to add something that perhaps the post left out.
  • Great post!

    Fabietto
  • Great tip! Very thoughtful and concise. You've got yourself a new follower.
  • Thank YOU for your wise words. I will have to be honest I generally am a pat on the back sort of commenter pointing out how their post has helped me or is good info. After this I will up my game and be a better commenter. Thank YOU!

    ~Expect Miracles
  • As always, great thoughts on this subject Chris - I have not been blogging long, but sharp posts like this one and my side-journey onto Twitter has given me a better perspective on the notion of the "conversation." I can see how critical commenting on other people's blogs is to getting noticed and read, and I 'm sure it will pay off over time. Keep up the great work.
  • April Robins
    I passed your great information on the my FaceBook group Red River Writers this morning. One member has already thanked me for list post.
  • Thanks Chris. I'm still trying to figure out how to make my blog as effective as possible, which to me means providing information and resources that the public I work with (rural WI health care providers and stakeholders) are interested in seeing. Comments and feedback are the best way to ensure I'm on the right track, so your insights will be useful. Thanks again!
  • Hi Chris, i dont' think i have posted a comment on your blog yet but im glad i found you!
    So how do you put a "leave comment" link at the top of your post? I like to use as many interaction plugins to my blog like wp thread, comment luv, edit your comment, and so on. I found you through Google Alerts, the phrase "Comment Luv" seems to do the trick. Thanks for the read
  • "Patrol Your Spam Filter"? I didn't even think about it! I wondered why I have had no trackbacks or pings; they were turned off...LOL I use WP-Spam Free and I do not see a way to check what it marked as spam. I could be blocking real comments. I know there is a huge number of blocked comments. hmmm

    Whenever I do research for an article, post or tech I invariably end up reading a few blog posts. I ALWAYS leave a comment on all blogs I read. I get nearly 1/3 of my traffic from blogs in which I have left a comment. My best blog traffic comes from Problogger! (*Don't everyone rush over there to spam him...shame on you for thinking it.)

    Think like Pollyanna! You can always find something nice to say about a post. Being negative or insulting is just plain easy and simple minded. Even if you feel you need to correct something in the post...make it an Oreo (I love Oreos don't you?). The chocolate cookies are the positive comments and the cream is the carefully constructed correction. Remember you could be wrong too!

    Thanks for the great post...now I must go check my spam filter :)

    Blessings,
    Wendy Merritt
    Twitter: WendyMerritt
  • Chris,
    An effective way I've generated comments is by offering contests. I have an internet marketing blog but prior to working in digital marketing I worked in Radio for 4 years and learned that people absolutely love to win free stuff. I always integrate my contests into something that corresponds with my blog posts. Here are some examples. I posted the links for easy access.

    1. I wrote a new years blog about Online Marketing Education. I asked people to comment with their biggest marketing challenges in 2008 and what they plan to do about it in 2009. Everyone who commented was entered to win a free pass to the Online Marketing Summit: http://www.marketingmelodie.com/index.php/2009/...

    2. I just posted a blog about the Inauguration exhibit at Legoland California. I am asking people for marketing ideas on increasing attendance at theme parks in a down economy. Everyone who leaves a comment is entered to win a free pair of tickets to Legoland http://www.marketingmelodie.com/index.php/2009/...

    I just started doing this and the unique visits to my blog have more than doubled. I plan to do at least 1 contest everyone month. So ultimately I'm recommending that you offer an incentive but make sure that it ties into the blog post somehow.

    Hope this helps! I wasn't able to read through your 100+ comments (got through about 40) so I'm not sure if someone else already had this tip.

    Best,
    Melodie
    @MyMelodie
  • Comments are the best way to spread the love in the blogosphere. Thanks for educating us all!
  • Wow, Chris, you get so many comments I often feel like mine aren't needed, but, since you ask for them, here goes.
    Really just dropping in to say how much I appreciate all the free and valuable advice. I'm telling my Gov 2.0 friends that they should be reading and copying what you do, because what we are trying to do is build community and you're showing us the way. Appreciate it, as always.
  • If you are going to make a comment on my blog post where I just promoted you and your direct contact information -- my name is Stacey not Ann Marie! Seriously, I know we are all busy and multi-tasking but that to me is just not cool! Thanks for letting me vent on this "hot" topic!!
  • @lee I agree your blog needs to encourage it

    @Chris, always ending with, please add your comments, like you do helps

    @Derek great three points, important one is: On your own blog, respond to comments, your readers will love you (this would be hard for chris with so many comments)

    If you're commenting, read all the comments already there, don't duplicate what someone else has already said with out recognition of their comment

    Add value to the blog post you're commenting on

    @Scott Aikin: I think timing is really valuable, I was involved in commenting on a post by Robert Scoble before anyone else was there, it resulted in lots of traffic, twitter ads and conversations (being first is great, pity I'm late in on this one :P)

    Thanks for your strategies/tactics Chris

    Good motto: Comment first, blog later.
  • I usually like to visit blogs of people who comment on mine. I almost always leave a comment. It is really a reciprocal thing. People of similar interests . . .
  • Great post Chris.

    I am slowly starting to reap the benefits of getting involved in comments and that's not just people following what you write. They should make you question what you write.

    I recently installed disqus on my blog and the number of comments left has increased significantly. I am now looking at improving the whole content of the site and particularly my blog area that drives my site and content.

    Comments add a valuable element of discourse, there's no point in putting an idea out there if you're not willing to take on board other ideas. How are you going to hear these other ideas of you don't encourage comments?

    Here's to comments.
  • I love having conversations, so I tried to make my blogging style as conversational as possible. Unfortunately I switched from Drupal to Wordpress and lost most of my lengthy posts. Funny enough though, I have more comments now than before. I couldn't pin it down until you mentioned brevity. Now my posts consists of more Video AND less words that interests one to join in the discussion. Thanks Chris for highlighting that for me!
  • I recently started a fashion blog, and one of the first things I absolutely knew I had to do was ask questions at the end of my posts in order to engage readers. I don't get a huge number of responses, but I probably would not have known to do that if not for you, so thanks Chris.

    Will definitely have to work on applying "idea handles" to my posts as I love the concept.

    Also: "Please spammer, don't hurt 'em" = classic.
    T
  • stevenimmons
    @Chris Brogan,
    Yes I do agree, I tend to write from the Nerd perspective, given this is my penchant :-) I just declared on Twitter that I was Silver Iodide and going to seed the Cloud as the Rainmaker. Everytime I add comments I realise I'm another step further from reality...
  • Chris -

    What do you think about video commenting? What are the rules and will it soon overtake the traditional text commenting? Just curious as to your thoughts and why you don't offer it on your site. Love the post by the way I learned some great tid bits.
  • Something I forgot to add ... If you're using an avatar, or gravatar system, let your visitors know how to add their avatar.

    Which brings me to the question ... which system are you using Chris? I have accounts on several systems with this same email address I used to post and I can't figure out why I have a generic avatar here ;-)

    Thanks ... Scott
  • Commenting is a great way to communicate and have fun as well as the beginnings to drive traffic to your blog. I highly recommend bloggers interact with their readers and much as possible. The blogs that I read and authors do I love, the blogs that don't I don't comment on anymore.
  • Good advice about leaving thoughful comments. I have seen alot of comments here lately that are a simple "Good Job". That doesnt tell the author of the article what you have to add. Nor does it let anoyone else know that you are truly interested in the topic at hand.

    I think that you have cover the content in this posting thorough enough so that anyone can get some helpful information from it.

    go to <a href="http://six9k9.tripod.com for non-topic related blogs" rel="nofollow">Other Blogs
  • Ahh Chris, where was this post when I first started posting!?!? Gosh, I made every mistake on this list...multiple times. The worst was when a well-known blogger actually removed my comment because it annoyed her so much. Ouch! It still hurts. I try to be mindful of it myself when people post on my blog and it rubs me the wrong way. I'm reminded that they are probably where I was a year or so ago. And truth be told, I still make mistakes. It's usually my passion that gets the best of me.

    I'm teaching a class on blogs as they relate to professional development to a bunch of college seniors soon and this post is going to be required reading for them - you've saved me a hand out. Thanks!
  • Thanks, Chris. We are about to launch our newsletter/blog so this comes at a pivotal point for us. I blog for a women's entrepreneurial site, and one thing I value is that I can post the blog and then with a click, upload the blog to Twitter, Facebook, etc. I don't handle the tech side of this feed, but I am able to click and off it goes. One thing that I would love to be able to do with YOUR blog (and others who I value) is to be able to click a button and have it go to my Twitter page so I can share it with others. Can I do that here? Or, do I have to cut/paste the link and then add it Twitter?
  • I work for a metro news org, and we recently launched a niche site with no sign-in for comments. The bosses were worried, but I convinced them it would be an experiment of sorts. So far, no major problems. Seems we have fewer trolls on our niche sites than we do on our main site. Thanks, Chris.
  • Having just started a blog myself, this sort of advice is very important.

    Heck, even if I was a long time blogger I would have found this useful.
  • Love your comment on brevity - if a post is long and rambling - I'm out and on to something else. You make some great points - I'm saving it in a file for future reference!
    Thanks - M
  • Here's something that really works well for me:

    Post a question that has something to with the topic of a blog post you're working on and get people talking about it. I use Kwippy for this since it's tailored so well toward discussion, but you could use Twitter, or even Seesmic.

    When you've completely fleshed out your idea with the help of your social network post a link to all of them so they can see the finished product. Often more discussion will follow.
  • great advice... thank you.
  • Jim
    Thanks for this post--I've been curious about how to increase the feedback and engagement I get from readers of my blog but didn't know where to start. A lot of your points seem like common sense once you've said them, but require thinking about blogging in a different way than I've been approaching it. So thanks for changing my perspective.
  • Thanks for the Disqus tip. I'll have to check it out and see if it integrates with TikiWiki. And thanks for linking back to your older post, Using Outposts in Your Media Strategy. That looks very handy too.

    I am curios, if you don't use CAPTCHA, how do you protect against spam? I never see a bunch of spam here, so you're obviously catching it in some manner.
    ~jon
  • Yeah, I think you missed one. The fear factor. Clients ask me, "What if they say something mean?" I think those may be the best comments because it stirs up the waters and encourages more dialogue. What is there to be afraid of?
    In my situation, I speak on the topics of green and sustainability. So, I'll get comments on 'greenwashing.' That's cool. If we don't attract all views, how can we create positive change.
    Chris, while I enjoy your blog, its not much help if I say, "Wow Chris, great post:), you've nailed it, you the man, nobody touches you in the blog-sphere!" Then you begin to lose your edge. You start to think you are the man.

    So, I just gonna say thanks and leave it at that. Cool?

    Jeff
  • Thanks Chris.

    I'm new to blogging. Reading a LOT more of them these days, and just put my first one up. Here's what I need to be more aware of:

    Double Vision
    Brevity rules
    Ask questions
    Promote others

    Tom
  • Great post!.......

    Ok ok, my thoughts - I've utilized a lot of these points and they make a HUGE difference on the interaction you get on your blog. One of the things I've remained true to, although it would be difficult for you Chris and the amount of comments you get, is to reply to every commenter through email and thank them for stopping by and add some addtl thoughts. I think it helps in building that relationship between blogger and reader - I think highly of people who have done that to me so I can only hope others enjoy a personal response as well.
  • Great article from you yet again Chris.
    Comments form the basis of a great community, and you should see a correlation between the number of commentators and your "bounce rates" (with respect to site stats).
    Providing a method of user participation is one method of reducing your bounce rates.
    All of your points above give the reasons why.
    Many thanks.
    Chris
  • Hey Chris,
    Excellent post. I also found this posting from Problogger helpful on generating blog comments.

    It states "Jakob Nielsen’s latest study finds that 90% of online community users are lurkers (read or observe without contributing) with only 9% of users contributing ‘a little’ and 1% actively contributing. So 1% of your blog’s users are actively engaging with your blog and the rest are at best occasional contributers."

    It offers advice like "invite comments, ask questions, be humble and be open ended." And even though it's from 2006, it's still relevant today.

    You can find it here the full post here http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/10/12/1...
  • oh great article Chris!
  • I tend to end each post I make with a question the reader. This always helps generate comments.

    I have been thinking about using a tool like disqus but i have yet to really be convinced to install it on my blog. I bet before long I'll add it.

    In the end comenting on relevent blogs is the best thing to do. Probably %75 of my hits come from people who click through from another blog to check my stuff out. It's time consuming but I'm learning and coming up with more ideas for me to write about when I read other posts.
  • This is very insightful, thank you Chris. When reading blog, I have almost has much fun reading the comments than the post itself, especially if the latter bring up useful contextual information. I've discovered some great, interesting blogs this way too.
    By the way, can I just say that links on your site are a bit hard to discern? The underline almost fades out next to the text. Otherwise I really appreciate your new blog design ;)
  • I only began blogging a week or so ago. My experimentation is around how to drive people to your site. While my readership is low, it is growing daily. The most beneficial thing I have found is making comments on other blogs. The links associated with the comments do in fact drive traffic to your site.

    Chris, thanks for your insight. It has been great following your blog and your posts on Twitter!
  • Loralyn Tate
    Hi,
    Thanks for this post. I am just starting and getting off on the right foot is wonderful!

    Thanks
  • Oiy, now you've given me all this homework to do! Thanks, man - Seriously, tremendous post chock full of goodness. Going to add these tips to my OneNote so I won't forget to do them.
  • This is a really good post, Chris. I tend not to comment back to people who comment on my blog because I don't think they'll come back and read the comments - which I now know doesn't really matter. If *some* do, that is enough.

    I also didn't respond to comments because I don't want to come across as "too wordy" - which I'm afraid I already do with my posts. I keep trying to cut them down - but when I go to edit the posts, it seems like everything is important and I can't cut anything out without losing important parts.

    Lots to think about, though - and I sincerely appreciate it! Good timing as well - I will take this with me as I launch my new site.
  • Great post, Chris. Already followed up on one bit of advice (removing CAPTCHA from my site) and looking forward to doing more. What I've really got to work on is tip #1, though. I don't comment on other people's sites nearly enough.
  • Yea, but CAPTCHA is adding books to the digital archive...bummer.

    http://tinyurl.com/2w8cvd
  • Chris,
    This is just great grounding advice especially for someone (like myself) just hitting the ground running in the blogging world. Many thanks!!

    It was great catching up with you at CES! We should encourage the "cab-sharing" trend at the next event. (SXSW?)
    Its very "green" and a great way to socialize and make new friends! Thanks again!

    @ElizabethHannan
  • I'm so glad I found this post - it's the first I've seen of any advice regarding comments specifically. The blog I write for is associated with an online job board, but is geared toward the employers, (not job seekers).
    Because it seems that many people confuse me with a recruiter, however, I often get comments asking me to help them find a job. It can be awkward - I'm often torn between answering them on the blog itself, directly via email, or simply deleting the comment altogether....any advice?
  • digiphile
    Great post, Chris, as usual. Interesting to see the discussion around commenting in an RSS reader. When I share and add a note, it goes into Friendfeed and Socialmedian with that comment. I hope some clever greasemonkey finds a way to pipe those shared notes back into an original posts sometime soon. That would complete a virtuous circle.

    Give to get. Practice social sharing. I'll be passing this one on to all of the bloggers in my life. Heck, I already tweeted it, which is one kind of comment.

    I love that your posts become social objects or artifacts as a result of your questions and community. As you always point out, there's so much value in the audience building upon what you've started. That's the principle that Wikipedia operates upon, after all. Collective learning, collaborative editing and social proof. Whoda thought you'd find that on a pirate ship?
  • Great Post! LoL!
  • Chris, you are clearly the person to deliver a crash course in comments. I always check the 'notify me of followup comments' box when I comment on one of your insightful posts. I enjoy being part of the discussion - and it is always a lively discussion - as my inbox fills with followup comments. I'm not complaining - just praising your ability to build community and facilitate enthusiastic discussion!!

    Hope you are well.
    Best.
    William
    www.williamarruda.com
  • Chris,
    Thanks for the great post. I was just tweeting today about how I had more views than normal but no comments. Thanks for the inspiration!

    @KFred85
  • I think this is wonderful advice. I personally gain a lot of value from the blogs I read, but often forget to comment, and instead formulate my own thoughts.

    I'm amazed at how useful comments can be, and the different perspectives they bring to the post.

    I need to be spending a lot more time commenting, and this is a wonderful reminder of WHY.

    Well said!
  • i try to comment as much as i can when i like the material i read to give the author feedback or to just say a few things in relation to the post.
    it's true though when you comment anywhere, majority of the time they will return the favor, come back to your website, read your material, and then put in their 2 cents.

    for new bloggers it's important that they read more than they write, comment more than they expect people to comment on theirs. like you said, gotta give to get. .i like this post Chris.
  • The people that I work with and in my community are on the bleeding edge of technology. Many of them are Baby Boomers in that 60+ range that are interested but just a little scared about using internet marketing. One of the topics that I'm offering is "How to Get Friends? Be a Friend!" You've sent the same message to those who are on the leading edge. Thanks.
  • Common sense applies and works here. To Rebecca's comment arguing against brevity, the unfortunate reality is there is a lot of noise out there, so if you want to be heard, you have to grab attention early. Yes, we all should be more attentive and explore things with the depth of NPR-like "All Things Considered", but you have to write for your audience, and the audience of blogs and comments is not amenable to lengthy treatises.
  • What I really like while using the comment plugins like intense debate are the threaded comments. It sure as hell beats having to reply with comments like:
    @123
    @234
    when you want to respond to someone specifically.
  • Chris,
    You are the king of Twitter and my mind is spinning trying to learn all this, but your blog has definitely given me vision on how this all works. I have been stumbling around wondering what I am supposed to do. You probably come across a lot of tweeple like me and wonder what the heck we are doing!
  • Chris,

    I think the tactic of giving comments is underrated. I know many people that only comment on their own blogs and never make it outside their own comment garden - which is not the same as participating on another domain or blog.

    I noticed you do not use a third party comment system which obviously lowers the barrier to people potentially commenting. I am obviously biased towards Disqus, and think it would make a great addition. I understand your fears of losing previous comments, but hopefully there can be a rock solid solution for transferring things over and hopefully we can find one.
  • Do you ever get tired of having great posts?

    I'm always amazed how you live online. I'll be up late on the West Coast and you are still conversing away.

    You are a Social Media Maven, Connector and Salesman. You sir are the tipping point. ;)
  • This is wonderful advice. I am somewhat new to blogging and love getting good quality advice. You have provided me with that, thank you!

    Have a Wonderful Day!
  • Chris,
    The timeliness of your posts are like you're in my head. So often we expect to get comments by just throwing our textual spaghetti to the wall. If it sticks, we get comments. If it hits the floor, someone is scowling at us as they scroll by. Thanks again for the information. (I tried really hard not to say, "Great post!" even though it was.
  • I don't have time to write a thoughtful comment, but I DID Stumble it!
  • Great tips, I am very pleased with my blog so far. I have a niche web development and online marketing blog. It gets a respectable amount of traffic for being relatively new and has a good number of RSS subscribers. So far it is doing much better than I ever expected but I am having had trouble convincing these users to stay and participate. I know from my experience running a forum that it takes a certain amount of activity to encourage other activity but getting that initial activity can be a real challenge. I have already implemented some of the above strategies but there are a few new ones I am excited to try.
  • I just wanted to say thanks. I started a new company in the fall and ran across David Meerman Scott at the NAR annual meeting - and ever since I've been reading up on interactive ways of communicating my worth to my customers & talking to them about THEIR issues. I've learned SO MUCH from people like you and him (and the 50+ other people I'm following on Twitter). My brain is going to explode one day with all the info, but until then I keep taking it in and plotting on how to apply it!
  • Why is the advice always, "Brevity rules?" I don't agree with that at all. Of course you don't want something ridiculously long, but the length has much less to do with it than if it's well-written. Write well and you'll get comments. A big part of writing well is editing yourself though. Maybe that's why every one just says to write short posts instead, but that's not the right starting point. The place to start is to write well.
  • For me, patience has been a virtue. In another post you wrote recently, you talked about how in the early days you received very few comments as opposed to now, when you receive a ton. I think I'm growing and getting there. The one thing you mentioned I'm going to apply right away is to add the comment link to the top and bottom of every post. Thanks for the awesome article, Chris!
  • My motto for life has always been you get what you give. If your not getting maybe you should think about doing a little more giving.
  • Thanks for the great advice as always. I don't get many comments at ALL on my blog yet and I am always looking for different methods and ways to verbalize my posts to attract more comments.
  • The one thing that keeps me from commenting more often--especially when it's ultimately just going to be a "hear, hear" quickie just to lend my support--is the inability to comment directly from my feed reader. It sounds lazy, but very often I weigh the time it takes to click the headline, load the page, add the comment and press submit with time that could be spent reading the next article in my feed, or doing other work.

    What I DO do, though, is star the stuff I want to remember in Google Reader, and share the stuff I really like with folks, including my Google Talk friends. It's not perfect, but it's quick.
  • I syndicated your blog's feed to Livejournal as "chrisbrogan" so I could read it in LJ, but I'm pretty sure that I'm the only person who reads it there, so, no use checking that stream of comments since I always click through to your site to do so, even though LJ has 1 click comments on it's feed available.
  • @Chris: Some great points there. I specially like the double vision point. I have never implemented in on my blog, but it does look like it can get some people to comment.

    Many people don't have digg accounts etc, it will be great to have a built-in post rating. Users can come and just say 'yes i like it', 'that's a terrible post' or 'no pain no gain'.. Easier than getting a comment, offers some interactivity to your users and they don't need to have a digg / stumbleupon account (though those certainly have much more value than just internal rating).

    I have had many 'lurkers' who have been following the blog for a long time but never bother to comment, a simple statement like: I would like to hear from my readers about what they think about 'some topic' has gotten some of the lurkers to become active participants.

    Gravatar is often good, I have also tried 'defaulting' Notify me of followup comments on a blog and though some people got annoyed, others 'noticed' the option for the first time :)) (It's not a webmaster blog).
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