This has been on my mind ever since Mother Reader asked me (along with Tricia at The Miss Rumphius Effect, Mary Lee at A Year of Reading, and Jennifer at BiblioFile) to be on a panel for the KidlitCon, and then asked “How can I get people to comment on my blog? Or link to my blog? Or notice I have a blog?” Honestly, the first thing that came to mind was commenting.
You want people to know you’re out here in the bloggy world? You want people to read what you write? Comment on blogs. All sorts of blogs. Follow links from your favorite blogs and comment on those blogs. Follow the links of the people who comment on your blogs and comment there. The only way people will know you’re out there is if you tell them you are. And the best way to tell them you’re out there is by comment love.
And I admit: I love comments. I feel bad when a post of mine doesn’t get any — it looks so neglected and ignored without any. And, to be really honest, I do wonder if what I wrote wasn’t “good” enough or “interesting” enough to merit any comments. Then I get all self-conscious: am I just shouting into the void? Is there anyone out there reading what I’m writing?
Yet, I find that I’m really bad at leaving comments. It’s not that I’m not reading what you write: I am (mostly). It’s just that I have — we all do — a limited amount of time in the day, and dividing it up between running a family, reading books, blogging about those books, and reading other’s blogs, the thing that gets pushed to the bottom every time is reading other’s blogs. I could spend all day wading through my feed reader, commenting on every blog, and I’m sure it’d make me hugely popular (well, I’m actually NOT sure about that) and I’d get a ton of comments (then again, maybe not). But, I don’t have that kind of time, and that’s not where my priorities lie.
And so to bring these two blogging poles into balance, I have developed a battle plan: comment on the posts and the blogs that aren’t getting much love. I find that if a post has more than 20 comments, or a blog that I read consistently gets 30, 60, 100 comments, I don’t feel a need or a desire to comment. What I probably wanted to say was probably already said by someone else (I hardly ever read through comments when they get over 25, anyway). It’s at that point that I don’t feel like I’m really contributing to the conversation, instead becoming just another yay– or nay-sayer in the crowd.
But on the smaller blogs and smaller posts, I feel I can make some sort of difference. Add that one comment that will make the post author’s day. (Because, believe me, I know how it feels.) Even if it’s just a “good review!” comment.
Which brings me to “good review” comments: do leave them. I know that my reviews get read, but I feel bad for the ones that don’t get any comment love. I don’t know why — like somehow my reviews are my babies, and I feel bad that they’re being rejected because no one liked it enough to say “Hey, great review.” Or even, “That sounds terrible/interesting/unique/stupid.”
Commenting is one way to get involved in the wider community — and leaving comments will most likely make someone else’s day. But, we do realize: we all have a limited amount of time, and not every post will get a comment from everyone. It’s just nice when it happens.
So, leave a comment: do you live for comments, or are you more like Liz: you know there are readers out there, and it really doesn’t matter if they comment?
The Book Nut 
I like to see comments on my posts, it is a physical manifestation of my post having been read. Otherwise, how am I supposed to know if anyone read it or not and if they liked what I had to say or hated it.
I don't have the time to read every post on every blog I subscribe to but I do regularly visit all the blogs I follow and I do leave comments on the posts I read. The way I see it, if I already found time to read the whole post I think I can find a minute more to leave a comment 🙂
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Although I feel a little bad for myself when a book review I post doesn't get any comments, I feel slightly worse for the author and the publisher. I can see that lots of people have read my post, but the author and publishers can't…
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I like comments! I'm not very good at leaving them because I read so many blogs through google reader and so it's extra steps to go through the process of clicking through to comment. That's no excuse, it's only laziness. But I hope other people are doing that, too. Generally, Google Analytics is telling me when my readers are disappearing (which is a lot lately since I haven't been writing so much.)
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I also am reluctant to leave comments when they get up and into the 20's. On those rare times when I actually do begin to leave one, I'll glance through the comments already made and am like, “Oh yeah, what they said.” I know my opinion is mine, but that doesn't mean it's always original. 🙂
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Of course, I have a little *squee!* whenever I see that someone's left a comment on a post of mine. I guess it just makes me feel good that what I wrote inspired someone to spend a minute or two of their day telling me how they feel about it or giving me their input.
I agree with Christina that I'm less likely to comment on a post that already has a bajillion comments. Partly because things have already been said and partly because, well, they already have a ton of comments and I'd rather spend that minute or two brightening the day of someone else who doesn't have 20 comments.
All that said, some of my most popular posts get the least amount of comments. So I know that just because people aren't commenting doesn't necessarily mean that my work isn't going to good use. 😉
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Sounds like you've got a good commenting plan! 🙂
http://wordlily.com
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I agree – I am much more likely to seek out people who comment on my blog and then comment on theirs. Seems courteous 🙂
Also, I think joining challenges is another great way to get comments on your blog and to get the word out that you're “out there” 🙂
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I enjoy comments as much as the next person!
But I don't think a reader/blogger should be pressured to comment or to comment on particular blogs. For example, the idea of “comment on my blog or I won't read yours,” or “it's bad etiquette to read and not comment.”
Looking forward to kidlitcon and your panel!
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Charlotte, that's an intriguing perspective. I actually don't think much about the authors/publishers when I'm writing a review, so I'm honestly surprised when I get feedback from them (mostly authors).
And Abby, that's interesting, too: I guess I place too much weight on the comment-to-popularity ratio. I've always thought the more popular the post, the more comments, but maybe I need to rethink that.
Liz — sorry if I misinterpreted your post! I agree, that pressure to comment is bad. And I certainly don't feel it: there are many days when I breeze through my feed reader glancing at the posts and never bother to click through to leave a comment. No pressure. And I hope I/we can live up to your expectations! (I'm looking forward to your ARC panel, too!)
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I'm with Corinne, I like to reciprocate with comments. And, I also try and spread the comment love around. While I don't usually comment on every post someone makes, I do try and pop in every once in awhile to let the blogger know I'm reading and I enjoy and appreciate their posts!
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I love getting comments, especially when they're from someone who's not related to me!!! It gives me a little thrill to find a comment from a reader I didn't know was there… It feels validating somehow.
I read your blog all the time by the way! And I have commented quite a few times. Maybe I should do it more often though. Spread the love, right?
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I generally have a consistant number of comments, but every once in awhile, the number drops off really low (like yesterday's crappy review only got 6…). And that's okay. I've reached the point where I'm overwhelmed right now. My problem is that I LIKE to go out and comment. I do it without thinking that's going to add extra work for me later. Extra blogs to go see, extra people coming to comment to me. Don't get me wrong – I like comments and stuff – but I still get overwhelmed.
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I love getting comments, and I think you're spot on when you say that you feel like you're shouting into the void when you write a post that doesn't get any. I feel the same. It's important to me to know that people are actually reading what I write, and a comment shows that someone took the time to think about what I said.
I love leaving comments, too, but I've been rather lax about it over the past couple of weeks due to some health issues. I do notice that the number of comments (and visits) I receive goes way down when I'm not out there leaving comments of my own. It's like comments are a physical manifestation of karma. The more you leave, the more you're likely to get. 🙂
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This is a great idea, commenting on the posts that don't have any love. I think I'll adopt that myself. Thanks for the idea!
I'm like you. I feel bad for my babies that are (or seem to be) ignored.
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I also think comments are tremendously important, but I don't not comment on blogs that get a lot…often I have a relationship with that person and I still want them to know *I* am reading and interacting with what they say.
To be honest, if I have anything at all to say, I try to comment. 🙂 also if a blog loads slowly or freezes my browser I probably wont' comment.
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Comments are great, and they make me feel all tingly inside – especially when someone adds the book to their list having read my post.
But they aren't required. For just the reason you mentioned – there are so many blogs out there and I know that someone is reading that post and maybe even enjoying it – but not clicking through from Google Reader or whatever.
And that's okay. It makes the comments that I *do* get even more special – because someone decided to speak up. 🙂
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I must admit to feeling sad when my posts have a string of no-comments. It's nice to have comments show up from time…Comment love is nice.
🙂
Jessica
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I try not to care, but I do. I know some people think the “Nice review” comment is silly, but sometimes it's just nice to know that someone is there. I think you have a nice plan!
Lezlie
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Great post. As someone who is relatively new to the blogging world, I think the hardest thing is writing and not sure anyone is reading. I too feel somewhat protective about my posts, and want them all to get at least one or two comments, even if it is just a “nice review.” Thanks for writing about the “world of commenting.”
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Great post. 😀
Sorry, couldn't resist.
I think that's a great plan. You're so right about there just not being enough time…and it makes sense to use your limited time to comment where it will be most noticed (and appreciated!).
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That's a good idea, commenting when there are fewer comments to even things up a bit.
I like conversing with other bloggers and, actually, I tend to stop commenting at blogs where I see no response. Maybe it's silly to expect other people to reply to every comment like I do, but it's one of the things I like most about blogging — love reading and learning about great new books, adore meeting and chatting with other bibliophiles.
Incidentally, I get a ridiculous number of recommendations from your blog, whether I say so or not. Into the Wild by Sarah Beth Durst is sitting by my feet. I know that's one I put on my wishlist after reading your review.
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I always tell people to leave lots of comments on other blogs too. 🙂 But to me the BIGGEST way to get comments is to include a question at the end of your post. Preferably an opinion question! I've noticed when I remember to do that (which isn't as regularly as I would like), I consistently get more comments.
I think I'm somewhere in the middle as far as receiving comments…they make me excited and happy, but I don't take it personally if a post doesn't get many. And I don't assume that means it wasn't read, since I'd bet a lot of people just don't have time to leave a “good review” comment on every post they liked. That being said, I'm on the point where I always get at least a few comments on posts-I well remember the frustration when I was a newbie blogger and barely getting any!
And as far as leaving them…the only posts I feel obligated to comment on are Library Loot ones, since I'm a co-host of it! (And I love seeing what everyone gets.) Even if I can't think of anything better than 'interesting books,' I try really hard to let all of LLers know that I'm reading their posts. 🙂 (Some weeks are better than others!)
I tend to automatically comment on posts of bloggers with whom I feel very close. And I try to support new bloggers when their blogs seem like my style!
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I had my blog almost a year and a half before I started getting regular comments. My comment numbers still aren't very high (20 would be a shocker) but I'm pleased to get just one. Making a big splash would be nice, but I think I'm more of a tiny spill that you can get with a mini paper towel.
Your suggestions are great.
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softdrink: too cute! 🙂
Bookfool — that's an interesting observation about the responding to comments. I've found, recently, that sometimes when I leave comments the blog author will email me a response rather than posting on the blog. What do you think of that? (Assuming you pop back eventually to see my response…)
And Bybee, I can completely empathize with the “tiny spill” feeling. I certainly don't think I'm one who gets a lot of traffic/comments/readers… (except for this post. Technically, I'm breaking my own rules by commenting on it!)
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Comments are tough. I love them because I feel like I get the chance to interact with others who love to read, but on the other hand I feel if I base all my writing/blogging on them, then I'll stop writing because I don't always get a lot of comments or any for that matter.
It's tough to remain genuine to yourself, but still want to be accepted in the community…it's almost like high school.
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You know what's funny? I don't ever get a lot of comments (contests excepted) and so when I do get the one or two or three, I get very excited. I'm always hoping for more, but honestly, when I start getting mad that I don't have more than X number, then I think I'm in trouble. Right now, I'd rather find a way to get at least one comment on all my posts.
And you're right, my book reviews often don't get comments. I have a hard time leaving a “good review” comment. Maybe I'll randomly pick some reviews to say that on.
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I feel like you do about comments! I feel sad for my posts that get no or almost no comments, even though I know they've been read. But, I do love to go around and leave comments, especially on blogs who receive a little less. It's true that, on posts with a lot of comments, I feel like I'll only repeat whaT's been said!
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Melissa (yep, I popped back!),
I'm not sure why some people use email to respond, rather than commenting within their own comment section, but it doesn't bother me. A few favorite bloggers always respond that way and I like the fact that we often just keep on jabbering all day. I can't imagine emailing in response to every comment, myself. Maybe it's easier using certain blog hosts?
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I for sure live for comments. And like you I don't usually leave them on posts with tons… and here I am doing it!
I go in comment spurts. Sometimes I read through a whole ton of posts, and won't leave a single thing, and other times, I'll leave one everywhere I go. It's a mood thing I guess.
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I think this is a great post. I agree commenting on lesser known blogs is a good way to go especially since we only have a certain amount of time to read blogs.
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I, too, love comments. They do make one feel good! But I tend to refrain from commenting, unless I get that, “Ooh, ooh, I have something to say about THAT!” vibe. I know my limitations, too, so I can't possibly comment on every blog post. That's how I limit myself.
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Thanks for this honest post. I am a regular visitor to your blog. However, I have never actually provided any comments.
I find I do such lurking with Blogger powered blogs. To add a comment, I need to log in to my WordPress blog and then submit my comment. Also, the word verification thingie sucks! Did I also mention that I need to hit Publish about 3-4 times for my comment to atleast get published? Anyway, enough of blaming Blogger for my inherent laziness, I will make an effort to comment more often on your posts in future.
I must agree with Melody and judge my blogging quality based on the number of comments I get. Sometimes it is disappointing to see some of the best posts get the least comments!
I also like your plan of commenting on posts with only a limited number of comments. Makes a lot of sense to me!
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I would love to leave more comments, but ever since BBAW my Reader has been so full of blogs that I'm doing good to just skim them. I love comments on mine, even the “great review” type, so I don't know why I don't try harder.
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Without actually clicking to a blog to see how many comments there are, how are to know who the less commented on blogs are?
I think my biggest nitpick against leaving “great review” types of comments is that it doesn't add to the conversation–it merely shows your face on the person's blog.
But yes, mostly agree. We are under heavy Internet restrictions at work and I can't get online every night when I get home, so I'm usually a week late leaving my comments. It stinks but I don't know a better solution.
That's all I really have to say. 🙂 Oh, and that I hate that someone would not leave a comment because there are already so many.
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