Buzz it!
For a blogger, comments are tremendously important. Comments are the stream of any blog’s “community” or readership, and they serve to help the blogger know where to go next. So it’s my own opinion that we who choose to ask for comments should at least consider what benefit we can return to those willing to chime in at our request.
I’ve chosen four simple methods of doing this…
I’ve Said “No” to the Nofollow Attribute on Links
Wordpress, by default, adds the rel=”nofollow” tag to comments. This is smart for two reasons. One, it keeps you from spreading out your link juice to irrelevant external links. Two, it prevents people from adding spammy comments for no other purpose than to get the SEO value. But for me, I just don’t care a lot about those two issues. I’ll delete spam with just a click or two, but I tend to think that readers’ links generally add to the value of my own content, so I’d like to pass on that link juice as a return favor.
I’ve Installed CommentLuv
CommentLuv is a plugin that pulls a commenter’s latest post from their own url and displays it beneath their comment in the form of “John’ Doe’s latest post… Post Title.” It’s not for every blog, but it is for this one. Again, it’s away of saying thanks to the one leaving a comment and sharing the luv.
I Allow Comment Editing
With certain realistic limitations, I allow comment authors to edit their own comments so that when they say something dumb, they can change it… not that you’d ever say anything dumb… I do this using the Wordpress plugin WP Ajax Edit Comments.
I Give the Top Commentators Props
By using the Top Commentators Widget, I keep a list of people who have made the most comments in the last 100 days.
I Talk Back
If what we’re after is conversation, then we should probably make it a two-way conversation. Not all comments need a reply, but when warranted, I do so out of gratitude and to stay involved in the conversations I’ve started with my content.
How do you give back to those who contribute to your content with their comments? How do you encourage community with your blog approach?
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I try to respond to whoever leaves a comment and even head over to there site if one is listed and comment a post of theirs… Usually this has started a few discussions both on my site and theirs as well.
David´s last blog ..25 Inspirational Typography Posters
David, glad you stopped by – you have a very nice blog!!
Great points here. I will definitely apply this once I launch my new blog. Right now, I just have my company blog, but I will keep these things in mind.
Jad Graphics´s last blog ..What Every Graphic Designer Should Do Right Now
Thanks Jad. When you jump in, it’s a ton of fun, but it’s also very time consuming. Keep us posted on your progress!
I must admit I really like the ability to edit my comments. Sometimes I spell words wrong because I’m always in a hurry. I have a lot top do and I tend to hit submit before I notice issues LOL
Thanks for adding the edit functions :)
bbrian017´s last blog ..Game Blogger on Game Blogging
I feel like I have a lop top do also, so you’re right – editing is nice! :)
I don’t get an overwhelming number of comments and I want to interact with my readers, so I make a point to respond to every comment. When my blog was brand new, however, I didn’t respond to comments and lost readers that way. What did I know? I was a newbie. But it only makes sense- I enjoy getting responses back to the comments that I leave, so I try to do the same thing for my readers.
nanodance´s last blog ..Exploding Blogs. Kids Saying the Darnedest Things. And Lots Of Strikethroughs.
Well I’m certainly glad you stopped by Nanodance. Conversation is a nice thing! Great to meet you!
Hi Brandon,
These are all good ways of making your blog very user friendly. I’d like to add commentluv to my own blog but am currently using Disqus and don’t think it’s possible to use both features at the same time :(
You asked about community – my own approach is to search the web looking for quality sites ( it’s not so important if they are currently popular or not) and bring them together using the “whata” domain name branding strategy. The concept is still in its infancy but if you like what you see, please feel free to join by leaving a message on the site ( with your link & a short descriptive sentence – and I’ll gladly add your work to the blogging category )
Five just happpens to be my lucky number by the way !
Best wishes from Hamburg
Will
Will´s last blog ..Ninetynineways.net
Will, a very interesting concept! I look forward to seeing how it works out.
These are all good and encourage readers like me to comment. I try to the same on my blog. I also try to finish my posts with questions to the readers.
InternetHow Blog´s last blog ..How hanging new pictures on the wall can change your life?
Excellent thought – people love answering questions!
I have to consider commentluv and WP Ajax edit comments. I never have this on my blog. Thank you for this info. :-)
No problem Walter – thanks for stopping by!
Responding to comments regularly and some good plugins can spark conversations with ease!
Farrhad, you’re absolutely right!
Brandon,
I like your tips. I wonder though, does CommentLuv combined with the DoFollow tag really foster blog community, or does it just encourage comments? It’s hard to pass up that combination when I am comment marketing my blog, unless the site is completely unrelated to mine.
I try to leave good comments, but I must admit to leaving contrived comments on some of these sites because I was more interested in the link than the blog post (not that your site is one of those). What do you think?
Brad
Brad Harmon´s last blog ..How to Effectively Bring Prayer Into the Workplace
I agree that there is the temptation, but I think I simply look at it as a smart thing to take advantage of. It’s kind of an offering to users.