Technology, business and change
Do I look like a comment bitch?
You know these days when something really pisses you off for no obvious or particular reasons? I was just getting back from work today when it kind of hit me…I’m not a frickin’ comment bitch.
I started to get a little more involved in the community recently by increasing my amount of comments on blogs and I’m shocked by the amount of bloggers who don’t answer comments. What’s the point of commenting if there’s no feedback at all? I’m not asking every blog owners out there to answer every single comment and I personally don’t even care if these bloggers answer my comments personally or not, I just want them to act like they are a little interested in their readers!
Answering every comment
I answer most of the comments personally on here. I’m surprised when I go to other blogs with like 1,000 rss subscribers and I see things like 1 or 2 comments on each post. You know why? Because the blogger doesn’t care about his readers. Some people will comment for sure, but they’ll get bored eventually. A blog is much more than writing content, it’s about interacting with the community. It’s no surprise if I get at least 10 comments on every post even if the blog is kind of new: I answer comments. That’s my vision as a blogger, but I’m also a reader: don’t expect me to comment on your blog every day if you don’t answer a single comment.
Drop a comment on your readers’ blogs
So you have people commenting on every single post of yours and you’re not even dropping a comment once in a while on their blog? Blogging is a two way business and you have to share a little bit if you want people to stick around.
The big guys don’t answer
Of course the big guys like ShoeMoney or JohnChow don’t answer every single comment. First of all, they have way too many comments to handle and people go completely crazy when they jump in the discussion. Shoe once explained how it feels when he posts on DigitalPoint forums with the name ShoeMoney: people actually start to argue about whether or not it’s the real ShoeMoney instead of talking about what’s important. I can understand how this can get really annoying.
Please answer some comments…
I’m just asking every blogger out there to answer some of their comments. Your readers don’t expect to be answered personally on every comment, but it’s nice for them to see you actually care about what’s going on. So, even if you answer someone else’s comment, it’s good!
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I answer most of my comments too. I find though I comment on a lot of blogs that only a few comment back. Its no big deal but when they say they follow back and don’t makes me wonder and laugh.
Brunos last blog post..Internet Marketing for Dummies
It’s good you do! I also don’t make a big deal out of bloggers who don’t follow…Except in this post!
You know I answer everything on my blog.
I definitely see people coming back to comment again.
I am not sure about necessary returning comments. I mean I am likely to check out blogs of my commentators but even if they are interested in my blog it doesn’t mean I am interested in theirs by default. I won’t squeeze myself for comments on topic that is of no interest to me.
Rarsts last blog post..Using hash generated avatars
Of course yo answer all my comments, you’re a good blogger!
As for the returning comments I agree, if you don’t care about a traveling blog, then you won’t feel like commenting on the blog. But I think that returning the favor at least once is a good idea even if you won’t come back.
Well yeah, the big guys don’t answer. They just don’t care about you. Why? You’re too easy to replace.
Lucass last blog post..Oops, You Just Killed Your Reputation!
Haha I guess so!
We have to admit that they don’t have to fight for readers…!
I answer ALL, period. I like to be answered, so why not pay back in kind. if I may be so bold as to post a (relevant) link within, I wonder if you saw this…:)
http://www.directsaleswebmarketing.com/blog-comment-tip-respond-to-comments-or-risk-losing-subscribers/
Dennis Edells last blog post..Coming Soon? Yes They Are I Swear – I Need Your Advice First!
Hmm I commented with a link and it disappeared
Dennis Edells last blog post..Coming Soon? Yes They Are I Swear – I Need Your Advice First!
@Dennis sorry mate, the link was caught as spam! Thanks for sharing that link with us, good article!
I make it a priority to answer all comments. Whether are asinine or substantive, I try to be there for my readers.
TeasasTipss last blog post..You Were Born Rich
That’s the way to go for sure, I’m sure your readers appreciate and come back.
That’s what I figured, and thanks!
Dennis Edells last blog post..Coming Soon? Yes They Are I Swear – I Need Your Advice First!
that’s the main reason why I keep coming back in here.I feel very happy being responded although I’m not very good at dropping comments or sharing my ideas too.
to sir Ben a BIG salute for you! Good day.
haha thanks jigs!
If I get an interesting comment I always respond to it immediately.It’s also nice to drop by your commentators’ blogs and read through once in a while,leave a comment on well written material…spot on!
varuns last blog post..Real Estate luna(r)cy
@Ben: even more importantly your readers will develop a sense of who you are, getting to know you more and more with each interaction.
TeasasTipss last blog post..Did you get your free marketing graphics?
@Varun: It’s good you do it, keep going it’s worth it in the end!
@TeasasTips: Yes that’s true, I didn’t talk about that point but it’s important to develop some sort of ‘friendship’. Good point!
Currently (past 2 weeks) I have been replying to every single comment posted and commenting on about 90% of my commenters blogs
I find that it’s a great way to encourage more commenting and also gain more loyal visitors
Simons last blog post..Be A Top Commentator And Win
i agree with, but sometimes it is hard to answer all comments or retribute in their respective blogs. I try to do this, but i admit that i fail doing that sometimes
Hugo Santoss last blog post..Woopra Rules!
@Simon: Way to go! Loyalty is the key here as you said. Keeping readers is all about giving them some love and feedback.
@Hugo: Of course it’s hard, that’s why if you do it that will set you apart
To be honest you do take care of your commentators and I ve learnt this by visiting your blog and that does set you apart from other bloggers
Thanks ZK, it’s well appreciated!
I try to answer every comment, apart from SPAM, and I always will do.
Danny Coopers last blog post..October Case Study: Blog Commenting
That’s the way to go Danny. I think readers really appreciate it when the blog owner is not only posting articles, but also taking the time to answer comments. It’s like customer service…
Ben, new reader here. I have seen you around the blogosphere commenting away. So, I figured I would come and check you out. Just subscribed, so you will be getting more of me.
I like when people comment back, as you said, it makes a community and the people at home.
I answer my comments, but I don’t have very many at the moment.
Cow has responded to my questions serveral times. I could definately understand if he didn’t, but he did and gave me some great insight. In fact, we even had a pretty good conversation about it. That thought that was pretty cool.
I am from the school of Normal Joe, communicate regularly with your readers and just be yourself.
Good stuff and keep it coming!
Oh yeah, you are a comment bitch….but so am I!
LOL! I am just realizing after going to John Cow’s site that you said Chow. I have never even been to his site, but may as well check it out now, right?
@Freddie: Welcome in here, I’m glad you like the blog and subscribed! Yeah, I meant CHOW not COW
Cow’s a good blogger, he answers a lot of the comments, I like it. I’ve seen some interesting discussions going on there. I also agree with Normal Joe, it’s really what will differentiate yourself form the rest!
Yeah, I’m a comment bitch!
I love the title of this article. Kudos! Some good points. Yeah i love the seven day comment top commenters as well.
Best regards, Matt Thompson | Mattheosis.com
Original Orthodox Hubby @ Home Dad
I love my title too…jk!
I tend to get quite a few comments so I bunch the answers together in one response comment when I get the time. I tried to respond to every single one as they come in but I ended up spending more time commenting than I did coding (and that’s a LOT!)
Andy Baileys last blog post..A night off (with chicken!)
@Andy: I know, I know…It’s important to do some time management because answering every single comment can go out of control. What I usually do is answer every comment on the most recent post and on older posts I usually let it go…
I think i don’t have to answer everything If ever a comment would look like a spam (my blog don’t have a spam filter). Anyway I hosted my blog in blogger. Is there any software or programs that will help me filter spams. Hmmnn.this wouldn’t be urgent. I didn’t receive much comments though.
.Unlike you Ben.
I don’t know for blogger…With wordpress I use akismet which seems to do the job pretty well.
I always stress this to my readers..!
patels last blog post..Spice Up Your Blog Posts
Ben, this title REALLY sticks out when in your commentluv when you post on other people’s blogs. lol
I try to answer every comment, but 15-20 isn’t that hard. I don’t hold anything against the “big guys” for not answering 147 comments individually, especially the ones that just say something like “you’re so right Shoemoney”
I’d guess that 22% of the commenters on those sites are there for only a backlink/traffic anyway.
You better reply to this, mister!
Cheers!
Jay
@SuiteJ: Haha I know, I think this is the article that received the most traffic from commenting
It really is a pain to read the comments sometimes on ShoeMoney/Chow’s website, as you say it’s usually “You’re right” and doesn’t bring anything to the discussion.
My title in commentluv might stick, but your big head also really stick
[...] “Do I look like a comment bitch?”, here’s “Are you a web prostitute?“. I came up with the idea to write this post [...]
[...] posts got a lot of traffic from commenting on blogs and the title of these two posts are: “Do I look like a comment bitch” and “Are you a web prostitute?“. Trust me, these titles REALLY stand [...]
Hey Ben ,I like the title of this post
I ve see an increase in returning users if there is an interactive session on the site for their comments, also phasing out posts on the site will help build comments for the posts..I ve started to update new posts every 2-3 days
ZKs last blog post..Are You Making Money with Your Blog ?
@ZK: Thanks mate, the title seems to be a winner here hehe
Interactivity is definitely a must to build comments!
Cool title! – that’s how I found you by the way. I do try to comment back or follow them at their blogs when they leave me a comment at my post.
MommaWannabes last blog post..Where the hell is Matt?
@Momma: Thanks, I try to make my titles stand out!
I personally answer all peoples who drop in a comment in my blog. And the signature that i leave generate loyal traffic. Thanks for emphasizing on the blog etiquette.
@sudam: Keep doing that, it’s the way to go to build your brand. Get a Gravatar mate, that’ll help you as well!
Which reminds me, thanks Ben for helping me get my gravatar finally working right
Dennis Edells last blog post..Do Advertisers Judge You By Design? What Do You Think…
Hey no problems Dennis, it looks much better now!
As for the post, I always respond to comments unless they dont require a comment. Most of the time in those cases I reply anyway :p
I also comment on some commentators blogs as well.
EmmaBs last blog post..Installing WordPress via FTP
@EmmaB: haha, good strategy!
I remember this piece advice of a friend of mine when I am just starting out.
"If you want to gain loyal readers, answer your those comments, or else, better to close the comment section so it wont hurt you in the long run."
i totally agree, especialyy the bit about respond to blog comments. it is so nice when you see that someone has read and responded to you. i makes me feel needed.
They should at least answer to those appropriate ones. I believe this won't take them much time.I always waiting for a reply for so far none really did reply my comment.
I can't stand owners who never respond. It's like they have a blog for the sole purpose of reading comments only. Why not get a book LOL
haha absolutely! Sometimes I tend not to answer comments on old post, but I do on every recent post!