The nice thing about blogging is how it brings like minded people closer – you won’t be reading my blog if you didn’t share my love for beauty and beautiful things right? 🙂 And sometimes, when something a blogger posts resonates with me I feel the need to make my mark and add my 2 cents – enter the comments!
As a blogger and a blog reader, I love looking through the comments box. Sometimes, the most interesting things and discussions take place in there among the readers and that is really fun!
As a blogger, you can facilitate this by showing off your comments and ensuring that the link to the comment box is easily found and accessible from the main page, and from the inside of your post. As a reader, I’m sure you too will be more likely to click through a post with high comment count to see what the fuss is about, right? I know I do 😀
Now most blog themes will have this link set up already so you might think that this is a redundant tip. I thought so too once, the first time I read it but that was also when I realised that the blog theme I was using then didn’t show the link to comments on the home page properly! I quickly remedied that and now you can learn from my mistake 🙂
I have also noticed an increase in the use of alternative comment scripts these days, predominantly Disqus and IntenseDebate. Once mostly found on the domains of tech bloggers, they have slowly become mainstream and quite commonly used now.
The thing about using an external commenting script however means that sometimes, the theme may not recognise it or you may forget to code it in, and so people will visit your site, but may not notice that your post has any comments, or even if there is a comment facility, because there is no link from the home page. Sometimes, some scripts hang and if so people may get impatient and leave anyway because they can’t view the comments or the link to comment. You don’t want that! You worked hard on your blog post and you want people to read it right?
Speaking as a blog reader, I like knowing that I can comment on a post if I wanted to, and when I see a post with a high comment count, I am more liable to click through – it must have been interesting to generate that much interest right? Most of the time, it is! If it is a post that teaches me something, I always scan the comments because sometimes, readers leave invaluable tips in there too.
So if you blog, be sure to check if your blog theme displays your comment count and comment link prominently so people know where to click through to read the comments and to leave a comment if they want to join in the discussion. Make the link as large or as small as you like, but make sure its there.
Blogging is a community project, and the comment box is where we all meet and hang out. For the blogger, its a way to get feedback or affirmation or just recognition of a job well done. For a reader, its a way to let the blogger know you’re out there 😀 In the process, everyone learns something from each other 🙂
If you blog, does your blog theme have a prominent comment link on your post and on the main page? As a reader, are you more liable to click through a post with comments and do you look out for the comment button or links to read what others have to say? I’ve learnt a lot from readers as well as fellow bloggers who leave comments, and as shown in the previous post about how to dry makeup brushes, it can even lead to a blog post of its own! 🙂
Paris B
Simple Blogging Tips are some simple tips I have for fellow bloggers, based on my own experiences. I’m no ‘guru’ but I hope they will help you. You may read up on previousSimple Blogging Tips here.
Susan says
February 3, 2012 at 9:10 amI like to read the other readers comments as well. It’s also a gauge on how popular the topic is and I agree that I pick up a thing or two from
the comments too. As a blogger myself, I get heartened to know that my post has been helpful to share what I know.
Paris B says
February 4, 2012 at 10:52 amIts very heartening to receive comments as a blogger right? And to know that people appreciate what you are telling them 😀
Nikki says
February 3, 2012 at 10:28 amI love reading comments as it felt like a forum and we just learn sooooo much! 🙂
Paris B says
February 4, 2012 at 10:52 amYou’re right Nikki! I find forums sometimes quite confusing but at least with comments we know its just restricted to just this topic 😉
Jess says
February 3, 2012 at 11:03 amWithout a doubt the comments section us a very important part of one blog – speaking of both for the blogger and for the reader. I as a blogger definitely love to receive comments as it gives me a feel of ‘appreciation’ to my post. I as a reader to other blogs love to leave my two cents on posts, as it’s my way to kind of ‘integrating’ myself to the community of like-minded. 🙂
Paris, you are seriously genius when it comes to activating a discussion to your posts!
Paris B says
February 4, 2012 at 10:53 amAww thank you Jess – I’m just learning like everyone else and perhaps some posts just are a little more discussion friendly than others 😀 I love trawling the comments box and I’ve learnt of new blogs and made new friends just through comments!
Cas says
February 3, 2012 at 11:45 amI always look into the comment box. It’s entertaining and full of information. I pay more attention to comments in food blogs coz sometimes you cant really believe half the reviews done, esp if it’s a ‘sponsored or ‘invited’ review so there’s a tendency for them to give a high bias rating. A quick look into the comment box will always give you a clearer picture of what to REALLY except esp if other readers have had personal dining experience in the said restaurant.
Paris B says
February 4, 2012 at 10:55 amYou’re right about food blogs Cas! I do prefer when bloggers screen their comment boxes though – some don’t and its just full of spam or ads. And sometimes on food blogs, you get people asking inane questions like “How to make a reservation” but other times, the readers can offer a much better insight into a restaurant than the blogger – and that too is sometimes true of beauty blogs 😉
Renee | Beauty Fool says
February 3, 2012 at 1:07 pmAgreed 100%! I love reading blog comments and I too am always looking for the link to it! Great tip. I notice that on most Blogger themes the link is so small though, it always takes me ages to find it!
And I am def more likely to click through when there’s a high number. Like you said, I like to see what all the fuss is about. 😛
x Renee
Paris B says
February 4, 2012 at 10:55 amI know!! Some themes seem to hide their comment links away and I don’t understand it. A previous theme I used had it hidden to obscurely I was wondering why I hardly ever got comments!
Vivi says
February 3, 2012 at 1:50 pmI usually click through when a post has a lot of comments. It’s the nosy me. 😀 I want to know what everybody else is very eagerly talking about, hehe.
And I love reading comments ’cause I get to pick up tips from other readers, too.
Paris B says
February 4, 2012 at 10:57 amWe’re all a little nosy eh? 😉 And readers offer just as much information as bloggers – comment boxes are always worth a read 🙂
Jyoan says
February 3, 2012 at 1:53 pmhaha, no wonder I keep thinking why your Comments link is bigger than your Read More link!!
I remember the time I picked up what a Kindle is, from your blog comments. And now, I am actually keeping my eyes on a Kindle, when they make an Asian version (I’m gonna get it).
Very true, I like to see a BIG OPEN comment section under the post, and know that whenever I like, I can just give my two cents’ worth. This was one of the reasons why I looked for a new blog template, nice to look at my own post, and see that it’s there, white and open, if someone wishes to say something. But, I still have a lot to learn about actually generating the comments.
Paris B says
February 4, 2012 at 10:59 amHAHA! Yes I wanted to make sure no one missed the fact that they can comment if they want to – whether they like what I say or not 😀 Generating comments is a whole different ball game altogether – I never quite know why some are full of comments and some have just as many readers but fewer comments. Maybe its the type of readers one gets? I’ll give a think about this and write a post some day 😉 Keep up the blogging!
milktea says
February 3, 2012 at 1:58 pmI love following the blog links attached to the comments. 🙂
Jyoan says
February 4, 2012 at 1:23 amme too! haha, that’s how we find like-minded individuals
Paris B says
February 4, 2012 at 10:59 amThat’s a nice way to learn of new blogs! 🙂 Not everyone has them though which is a pity – its always nice to give back 🙂
Jamilla says
February 3, 2012 at 3:15 pmI am a regular commenter – I love to get comments, and I like to show appreciation for other bloggers’ posts!
Paris B says
February 4, 2012 at 11:01 amIt impresses me how much you get around Jamilla! 😀 Thank you for leaving comments and I’m sure your fellow bloggers will reciprocate on your blog 😀
Stephanie/Yukaeshi says
February 3, 2012 at 3:32 pmI do love reading comments a lot too- you get to share your experiences and learn new ones, and you sometimes make new friends too! And I love receiving comments, obviously- they help make your effort worthwhile and you improve too based on the feedback given.
Paris B says
February 4, 2012 at 11:03 amIndeed! I’ve got some good ideas for posts all from the comments box so at least you know what the readers want 😀 Friends are a nice touch when hearing from regular commentators – I’ve actually corresponded with some away from the blog and its great fun! 😀
Marina(Makeup4all) says
February 3, 2012 at 7:00 pmI don’t get that many comments although do have a lot of visitors. But that is fine as often there is not much one can say about a new lipstick or a new launch…
Paris B says
February 4, 2012 at 11:17 amI know what you mean Marina! Other than saying “I want that!” anyway 😉 But you do a great job and everyone looks to you for the latest releases so that’s great – we all have our own strengths
Tine says
February 4, 2012 at 6:08 amI enjoy reading comments. Sometimes they’re very interesting, sometimes very juicy gossip, and there are even times when things get a little controversial and a bit heated up (I’m so kaypo, I enjoy the last one most :P).
Still, I do select the blog which comments I want to read. For a lot of very popular blogs, especially fashion ones, I tend to skip because the comments are usually irrelevant because the commenters want to post their link to show everyone else. You know what I mean? The blog gets hundreds of comments a day, but with no substance. No point lor.
As for external commenting systems, I don’t like them. Don’t like Intense Debate, don’t like Disqus. A lot of times I comment on blogs with my iPad, and these systems either don’t show, or they muck up my Safari. I don’t see anything wrong with the good ol’ WordPress comment system or even Blogger’s. Sigh. So picky hoh me? 😛
Paris B says
February 4, 2012 at 11:30 amHaha! I think the same way you do re: comment systems. I see nothing wrong in the in built systems although I much prefer WordPress’ comment system to Blogger that makes you jump through hoops just to leave a comment 😛 I don’t know what the benefit of IntenseDebate and Disqus is although tech blogs all seem to have it – i think it helps you track your comments or something?
As for links in blogs, oh my! Don’t you hate it when people use the comment box for self promotion all the time? Its one thing to share a relevant link to a specific post, but its another to comment and then leave your blog link in the post. There is a URL box for that, thank you!
lavender says
February 4, 2012 at 1:41 pmHi Paris
I love reading blog comments especially the ones in your blog as they are very informative. Sad to say readers seldom comment on my blog. I think it could be because my writeup is not as interesting as yours.
Paris B says
February 7, 2012 at 10:17 pmThank you Lavender, its very sweet of you to say to 😀 I think its just everyone here that makes things to much fun – its like comment or be left out of the discussion! LOL 😀 I’ll try to share some tips on encouraging people to comment soon.
Lily says
February 5, 2012 at 10:44 am*hurriedly check own blog* Darn! Comment count not showing on main page. *tweaked* Done!
Thanks heaps for the tip =) I love comments!! My main source of motivation 😉
Paris B says
February 7, 2012 at 10:33 pmGlad this tip was of help to you! Comments are lovely – it assures you you aren’t just talking to yourself in the wilderness 😀
Sriram Raj says
February 6, 2012 at 1:29 amI love reading comments and also writing comments that help writers understand the importance of their articles. Nice article well written