If you haven’t notice my little WFMW series of late, I’ll point it out to you:
I’m not an expert on blogging. For a very long time, I considered myself a writer not a blogger. But when I started taking pictures of food and grabbing my camera before I went to the emergency room, I figured I earned the title.
Whenever anyone asks me about getting comments, I always recommend leaving comments. The blog world is (mostly) a friendly place and people like to reciprocate. Another great way to get comments:
- ask a question
- write about something thought-provoking
- answer questions from commenters
- challenge your readers to comment
What do you write about that gets a lot of comments?
So -let’s see if that last one works…..
Will you leave a comment on this post?
You can read the WFMW guidelines here and grab your own button!
A friend and I were having breakfast this morning and were chatting about the appropriate age for male children to accompany mothers in public restrooms. I intend to ask about that on my blog this week. Not because it will change my mind, but just because I am curious.
Very interesting question Julie!
I am a mom of five boys. My oldest is now 11, but he was prbably 9 until I finally would let him go in the mens bathroom with me standing right outside the door. And if I felt like the trip was taking too long I had/have no problem swining open the door, shouting in and walking in if I am not happy with how long it is taking him. That is my child… I go with my gut feelings.
Now, I allow my 11 and 9 year old to go together. My twins are 4 and they go with me in the ladies restroom. I just assume that moms understand. I have never been given ugly feedback from anyone in the restroom, but my kids are not trying to sneak a peak either…
If there is a family restroom we obviously go for that one.
I would love to see the reponses you get. Great question!
And…always leave a comment after you link up to their party
I do everytime!
Thanks so much for hosting!
~Liz
Comments really make my day when I get them so I know how nice it is when people take the time to comment. One thing I find that seems to get more comments are how-to cooking posts with lots of photos. Other moms seem to really appreciate the photos and details.
Sharing personal struggles, which I do very rarely, actually stirs up quite a few comments! It is so nice to read the encouraging and uplifting words of my readers. Makes blogging truly worthwhile.
So true!!
I totally agree with the comment etiquette I try hard to abide by it!! Thanks so much for hosting!!
~Morgan
Meet Virginia!
Meet Virginia!!
Meet Virginia!!!
Just posted about this same topic yesterday. In my experience as a blog author, the quickest way to get comments is to write about a hot topic — women’s roles in the church and gay marriage have provoked some interesting discussion on my personal blog.
Do you think it is better to comment on the blog after a question or email them the answer?
Thank you so much for hosting this each week!
Sherry
Thank you for hosting! I think it’s rude when people don’t comment on parties as well. Savvy blogging referred to it as a “booty call”…no respect. haha! Very appropriate though, don’t you think!
Heather @ http://www.savingmoneylivinglife.com
I try to comment as much as possible on other bloggers sites. It is always nice to receive them also. I noticed when I post pictures of the Alaskan nature I tend to receive more comments. Thank you for hosting!
Great advice! I try my best to have good “blog etiquette” and be a frequent commenter! There are so many good ones to read it’s hard to hit them all.
Hi, there! Great advice. I wanted to mention that I linked up a recipe post and then I remembered a post where I talked about getting blog comments, so I actually have two links there and I apologize for that. If you only want one entry per person, please delete my recipe one, which is Chocolate Lined Strawberry Pie. Thanks for hosting a great blog carnival! It is always fun!
Oh this parenting tool sounds like something I would have prayed for! I have 5 children. My oldest is 21, married to a firefighter, and has a 1 yr old baby and pregnant with another due in November. They live with us while saving for a home. We have recently butted heads because apparently I dont listen… ?Perhaps Im too busy grocery shopping,cleaning,taking care of babies to pay attention to the subtle hints of topics that she doesn’t bring up…definately need help and patience here. I have a 20 yr old who is very outspoken. We generally get along well, even if things aren’t great- I know exactly how she feels. Both girls are very smart, beautiful, loving people- but I sure would like to know how to pour out my love in a more personal way. I also have a 6 yr old who is very bright beautiful girl. Kindergarten taught her many wonderful things and how to talk back. uugh. I find myself being a threatning parent. If you dont do this you wont get to do this. then not following through. My 4 yr old son probably spends more time in the corner than he should, because hes too rambunctious (as most boys are) to be safe around the 2 babies. My 2 yr old is very very cute- but a stinker- I need to figure out how to parent her now- before its a bigger challenge. My 1 yr old grandbaby- Im just gunna try to spoil while shes in my house- with out the others vieing for my attention and feeling left out. 5 beutiful children a grandchild and son in law (that is an only child and doesnt like the kaos of our house)- 9 people under one roof…Yes, I could use all the tools I can get my hands on. God has blessed us. Each day I savor little moments. I just want to be a Mom they enjoy and respect.
I wish I had a magic comment-getting formula! I know I love to get them, so I leave them for others as often as I can! Thank you so much for hosting!
yup you will! haha Thanks for sharing this!
Sorry guys, I posted in the wrong spot! Im getting you way off subject! Just ignore it. Thanks. Bless you all!
Great topic. To bad I have nothing to say on it atm. Wish I did though I’d totally pwn this topic.
Asking questions doesn’t really change the number of comments I get… however content usually does. I love my readers and truly cherish those who regularly comment because it allows for a two sided friendship:)
Okay, I am really appreciating your these WFMW posts you’ve done about blogging. So helpful for this little baby blogger.
I know I LOVE hearing from readers, and sometimes I am really puzzled by which posts receive the most comments. No, actually, the opposite is true–I am puzzled when I write a post that I THINK will get lots of comments, and doesn’t… I look forward to reading more of your readers’ comments on this topic over the next couple of days.
I do try to ask a question in many posts, but often don’t get any answers… When I do, it just warms my little heart.
And, Kristen, I don’t comment nearly often enough on your posts–but I do love your writing! It’s why I keep coming back!
Definitely great tips!
I think the posts I get the most comments on are the “radical” ones that really resonate with people’s ethics; like money and natural childbirth. 
Blessings,
Michele
I didn’t come to link up this week (I’m in Africa) but just came to read. Since How to Create a Link within a Comment was relevant (though old), I linked it up.
I think everyone (including myself) loves to read comments
I truly enjoy your site for the ideas as well as the sweet family stories, lessons and more. You are a gem Kristen!!
My comment tip:If you are leaving a comment on a Blogger blog, make sure your blog is listed on your profile. A lot of people assume that it is automatically linked, but it isn’t. I like to visit the people who leave me comments and sometimes I can’t because they do not have their blog link on their profile.
My most commented on posts are ones like the one I did yesterday. It was a rather personal post about my husband and our anniversary. It’s my more vulnerable posts that get the comments. I do get a lot on my homeschooling posts as well, but nothing like when I pour my heart out.
When I have giveaways I get the most responses. Or when I show my Glamor Shots from 1993 I get inundated with comments. I guess that means public humiliation of the worst kind = tons of comments.
Thanks for all the blogging tips lately. I always comment after I link to a party. I think it’s just nice to let them know you appreciate the time it takes to host, so Thanks!
I just wanted to let you know I read your blog, but rarely (if ever) comment on it! You rock!!!
I love WFMW. I have found several great blogs through this. Another tip for getting comments is make sure you have a format where it is easy to comment! Not fifteen different things to enter, select, etc. (Okay, slight exaggeration, but still.) I find I don’t comment frequently when I get frustrated. My two cents.
God bless!
Participateing in WFMW is another great way to get comments. I know that I leave many comments (sometimes my own questions) as I visit the links that I have time to visit and a quick glance through my WFMW tagged posts shows that almost everyone has at least 3 or 4 comments on it.
My current personal blog is only a couple of weeks old, but when I was writing a blog for my business, “How-to” posts and “Top 10 (or 5) Best (or Worst)..” type of posts would general more comments.
Thanks for hosting!
Lots of Comments? Whenever I publish something personal… my blog is a mostly “How to…?” blog so when I publish something personal everyone wants to to know something!!! The most comments I got was when I asked if our unborn baby would be a boy or a girl – WELL everyone had an opinion!!! I have yet to figure out a better question – one that possibly doesn’t involve being nine months pregnant and desperate to unburden my body!!!!
Comments just come; I can’t figure them out. LOL
But I have noticed that my homeschool reviews get less comments than other posts.
And I’ve noticed that the Homeschool Blogger community is great for comments.
Annie Kate
My somewhat “controversial” posts get the most comments.. when I tackle abortion or lazy parenting or choosing public school in a faith-filled family. I have a definite opinion and it turns out lots of other people do too!
Good thought. And it works too! Thanks for the reminder.
I always learn so much at these link parties! My link today is to a sesame garlic glaze that was originally for pork and bok choy, but I realized that it can be used for pretty much any meat or greens and it’s so yummy!
Thanks for posting, Kristen. I strive to ask a question at the end of my post. The ones that get the most (and I’m talking 6, maybe) comments are ones in which I have asked “What is he doing in the picture?” or “What do you think that is?”
Oh, and I also wanted to comment about where you were talking about being a writer and not a blogger. Sadly enough, the way I motivate myself to cook new things is to post the recipe on my blog with pictures. Oh well, my husband is happy because he is finally getting a new recipe and I’m happy because I have another post!
I get few comments, and my most faithful commenter seems to be from a disreputable web-site, and he comments in another language. How do you keep the spammers out? I have the security thingy that has to be typed in, but this person still comments almost every time.
It’s working – you are getting more comments today
I always try to comment, and visit the blogs of my commentors is I can.
I leave a lot more comments on other blogs than I get on mine, but I’ve learned not to stress over it. Since I post recipes and craft ideas on my blog, I usually get the most comments when I post a tutorial, or some type of yummy dessert. And of course if I do a giveaway I get a tone of comments.
Just discovered this blog, I love it all! So much inspiration and ideas. I’ll certainly be back for another fix of thrift-craft goodness.
Most recently I found that if I write about cake decorating, TheyWillCome. LOL
Hi Kristen, I read several bogs daily, but since I don’t have one, I don’t generally leave comments. As a person without a blog, it seems that I’m on the outside looking in (where I’m very happy to be!) when it comes to the comment section. I do really appreciate your writting, so thank you!
I always hesitate to ask a questin because then I am disappointed when no one answers!! i average about 30-40 hits a day and the comments average about 1 a day!! I love commenting on other folks blogs when I can…but sometimes when I see there are already a zillion comments I wonder if it still makes a difference?! I link my posts to Facebook and friends I grew up with comment now and again too. I think I get the most comments when I write about something funny about my family. It’s such a split thing since my main goal of the blog is to document our family times but then I find myself wanting to make it interesting for others to want to come back too!! Blogging is certainly not as simple as it started out as!
I am starting to get regular comments from regualr readers.
I think writing about things that your readers can relate to encourages them to leave a comment, but if they know you will respond to their comment that is even more encouraging.
I try hard to respond to every comment by leaving a comment back to them on my blog. I also try to visit their blog and comment (pay it forward).
Posts where I am giving pointers seem to bring more comments, too.
I’ve asked open ended questions, but they have not brought me any comments…. crazy hua?
Getting comments have always been perplexing to me. I actually my most comments on post I figure I would get me LESS comments. One thing that I do know is when I speak from my heart I get some awesome comments! Love those…
One of the most thought-provoking posts that readers commented on was one where I discussed the best way to teach my child to read. People had some fantastic insights to share, which were among my favorite comments ever.
I like this post. I’m NOT a writer. I started my blog for myself. I love to scrapbook, and this just seemed like the next step. I have 8 brave followers on my blog, and they do, occasionally comment. I know that others do read my blog, I get about 30 hits a day. The funny thing is, I’ll be out about and run into someone, get to chatting, and they say: “oh, I read that on your blog”. I feel kind of silly then! I’m not sure that I want tons of traffic, I would just appreciate a comment! Even just a: “hey…how are ya?” or , “blech. that’s stupid.” All in all, it is nice to know that there is someone out there listening!!
Announcing a first grandchild brought more comments than normal! And, like you mentioned, I’ve found that leaving comments usually brings comments to my blog. I’m writing mainly for my immediately family, but I’ve noticed that when I share specific ideas that our family has tried that can help other families, I receive more comments from others. I just love this way of sharing “what works for us.” Thank you so much for hosting this each week!!!
Great post! I’m try to end some posts with questions, but I get very few comments. I try to reciprocate when people leave comments on my blog, but my main problem is a lack of traffic. Or possibly people not feeling comfortable leaving one. I ran into a woman who read my garage sale post and said she was at the same awful garage sale, but she hadn’t left a comment. Other barriers may be the difficulty in filling out all of the info just to put a “Great post!” I know some people moderate their comments, which I understand, but it always makes me feel disheartened when my comments don’t show up immediately. I enjoyed your tip. Thanks!
One of these days I will participate in WFMW. I just can’t figure out anything that WFM!! LOL. I am sure there is stuff, I just need to stop and look through my day for things that I do that would be good tips, right?
I agree that leaving comments really increases the traffic to your blog. Added bonus? It is an awesome way to get to know fellow bloggers better & make some friends!
Half Past A Freckle
I get the most comments on a funny mix of posts. I often get comments when I least expect them. I get comments on personal posts, but also on posts where I ask readers to share their ideas.
Some of what I think are my most ‘thought provoking’ or ‘inspiring’ posts are the most quiet. Posts that are about nothing, tend to get more comments.
I *heart* comments! I think we all do, so I try to leave a a lot as I am blog reading. It’s funny, sometimes, I think a post will get a lot of comments and it doesn’t and others I don’t think will get a lot and they do. It’s always interesting!
I started using blogging software only as an easier way to add articles to the Website we started in 1998! At first I had the comments closed on every article because I was afraid gobs of people would start commenting and arguing with each other and I’d wind up basically moderating a discussion board (I’d seen this happen on my cousin’s blog) which I did not want to do.
After participating in WFMW for quite a while, I started to realize that I was being unfair to the spirit of a blog carnival. I had learned how commenting on other blogs would bring traffic to my site, but I wasn’t giving other people that opportunity. Also, I enjoy giving tips that might help the writer or boost the value of her article, and I wanted to get that from my readers.
Now I open comments on any post I submit to a carnival. I still don’t get a whole lot of comments, but I have gotten some helpful ones.
The largest number of comments so far–all 7 of them!–were on How Can I Ask for What I Need? which was my “what’s not working for me” post. I got some great advice, but I am still struggling with this issue, so please stop by and see if you can help!
If only I knew what topics I would get the most comments on
Yes, I will comment on this post. Even though I haven’t really blogged this week. (Ha.)
I find it refreshing that you are addressing this issue with the growth of your blog. I imagine it’s hard to keep up with so many comments from your readers.
Seems blogging etiquette has been thrown out the window these days.
Thanks for reminding us how important it is to encourage and support one another.
Ginger
You know, I almost always comment when I read a blog in blogger, but when I subscribe in a reader (like I have yours), I often don’t take the time to make a click and comment. It’s not that I don’t have a response, it’s just that I don’t always have the time to share it. And I like a reader because it’s quicker.
With that said, I appreciate good comments. More that just “good post” or whatever. It’s nice when someone has an actual response!
This is a fun post. Now I just have to find time to read all of the insightful comments! I try my best not to focus on comments on my blog. I love getting them, though. I think that I get the most comments when I write from the heart. Also, I write about my son’s food allergy so I often get a lot of comments on my allergy posts.
Thanks for hosting!
I’m always amazed at which posts get comments and which don’t. It’s rarely what I expect. Recently, I wrote a post which I debated about for a long time, it was such an embarrassing admission. It got tons (for me) of comments from people who totally understood.
I blog about living frugally, being gluten-free and other random mom stuff. Oddly enough, I get the most comments on my random mom posts. I’ve been blogging occasionally about my son being developmentally delayed and our struggles to raise funds to adopt a second child. For some reason, those posts seem to resonate with my readers.
Thanks for hosting. Comments are a tricky part of blogging, but it’s wonderful to hear from your readers
The posts that I get the most comments on are usually related to something that strikes a nerve in people.
I just rarely go to an actual site to comment, because I read mostly in RSS. I hope all the bloggers I love can see that I am indeed reading!
Thanks Kristen for sharing your blogging business tips with us, I’m really enjoying this…very helpful! I’m working on my Little Dresses for Africa this week…go my fabric, bias tape, washed the fabric and now getting ready to cut and sew…so excited! Have a great week, fondly, Roberta
pictures of food and the ER… yep, that would make you a blogger! My husband has asked me to tone down the “I need a picture of that for the blog!” I’m getting a “nice” camera for my birthday in a few weeks, so I’ve vowed to lay off the photo-snapping a little until I get the Rebel!
I mostly post recipes which only elicit very simple comments so I’ve tried to start adding questions at the end like “What is the secret ingredient in your guacamole?” at the end of my guacamole recipe. We’ll see how that works.
*sigh* … I’m pretty bad at leaving comments. Even on posts that I love. I’m trying to do better with it. If nothing else but to let the author know I liked what they wrote!
I agree…leaving comments gets you comments. And the question asking thing is good too…obviously that worked on me!
Just wanted to let you know that linking up to your WFMW each week during the month of May brought over 202 visitors from your site to mine.
Thank you for always offering this linky and the exposure for us all to meet new bloggers and new readers.
I featured you on my blog today to celebrate the traffic. Swing by and check it out and feel free to add my featured @ Crystal & Co button to your blog as well.
http://www.crystalandcomp.com/2010/06/blogger-appreciation-day.html
I find that I get more comments when I open up a little more and be more personal, especially if I’m sharing a challenge and ask for help.
I’ve been doing a WFMW blogging theme for a few weeks too. I love sharing what little I know about blogging and monetizing!
I love the madras shorts =)
It worked. I commented.
I love getting comments on my blog, but I’m not very good at leaving comments for others.
I’ll try to work on that.
Oh, and I don’t know if you can change it, but since you switched websites or linky services, the links don’t change color when you click on them. It’s hard for me to keep track of which one’s I’ve already read. I’m not sure if you can change it, but I wanted to let you know that it was something that’s bothered me since the change.
Other wise–I LOVE your blog!
It looks like it worked….you’re close to 100 comments! I do seem to get the most comments on thought-provoking posts