How To Get More Comments On Your Next Blog Post… And Every Single One After That
When you add new content to your blog, you need to have more social proof. You can't have one of those sad little blogs where most of the posts have zero comments. You need comments on your posts - and lots of them!
Why is it that I get way more comments than your blog does?
It is because I have experimented with different things that DON'T work, and things that DO work. But lucky for you, I am only going to share with you strategies that get you more comments on your blog with very little effort.
Comments On Other People's Blogs
What if once per day, before you did anything else that day, you spent just three minutes going to one person who has previously left a comment on your blog, clicking into their blog, and leaving a fast response under their most recent entry?
That means that just a few minutes of work every day equals seven people per week who feel obligated to leave comments on YOUR blog.
Just remember, you get what you give! If you leave a "Me too" comment on their blog, expect a "Me too" comment back. However, if you add a short and simple response that contributes and adds to the conversation, you can expect those people to do the same.
What's great about this strategy is you can keep returning the favor over and over, when other people leave you a blog comment, and phase out the people who don't.
The result is a very strong inner circle of people who you can count on to comment on your blog.
Email Your List Telling Them To Comment
Here is a much easier way to get traffic to your blog and get them to comment. Send an email message to your list, telling them to go right now and leave a comment.
This does not have to be a long email, and you don't have to copy and paste the blog post into that email. In fact it is better if you simply send a short message saying, "I left a blog post. Go here and comment right now." And link directly to your individual blog post.
Comment Record With The "Get Recent Comments" Plugin
With WordPress you can add different modules, or widgets, to your sidebar, including one that lists the recent comments. However, the built-in "Recent Comments" plugin for WordPress doesn't say much, it only makes a list of the recent names of people who have commented on your blog.
However, the "Get Recent Comments" plugin, which is an additional plugin for WordPress, will list everyone on your sidebar who has commented recently. It will show their name and the first part of their comment. That means if someone is returning to your blog, they can see what new comments have appeared since their last visit, and click directly on one and reply to it.
This makes it easy for people to remain in the conversation, especially people are leaving comments across multiple posts.
Comment Scarcity With The "Call To Action" Plugin
I have a special Call to Action plugin that will not only add a simple arrow underneath your blog post pointing to the comment forum, it will display a message telling people to comment.
And you can optionally close comments after a certain number of comments or quota has been met. You could say that you are only allowing ten comments per post. After that post has ten comments, it is now closed up and no longer accepting new blog comments.
Comment Follow-Up With "Subscribe To Comments"
One of my Top 5 all-time favorite WordPress plugins is the "Subscribe to Comments" plugin. What this plugin does is it adds a checkbox to the comment form. If someone leaves a comment and this box is checked, WordPress will send them an email every time a new comment has been placed on this post.
This means that if somebody leaves a comment on your blog on Monday and then someone comes back and comments on Wednesday, that original person can come back and respond because they received an email telling them there was a new comment.
Comment Bribe With "Action Comments"
I have a plugin called "Action Comments" which adds an additional checkbox to your comment form which allows people to get onto your auto responder list.
Think about it: when somebody leaves a comment on your blog, they are already typing their name and email address in order to identify themselves in that comment. However, by checking this additional checkbox, you can also subscribe them to your list.
Why would anyone want to get subscribed to your list, you ask? You can notify them of future blog posts AND you can create an opt-in bribe, such as an audio or a report containing your Top 5 blog posts, in one convenient location.
People are leaving a comment and they see a checkbox that asks if they would like to have a free bonus. They comment, they get their free bonus, and now they are on your list and can unsubscribe at any time.
But the beauty of this is that next time you have a blog post, when you email your list, that person who subscribed to your blog from leaving a comment, will be directed to leave their next comment.
And those are 6 incredible ways to get more comments on your blog posts: Comment on other blogs, mailing your list, using the "Get Recent Comments" plugin, using the "Call to Action" plugin, the "Subscribe to Comments" plugin and the "Action Comments" plugin.
Are you using any of these methods on your own blog? Are you missing any of them? (Which ones?)
Please post a comment below with your response.
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I honestly feel I have given numerous constructive blog comments on your blog, but I don’t think you have ever commented any of my blog articles, and I presume many others could say the same… :’-(
But on the other hand, you are very kind to answer people on this blog, and that also explains why many of the blogs get 100 comments – when maybe 30 of these are your own.
But that being said, I think you clarified the whole thing when you began this blog. You said you wouldn’t write a single word more until you had 10 comments on your blog. That trick worked – and you were stubborn enough to stay away from blogging until you had the required 10 comments, even at a time when you probably wanted to write something that was on your mind.
But certainly, I would say the recent e-book from John Chow has inspired to get more blog comments, and some of the strategies you also mention will be implemented in due course.
PS: Hope you can take a bit of flack from us faithful commenters. 😉
Henrik,
I’ve been to your blog a couple times but I couldn’t find anything I could comment on — anything that was relevant to me.
I guess the lesson there is that even with all the right plugins, if it’s not a right fit for some people to comment on, then you still won’t get as many comments as you want.
Great info in this post! I will definitely be using some of this! Thanks so much! (blog30!)
When I started blogging, I was desperate to get comments, but got only a few. Only when I started to have a more laid back attitude, the comment followed.
You mention some interesting plugins in this blog post. I will try some of them, and on another blog that takes part of the blog30 challenge, I saw the Comment Luv plugin. I installed that on my Money Making Ideas blog.
I love your idea about visiting one commenter’s blog every day and comment on their blog. This is something I will start practising from now (but only six days a week, though 🙂 )
I comment on about 6 new blogs every day. I still get very few comments. I do get a few new readers but very little comments.
Splendid info. Thanx!
This is cool … I’m about to ‘comment on getting comments’.
I’m using the “subscribe to” and “get recent” plugins on my blog but I love the red attention-getting, take-action arrows on your blog, Robert, so thanks for including that one here.
I’m taking action on “Call to Action”! 🙂
I really appreciate your suggestion to spend just a couple of minutes to go to one person’s blog every day and post a comment. As soon as blog30 is over, I’m going to give that tip a whirl.
Lots of golden nuggets here today!
Melanie
#blog30
Thanks for another quick morning “to-do” which will increase my business. I’ve been making comments on forums, but hadn’t pursued blogs. Now to be patient and to drive folks to my own blogs for comments. Keep up the great work, Robert!
Thanks again, Robert ~
I just grabbed the “Call to Action” plugin and the 12-minute video tutorial you created is super helpful! I’m impressed with all the various ways you can edit your settings. Nice to have choices.
Will be curious to see how this works on my blog.
I’ll keep you “posted” 🙂
Melanie
#blog30
Another interesting and immediately applicable post. I like to comment on blogs, but often don’t. When a blog post doesn’t have many comments I often don’t like to be the first one to post – sometimes it gives the impression that the blog author just doesn’t really want comments – which I know is wrong.
Asking for comments directly is a great idea.
As a thank you for everyone who posted, I’ve been around and made (sensible) comments for most of the people who’ve replied so far. I say most, as there were one or two that were just so far outside my expertise that, much as I’d have liked to leave a comment, I just couldn’t in good conscience add anything.
I’ll try and make some more comments more regularly as and when I get a chance. After all, I know anyone who posts on Super Robert’s blog is serious about what they’re doing. And plus, reading everyone’s interesting posts always leaves me with a nice warm feeling inside.
Always a pleasure to read your posts, and as always, something I can take away and implement.
Off now to put these into action on my blogs..! 😉
David
—
Hi Robert
I am one of those who gets very few comments on my blog. Your suggestions make good sense to me and I will impliment them immediately.
I already have some of the plugins on my blog and will install the others when I finish leaving my comment here.
I will come back and let you know how they work soon.
Richard
Great post. Googel does give notice to blogs that have relevant comments. It makes sense, because the interaction is a testiment to the quality of the site.
Unfortunately, most of my inbound comments are from people with names like “cheap pharmacy drugs” or “diet plans that work” and really have nothing to add to the quality of the site or post.
I think you’ve outlined some great ways to get “real” comments that build community and readership.
Thanks for this post Robert.
I knew that commenting on other blogs could give your blog more comments. It’s like forum marketing. Go to a forum leave a comment on form posting and you may see some traffic.
I leave comments a lot on other blogs revelant to mine in hopes of getting traffic. Now with your post I am going to shoot for more comments as well.
Keep up the great work and writing!
P.S.
As far as the plugins, I just placed a recent comments widget in my side bar. I plan on making several changes to my blog soon as well. I will also be adding more plugins too.
Stop by my blog any time Robert. Leave a comment even if it is just a howdy…
Hi Robert
Thank you for this great advice. I normally ask for comments but the plugins make it a lot easier. I will certainly be adding them to my blog.
Michelle Jayes
Well, here I am again digging through all the relevant information you always leave in these posts.
I am setting up a new blog sometime this coming week. I can hear you now Robert, but when? As soon as I can get everything moved from the domain. I do not have anything setup in the home directory but I do have several products setup in subdirectories and I have no idea how to convert them to WP pages yet so I am going to move them to a new domain.
I will install all of the plugins as soon as I get the new blog setup and will let you know where it is.
Thanks again for all the good stuff you are lutting out here for us.
Clyde
I also use a feature of the “Subscribe to Comments” plugin that I rarely see on others blogs (you too haven’t), which allows you to add a subscribe box to the updates of the comments, even if you actually haven’t added a comment.
ciao
alexander
great stuf again Robert.
I’m using some of these already but the best strategy is to visit those that comment on your posts . Love it. When I ahve done it people have been really surprised that I have stopped by.
I did it once after seeing that I Had a few visits in my google analytics from a site, looked it up and added a comment.
Yup, you’re one clever son-of-a. You’ve always got something useful to say and stuff we can implement.
And you always have a purpose to a blog post – either to get traffic and/or to attract sales through eg dropping product links into the content.
That’s a lesson in itself … don’t just blog an opinion – use the time and effort to generate business (after all, isn’t that where we are – in business (shades of Lance coming through!))
@13 agree with John’s comment. RP – have you got a solution for the spammy blog posters who don’t add value to comments? I notice you don’t seem to get any but I don’t think your posts here are moderated so I’m interested in how you (or others) seem to avoid them. Spam filters like Akismet don’t pick up the gibberish auto-posters or vapid comments.
You tips are timely for me. I’m starting to ad a few blogs to my websites.It’s nice to know these are available AND usable. I tend to think adding extra stuff just confuses people, including me.
I’ve been waiting for WP3.0 to start. It’s ready now.
Thanks,
Dan
Robert, you have this really nailed. I’ve been doing most of these for months, with excellent results.
It did take me a few weeks to bootstrap up, had to go out and visit a bunch of blogs first.
The one thing I haven’t been doing is Action Comments. Also, I don’t use bribes. Seriously considering changing that.
Hi Robert,
Actually, I agree with you. We can get traffic and comment to our blogs if we do post a comment to other blogs. But, It does not working for my blog, I don’t know why… maybe they don’t like my topics.
Robert,
I’ll be using some of these ideas. I bought the action comments plugin and it works great. I’m also already using the subscribe to comments plugin. However, I didn’t have recent comments plugin. I just installed it and I like what it does. I’m reading the sales letter for the Call To Action plugin now. I wish I’d known about it sooner.
Rodney
Robert,
I’ll definitely use some of these ideas. In fact I’ve bookmarked this post. I’m just starting out, and still trying to drive traffic to my blog. My niche is already saturated and I’m well aware of that, however it’s something I believe in and I’ll continue to make progress every day.
I’ll be getting your “Action Comments” wordpress plugin. I NEED that!
David
Your Articles for the most part are information Gold and todays post is a Good example. I would call this a WP plug in reward for being a reader of your Post.
I love the fact that we can customize WP to our own taste with plug ins, but at what point do you really overdue WP with plugins? Is there a easy way of finding this limit or telling when you are getting close to that limit?
I am not talking about these plugins as I get that they do not have much overhead, but over all.
Sorry for the question but I am FAR from being any kind of coder.
Thank You
Great Blog Post! It was informative, but I need to know when it comes to general comments that is not related to your niche, how can you better target the comments to your market?
Not sure what you’re asking… you only leave comments on blogs in the same niche as you.
Great post, Robert. But that’s typical. 🙂
I really like the idea of commenting on the blogs of those who leave comments. I comment often on your blog, but silly me, I usually don’t use the URL for any of my own blogs (I’ve got three of them) – just my main website.
Duh! Now I know better.
Thanks, too, for the name of the plug-in so commenters can subscribe and follow the discussion. I’ve wanted that for so long. Thanks to you, it’s now been added that to my blogs as of today.
As far as commenting only in your niche, I guess that depends on what your niche is. I comment on a variety of blogs based on my interests, but they usually all surround business. My business serves small businesses.
So, if you also serve small businesses who could use your information, your commenting doesn’t have to be too tight. If you teach IM, pretty much ALL small businesses can do better by learning the basics.
Isn’t that what the big craze is about for local businesses right now? So I would think it wise for IM folks to find small business blogs to comment on that need to learn how to market themselves better online.
Just my spin…for what it’s worth.
“you only leave comments on blogs in the same niche as you.” So, you mean it’s useless commenting on blog in difference niche to my blog. Do you have any tips how to find blogs that’s same topics with mine on google, thanks
Marikxon,
Ummm… search for the name of your niche plus the word “blog?” Seriously, if your niche is hot tub covers, it makes no sense to comment on a blog whose niche is golf clubs… right?
Well, I agree with you, thanks for the tips. I have another question about blog commenting 🙂 I usually comment on blog with home improvement topics. My niche is hot tub covers, and I comment on blog with home improvement topics, examples: bathroom remodeling, living room renovation, swimming pool covers, bath tubs idea, etc.
1. Do you think it’s useful or useless for my blog?
2. How do I know if that blog that I commenting is do follow blog.
Really sorry for the question, that’s because I’m newbie
Thank you
Robert,
I definitely am missing a few of these. You mentioned about commenting on other blogs. Here is another tip to go along with it. When you find a good blog post or article that allows you to leave comments, write a blog post about it and leave link to the content.
Then, go back to the content and leave a comment informing the author that you had written a post about them and ask if they would like to comment on your blog.
Great way to build relationships and work together to promote each other.
In the mean time, I will be going back and adding these other plug ins to my wordpress.
Thanks,
Tamra
Great info thanks!
We will use it on our upcoming forum!
enjoy!
Robert,
Lots of really cool ways to encourage blog participation.
I especially like how you feature recent commentors in the sidebar, that’s gotta help motivate people to participate.
Brian
Hi Brian,
I hope you’ve seen my recent twist on the idea of rewarding comments:
1. Record a 20-minute podcast and post it to the blog
2. Get it transcribed on oDesk for $7 (with the right template from http://www.MakeAProduct.com)
3. Limit the blog post itself to 50 comments
4. Only ask for 10 comments at first
5. Reward ALL blog readers with the PDF transcript once we reach 10 comments
I’m happy with lots of blog posts with 10, 15, 20 comments and room for just a few more to be added.
The only drawback is that I’ve noticed some people trying to pad the comments in order to get that transcript, I’ve had to delete a few comments recently — but still hit the goal of 10 every time.