Become Friends with Commentators
We’ve heard time and time again that bloggers must network to make their blog a success. I’ve said it and other bloggers have said it.
Many times I have discussed the best sites for networking but this advice over looks a major role in any blog.
Readers. Commentators. Visitors.
These people are vital to a blog’s success. Without people visiting our blogs, we’ve got very little to measure our success. If no one reads what we have to say, why does it matter?
My point is this: all bloggers have a networking opportunity under their nose by paying attention to the visitors that come to their blog.
The bigger advantage to being involved with your visitors is that you create a larger community around your own blog.
Visit Blogs
Nearly all commentators drop links to their blogs, visit their blogs. See what it is that your commentators are talking about, even if it is not in the same niche. When possible, comment on their posts with something just as meaningful as the comments they have left for you.
By interacting with them as the blogger, not the commentator, you’re showing an interest in what they have to say. This will encourage further comments and begin to show you ways that you can network with commentators on a different level.
Send EMail
One of the best plugins that I use is Comment Relish, simplistic in nature it’s just an email that sent to all first time commentators thanking them for visiting and commenting. It’s a step in the right direction to get communication with your commentators away from your blog.
Even after this initial email is sent, there’s no reason why you cannot email commentators again. Find something off subject to talk with them about. Invite commentators to guest post, ask them what sites they network at and become friends with them.
There is so much you can do with email that you shouldn’t leave any stone un-turned.
Comment Community
I’ve talked about this before but, again bring your commentators back to take the conversation further just by replying to comments. We write for the interaction and the conversations it can bring, ensure that you add to any conversation on your blog by both writing the blog posts and replying to comments on the post.
Link Out
After visiting a commentator’s blog, find ways that you can link out them or a post they’ve written with something that is relevant. Giving links back well help to encourage them to come back to your blog and take part.
By showing that there is something in it for anyone who visits, you’re expanding your reach, making yourself more personable, and opening yourself up to the opportunity for commentators to link back to you.
The Point
Showing an interest in other people is what networking is already about. And while we all always want new readers, new commentators, and new places to networking – we must not over look those who are already there.
By becoming an active participant in the online lives of your commentators, you’re starting a community and a networking relationship with those who already enjoy hearing what you have to say.
Questions for You
How are you working to create a community with your commentators? Do you have a strategy to keep commentators and visitor coming back for more?
Sandie Law Says:
I send an email to first time commenters and I try to get in and comment on new comments every day. For now, it’s all manual, not automated service. Given that I’ve got all of eight or nine readers, I’m not worried about keeping up just yet.
I have taken the advice of you and others in blog land to try to develop a community. My blog is all about geeks…and I hope people get the vibe that I’m trying to create a community of geeks on the web. Nothing formal, just a gathering of friends.
Posted on May 12th, 2008
Dennis Edell Says:
Bravo! Excellent posting. With blogging, networking along with good content is everything…otherwise you’re just talking to yourself :-)
I reply to all comments, I comment on many other blogs, I network as often as possible “off blog” with other bloggers and so forth.
I was thinking of that plugin until researching it a little further…apparently there is a LOT of negtive talk about it. i may try it if I see it can be customized a bit. :)
Posted on May 12th, 2008
Michelle Says:
My blog did not have a life until comments. I have made many contacts and good friends by visiting other sites and learning about my “blog friends”. I think you truly have to be into the community aspect though and really want to connect with your readers and realize it is a two way street.
Posted on May 12th, 2008
Alan from Zero and Up Says:
The comment community is very wonderful - after reading about it here, I started doing that on my blog (or at least trying to, there are some comments that seem to slip through the cracks and I forget to respond to them), I’ve noticed that my blog seems a bit more active on the average, and my subscriber count has gone up.
Very good tips - thanks!
Posted on May 12th, 2008
Tony - Nigerian Entrepreneur Says:
The commentators are the real people that motivate a blogger to continue writing. I value them because they contribute to the value of the post. Sometimes, they bring out points which the blogger never thought of.
Also, their effort have an impact on subsequent visitors to a blog. When you see a post having over 100comments, the first thing that comes to your mind is that “this post must be important” you want to read it and often times if it is on a subject you are interested in, you add your own comment.
Great points you made above. Cheers.
Posted on May 12th, 2008
Doc SEO Says:
At first I started to subscribe on of my friends RSS. Then i started making comments on his articles. That’s when my blogs got visited by his readers. We chat a lots regarding any articles written and the community grew day by day. A question in comments is a good way to build community between readers and writers.
Posted on May 13th, 2008
Rasterbator Says:
Well, not all commentator become ‘regular visitors’. But most of my regular visitors were commentors (I am not sure if commentator is correct) and when I also visited their blogs and left comments they became regulars.
It also resulted into me being regular visitors of some blogs and photoblogs (thanks to google RSS reader it’s not difficult) :)
Posted on May 13th, 2008
Bagrep Says:
I love networking and socialising. It makes me feel so right and happy to meet new friends.
Posted on May 14th, 2008
InterNet Age Says:
You have done it very well. I just popped in to this blog from another blog, closed the blog and continued to the next one, forgetting that I was at your blog. During the same day you responded giving me what it was that I was looking for, I received an email that you responded. Now I have bookmarked your blog and will pop-in regularly.
PS - I really like your design, its always refreshing to see blogs that are not like every other blog, almost every blog looks the same.
Posted on May 17th, 2008
Katy Says:
Dennis » Thank you! I love that “you’re just talking to yourself.” Or maybe one day a search engine or two? LOL While I generally reply to all comments, I’m finding this a more difficult task than it used to be. And not because I don’t want to reply but because I get caught up in how many posts are getting comments at any day of the week and other work. It’s weird to see how long it takes me to reply (like on this post!).
With regard to the plug-in, it can very much be customized and I haven’t had anything but good feedback about it. New commentators send me a personal email 9 times out of 10 when they receive it. It starts the conversation for me and allows me to discuss further topics on and off my blog with commentators.
Michelle » Comments do tend to be the life of the blog. And getting comments when the majority of blog readers don’t comment is often times difficult.
Alan » I have comments that slip through too, especially on heavy comment days (like Monday… why does everyone catch up on Monday? LOL). Glad to hear that my posts have inspired you to create a community for yourself and that you’re seeing the benefits of it!
Posted on May 18th, 2008
Katy Says:
Doc SEO » Sounds like a great strategy, quality comments anywhere can get you a lot of attention. I get several hits per day just from leaving my own thoughts and comments on ProBlogger’s site. It wasn’t until I started spending a lot of time commenting on other blogs that I realized the multiple benefits for both readers and bloggers.
Bagrep » I completely agree! Thanks for your comment.
InterNet Age » Thank you very much, I appreciate the compliment. And glad you found your way here from elsewhere. Glad to see too that you appreciate the response to comments and my email about your comment. Thanks too for the compliment on my design! :D I hate looking at the same boring free themes all the time, glad I’m not one of those people. By the way, I designed it.
Posted on May 18th, 2008
Dennis Edell Says:
Katy, I know you know this but for those that may not…..the “problem” of time consumption when replying to comments is a problem that hundreds (thousands?) of bloggers would love to have ;)
In regards to your reply to Alan, if you actually KNOW the heaviest days that’s not a bad position to be in…you could (easily?) tweak your work schedule to accommodate it.
See 1st point above :-)
Posted on May 18th, 2008
Jamie Grove - How Not To Write Says:
I’m a firm believer in being successful by helping others.
I have a core group of people I make a point of visiting each day. Part of the visiting is helping to make their posts better by adding focused comments that will make *new* visitors want to subscribe. I also work to tweet other’s posts and pass on the best links via digg, stumble, etc.
Share the love and others will love you in return. (if not, at least you’ll feel good)
Thanks for the tip about Comment Relish. Great post, Katy!
Posted on May 19th, 2008
Katy Says:
I also like what you brought up about taking part in a conversation to encourage the comments of new visitors. That’s a big leap to take and not often one many commentators can pull off. Generally, the trend is that comments from a few select people within a blog’s community will put off or stop new commentators. Good to see a different view point.
Posted on May 20th, 2008
Jamie Grove - How Not To Write Says:
@Katy I think that bloggers should keep in mind the impact of insider jokes and nudges when commenting. A little is ok (and the context of the post is certainly a factor), but my guess is that new commentors are put off by the feeling they are intruding on a private party.
I hope a few others can lend their thoughts to this. :)
Posted on May 20th, 2008
Katy Says:
Posted on May 21st, 2008
Rani Says:
great tips, thanx :)
Posted on May 24th, 2008
anjeee Says:
i enjoyed this post!
Posted on May 29th, 2008