For me, comments on my blog posts are monstrously pleasing things. I LOVE COMMENTS. It is a befuddling yet glorious thing to realise humans wish to a) chat with me, b) add their opinion to mine, and c) support my art/blogging/writing by talking about it. Like can we take a moment to realise this is freakishly amazing???? To everyone who leaves comments: REALISE THAT YOU DO A GRAND THING FOR BLOGGERS AND WE LOVE YOU MONSTROUSLY SO.
As you might’ve noticed, I get a lot of comments on my blog. And due to this I’m asked, quite frequently, “HOW DO YOU GET SO MANY COMMENTS, CAIT???? WHY DON’T I???? WHAT AM I DOING WRONG??????” This is an excellent question, my friends. And I have answers. (See how ridiculously nice I am? Gawsh.)
(You can also check out my other post on how to get people to comment aka mind control).
So what happens if you are DOING all these “right things” but still get barely a teaspoon of comments?
I shall help with this.
But firstly, what do I consider “all the right things”? Basically:
- You already reply to your comments.
- You already comment back and visit/comment on other blogs.
- You already post consistently. Like this doesn’t have to be mega-consistent…but you post more than once a month, right?
- You already advertise your blog on social media.
(Note: I don’t believe you have to do these things ALL the time either. We’re all just human! Take breaks! Don’t be overwhelmed!)
When I google “how to get more comments” basically everyone says DO THOSE THINGS (that I listed above there). And sure. They work. But sometimes they don’t: and you want to know why.
LET’S GET TO IT, PINEAPPLE FIENDS.
DO PEOPLE KNOW YOU EXIST?
Do you comment on the same blogs all the time? Do you only interact with the same humans? (Or, well, aliens or whatnot…I’m not judging.) THIS COULD BE YOUR PROBLEM. No one else knows about you or your blog, ergo, how can you expect comments from them?
I recommend doing the polka in different blogging circles. Struggling to find time to upkeep the blogs you follow PLUS MORE is daunting. But you don’t have to do it all the time. Join in a linkup occasionally. Ask for blog recommendations. Stalk people’s blog rolls for recommendations. (Mine is here, in case you were curious.)
MIX IT UP. FIND NEW BLOGS. SOCIALISE.
And if you try and people aren’t interested in interacting with you? Go attack someone else with your fabulous friendship. I realised this year that about 60% of my favourite blogs rarely talked/interacted with me. I still love/read their posts, but I put my networking energy elsewhere. This is okay too.
Note: You don’t actually have to do the polka?? But the option is there.
DO YOU INVITE DISCUSSION?
Sometimes I read blog posts and get to the end and…I have no idea what to say. Don’t get me wrong: IT WAS A GOOD POST. But…the blogger was very confident in their opinion. The post ended with a firm conclusion. So??? What do I even say to you??? Do you even want my opinion???
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
- Have “discussion questions” at the end of your posts! Calls to action! Ask a specific question so your commenters have something to work with.
- Leave the topic open! Invite discussion and other’s opinions. You don’t have to change your opinion. Pffft. Of course not. But if you (even accidentally) give off the vibe of “my opinion is the one and only right one” then it scares people off contributing to the conversation. They might be worried you’ll scorn their opinion? (Not saying that you WOULD, of course, but just be careful how you might come across in writing.)
- Present two sides to a discussion. This always invites comments because you’re encouraging your readers to think from two points-of-view — and then they must decide! Then they must tell you! COMMENTS GALORE.
ARE YOUR POSTS TOO NEGATIVE?
By the way, negative posts are fine. They’re good even! But I admit to getting really drained when I read a gazillion posts about “how YA is failing us” or “all the awful things about blogging”. I like to read those posts and commiserate because…we all feel the sucky things at times! But when a blogger ALWAYS writes negative posts…it turns me off.
Same with blogging constantly about sad things. Again: you CAN blog sad stuff. I DO. I confess to being overwhelmed by blogging or feeling like my writing sucks. Because WE CAN ALL RELATE, RIGHT?!? But if you always talk about the darker issues in your life, the bad things that happen to you, the struggles that are kicking you to the dirt…I’m being honest here: it’s hard to comment. It doesn’t mean I don’t care. It’s just that I don’t always know how to contribute to the conversation. Especially if I don’t know you all that well.
DO share your honest and unhappy struggles. DON’T do it all the time.
YOU’RE NOT GIVING OUT CAKE, WUT EVEN???
Seriously if you’re not giving cake to your followers, YOU ARE BEING INHUMAN.
Reward your followers. Reward commenters.
For instance: when you comment on my blog you get a) the gloriousness of talking to me which is undeniably a huge draw card, b) you will get a reply from me which my blog emails you, and c) I will visit back your blog and leave a comment, and of course d) I WILL GIVE YOU CAKE.
ARE YOU BEING FRIENDLY?
“But Caiiiiiit,” you wail, “what does that even MEAN??? How do I be more friendly????”
You do not need to be Sunshine Susie to be “friendly”. Not everybody is Sunshine Susie, for goodness sakes! AND THANK THE UNIVERSE. You can be Serious Steve or Logical Larry or Analytical Algernon. Be you. But be nice. Being friendly means, a) being polite, b) including people in the conversation, c) giving people your full attention [aka leaving an intelligent comment], and d) being confident in your blogging voice.
You don’t have to SCREECH IN ALL CAPS or use exclamation marks (!!!!!) or use 92 gifs to be considered “friendly”.
You are friendly by being nice and taking an interest in your followers.
I wrote a post on how to attack people (nicely) with friendship, by the way.
IS IT TOO HARD TO COMMENT ON YOUR BLOG?
- Make sure you don’t have weird CAPTCHA. (Basically word verification…seriously, the ones that make me do math to post a comment?!?!? UGH.)
- Make sure you have a commenting platform that allows anyone to post! (For blogger users, make sure “open url” is a turned on in your comment settings.)
- AKA please don’t use Google+. Or Facebook comments. Omg. Pleeeeease. I BEG OF YOU.
- Make sure followers know what your most RECENT post is (so they don’t have to battle through home-pages and things that don’t clearly tell them what to click to find the latest post).
ARE YOUR POSTS RELATABLE TO A WIDE AUDIENCE?
If a new mortal was to click on your blog today and read your latest post…what would they think? (For me, let’s be real: they’d probably think they’d entered a deranged loony bin who compliments/insults people by shouting fruit names at them. BUT WHATEVER. LET’S NOT TALK ABOUT ME.) I try reeeeally hard to make my posts welcoming/interesting whether you’ve read my blog for 4 seconds or 4 years. I mostly blog about bookworm things, even though I’m a writer too…because bookworm things are more relatable. See? Little things like that! I think about what my audience might like.
Posts like these can sometimes be off-putting for new readers:
- A blog series where you don’t link to previous posts…so I just get hit with “PART 5 OF THE ANALYSATION OF SQUIRREL FOSSILS IN YA LITERATURE” and I go…”But but but what??!?” when really you’re referencing something in Part 3. Which you didn’t link to. #help
- Posts that only include other bloggers. When you do a post that JUST references your blogging buddies…well, your non-blogging buddies aren’t going to get it, are they? You just cut your audience.
- Muchly and many book reviews of sequels. Obviously you should still post reviews of sequels, DON’T GET ME WRONG. But keep track! Did you post 4 sequel-reviews this month? Miiiight be limiting your readers. I try to have 3 to 4 posts a week — so I make sure at least HALF of them would suit anybody randomly reading my blog.
- Loooooong pieces of writing. Most people don’t like to come into these things halfway through. Some people don’t like to read huge hunks of text either. Readers have the attentions pan of CHILDISH GNATS. Work with it.
(Also this is not to say you should NOT do any of the above! You SHOULD IF YOU WANT! Just mix it up. Be varied. Think about your audience)
HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING AT THIS LONG ENOUGH?
People have this straaaaange idea that my blog started getting 40+ comments per post overnight. HAHAHA YOU ADORABLE PINEAPPLES. I’ve been blogging for nearly 5 years. I’ve been obsessively commenting and networking for that long. Although, actually, I know a ton of blogs who’ve gone much further than I have an in shorter amounts of space!
So don’t think “Omg I have to do this for 5 years to get any results??? WAIL.” No. You don’t. It’s different for everybody. You just have to network for a consistent and decently long amount of time.
PATIENCE GRASSHOPPER.
Basically: Do the hard work for your followers and make commenting pleasantly easy.
Be yourself. Have fun. Don’t burn yourself out trying to do everything. I’VE BEEN THERE. DONE THAT. Set yourself realistic goals. Meet new bloggers. Entertain your audience. GIVE to your audience so they have reasons to come back. Yes, blog for yourself, but if you want the comments — you need to blog for your audience too. Make commenting worth their while, by being friendly and welcoming.
And if you suck at anything? FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT, DUDES.
I fake so much stuff, there’s like a 85% possibility I am actually a fake human too. But it doesn’t even matter. If you pretend to know what you’re doing, you’ll figure out what you’re doing. I promise. And if you don’t…WHO EVEN CARES?!? Do whatever. Just do it confidently and nooooo one will question it.
Be a relatable human bean and be nice and give cake (that is really the key to everything).
CAIT CAIT CAIT THIS IS SO GOOD I AM CRYING AND LAUGHING AND TAKING NOTES AT THE SAME TIME (and also I HAVE BEEN FOUND. You caught me. I am secretly a fig tree. My species will soon take over the world. Mwaha. Mwahaa. MWAHAHHAHA. Ahem)
This post is so incredibly useful and great for small bloggers and I for one always wonder how to get more blog comments (I mean, there are always those 4 or 5 people who comment on basically every single post but, y’know, it’d be good to get some different people? Not that I’m saying those people aren’t great. Those people are definitely amazing and deserve CAKE.)
(Also, on another note, I learnt how to say the word cake in French and Japanese. I KNOW HOW TO COMMUNICATE WITH OTHER CAKE LOVERS ermagord this is ground breaking. French: Gâteau – Ga/torh and Japanese: ケーキ – Kehh/Ki)
I am going to go and stalk your favourite blogs. BYYEEE.
PAUL PAUL PAUL I AM SO GLAD. *gives you a cupcake* Oh wait. Fig trees probably do NOT like cupcakes. *takes cake back and eats it*
But yesss, finding new people can be kind of difficult at first. Not like because there aren’t any to be found. but TIME. Time needs to be found. And honestly, I’ve gotten to a point where people keep finding me so I attack them with friendship and it’s all ROSY AND GOLDEN. I do like that. *nods* Although, tbh, I really need to go find new blogs myself.😂 And take my own advice. HEH.
Also WELL DONE. You can like travel the world now and speak only in CAKE.
This is such a goos compilation of tips and tricks of the trade. I completely agree making people comment is a hard skill to master, for me, I think I fall at the first hurdle and don’t tend to do the polka in other blogging circles. IM SORRY. When I have the whole afternoon in front of me, I love to just comment-surf people’s blogs and stalk the chain of people. Most likely I’ll start on a book review, and then click on someone’s blog who has commented *then the cycle continues* until I’m at something completely random like 39 uses of the household hammer.
Social media presence is also fairly key, as you said, and GAH GOOGLE + COMMENTS ARE THE BANE OF MY LIFE *cri cri*
*now where’s my cake?!*
TT @ IntroToBlurb recently posted…TBT #3: your life in 10 photographs.
Don’t be sorry!! *gives you a cupcake* It honestly depends on what you want to achieve, not what you “should or shouldn’t do”…and omg if you like to comment surf than you are already doing an amazing thing!! It took me like 2 years to even realise that I needed to interact with people OUTSIDE my blog if I wanted to grow. 😂 Some of us aren’t so sharp. *coughs*
GOOGLE COMMENTS ARE OUT FOR EVIL AND BLOOD AND SOULS PROBABLY.
I LOVE COMMENTS!!!
Also, this post was delicious (I have no other words for it).
Wonderful tips here, Cait! I need to do the polka more often because generally I’m a TERRIFIED HUMAN and sometimes struggle finding new bloggers whose blogs I WANT to comment on (does this make me a bad person???). I love bloggers – almost as much as I love cupcakes but (like you said) sometimes I don’t know what to say and, worse, I always stick to reading the same blogs *sigh*
I’m definitely going to be using some of these wonderful tips.
(Do you have any advise for if humans comment on my blog BUT DON’T HAVE A BLOG??? HOW DO I REPAY THEM FOR THEIR KINDNESS??? )
Kat recently posted…WHEN I WAS 7 I WROTE A BOOK
AND OMG YAY KAT, YOU DIDN’T GO TO SPAM!! This calls for intense celebrations. My blog has FINALLY recognised that you are, indeed, a wonderful and actually human commenter. *happy tears* Ahem.
*whispers* Believe it or not, I am a terrified human too. Although I do find it easier to comment on whosever’s blog because I know I feel absolutely shriekily glad when it happens to me, so I hope most people just like getting comments that much??? And they won’t mind if a deranged loony starts shrieking in their comment section? (I hope anyway. Ahem.)
I DOn’T KNOW ABOUT THE ONES WHO DON’T HAVE A BLOG. GIVE THEM EXTRA CAKE. I feel the same though!!
This is such a great post, super helpful! I love your blog xx
EEEP. I AM SO GLAD, ARI!! *sprinkles cake crumbs on you*
I don’t get a huge amount of comments… and sometimes I’m frustrated because Shar’s posts almost always get more comments than mine. But I post more… so I don’t even know. Having two people replying to comments definitely makes it easier, and I do try to not have too long posts/sequels. I also do hardly any social media because social media is distracting, and I’m also trying to, you know, pass school. But I don’t really mind getting 2-8 comments per post, because I really enjoy reading comments, reading other people blogs and writing anyway. Also, I think you’re fabulous at getting comments and replying to comments and having social media etc. *bows humbly in overlord’s presence*
Shanti recently posted…Bookish Planet: The land of High Fantasy
AGH, that would be frustrating. That’s why it’s hard blogging with sisters, sheesh, hence I had to toss mine out of my blog so I could get all the glory.
Just kidding…she ditched me for greatness the weirdo. AHEM BUT WHAT WERE WE SAYING? OH YES. I do understand definitely that social networking takes up a TON of time. I have invested soooo much time into mine, but that’s just not possible for everyone right?!? Completely understandable. *nods*I get some comments but not a heap, but I am slowly ever so slowly getting more, so maybe I’ll get there one day 🙂 And I will always get more if I go to a few random blogs and leave comments because lovely people comment back…. although sometimes I can’t leave comments when I want to because of the horrible comment boxes some people use… seriously peoples make it easy for us!
Clare Farrelly recently posted…Funny and Sometimes Awkward
Agh, I hear ya with the horrible commenting boxes. I have some really loyal commenters who I REALLY want to return comments to…but google+?! *dies a little* Which is why it’s really important to make it easy for people to comment, right?! 😛
I’m going to try and comment on more blogs each day, because I don’t get a lot of comments. I don’t even know if my posts are good enough though. But hey. 😛
Also, I’m secretly disappointed my blog isn’t on your blogroll. *sadface*
Bee @ Quite the Novel Idea recently posted…{Bookish Babble} Tips for Organising Your Bookish Social Media Accounts
If one doesn’t get many comments, I’m like 94% sure it’s the social networking aspect not the quality of the post. 😂 Especially yours! Your posts are GREAT!! 😀
THEY ARE?? Aahh thanks. 😀 It’s my writing related posts that get the least attention though so. 🙁
Bee @ Quite the Novel Idea recently posted…{Bookish Babble} Tips for Organising Your Bookish Social Media Accounts
I agree with all of this! My blog didn’t start off popular but ever since I began networking more and helping others feel welcome, my blog started to see more comments as a result of that. It’s give and take really! 😊 AWESOME POST!
YESSSS! AND CAKE FOR YOU! Because networking isn’t easy but it makes ALL the difference! You get back what you give out, right?!
But here’s the real problem now, Cait: I REALLY WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE FIRSY FOUR INSTALLMENTS IN THE ANALYSATION OF SQUIRREL FOSSILS IN YA LITERATURE SAY! Where can one find this, wheeeeere?
I think it was Emily who recently posted about predicting which posts will and won’t do well statistically, and in a lot of ways it ties into this one (and vice versa). OF COURSE we’re going to review sequels and OF COURSE we’ll give debut authors and tiny publishers a chance, but those obviously won’t fare as well as, y’know, an open discussion post. So there’s something to be said for expectation management, too. (Which is that it’s good and we all should try it in moderation. But I totally encourage Dreamland in abundance, too, because obviously.)
I’m soooooo guilty of always going around the same blogs and commenting on the same bloggers’ posts, but… I LIKE YOU HUMANS?! And I’m an introverted cookie who settles down contentedly into a familiar group and goes TALK TO STRANGE HUMANS FROM TIME TO TIME? WHYYY? So, uhm, yeah. Guilty as charged. But I also genuinely fear that if I start following more blogs, I’ll never leave my desk?! Which, y’know, would lead to my eventual starvation. Which is NOT good. Unlike a demure YA protagonist I never forget to eat for 3-4 weeks as a time.
So, the bottom line is: staying in my bloggerly comfort zone will save my life. Branching out will secure more comments, but can have nasty side effects (ie. death). Rationalization is my faaaaaavorite!
And the bottomest line is: this is actually a super helpful post, and bleeeeeess you, Cait!
P.S. Squirrel fossil analysation series links, please
Lexie @ The Honest Bookclub recently posted…BOOK BOX SUBSCRIPTION REVIEW: FOTM FEBRUARY
I’M SORRY FOR TANTALISING YOU WITH A SERIES THAT DOESN’T EXIST, LEXIE. I FEEL AWFUL NOW. OMG.
Oh yes! I did so like that post from Emily too! *nods* I feel like I’ve discussed in the past if sequel reviews are worth it too, but tbh…you know me. I have no idea what I even posted last week. I know it all depends on what we WANT to achieve. Like if comments don’t matter to a person, then they can totally ignore this post.😂 But YEAH. If you want the comments; you do have to post things that will get the comments. *nods*
DUDE ME TOO THOUGH. The socialisation struggle is REAL. I am a shy bean and often I don’t even have TIME to find new blogs. *cries* And I want to! But it is easier to talk to the beans I always talk to…But NO to starvation. You need to hire more dragon secretaries. One to visit blogs, another to impersonate you writing comments, and oh one to fix you delicious sandwiches. But pay your dragon secretaries. We don’t believe in slavery here. #DragonActivist
Ah yes, I tend to find I get MORE comments when I’ve been commenting on other people’s content recently, and it gets less when I forget to reply to some from other posts or don’t visit others, and I just *kicks self in head* WHY NO TIME PEOPLE? Still, I do like this post, you’ve really hit the nail on the head – it’s 100% about socialising, sharing the love and getting involved with people and the community. A void has no echo, but a crowd has plenty of ears 😉
Amanda @ Nellie and Co. recently posted…Unique Alternatives That Will Shake Up Boring Reviews
SAAAAAME. That’s why I do so love the commenting-back movement. I’ve seen quite a few people say that it’s a shallow movement lately *gulps* But I honestly wonder if they’re a bit bitter.😂 Ahem. But it all depends on what you WANT to achieve right?!
Also that quote is entirely wonderful. :’)
I always feel disheartening when a post that I really love gets not comments – It makes me so upset. Especially if it’s a review of a book that I adored.
But then a post gets quite a couple of comments and it lightens my mood.- it’s a give or take for me and sometimes that really upsets me, but I have to deal with it haha.
My shadowhunter TV series ep reviews are rarely getting any comments and sometimes that makes me quite upset, simply because I know people are watching it – you get me? haha
Thanks for the post Cait
Angel @Angel Reads recently posted…Book Review: The Next Together by Lauren James
I DO TOO!! It feels like we put sooo much effort into something and then people don’t really notice?! LIFE. UNFAIR. *breaks plate* And it’s also frustrating when you can’t tell what kind of posts people want.😂 BUT ALL IN A DAY’S WORK FOR WE BOOKISH BLOGGLIERS.
Helpful post, Cait! I’m usually pretty happy with the number of comments I get. I know I could get more, but I’m also busy with other stuff that isn’t commenting on all these new blogs. I think I’m not very good at branching out of my blogging social circle though, so that definitely could do with improvement 🙂
shar@Virtually Read recently posted…Bookish Planet: The land of High Fantasy
I’m not always terrific at finding TIME to branch out myself.😂 THE STRUGGLE IS REAL. And I mean, these tips aren’t like Golden Rules of Blogging or anything…they basically are only if you WANT to get more comments. *nods*
I love this post! I am someone that makes an effort to comment back on each and every bloggers’ blog that comments on my blog. I just love talking to people. I know exactly what you mean about discussion question on the bottom of posts, and I think I’ve gotten really slack with not doing that lately so I must. Thanks for the reminder! 😉 And man, I try to network but it can get a little hard sometimes because I mean… how do you approach these newbie blogs? Do I just comment of their most recent post as if I’ve been commenting there forever? Or do I make a point of introducing myself? Gah!
YaYYYYY YOU ARE CLEARLY AWESOME!! *sprinkles cake on you* I think the commenting back really encourages community and it’s so so nice. :’) And tbh? I comment on newbie’s blogs like I’ve known them forever. XD They probably go “who is this freak” but I have such a bad memory that there IS actually a chance I might’ve met them already? And if not, I tend to think if I can skip that awkward introduction stage and just go straight to “HI LET’S TALK BOOKS, fRIEND” then I don’t have to worry about saying anything too dumb. I AM ACTUALLY AN AWKWARD TURTLE. NO JOKE.
You betcha. 😉 Exactly. And what is blogging without a community? And haha, I love it! XD I think I’ll have to adopt you’re method – pretend everyone is my friend, unless they point out otherwise.
Rachel Lightwood @ Quite the Novel Idea recently posted…{Top Ten Tuesday} YA Books That Don’t Get Nearly Enough Love
THANK YOU CAIT FOR THIS POST!
This post is incredibly useful and amazing for bloggers, I’m so glad that you wrote it, And, you really do give some amazing tips in this post..I’ll definitely refer back to this in the future!
On a completely unrelated note, I’m reading The Assassin’s Blade and it is AMAZING! Sam and Celaena (or should I say Aelin) are great characters, very fun to read about.
Oh, I especially love your last tip. I think that it is really important to remember and take into consideration how long you have been blogging in terms of comments. Basically, you can not expect to have hundreds of comments after a month of blogging.
Great post!
Jollygirl recently posted…The Quiet People
EEEP. I’M SO GLAD YOU LIKED IT!! 😀 And I’m really glad it all made sense, because honestly…I make most stuff up as I go along. 😂 Ahem. And yesss to the “taking time” bit, because it’s very easy to forget that someone has been doing something longer and gotten the hang of it faster and all that. *nods*
OH AND I LOVED THE ASSASSIN’S BLADE. I’M STILL NOT OVER SAM THOUGH. *Cries*
“If you pretend to know what you’re doing, you’ll figure out what you’re doing.” – love this 😛 Thanks for the tips! I try to blog for myself first and foremost but it’s nice to interact with the community as well and for that I have to learn to put myself out there a bit more.
That is HONESTLY my blogging mantra. 😂 I generally have no idea what I’m doing. heheh. AHEM. But omg it IS so nice to interact with other bloggers and it makes blogging 100% worth it for me. <3
I DO NOT HAVE A BLOG so I really don’t care about getting commenters but I read this blog post anyway because… you… wrote …it. Also, I felt it would be rude to not comment on a post about how awesome commenting is (the word comment is now starting to look weird and otherworldly and vaguely like a cloudy gazelle/hippo).
Also, I think you definitely are using mind control on top of those other things you said to do. It only makes sense. (Also, your blog is awesome.)
btw, I have been wearing armour to bed as you advised in fear of my manuscripts. It’s been working out well, though horrifically uncomfortable.
OMGGGG YOU LITEARLLY MADE MY DAY. I SHALL CRY HAPPY TEARS NOW. And give you cake, because, ya know, clearly you deserve it. 😀 Ahem. But I agree the word comment is faintly like a cloudy gazelle/hippo. That image just…it just definitely works. *nods sagely* Ahem.
Mind control is actually my #1 go to for EVERYTHING. I mean, why would you take the mortal way if you can take the MIND CONTROL way? #priorities
BUT BUT YOU’RE ALIVE!! ISN’T THAT BETTER THAN COMFORT?!? OF COURSE IT IS. EAT MORE CAKE. STAY ALIVE.
Thank you for sharing this, sweet Cait – you’ve been so inspiring to me in being a positive, encouraging blogger both on your own blog and in the blogsphere community at large – you’re always so polite and open in sharing, you’re a gem!
I’ve had the instances of bloggers whose blogs I admire constantly ignoring my in-depth and carefully-thought-out comments, and when it happens, I’ll say it downright hurts sometimes. Sure, people are busy (I am and take AGES to respond to my blog-comments, and lately have sucked at the whole blogging thing so much because of studies and what not (ack, help, it’s stressful, people!!), but it’s so important to be polite and nice and try and include everyone and thank people for stopping by and spending THEIR time on something you’ve done/written.
I totally second this post, okay?! 🙂
Also, I want to learn to be a better blogger and spend more time interacting with other bloggers, commenting on their blogs and sharing content on my blog that would be of interest to not just my close friends but also people stopping by. Thanks for inspiring me! 😀
P.S. I need to work on this long-post thing #ohmygoodness #Ihaveseriousproblemswithmyposts
AWWWW, JOY. <3 THIS IS THE NICEST THING OF EVER. I shall just sit here and beam happily now. You always say SUCH nice things. *gives you copious amounts of cake*
It does get hurtful to be ignored! It totally does! And I do feel like sometimes the blogger is busy/behind on things or whatever...but I've spent MONTHS dedicatedly following someone and had like no interaction back. Why would I bother? There are other people out there I can pour my time into and actually MAKE friends with. (Being ignored really sucks. :P) Ahem. But yes!!! Politeness is underrated AWESOME. It's a superpower basically. 😂
Ya, my blog is plagueofbooks.blogspot.com , and NO ONE comments. I know it’s because I don’t put myself out there that much and that my formatting might be a big weird but I do try really hard. I always love to see a notification in my mailbox saying that you’ve posted and now that I’ve read this post, I feel A WHOLE LOT MORE confident in my commenting abilities. (Plus you use gifs and they’re amaaaazing, cuz people who use gifs know what’s going on haha!)
Omg, I’m so glad you like my blog, Kaitlyn! AND I SHALL VISIT YOURS DIRECTLY! I do think the time/effort one puts into their blog, they’ll definitely get back. But it does take a bit of time to get it all started. *nods*
GIFS ARE BASICALLY EPICNESS. Although I confess to not using them as much anymore. 😂 I am just lazy though and didn’t take time to find some. ahhhem.
Wow, really good advice. I actually do a lot of this already but I got some really helpful tips.
One way I like to search for new blogs is to google by topic. For instance, I found your blog when I was doing some kind of search to learn more about a topic and I found this glorious place after following the rabbit trails of the internet. Not only is that a fun way to look for blogs, but you also read a whole lot on whatever subject you’re looking for and you can see what other people have already covered so you have a better idea about what to write on it yourself.
When I first started my blog I had literally no idea what I was doing. My baby’s about five months old now and I’ve done so much research on blogging that I feel like I’ve eaten a few text books on the subject. I’m in a hard place because the site host I chose is not ideal (Wix) and I really want to move over to WordPress and buy a costume domain and premium plan, but that is $99 a year (yikes).
Also, I’m going to be on hiatus until the school year is over, which is not fun, but it is necessary. 🙁
SQUEE, THANKS, KATHERINE. I’m really glad you liked it!! *flails wildly* Ahem. Omg, you found my blog like that?! OKAY THAT IS AWESOME. I absolutely love your comments and reading your blog and getting to know you has been soooo fun. You’re an epic bloggly person. JUST SAYIN’.
Also wordpress IS amazing. <3 I have a web designing relative, so I basically get a lot of help in that respect for free because I babysit his kids. hehe. But yeah, the monetary commitment isn't so much fun. D: There is free wordpress? I honestly don't know much about it, though, so don't feel like I can recommend or not recommend it. LOOK HOW HELPFUL I AM, OMG. *sends self to the corner*
aGH. I'LL MISS YOU IF YOU ARE ON HIATUS. *cries*
Awww, aren’t you the sweetest little potato? I seriously love your blog because of that. Not only are you highly entertaining, but you make me feel special, which is, like, the best thing you could do for followers. *high fives*
WordPress IS the best. And your site is amazingly beautiful, obviously. Curious, do you use the Avada theme?
Yep, there is free WordPress. I actually had one once. I do want the payed site though, cuz I wana take it to the next level. I want to go PRO, Cait. *snickers at own self, because what is pro even?*
Family design members are the best! My dad is actually a graphic designer on the side and he offered to design my next site (I did my current one), which is one of the main reasons I’ve bee thinking about changing over.
*squeaks* AWWW, you make me feel special with your super nice comments. :’)
Tbh, I have no idea what theme I use. 😂 I’ll hazard a guess and say it’s a Genesis theme? I HAVE NO IDEA ABOUT THE TECHNOLOGICAL SIDE OMG. My relative does everything. *hides in embarrassment* But yuuuus, that is awesome that your dad is a graphic designer! Having connections is the best. And easiest. 😂
CAIT THIS POST IS ACE. It’s good to be reminded of these things! I’ve been having trouble keeping up with all the blogs I follow lately, and that’s mostly because it’s so overwhelming when my Bloglovin feed tells me I’ve got 271 unread posts. o_O Perhaps I should take a good critical look at all the blogs I follow, and only keep those ones I really want to read every week. And then go blog hopping once a week to meet new peeps and discover new blogs, because I’ve hardly been doing that lately! Thanks for all the tips, pineapple queen! <3
Anne @ Books Baking and Blogging recently posted…Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith
AHHH THANK YOU, ANNE. *shrieks happily* But dude, I NEVER keep up with my bloglovin’ feed. 😂I quit on that forever ago. heh. I don’t read every post anyway…omg, somedays I don’t even get onto my bloglovin’ because I’m still answering/reading blogs just from my comments. ;D But we do what we can, right? 😀 Blog hopping is something I honestly need to do more myself, though!!
“FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT” lol I love your advice, Cait 🙂 It is so true! That is what I do from time to time.
And you are sooooo right about the fact that negative posts are super hard to comment on. Sometimes, I have to think hard what to tell my family memebrs or longterm friends if they attack me with negativity. So of course I would have no idea what to tell a blogger in such case, especially if I dont know the person personally… it gets awkward for me if they share too many personal details.
Lucia @Reading Is My Breathing recently posted…GILMORE GIRLS BOOK TAG
THANK YOU. 😂 I’m full of SUCH sage wisdom, right?! Tbh, though, most of the time I’m just making it up as I go along and hooooping I fit in. hehe.
And yes EXACTLY! Like I quit doing some weekly recaps because I found everyone was recaping all the things that went wrong with their weeks and it was very very personal stuff and I had no idea what to say! There needs to be balance. (Although I kind of admire people for being so open on the internet?! I am like a CLAM and could never be. 😂 )
OOOH THIS IS SUCH A HELPFUL POST! I definitely need to up my commenting game and I think this has given me the motivation 🙂 plus I’ll definitely be trying out some of the other tips on here, so thank you 🙂
YAYYYY I AM SO GLAD! *flings confetti in the air*
Yes! Everything on this list. On my old blog I used to get like a ton of comments on every post, but I had hit that magic number of years of blogging and done ALL the stuff to network my site. (i also made a bunch of affiliate money, but that is another topic entirely)
So with my book blog, I do all the stuff but I haven’t hit that magic time yet. At least, I hope that is what it is. I am a new-ish book blog of just under 2 years, so I will just wait to see. I am sure it will pay off eventually.
I also think that if you are doing ALL the stuff and getting close to the magic number of years of blogging and still NOT getting the comments, you need to look at your numbers. I constantly check to see what types of posts my email subscribers open more often, and what posts get the most shares. I don’t try to appeal to the very same audience as everyone else, so I try not to compare myself (that’s a hard thing to do tho, tbh). I am just gonna keep being me and keep typing away. I know if i keep at it, people WILL start leaving more comments.
Karen Blue recently posted…Weekly Wrap Up #79
Oh the comparing thing IS super hard *nods* But the “keep being me and keep typing away” is the best advice I’ve ever heard, honestly. EVERYONE should follow that. 😛 I mean, I do think what you put into a blog is what you get out…and if you appeal to a wider audience you’ll reap the benefits of that. But one shouldn’t blog in a way that isn’t THEM, right?! Otherwise it becomes a sad sad chore.
Thank you for these suggestions!!!
I currently struggle to attract people to read and comment on my blog, but at the same time I struggle to update more than once a week! Heck, I barely post once a week… Maybe that’s why I don’t get a lot of views yet.
I realize Rome wasn’t built in a day, therefore I must try to be patient. I haven’t had my blog for even a year! I should accept that things take process *always*.
Meanwhile I need to make people know I exist. Hahahaha that sounds desperate.
Being patient is SERIOUSLY hard. 😂 I see blogs who are like only a few months old and seriously doing SO WELL and I want to know all their secrets, hehe. ;D I think we just need to do what we can do, right?! But I do think what one puts into the blog, they will get from it. although tiiiime. I need a clone. WE ALL NEED CLONES.
This was very helpful and awesome! Thanks Cait!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Nabila!! 😀
🙂 I always get ridiculously excited when I get a comment. I…don’t usually network, partly because I like to feel like I’m talking to myself (is that weird? I find it kind of liberating.) and partly because I’m busy with uni, but I’m happy with the few and far-between comments I get right now. 😉 That said, I should probably shorten some of my posts. They can get long…
Rain @ Ivyclad Ideas recently posted…Ten Things I Love About Writing Contemporary
Ohh, I DO get that. Like it is very easy/freeing to blog when you don’t have a huge audience. I admit to many brain meltdowns and stagefright sometimes. 😂 ShHHH DON’T TELL ANYWAY. Ahem.
This post is really helpful. I’ve been trying to find new blogs instead of just talking to my blogging buddies. I always get stupidly excited when I find a new blogger who has similar reading tastes to me.
Aj @ Read All The Things! recently posted…The “I Have No Self-Control” Book Haul (Part 1)
SQUEE ME TOO. I just love finding people who want to be friends and flail over books! *flings bookish happiness into the air*
omg this is literally perfection. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I NEEDED. I just started blogging in February and it was (still is) a bit overwhelming because its such a hUGE platform that I didn’t even know where to start (STILL DONT IF WE’RE BEING 100000% HONEST HERE). I feel like my problem is I have a very limited amount of blogs that I follow mainly because I don’t know who the hell to follow? I usually look at people who comment on blogs I follow and go from there but I’M SUCH A LOST TURTLE WHEN IT COMES TO THIS I guess I really need to put a lot more effort into finding blogs but aghh this post is just A+
SQUEEE I AM SO EXCITED YOU LIKED IT, SHEEMA!! *flails wildly* That’s really encouraging, hehe, and actually I was a bit nervous to post this?! So I’m glad it’s being helpful 🙂
Well for someone who just started, YOU ARE BLOGGING LIKE A QUEEN, TBH. I would’ve never guessed that your blog is so new, eeep!! YOU’RE A NATURAL. 😂 I was the same though, when I was trying to get started with the networking. I did linkups to find people to follow?! And then after a while they were finding me, and I just followed them and afjdaksld such good bookish friendships are out there to be had!! I recommend all the blogs on that blogroll of mine if you’re interested. ;D
I use Google+ comments and I’ve wanted to change that for so long now. I have tried switching to CommentLuv but for some reason I can never get it to work no matter how many videos and articles I watch and read about it. Agh.
I love this post though! I get so excited when I get a blog comment, so this post was so incredibly helpful!
Thanks!
AGh, that is annoying! Are you using IntenseDebate for the comment love or are you on blogger? I honestly have SO much trouble with the technology side of things, aghhh, I’m so lucky to have a web-designer for a relative. 😂
I feel like my issue that is I”m always so conscious about commenting on newfound blogger’s posts. I’m a really extroverted person when it comes to interaction in general, but building up the courage to talk to a new blogger??? haha nope. (it took me forever to even work up the courage to comment on here for the first time a while back >_<)
MY SHYNESS ASIDE THOUGH, these tips are fabulous, and I feel like they'll help a lot. Especially the polka thing.
AHH I HEAR YOU. And omg, I appreciate you building up the courage to comment to me. <3 *gives you cake for your effort* It IS kind of hard. Basically anyone who says making new friends is easy is lying. 😂 AHEM. But I actually find the trick is to pretend it's NOT my first comment?! And just comment my normal/fangirly/wild self and hope I don't terrify anyway. XD
I'm sure the polka thing was truly inspired genius, tbh.
OOOH THIS IS GOOD. I really like this hehe 😀
HOW DID I NOT COME ACROSS MORE OF YOUR POSTS BEFORE?! Sorry, I’ve been living under a boulder.
Here’s another thing I’ve been struggling with; How to blog in my own voice but make it sound “nice”. I really like the way you blog and I’m always (if you can’t already tell) talking in caps lock and exclamation marks. But honestly, whenever I’m blogging, I’m tempted to type like this ALL THE TIME and all crazy and stuffs. Then, I’m like what if people think that I’m just shouting at them all the time and it doesn’t sound “professional”??? Like some posts I’d be “normal” (meaning I subdue the weirdness) to try to actually improve my writing and make it sound better but it’s boringggggg and I can literally feel it. Then, I go all “me” and it sounds like I only speak internet and don’t know how to communicate in real life. So I’m REALLY STRUGGLING with finding a balance. You can’t please everyone but it’s hardddd. Help me please? (You’re way more experienced than me too haha) (Sorry for the SUPER LONG desperate comment. I’m not THAT desperate. I’m just lost.) Keep up the awesome work btw! 🙂
~Faith
Also, do you notice me putting your commenting tips into action here?? 😛 I also LOVE COMMENTS.
YAY I’M GLAD YOU LIKED IT!! *flings confetti in the air* Ahem. and Omg WELCOME to the craziness that is my blog. *gives you welcome cake*
Oh oh and I do understand about the worry of voice vs being professional. But honestly? I THINK YOU SHOULD BLOG HOWEVER YOU WANT. 😂 I use all caps and pfffft, I’m never professional. Being fangirly and enthusiastic is waaaay more fun. Ahem. SPEAK INTERNET. IGNORE THE HATERS. THROW THE GRAMMAR. (Okay, maybe not. But I did just say “speak internet” 😂)
THANKSSS (For the advice and the cake. 😀 )
It IS way more fun. SPEAKING INTERNET should be considered a SKILL! Sorry, typo. I meant that it IS a skill! Where’s Internet Speak Appreciation Day??!!
I guess I’ll just have to keep practicing this blogging thing because it’s just like judging my own posts and that’s… not too great. ESPECIALLY when you feel like everyone’s blogs are so nice and polished and you’re just like, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO and you fall into a pit of despair because you feel like you’ll never live up to it. But it probably just takes patience and hard work. It’s a tough struggle sometimes. D: I’LL GET OVER IT. ONE DAY. WOW, I sound so depressing. Haha being all self-judgemental is probably a teenagery thing.
Also, sorry for the late response! I’m trying to (unsuccessfully) keep up with the commenting!!!!
THANKSSSS (for the advice and the cake 😀 )
There should be an Internet Speak Appreciation Day!!! Sometimes I just go like, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO and fall into a pit of despair because everyone’s blogs are all looking and sounding so polished/refined. Buuuuuuuut I probably just need a few more years doing this blogging thing and with some practice, it’ll probably get better. Hopefully. I’ll get over being so self-judgemental one day. It’s probably just some weird teenagery phase thing. ONE DAY.
YOU NOBLE LAND-MERMAID!! Okay, your blog is hilarious and everything I strive to be. Who knows, maybe I’ll get there someday. 🙂 Thanks for writing this post. It has been quite helpful!!
AHHH THANK YOU, LAURA. AND THIS COMMENT GIVES ME LIFE, OMG. 😂 You are so nice. And I’m so glad the post was helpful!!
This post has so much great advice – I know I’ll be trying out a lot of these! I think my first goal needs to be posting more consistently. I’m not really surprised about the lack of comments on my blog so far, considering that I haven’t even been blogging for 3 months yet.
Also, can I please have “You do not need to be Sunshine Susie to be “friendly”.” on stickers to put on everything I own and possibly just in random helpful laces in the world? That would be nice.
YAYYY. I’m glad it’s been helpful, Clara! *flings confetti in the air* But omg you’ve ONLY been blogging for 3 months?! Then your’e doing amazingly compared to me. 😂 I think I had 2 followers by that time and they were both related to me. heeh.
YES. I’ll get the minions to whip up some stickers immediately.
Thank you for sharing your masterful secrets! I have always struggled with networking, regardless of how much I try (and by try I mean hopelessly try to maintain thousands of social media sites at once). I have never really gotten that many comments on my blog, but that does not really discourage me. On the other hand, marketing has always been my weak spot. Recently, I have decided that I am just going to focus on the social media that I enjoy, Twitter and Instagram, with a little bit of Facebook. I like Twitter and Instagram because you can promote your blog while making friends. I try to comment and visit on other blogs as often as possible, but I do find myself getting stuck in the same circle of bloggers. I did not even realize that until you brought up the amazing point about finding new bloggers! I will definitely try to meet new people and keep up with marketing.
You are MOST welcome, Tessa! 😂 I’m kind of flailing/laughing that you think they’re masterful secrets though, omg. hehe. But hopefully they’re helpful!!
And OH OH focusing on just a few social media platforms is SUCH a good idea! It’s much better to just focus and work hard on a few than stretch yourself too far, right?! I love doing linkups to find new bloggers….but I should honestly do some more because I get stuck in ruts too!
Great post as always. Clearly you are doing something right because you’re the Queen of getting comments. I used to get a lot more when I had the time to network more. Full time work and other commitments really take away from blogging. I have a loyal following though, wonderful blogglings – like your lovely self – who always come and comment, even when I;’ve been super busy and not stopped by in a while. I try to network as much as possible but it is hard when limited on time.
I need to improve on my networking, my being a consistent poster and writing more posts that bring discussion. I hope to work on this all very soon, I have hundreds of post ideas but no time to do them haha.
Hehe, thank you. ;D But omg time IS a big deal! I wish I’d mentioned that in the post. *facepalm* Because one only has so many hours in the day, right? I do find that what you put into a blog is what you usually get out…but OMG WHAT I WOULDN’T GIVE FOR A COUPLE OF CLONES. ahem. 😂
I struggle mainly with the commenting back thing. I just don’t have the time and/or don’t feel very motivated to comment back. And honestly, I don’t think that it makes much of a difference (from my personal experience, of course this doesn’t mean that you’re wrong). I wish I had the time and motivation to always, always comment back but I honestly don’t always feel like I have something qualified to say. I really admire that you take the time to do this always.
Agh, that is sadness. *pats shoulder*
*gives you cake*
It’s funny because I would contribute 90% of the reason my blog has been growing towards the commenting! But that goes to show that everyone is different, right?! Anyway. The motivation and time are definitely big things!! I do find it difficult to fit in the 50+ comments/blogs to read everyday. Hence I’ve started blogging less. 😛 I love it BUT I NEED A CLONE. 😂
Cake is the solution to all problems. Cake is everything. XD
I love networking and visiting other people’s blogs and commenting but omg I seem to have zero time these days. I NEED MORE HOURS IN THE DAY. *sigh*
Rebekah @ Wings Made of Words recently posted…Inside Out Book Tag
I COULD NOT AGREE MORE WITH THIS STATEMENT BASICALLY. And the “zero time” thing? MEEEEE. IT does take a LOT of time to do this for sure. *nods*
CAIT THIS POST IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. THANK YOU SO MUCH, YOU WONDERFUL CREATURE.
I was struggling to get comments on my blog and I think perhaps it’s because I wasn’t very involved in the blogging community, but I’m slowly but surely interacting with people on their blogs or Twitter and IT HELPS. YAS.
AHHH I’M SO GLAD YOU LIKE, KYRA. *flings cake at you* And YUS. Same! The more involve dI am in the community and in networking, the more comments I get. IT IS A NICE THING. Basically what you put in, you get back, right?! 😀
Heeeeey, Cait! 😀
Just a note: I absolutely ADORE your blog, and after each post, I comment in my head. xD I so often forget to WRITE to you what I thought about it…gah.
So, as you know, I’m not specifically a “book blogger.” I consider myself a faith blogger (and I know you know this, so I won’t bore you with the details). That being said, almost every one of these things applies to me too.
I do have a couple questions for you, though.
So…I absolutely respond to all my comments, I do try to be friendly, I post every Tuesday and Saturday without fail, I try to limit negative posts and focus on the positive side of things (AKA I won’t do an “Everything Wrong With This Book/Idea/Kind of Spinach/Whatever” or anything, honestly, because I hate hating people and I don’t want people to hate other people either. xD
I should comment back on blogs. I mean, I have a few that I comment on, but like you said, IT TAKES A MONSTROUS AMOUNT OF TIME!
And I do make sure to “like” posts that I read (I use WordPress).
Anyway, I’ve been blogging for one year now and I have about 200 followers. I see that you use Bloglovin’; how do you like it? Because I was considering using it, but I recently just started using Twitter for publicizinginging and stuff, so I figured, one step at a time, right?
But what would you suggest for me? I do encourage discussion, and I don’t force people to agree with me (and I seriously HOPE I never come off as demeaning, condescending, or too strong for the outside reader!). Obviously. I wouldn’t want people to see me as rude! But I use my blog to share my beliefs, so I don’t believe that sooooome things are up for debate (like: “Tell me in the comments whether you believe in _____!” becuase those kinds of things are fundamental to my readers anyway).
I think I’m just rambling at this point. WOOOOOOW, Amanda.
So, I guess my few questions are:
1. Has visiting back to blogs and commenting helped you tremendously, or just minimally?
2. Do you consider Bloglovin’ worth your time?
3. How many followers did you have, approximately, after your first year (if you don’t mind me asking)?
I just want to make sure I’m not doing stuff terribly wrong. xD
Thanks a bushel, Cait, you’re amaaaaaaaaazing. <3
Amanda @ Scattered Journal Pages recently posted…The Bible Is Not A Burden: 3 Truths About God’s Word
AHHH THANK YOU, AMANDA! I’m glad you enjoyed the post!! 😀 And omg I understand about the commenting-in-your-head-but-not-actually-writing it…that is me with just about every email of ever. *dies a little* I’m such a bad emailer. Ahem.
And these are GRAND questions and of course I don’t mind you asking!! I’m actually kind of pleased that you are asking. hehe. I feel knowledgeable and special. Ahem.
OKAY SO HERE WE GO:
1. Has visiting back to blogs and commenting helped you tremendously, or just minimally? It honestly has been the BIGGEST reason my blog has grown over the (nearly) 5 years I’ve been blogging. Before commenting-back and visiting blogs, I probably had like 3 followers? No joke. The bigger my blog gets, the more I have to work, buuuut at the same time, the more likely it is for people just to “find” me. Which is nice! So in a way I do less networking now, but more just general upkeep (like replying to comments and visiting everyone’s blogs!) Anyway I would definitely say: tremendously.
2. Do you consider Bloglovin’ worth your time? YUS. Bloglovin’ isn’t so much a networking tool (in my opinion anyway) as just a blog reader. Or a blog roll. TONS of people use it to keep all the blogs they follow in one place — therefore I firmly believe all bloggers should be signed up, so they can grab all the readers who prefer to follow that way! Like I have following options via email and via bloglovin’ and via twitter…so people can pick their preferred method to follow me! (I actually don’t put any time into bloglovin’ either? Except to read the blogs that I follow.)
3. How many followers did you have, approximately, after your first year (if you don’t mind me asking)? Of course! That’s totally fine to ask.😂 I HAD ABOUT 5 IN MY FIRST YEAR. NOT EVEN JOKING. And they were all related to me. *facepalm* I didn’t even know how to blog properly (apart from writing posts) or network AT ALL for the first 2 years. So my blog really only started to grow after I a) learned how to comment on OTHER blogs, b) learnt about commenting-back and being friendly. ;D I feel like blogging is about community? And once you find your “niche” (like your niche is faith blogging) you just have to find people who blog like you do and BOOM. Community.
I hope this helps, Amanda!! And feel free to ask anything anytime. 😀
Your writing rocks! You always make me smile/laugh. But to be honest, I’m only here for the cake. Sorry!
OMG THANK YOU, NORA. *gives you like 2 cake crumbs*
I know that giving away cake is comparable to torture, so I will take my 2 cake crumbs and thank you for your sacrifice.
😂 😂 😂 I AM JUST KIDDING. HERE HAVE A MASSIVE PIECE BECAUSE YOU ARE WONDERFUL NORA.
Ooooh, thank you! You’re so sweet! 🙂
I’ve been blogging for almost 7 years now. Yikes! In the beginning, I posted a lot more… and I got a lot more comments. But in 2011 I got sick and let things slide… and when I came back to the blogging world, I just couldn’t get a foothold again. I think it was partly oversaturation in the marketplace; book blogs kind of exploded around that time, so there was way more to choose from for readers. In any case, coming back and doing the same things I was doing before didn’t work. So I kind of gave up; now my book blog is mostly a place for me to put my reviews where I can have pretty graphics and complete control (*evil laugh*).
I’d be kind of ridiculous to complain about not getting any comments this year, since I’ve posted all of three times and read a grand total of zero books so far! (I do plan on reading something this year. Really! There are a couple of books being released in the next few months that I’ve been waiting for… so I hope to get a chance to get some reading done then.)
WOW. 7 years is absolutely amazing. *bows to you* And I’m just coming up on 5 in May! I feel like a small squid.😂 Ahem, but I do understand about everyone having a book blog because it does feel that way. And sometimes it is a bit hard to make yourself stand out? Okay it’s a LOT hard and it’s a LOT of work. So it does take quite a bit of time. *nods* And some years just aren’t good years for blogging, right? I do appreciate your comments so so much though, even if you’re not blogging/reading much yourself. And I hope you find a REALLY awesome book for your first read of the year! 😀
*pastes “BEST BLOG POST EVER” badges all over” YES YES YES YES YES YES YES THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I’ve been considering doing a blogging etiquette post sometime, but have never gotten around to it. One of the main things I’ve always wanted to address is comments. Especially bloggers who don’t reply to comments. So a person persevered through your ENTIRE post, when they were absolutely not obliged to, and they actually put MENTAL ENERGY, the hardest energy to have, to want to say something about your post when they weren’t obliged to, they were actually nice enough to take FLEETING MINUTES of their puny LIFE to type out that comment and they took lots of courage probably if they’re shy little hamsters like me, and then you don’t reply to them??? How about some appreciation for all that effort your readers put into making you happy/making you feel worthy? It drives me nuts when bloggers don’t reply or show and recognition of the time you took to comment. Especially WordPress bloggers, who have a handy little option of “Liking” comments. And I mean, look at you. You have like three million comments on all your posts and always make sure to reply to every single one of them always.
*end rant* But yes. I love this post. If I ever teach a blogging class or something I will make my students read this post.
AHHHH THANK YOU VICTORIA. I FEEL SO HONOURED AND HAPPY RIGHT NOW. I MAY JUST FLAIL. *shrieks and flails* Ahemmm.
And dude: YES to all of this. Absolutely yes. I know some people think that comments are a “right” sort of thing? But they’re really not. I want to absolutely applaud and give cake and just THANK anyone who takes time to comment on my blog: because it is actually a big deal! You could be doing MUCH other things! And plus, I feel really shunned if a blogger just doesn’t even attempt to make the connection with me. I mean, I’m giving them MY time and MY energy but they don’t even acknowledge it? *runs off to find better friends*
Omg thank you though. <3 I truly really absolutely do try to get EVERY comment and visit back everyone. It doesn't always happen, but it's my totally huge intent.
LIKE THIS COMMENT, FOR INSTANCE, IS JUST GOLD AND I WISH TO HUG IT.
(Although do you blog? Because you didn't live your blog url and I can't comment back to you! *flails sadly*)
*hugs reply* Oops! Slipped my mind this time. I’m over at https://victoriam00.wordpress.com And I love your comments very much. =D
I comment on a variety of blogs, however I’m a pretty small blog so not many people comment. I don’t mind, though. I love that I have a small community whom avidly read my posts. And blogging shouldn’t be about the comments, should it? Shouldn’t it be about the fun you get out of it and people you meet? That’s my small opinion anyway 🙂 In other news, great post! I might be guilty of doing all of those things – buuuuut let’s not go into that 🙂
Oh, of course! I didn’t want this post to say blogging IS about the comments. I just wanted to write it for people who are looking to get more comments but don’t know how. 😛 But then again, I probably wouldn’t blog without the comments, because it’d be like shouting into the void for me and a bit unsatisfacotry. But that’s just me! One should blog for WHATEVER reason they want — just have fun. 😀
V. helpful post, thanks Cait! I normally find posts like this a bit daunting, as they tell me to do things like NETWORK without explaining HOW I can do that. I don’t get many comments, but I know I have been really inconsistent with actually posting and actually commenting on everything else. BUT I’M SO TIRED AND THERE’S SO MUCH OUT THERE.
Yayyy, I’m glad this wasn’t too daunting! And omg I’m the SAME though. I google stuff and people just are like “network” without actually giving advice on HOW to do it. It’s exactly not helpful.😂
OMG BUT I UNDERSTAND ABOUT THE BEING TIRED AND ALL THAT. IT IS SADNESS. I am super behind on replying to comments right now myself…but we do what we can right?!
Also, if I spend my life working and then commenting, when am I supposed to read?!
EXACTLY. I honestly sometimes spend hoooours blogging and realise I haven’t even had a chance to read lately and that feels odd because I’M BOOK BLOGGING AFTER ALL. 😂
Free cake is always good but I will not be sharing my home made scone as I type this. 😛
This post is seriously so great for people that are just starting out in the bloggerverse and has a lot of great tips. Before I actually made the jump and started my blog I already had a list of blogs that I checked out so for me they acted as like the base point cause I would literally read the comments on their post and if someone said something interesting or sounded friendly I’d end up visiting their blog and commenting on their post. To this day I still do that.
I think I spend most of my time commenting. Whether it’s a reply to a comment on my blog or a comment on someone else’s I spend so many hours commenting. I always feel bad if I’ve not replied to a comment after 2 days but I always remind myself that I need a break sometimes. Plus it doesn’t help that I tend to write huge paragraphs but hey, I like to talk haha.
I always wonder how long my posts should be. Sometimes I find it easy to spew out a 1000 word review but other times I can only muster 400. I don’t set myself a word limit but I think now I’m more likely to settle for a 500-700 word limit just so I don’t give myself a headache.
Lois @ My Midnight Musing recently posted…TV Talk: Mr. Robot
LOIS. YOU BREAK MY HEART. I HAVE A SCONE CRAVING AND EVERYTHING AND YOU’RE JUST GOING TO DENY ME???? *goes off to sob*
Ahem. But omg, thank you! *flails* You were clearly a wise beginner blogger though! I didn’t even know HOW to blog when I started.😂 It took me like 2 years to even start reading other blogs…(I know, I know, I was pretty hopeless).
And yes, taking breaks is okay!! Like I’m a bit slow answering this post’s comments *sad face* But we do our best, right?! AND NOTHING WRONG WITH LONG COMMENTS. THEY ARE SO MUCH AWESOME. <3 Oh oh but I wonder about post-length too. :O So let me know if you find the golden length.😂 I usually am around 1,000-words? But like this post nearly hit 2K. OOPS.😂
As always, Cait, you have some really helpful advice! I don’t get a super ton of comments, but when I do I make sure to reply back ASAP. But, I think I really need to start doing the other half: visiting their blogs. I don’t know why I don’t do it! I have my favorites that I visit and try to comment on (like yours <3) but I'm still severely lacking in that department. I know my faults, I just haven't corrected them yet even though I mean to. I'm going to start doing more in that respect!
Yayyy good on you!! I sometimes get quite behind on the commenting-back myself.😂 BUT WE TRY OUR BEST, RIGHT?! The visiting-back is really important, I think, especially if people don’t check back on your blog to get the replies. Oh oh but don’t even worry! You’re not alone! I often don’t get around to looking up new blogs. *hides* So I need to work on that myself!
I haven’t been very good with the social networking and tweeting my posts on Twitter (I try), but I just keep forgetting, and it’s hard to know what the tweet in the first place. But it’s true in that I read any posts that I have stumbled upon on my Twitter feed. So I am glad that OTHER bloggers tweet their posts!
I do agree that it does take a really long time to network and find your own clique. I’m really glad that I am somewhat established 🙂
IT IS HARD. Omg networking is REALLY hard. (I’m going to do a post on that soon, actually :P) But more because it’s really hard to know how not to be spammy, right?!? I honestly do most of my networking through commenting instead of twitter or whatnot, which is probably weird. 😛 AHEM. But omg I’m always clicking on twitter blog links too, so it is a VERY good means of promotion, if one gets the hang of it.😂
Cait this is a super awesome guide to commenting! I think it would definitely help a lot of people out there make that connection on getting more comments. Definitely the interaction with other bloggers and actually having content that people want to comment on helps! I mean you could be a social butterfly but when people go to their blog and all you see are blog tours or whatever, what are you supposed to leave?
Jeann @ Happy Indulgence recently posted…Passenger by Alexandra Bracken Review: Can I Time Travel the Kissing?
Yuuuus. And I’m kind of kicking myself for not talking more about content in this post.😂 (Although it is super long, heh, so probably good that I ended it.) BUT STILL. Content is majorly important, because there is literally nothing to sAY when it’s just a tour/promo post and the blogger hasn’t even added anything of their own on there. :O
This is all good advice, particularly socializing in different parts of the blogosphere, If you stick around long enough, many of the people who USED to comment on your blog will stop blogging, and you may need to put energy into finding a new circle of dedicated readers.
YES YES THIS EXACTLY!!! *flails* I was only thinking about the people who were my avid commenters 2 years ago are….no longer around! :O So one needs to be continually making new friends for this exact reason.
This is such an amazing post!! I’ve wondered this too and really it seems totally random! I’ve had days where I went out and commented on 380147831 blogs and got like, 3 replies. Other days, I’ve completely ignored the entire world and come back to find 25 comments on a recent post. Just… what? Sometimes I think it’s all luck of the draw, but I think you’ve made some great points! One of the things that will IMMEDIATELY make me leave another person’s blog is having to spend 10 minutes figuring out how to leave a comment. There are so many great comment platforms out there, WHY would you choose one that I have to hunt for? But anyway, thank you for all of these suggestions! I’ll definitely be tucking a few away for later!
Tracy @ Cornerfolds recently posted…Mini Book Reviews: Uglies by Scott Westerfeld & Hell House by Richard Matheson
YES. Luck does play a big part, I totally agree!! Same with any social media website, right?! Like it depends on if it’s like a weekend or a weekday or if people are online or aghhhh, SO MANY THINGS. Sometimes it’s really frustrating because a post that SHOULD’VE gotten a lot of traffic just flops or what not. So luck = yus. Big part.
And omg figuring out how to comment is the WORST. I’ve done that too and it just makes me so frustrated. It shouldn’t be the Great Scavenger Hunt. MAKE IT EASY FOR YOUR FOLLOWS. *collapses dramatically*
Hello, yes I would like some cake please.
In all seriousness, great advice, Cait. I willingly admit that I am a childish gnat who trembles in fear of huge blocks of writing. It could be the greatest ideas, but… UGHHH MY EYES
Comments always make me feel giddy. They’re a moment of pure ‘OMG I HAVE BEEN RECOGNISED BY THE OTHER HUMANS I AM ACKNOWLEDGED I AM LOVED!’. Dancing may ensue.
*gives you cake since you asked so nicely* I am a childish gnat too, Grace. DO NOT FEAR. WE CAN ALL BE CHILDISH GNATS TOGETHER. But at least we try, right?! That’s what matters. *nods* COMMENTS ARE DIVINE CREATURES.
Great post- so much truth. 🙂 Having questions inviting the reader in is such a good idea, and I don’t know how many times I’ve neglected to do that. lol. So yeah… good tip. And I laughed at CAPTCHA- yeah those math ones kill me. What’s next??? I agree about Google + too, I have a hard time when I want to comment on a blog but I can’t because I don’t have G+ (one could argue I should have it, but I’m stubborn I guess).
Yayyy! I’m glad you found the tips helpful! I honestly think I got FAR more comments when I started opening things up for discussion. *nods* OMG THE MATH CAPTCHA SHOULD BE OUTLAWED THO OMG. I am not built for maths. *dies a little* (And I don’t WANT to get a google+ 😂 I’ve resisted all these years and I don’t want to cave!)
I don’t have anything to add, but I want to mention that I love to find brand new baby bloggers, especially young teens, and leave comments on a regular basis when they are only getting a couple, or sometimes no comments. I think this is the literacy volunteer in me dribbling out into my blogging. Ha ha! Many of them don’t reply to the comments on their posts and almost 100% of them never comment on my blog (so I am assuming they don’t on others either), but the next thing you know they are on Twitter complaining about blog stats and no comments. I want to tell them to at least reply to their post comments and try to comment back on other blogs, but from previous experiences, I am reluctant because people thought I was being rude when I mentioned these things. Hopefully they will read your post. Also, I am trying to get blogger to fix my now microscopic comment boxes on my blog. It is taking them forever to get back with me. And that is assuming they do get back to people! 😀
Omg, really?! I haven’t had that happen, but that sounds quite irritating. Agh. I think there is a lot of maturing that needs to be done when baby bloggers (or teen bloggers 😛) start up! And I try not to blame them too much, because I was probably a bit annoying when I started too. heh. (Actually I only remember being INTENSELY shy and petrified that I’d say something stupid! I mean, I’m still worried about that, but I figure we’ll all say stupid stuff and need to just forgive each other. 😂)
This is a great post! When I started out two years ago I barely got any comments but then I was two shy and scared to comment on other blogs but I started taking part in various memes and met other great bloggers and through them other bloggers and from this more comments. I am always suspicious of very young blogs with tons of comments!
Thanks so much for sharing this though it is very helpful!
I’ve been there, DO NOT FEAR! 😛 I’m still actually kind of shy…believe it or not! I just try to remember that if I really love comments, then other people do too, and sharing the comment love is worth it. ;D
AH YOU’RE AWESOME CAIT!
And I can’t believe you’ve been blogging for five years. Oh, actually I can. You’ve so got the seasoned and wise blogger friend down. 😛
This post was incredibly helpful! I’m blogging consistently (ish) and I will definitely keep these tips in mind.
AHH THANK YOU. 😛 And yes, omg nearly 5 years! I’ll turn 5 in May. I CAN’T BELIEVE I’VE BEEN GOING THIS LONG TOO, OMG AND I STILL HAVE THINGS TOS SAY?! #wizardry Aww, but thank you, and I’m so glad you liked this post!!
*huggles post* COMMENTS ARE LIFE. I love commenting places when I have time. I mean, if I’m going to read something, I may as well tell the author of the post that I liked it, right? 😀 Discussion = win. This post is GLORIOUS btw. I’m not necessarily the best at commenting back all the time or finding new blogs or networking, just because of the TIME issue… but I try, sometimes! And I love when you do posts like this about blogging and tips and just alskdjflkjdlk you are such a helpful pineapple. THANKS CAIT! <3
YESSSS I AGREE! I barely EVER read a post with no intention of commenting. I just like to comment?! I know how awesome I feel when I get them, so I want to return that favour for sure. ;D And time issue IS A big thing. I wish I’d mentioned that in my post. #fail 😂 But it just depends on what you want to achieve and no one has to do ALL THE THINGS. Just we need to do our best and what we can and not stress about it too much, right?!
This is such a helpful post! I do think it is difficult to keep up with so many blogs all at once and I’ll try to expand my book-blogger circle a bit more… 🙂 Thanks for all the tips!
Oh oh it IS hard to keep up with all the blog reading. *nods* I totally agree! And the more you expand, the more you have to keep up with. 😛
Even though I do all the things on the list above, I sometimes have a hard time getting comments. It’s weird – half my posts get a good amount (well, for me, a smol blogger with barely 60 followers) but then others get like zero – not because they’re long or sad (those are the ones that get the most????). I don’t get a lot of comments on book reviews (which sucks, because I am supposed to be a READING AND WRITING BLOG theoretically you come here expecting to get at least some reviews what even) or my own writing I post (even short poetry-like things that literally require a minute to read). So thank you for this post!! This will be very helpful. I shall make a checklist of these things and go through them whenever writing a post.
I KNOW RIGHT BLOGS THAT WON’T LET ME COMMENT ASDFGHJKL. One of my favorite fellow fantasy writers has a WordPress blog and won’t allow comments from anyone unless they have a WordPress, Twitter, FB, or G+ account (of which I have none). THIS IS VERY SAD. And it kind of makes me not feel motivated to read their posts – because if there isn’t a conversation/discussion I can join or start up with fellow commenters or the blogger, that takes away like half the fun.
Ellie | On the Other Side of Reality
I don’t get many comments on my reviews either. *howls* And honestly my posts on writing get far less too. IDEK WHY THIS IS?!? Life is a mystery sometimes. I think, of reviews, it’s easier to formulate a comment if you’ve read the book. And not everyone has, so a lot of people don’t know what to say. Which I get! I try to have discussion questions at the end of my reviews for even if you haven’t read the book. But that still doesn’t always work. 😂
DUDE YES. I don’t feel motivated to read posts when I can’t comment either!! IT MAKES ME SAD. and I hate to think that those people think I’m ignoring them?!? I JUST CAN’T COMMENT OMG. TRAGEDY.
We all want comments and feedback and to know people are listening, so yeah, it’s tough when you aren’t sure what to do. I think you make some great points though! It’s important to be nice and open to other bloggers – hop around and find new blogs and leave nice comments. It takes time though. I’ve been blogging since 2007 and I’m sure blogs who are “newer” in a sense are doing better with comments, but it happens! Sometimes LUCK really is involved, or people just really really like a certain blog for some reason. that’s cool. We’re not all going to be on the same level in every way. 🙂
-Lauren
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…Sunday Post (14): Raising Money for London!
YES. I should’ve mentioned that luck is definitely a thing. 😂 Honestly I think I’ve gotten really lucky with a few posts…but otherwise it has been just a lot of HOURS for me to grow my blog. omg, so. many. hours. And everyone’s journey is different too, for sure. *nods*
As a newbie it’s kind of hard to tell what things will be like if I accumulate more followers. I mean, some posts have no comments, but I liked them and I liked writing them, so who cares? I’m not trying to be tough or anything, but I really don’t care. It’s kind of liberating to just be writing for myself and not an audience.
AND ALSO YOU ARE AMAZING AND I LOVE YOUR COMMENTS ON MY BLOG. And also the book blogging community IS SO MUCH NICER THAN I EXPECTED. Like, I comment on people’s blogs or form a friendship and follow them, and they usually will at least check out my blog and most likely leave a comment and I mean, I found most of them through you, plus you encouraged me to start blogging in the first place (AHHH I’M BEING SO CHEESY I’M DROWNING IN MOZZARELLA). BUT BASICALLY JUST A MASSIVE THANK YOU TO YOU AND ANY PINEAPPLES THAT HAVE BEEN SO SUPPORTIVE TOWARDS ME!
Excellent post as always, Cait!
Cheers, Em
That’s great though!! I mean, blogging is 100% about what YOU want to achieve, and if just writing posts is what makes you happy and not having a big following — then you should totally stick with that. 😉
EEEP. THE BOOK BLOGGING COMMUNITY IS REALLY AWESOME, I KNOOOOOW. <3 I love them all. It's so friendly! *shares pizza with you because this clearly calls for pizza*
Great post! I’ll definitly have to take a look at commenting on different blogs then just my usual.
Question, your blog allows anyone to comment correct? Do you ever have a problem with spam comments? My blog doesn’t usually show comments till I approve them because of spam reasons, but I’ve been considering discontinuing it.
Yup! Anyone should be able to comment. *nods* I have akismet to sort out my spam? (Which it mostly does a good job!) Did you check your settings to be sure you don’t actually have it set to moderation? Because that could be it! 😛
Oh cool you have something that sorts them! I’ll definitely check my settings. Thanks!
I totally agree! Once I figured out that commenting back was I thing, I found a whole new world of blogging! It’s amazing what spending five minutes visiting a commenter’s blog can do. There was a period where nobody commented on my posts every, but I’m at the point now (thankfully) where someone always comments within the first couple of days of me posting, which is so nice. Being the recipient of some very kind bloggers who commented back (including you!) helped me realize how important that practice was:)
I don’t know how you handle replying to all your comments! I can barely read the blogs in my feed, let alone a ton of other blogs that I haven’t even discovered yet from commenters. Kudos to you for that.
SAAAAAME. Praise the universe for the movement that was the Commenting Back people. 😂 It totally changed how I blogged! And honestly I wish I could comment on every single post EVERYONE I love/follow writes…omg, I need more hours in my day. *shrieks*
(I honestly only manage to read a handful of blogs in my feed, tbh, because most of my time goes into commenting back here. Which is sadness. BUT YEAH. I do still try to get onto bloglovin’!)
I think these are VERY good and very true but also that everyone SHOULD be doing the Polka, because my grandparents used to do the polka in their living room and then when they got too old they would just WATCH it on their living room TV, but enough about my grandparents because you said I should not be sad.
What were we talking about here? Hmmm comments. Yeah, I think the number one thing is being a nice human to interact with. That’s literally ALL I ask for when commenting on someone’s blog. But the other things, yes, yes! Branch out! I cannot tell you how many bloggers I have found while trolling through comments- sometimes I will see something in say, your comments, a commentluv link to a post that sounds AWESOME, so I will visit it! Blogrolls are another HUGE one, I love that you mentioned it, because if a blogger I love follows someone.. it’s pretty likely that I am going to stop by and visit them too!
The sequel thing is SUCH a good point. Those are actually one of the few post types I WON’T read- not because I don’t want to, but because sometimes I do not want to know anything about a series before I start- and if you are reviewing the 18th book in the series, I am pretty sure there will be spoilers. I try to keep my sequels to a minimum- or often, in mini-reviews. Obviously sometimes I have big old ARCs that need to be reviewed, and that is fine, but yeah, not ALL the sequels all the time.
THESE ARE GOOD. (Oh, and I do not struggle to comment, in terms of writing them- I usually write too much. But if you have TIME suggestions, I’m open!)
Shannon @ It Starts At Midnight recently posted…Step Up Your Slump
YESSSS BEING NICE: it’s very very important and also underestimated?! Like it’s really easy to just type a few more words and make people feel welcomed. *nods* But omg I actually need to take my OWN ADVICE here and read some more blogs. TIIIIIME. WHY CAN’T I HAVE MORE OF IT, SHANNON. HELP ME.
And yes…those 18th-in-the-series reviews are really hard. :O I’ve been on blogs where the last 5 or 56 posts have been sequel reviews and I ended up having to leave without commenting and I FELT REALLY BAD. But spoilers?! Me no likee.
Thanks for the wonderful tips!
I find WordPress so endearing because of the bloggers I’ve recently discovered. It was like this in my old platform!
I enjoy you posts!
Eeep, I’m so glad, Genesis! 😀 THAT MAKES MY DAY, THANK YOU.
YES, patience is definitely key. Patience and networking. Actually, networking is the thing they KEPT on saying at uni orientation and I’m like, well, I talk to authors on Twitter so clearly I’m a pro.
BUT ACTUALLY I don’t mind not getting billions of comments. It’s nice knowing everyone who comments on my blog, and being able to comment back on all of them 🙂
Patience is GOOD. Except it’s really insufferably hard, omg. (And also it’s totally okay to not want a lot of comments. 😂 I should’ve put that in my post too, actually. Like we don’t have to fall into the trap of thinking we should want something? I MEAN I DO WANT COMMENTS BECAUSE I HAVE TO RULE THIS PLANET. but that’s just me. 😂)
THIS IS SUCH A GREAT POST!
Honestly, although I started up my blog two years ago, it’s been only the last couple of months that I REALLY got into blogging. I don’t know what I was expecting, to be honest – maybe for something to fall onto my head and suddenly I’d be internet famous – but that was two years ago. I now realise that I LOVE what I have, and I LOVE growing at a small pace.
This post is so helpful, especially the part about opening the discussion. I realise that I rarely ever do that, and I’m going to definitely do that now.
AAFJDLKASD I’M SO GLAD YOU LIKED IT, ADITI. *flails wildly* And honestly, it took me 2 years to even understand what networking was. 😂 So you’re not alone!
Do you even know how amazing you are right now? Thanks to you, I finally know where I went wrong in trying to get comments. I NEEDA EXPAND MY CIRCLE, and also leave cool questions for my followers. EEEEK, YOU’RE AMAZING.
*gives you a huge cake*
But yes, I do agree with the part about faking it until you make it. I think that people should not give up. If you think you wrote a fabulous post and nobody commented on it, KEEP PUSHING IT ON PEOPLE. Jkjk. No, but seriously, every time you comment on other’s blogs, you should put THAT particular post on the link back thingy. That’s how I do it all the time, and it works!
Hehe such a great post, Cait.
(Time to spam your other posts, I’m sorry in advance.)
YOU ARE MOST WELCOME. I’M SO GLAD IT’S HELPFUL. 😂 *commences small dance party*
And YES! Sometimes post just need a little more promo, right?! Because good posts shouldn’t just be left to moulder away all lonesome like. KEEP TELLING PEOPLE YOU WROTE IT!! 😀
Commenting on other blogs than your friends is a good one. How can you expect people to find your blog if you don’t put yourself out there? I like to hop around blogs I have not visited before. Having content that invites people to talk and discuss is also important. I always try to end my posts with a question, so people can react on that if they like. And another thing is simply being fabulous, like you are 😉
EXACTLY! And I think we sometimes forget that we have to go FIND the blogs if we want to meet new people. I know I forget that sometimes too. 😂 And the reaction questions are soooo helpful. Sometimes I get to the end of a post and I know I have a million things to say, but I’m not sure where to start. So the questions help me get started. 😀
Cait, this is genius. I haven’t thought about many of these things before! Thank you so much! *GIVES YOU CAKE AS A REWARD FOR THIS POST*
*EATS ALL THE CAKE THANKFULLY* YOU ARE MOST WELCOME.
I enjoy your posts because they are super well-written and thought out, and insightful. I don’t have nearly enough time or energy to write such amazing posts. This is why you get all the comments 🙂
Aww, thank you, Julie! <3 THAT IS SO KIND OF YOU TO SAY. *sniffles happily*
“You post more than a month, right?” Omg I was reading the things you should be doing and was like ‘I read other blogs, check, I reply to comments, check’ and then you spring that one out and I was like oh. gosh darn.
Anyway, these are all super useful and super true, and most can be applied to any kind of blog, like fashion or what mine has now apparently turned in to, travel.
And YES EVERYONE TAKE NOTE, DO NOT ONLY ALLOW PEOPLE TO COMMENT VIA FACEBOOK, because I can promise you that’s one sure way to deter hundreds of potential commenters.
Great post though Cait, I wonder how many people will bookmark this and use it as a continual measure to monitor what’s occurring, if you know what I mean?
Amy;
Little Moon Elephant
AHHH. SORRY. 😂 I mean, it IS up for everyone to blog however they want!! So don’t let me “tell you want to do” or anything, okay?! I should’ve clarified that in the post too. #mybad But I mean, the more you post the more traffic you can drive to your blog, for sure. It just depends on what you want to achieve, right?
OMG I BASICALLY RUN SCREAMING FROM FACEBOOK COMMENTS. I like to keep my facebook and my blog SEPARATE. Gah. Very separate.
An absolutly fanfreakintastic post Cait!!! As you know I too am blessed with a wonderful group of followers who comment on the daily..and I do exactly what you are doing. Also when I visit new blogs, I scroll down the comments and visit blogs of people who commented.. Some days are overwhelming and I only visit the blogs who stop by, but I make it a point to visit new blogs weekly, and pop in on those I haven’t seen in awhile.
kimbacaffeinate recently posted…Sunday Post #205 Wanted
Oh oh I’m so glad you liked this post, Kimba! *flails happily* And omg I do understand about being overwhelmed…I mean, once I’ve answered all the comments on my post and visited everyone’s blogs…I usually don’t have TIME to go out and find new blogs? But it is my goal to try and, at least once a week, visit new blogs and make new connections. You never know when you might find an awesome new bookish friend, too, right?!
Loyal followers are the sweetest of ever though, omg. <3
I used to only get a few comments here and there. And then I joined Nicole and Shannon’s Discussion Challenge (Feed Your Fiction Addiction & It Starts At Midnight). They have a link up they post every month, and since that started I’ve been getting 40-100 comments on my blog a month. Of course, my blog is also 1.5 years old now, so that helps a lot too!
I haven’t had much time to comment on blogs for the last few months, except my favorites that I visit a lot anyhow. *grins* But my comments haven’t dropped off that much since I still answer all the comments on my own blog. It’s just getting time to visit OTHER blogs that has fallen by the wayside. My RL job is short-staffed so I’ve been doing over-time and only 1 day off a week.
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YAY FOR SO MANY COMMENTS!! THAT IS SO GOOD!! *flings confetti at you* And yay for growth! I honestly don’t do so many linkups now? But that’s just because I ran out of time. 😂 They are SO GREAT for finding new blogs and making friends!
You just referenced the Kung-Fu series with grasshopper!!! (I don’t know whether you know that you did but you did – so I now think you are awesome sauce!)
You just made me smile so very, very much 🙂
AHHH I’LL TAKE THAT REFERENCE. 😂 I was actually quoting The Fault in Our Stars when Hazel says that to Gus! HEHE. So like DOUBLE REFERENCE WIN. *awards self*
Ahem. But I’m so glad you liked the post. ;D
Ha, referencing references counts! If you like TV series that shouldn’t work but do (a 1970s mash-up of a Western and a Kung-Fu movie… with 4 series worth of episodes?!) then watch Kung-Fu – my father is like, the original Kung-Fu fanboy, so I was raised watching it obsessively 😉
Thank you for this!! Comments on my blog make me so happy, so I’m always wanting more people to comment. Something I do need to do is find more blogs – blog rolls are my savior! I usually just go on Bloglovin (where I keep up with the blogs I read) if I want to go on a commenting spree, but it doesn’t help me find any new blogs. Twitter is very useful for me as well! Do you find Pinterest helps you gain visitors/commenters? I see a lot of people go on about it, but I haven’t got an account yet. ♥
Denise | The Bibliolater
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I keep all my blogs on bloglovin’ too!! YAY FOR THE EPICNESS THAT IS BLOGLOVIN. *hugs it* Ahem. But it does give suggestions if you follow a new blog, I think? Although that can be not-so-useful, because, like…when I go looking for new blogs to follow, I want to know that the blogger is active and interested in making friends! Or else what’s the point, right?!
I actually don’t use pinterest for my blog! SHAME ON ME. I could probably do a LOT of networking there, but I find twitter/instagram is all I can handle at the moment.
This is such good advice! As you observed, I’m used to these kinds of posts all saying mostly the same thing, but I like how you laid out some simple content-related strategies other than just “make your posts end in a question.” GREAT post!
I’ve also found that overall post length can be a killer … it certainly helps to break up the text, as you suggest, but there are some topics that just can’t be too lengthy (as I’m wont to do) or you lose people. Since I’m not a huge fan of having many series-posts (for reasons you already mentioned), I end up avoiding topics that I don’t feel like I can cover concisely (or I draft them and then spend far too long working on condensing them).
AHH I’M SO GLAD, LIZA!! I used to get sooo frustrated googling this kind of stuff and just having generic advice?! So I really wanted to post some actual THINGS we can do to help. I’m glad it’s working. ;D
And YUS. Post length for sure. Apparently statistics say (I read this somewhere but can’t remember where) that a good post is like 1,000 to 1,500 words? But I honestly find shorter posts easier to read. (THAT SAYING THIS POST IS GINORMOUS. 😂)
Bless you for writing this blogpost, literally, you are the only person that comments on our blog (which we love you for, thank you ♥)
I am definitely going to try these things. Right now it really feels like we’re writing all these blogpost for nobody.
Love the post as always! 🙂
Xx Amber, http://thenamelessbookblog.blogspot.nl/
OMG, AMBER. *gives you cake* I’m so glad the post was helpful though and I hope you get a MILLION (okay, maybe, like, not that many because that would be overwhelming 😂) people visiting your blog soon!! GOOD LUCK!!!
You mean there is no secret recipe???Whaaat? I find myself nodding to everything you wrote but thinking back on it, I’ve barely done any of that since I moved to Spain. Blog has been put to the side a little, I’m sad to say it but it’s the truth…where I tried to visit people’s blogs every day, now I do once a week or less….I need some cake, please and thank you!
YOU DEFINITELY GET CAKE. *piles it upon your head* And honestly? The time for blogging CAN wax and wan in our lives, I suppose…like we get busy and stuff?! And I think the more time one puts into blogging, the more it grows. *nods* But that’s not always possible and is totally understandable!
I LOVE THIS. I started my blog 8 months ago and sometimes I look at other’s comment count and am like WHYY – but really, it’s A LOT OF WORK. 8 months isn’t that long of a time, especially when I spent the first few months figuring everything out xD Great post! And great reminder that it’s about community rather than just numbers 🙂
Omg 8 months!! GO YOU FOR SO MUCH AMAZINGNESS IN 8 MONTHS THOUGH!! *flings cake at you* Honestly in 8 months, my blog had probably like 5 pageviews per post and they were all my family. 😂 (I had NO idea how to blog. 😂)
Is it just me or does it seem like commenting has decreased within the past year or so? I feel like a lot of people are taking to sharing reviews and posts on Twitter rather than actually leaving a comment. Or is that just me?
But YES to all of these things. Commenting back and visiting other people’s blogs are the two best ways to get more people to comment. Being friendly is really important as well. And OMG I hate it when blogs have captcha on their comments! And Facebook and Google+ comment forms annoy me as well.
Thanks for sharing these amazing tips Cait and, as always, fabulous post! ♥
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Ooh, I don’t know! I hadn’t noticed so much…except, actually, hmm. I’m going to have to take notice of this one. 😂 Although, tbh, the sharing on twitter is actually better for pagestats!
I particularly hate the facebook comments now. Gah. Because it like shows my full name/town and all that on the comment?!?! And I don’t know how to turn that off and GAH I JUST FEEL LIKE I DON’T WANT TO SAY THAT STUFF ON A RANDOM BLOG. *withers*
THANK YOU SO MUCH! I almost literally always wonder why no one comments on my blog. This answers my question in so much depth.
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I’M SO GLAD IT WAS HELPFUL, VERONICA! *throws sprinkles at you*
this is insanely helpful considering i am a newer blogger! i’ve been trying to comment on lots of different blogs lately and have been getting good results! 😀 in fact, i’m blog hoping right now and i think i’ve hit 10-20 blogs, so yay!
WELCOME TO THE BLOGGING WORLD, SOPHIA! *gives you copious amounts of welcome cake* And honestly commenting is amazing for getting people to know you exist! I think book bloggers are pretty awesomely friendly too. ;D
Loved this post! I’m fairly new to blogging and appreciate your tips- particularly loved the idea of ending posts in a way that elicits discussion. I struggle to end in a such a way that invites comments but doesn’t seem too cheesy! 🙂
Eeeep, welcome to blogging, Katie! *sprinkles welcome cake in your hair* I HOPE YOU ENJOY IT! ;D And I totally get what you mean about figuring out the perfect ending. Although I don’t know if I’m ever being cheesy or not. 😂 I just go with whatever comes!
YAS, CAIT. Networking takes a LOAD of time, and while it’s usually actually fun and exciting, it isn’t always kittens and rainbows. IT’S HARD. And yes, the polka. It’s actually really awesome discovering new blogs (AND NEW PEOPLE!) from all around the globe. Let them know of your tiny little corner of the blogosphere by giving them a little love! PLUS CAPTCHA ANG GOOGLE + ASFHUDHFSU I IMMEDIATELY LEAVE THE BLOG NO MATTER HOW AWESOME HE POST IS. 🙁 It’s just really too much of a hassle.
Bonus: Aside from cake, I also recommend giving away crème brûlée because those things are golden.
Aimee @ Deadly Darlings recently posted…F/F Romances, Unicorns and #ownvoices
IT DOES TAKE A LOT OF TIME! I wish I’d actually mentioned that more in my post. 😂 Like sometimes doing this isn’t always feasible and possible?! WHICH IS TOTALLY FINE! I don’t think we should be stressing our brains out over blogging. But doing the polka = excellent advice, tbh. I’m very wise. #humble
ERMAGERD I DIE AT THE MATHS CAPTCHA THOUGH. I always forget what I wanted to say by the time I get through that. -_-
This is a great blog post. I have slowed down in blogging in the past… let’s say two years. I used to visit blog after blog and comment and that is totally how to get noticed. I think though since I’ve been blogging for a while now it’s not as important for me to spend hours doing all that. All your advice is spot on. One thing that really does get people active and commenting are discussion posts like this one.
Oh I totally get that! It definitely depends on what one wants to achieve right?! Which is fine. *nods* There’s all different stages of our blogging lives. 😀
(And omg I was ridiculously nervous about this post for some reason….so I’m glad it’s gone down well! 😂)
I started including questions at the end of every single post (which you mentioned) because I feel like that’s really helpful. Sometimes when I’m trying to comment on other posts, I just won’t really be sure what to say for whatever reason, so I’ll look for questions. It makes me feel, like, more welcome to talk about those things, if that makes any sense? It’s just helpful lol.
I definitely find it hardest to comment on blogs when it’s all book reviews of sequels and/or promo posts and/or book hauls with a bunch of books I have no interest in. I just don’t have anything to say about any of those things. That’s why I try to include posts on my blog that everyone can join in on, like discussions 🙂 And when I review a sequel, I try to also post a first-in-series or standalone in the same week.
This is all great advice!
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Oh oh totally agreed! I often read posts and don’t know what to say…but then the discussion questions help me gather my thoughts. 😂 Plus I feel like the blogger actually WANTS discussion?! And that’s so encouraging!
Agh, promo posts are very hard too…particularly when the blogger actually hasn’t SAID anything about the book? So, like, I don’t know what to say without sounding generic. #awkwardf
Hey, this was a fun post to read. I do get comments, but there are some off-days too. I think its because I am not consistent enough and I have lesser networking with other blogs. I keep comments limited to the ones I like, And ofcourse Instagram and real life takes up a huge chunk of time.
Oh oh I understand instagram taking up a lot of time. I LOVE INSTAGRAM AND I COULD EAT BOOKISH PHOTOS ALL DAY. <3
It is actually baffling how you manage to reign AND simultaneously be the friendliest person in the comments section re answering, you really pour your love out, my friend, I applaud you! 🙂 (have some of my chocolate cake which I devoured for breakfast. oh and the chocolate covered butterbiscuits.)
Omg, thank you. 😂 THIS MAKES ME SMILE SO MUCH EEEEEEP YOU ARE SO NICE. Ahem. But I do spend a lot of hours at this, so I’m glad it’s worth it. <3
DUDE. CHOCOLATE CAKE. THANK YOU.
This came at the most PERFECT time ever. I’ve recently decided to up my commenting game, and have been a little sad about the lack of comments on my blog. But, I also know, it takes more than just posting into the vast interwebz for people to notice you.
One of the handiest things I learned when posting, which I feel very embarrassed to admit since it seems like EVERYONE else understood this but me, was putting your blog name WITH your name when commenting. I used to just put “mackenzie” and link my blog. I noticed a lot more people started clicking through when I added “@ Keyboards & Coffee” because then they knew I had a site!
Thanks for the motivation boost to start networking better 🙂
AHH I’m so glad it’s helpful, Mackenzie!!! *flails* And omg I was the same with the name + blog name thing. 😂 I feel like it’s easier to remember people when you match them to their blog, right?! Like idek how many people would remember my name by itself…but WITH the Paper Fury, it kind of brands me all together?! Helps stick in people’s minds. Hopefully. XD
This is my second year of blogging, and to be frank, I’ve only just now started to get comments. I network………sort of. Whenever I post something, a link gets posted automatically on my G+ fanpage, and I have a link on Goodreads to my blog, and I’ve linked my Gearbound updates on my Wattpad for my followers to read.
This was a really helpful post! Thanks Cait 😀
I’m glad you liked it, Mironiel! *flails wildly* I kind of get nervous posting tips because….I make most of them up.😂 AHEM. But yes! Networking is definitely hard, but you’ve got a good start on it!
Great advice! I LOVE getting comments and while our blog stats are pretty high, the comment conversing is kind of dismal and it makes me sad all day! Casue I obviously LOVE to talk to the internet world!
Ooh, yay for good stats though!! They really matter! Although the comments do make more of a visual representation of interaction/growth, right?! ;D CAKE FOR YOU tHO, AND GOOD LUCK!!
Cait, this post is completely brilliant and wonderful. Full of such brilliant advice!
I have been blogging for seven years now, but I get very few comments – sometimes none at all on some posts. And I think part of the reason is like you said, people don’t know my blog. Or not very much. I have lots of Twitter followers, but I don’t think that automatically translates into blog readers. I do believe I need to read and comment on more other blogs… but this is a little difficult, because I have very particular tastes when it comes to the blogs I read. I don’t want to read blogs I don’t like just to get more readers/commenters; it’s not fair on me, and it’s not fair on them – I really don’t like the idea of writing fake comments: “Great post, your thoughts on XYZ were really interesting, and I think…” when in actual fact I couldn’t care about that particular topic any less, and didn’t find the bloggers thoughts on it all that interesting. I don’t want to lie. Though I know you weren’t suggesting we do!
So I have to find more blogs that blog in the way I like – which is, mostly, long detailed reviews that really get into the plot of the story (without spoiling), but also written by bloggers who have a distinct personality/voice that shines through. You’re a perfect example of this. You’re reviews might not be hugely long, but you still get all the great detail out with your lists, and no-one could confuse you with another blogger. I love your blogging voice, and I’m drawn to Paper Fury because of YOU as well as because of what you write about/review. So I need to find more blogs that are similar. (To be honest, I think Australian bloggers are just pretty awesome in general. I don’t know if you knew them, but I was an avid read of Brodie’s Eleusyian Mysteries, Lisa’s Read Me, Bookmark Me, Love Me, and Sarah’s Saz101 – long reviews, distinct voices, wonderful ladies! But two of them no-longer blog, and one hasn’t for two years, so I don’t think she’ll be carrying on. You Aussies are pretty awesome at blogging. I just need to find more. And comment comment comment!
AHHH THANK YOU, JO. <3 You are so nice and encouraging. *squeaks*
Oh and I do know what you mean. *nods* Making "fake" friendships isn't any good for anyone, and if you force yourself to read blogs and things you aren't interested in...it can quickly make blogging a chore, right? I do, personally, read a lot of blogs I wouldn't pick. But for me, it’s about the relationship side more than the actual BLOG side, if that makes sense? I like connecting with people and making friendships, even if their blog isn’t my favourite. BUT YES I AGREE WITH YOU. Don’t make it “just about the numbers”. *nods*
omggg, but seriously?! I AM SO SO HONOURED, JO, THANK YOU. <3 I actually don't know any of those Aussie blogs that you listed but I MUST go stalk them immediately because I love fellow Aussie bloggers! (And yus, I won't deny, we are a country of gland bloggers. ;D)
These are all really important things to remember when blogging and trying to get comments. You can post all you want but if you don’t put some effort into the social side of blogging you are going to feel a bit like you’re shouting into the void. I am terrible at the social side of blogging (like, most people who are awkward in real life somehow conquer the online world with their amazing socialness and ability to talk to anyone… I am not that person).
I do like your point about finding blogs and commenting on those where you get comments back. I do find that there are certain blogs I am way more likely to get visits from them when I visit them regularly and I try really hard to do the same for the commenters on my blog. I do try to keep to my usual rule of only commenting back when someone has a post I have something to say on.
You’re right about always trying to have questions to readers to help them out. Sometimes I read a post and really like that they’ve said but then feel lost as to what to comment because they seem to have it covered, those little questions asked at the end of the post can help me be able to form actual coherent (or, semi-coherent) thoughts.
I don’t know, I kind of accept some posts are definitely not destined for a world full of comments, that’s just blogging. But as long as you sound interested in what you’ve written and ask a question or two you can always hope to get at least one comment from folks. A regular blogging routine and a variety of posts help too. And how did I not even consider that posting lots of sequel reviews can mean people won’t be as interested? If you haven’t read the first book you aren’t likely to want to read a review on the later ones. How obvious is that one?
Thank you for the things to think one… so many things. I will never remember them all, but maybe some grain of logic will embed itself and come out when I blog… maybe… one can only hope anyway.
I am the awkward-in-real-life person.😂 I AM. I am so so soooo awkward and NOT a people person aT ALL. But somehow I find it really easy on the internet?! Ahem. but I DIGRESS. 😂 So yes, absolutely! It does feel like shouting into the void if we don’t get any comments. And social networking IS important. But I guess it depends on what one wants to achieve too, right?! I find that what you put into your blog, you mostly get back. AND IT’S SO NICE. <3
I do love the questions too!! Like sometimes I have SO MUCH to say and I need the questions to help me figure out where to start. Or alternately, I have no clue what to say.😂 either way: discussion questions = wonderful.
And too true about some posts just not being viral-spreading-sort-of-material. Which is totally fine. *nods* It's YOUR blog after all, and you should post what you want.
But I'm glad this post was interesting for you, and thank yooooou so much for your thoughtful comment! 😀
This is such a great post, Cait! I’m sure many bloggers find it helpful. You are one of the most positive, energetic and easy to approach blogger. I admit I’m not good at commenting back. Unfortunately I don’t have a lot of time for blogging, so I don’t comment regularly. It’s usually sporadic massive visiting blogs and commenting when I have time.
Ksenia @ Something Delicate recently posted…Review: The Score (Off-Campus #3) by Elle Kennedy
OMGGGGG THANK YOU SO SO MUCH. This literally makes my day because this is my GOAL *shrieks*
Oh oh but I do understand about the time issue. I wish I’d mentioned that in my post actually…because we seriously do NOT always have time to do a lot, right? Like I’ve cut my blogging posting in half in order to keep up with comments. *gulps* So YES. We just need to do what we can do, right?!
My comments have increased exponentially since following your advice. XD I follow all of these things. I especially make it a point to visit six new bloggers form your link-up every month to expand. ^ ^ I’ve been blogging for almost three years, but I didn’t get serious with it until last January, but just in a year my yearly comments jumped from 2014’s total of 177 comments to 2015’s total of 819 comments. And I already have nearly 400 in just these first three months of this year! So that’s a big difference in just one year of being committed to all of these tips and posting consistently and so on. Thanks for all of the great advice! It’s helped my blog so much and made the blogging experience so much funner!
YAYYYY. That really makes my day.😂 (Especially since I like make up half of these things, omg. hehe.) Wow though, those are AMAZING STATS!! *throws confetti at you* And it took me like 2 years of blogging before I even started to figure out what networking was…and I went from like 1 follower to…where I am now. ;D I totally think interaction MAKES the blogging experience. Without it, blogging is kind of lonely?!
Same. XD I’ve feel like just in the past year I’m finding my groove and figuring out what I want my blog to be. I think I finally have it and I’ve discovered something I like writing and other people like reading. I’m really excited. ^ ^ It would be lonely! I’m glad I met you. ^ ^ You’ve helped me a lot in blogging.
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And if you try and people aren’t interested in interacting with you? Go attack someone else with your fabulous friendship. I realised this year that about 60% of my favourite blogs rarely talked/interacted with me. I still love/read their posts, but I put my networking energy elsewhere. This is okay too.
Yes! I think this is a thing people might feel awkward about. I certainly did because I followed (and still do follow) some people who never, ever return my comments. And it was like, am I missing some magic? People are supposed to COMMENT BACK. And in the end you just have to go, okay, I can comment or not on that blog but they won’t comment back, and no amount of effort put into it changes that. Read and comment on other blogs too!
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It is REALLY depressing, I find, because like I put effort into supporting them, but they have no intentions of making friends with me? Agh. I would rather spend my time with people who WANT to be friends. It’s really sad though. *sad face*
I love this post! As I have said to other blogs in the past, you have taught all of us to leave questions in bold at the end of our posts and WE ARE THANKFUL.
I really hope I can meet Analytical Algernon one day. For the most part I’m generally Cap Locks Cara. Sometimes I’m like, “Emily, you don’t KNOW this person. STOP IT.” But then again, it’s who I am, Bob. (I don’t know what that means but I have started using it in conversation?!?! SEE WHAT YOU DO TO ME.)
But actually it has been such a joy to start, uh, getting more comments. For me getting in double figures is an achievement, but I now do it on every post, when once to get four or six was a big deal!
CAPTCHA is my nemesis. You know the ones that are like “which of these images contain burritos?!” and I’m like THESE PICTURES ARE SO GRAINY AND I’VE NEVER EATEN A BURRITO!
PS Do you know what comes out on Saturday? hahhahhahahaa I’m OK I’m OK////
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EEEEP. I’m so glad you thought that’s a useful tip! HUZZAH AND HURRAH. I mean, I make up a lot of stuff?! So I’m just glad it works. 😂 Zomg, do not be ashamed for being Caps Lock Cara! I AM MOSTLY THAT TOO TO PEOPLE I DON’T KNOW too. Best way to make friends is to act like you’ve been friends forever. *nods* (I actually have no idea about that logic, probably ignore it. Ahem.)
AND ME TOO! I used to be lucky to get 5 comments a post! It’s a journey. 😂
WAIT WAIT. WHAT COMES OUT ON SATURDAY?!?!? WHAT SHOULD I KNOW?!?
Well…ALL MY QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED. Thank you, Cait. I think you’re like officially the queen of blogging and stuff. 🙂
I already comment back on comments on my blog (though I admit sometimes it takes me a few days…or more – whoops?) and I comment back on their blogs. But it’s basically always the same people. I NEED TO COMMENT ON NEW BLOGS. (totally going to stalk the blogs on your blog roll later) But I feel like I definitely need more time in my day to do this??! It legit takes me so long to just reply to comments on my blog and leave a comment on their blogs. Basically they should add more time to each day (like maybe, 8 hrs?) THAT WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL. haha.
OMG. 😂 I’M SO GLAD THOUGH, CARI. *cheers* And omg, it takes me a few days to comment back too! So don’t worry about that. We do what we can, right?! And dude, I need more time in my day too. As much as I loooove doing all this stuff IT DOES TAKE TIME!! And sometimes we don’t have it, righT?! I think 8hrs is a fair request. *signs petition*
This is a great post! I do pretty much all the right things most of the time. (We can’t all be perfect, right?) But I think you have a point about commenting on the same blogs all the time. It has been a while since I have tried to branch out and read some different blogs. I need to get on that. I do notice more comments on my discussion posts than on my reviews. I do wish people would comment more on my reviews, but I think the discussions just naturally generate more . . . discussion.
Cynthia @ Bingeing On Books recently posted…DISCUSSION: Does a movie trailer make you want to read the book?
Ah, of COURSE!! We definitely don’t even have to be perfect all the time, right?! 😛 And honestly, I don’t branch out to find different blogs enough myself! I need to take my own advice. 😂
I feel like for discussions it’s easier to jump in, whereas with a review, if you haven’t read the book or aren’t interested in it, then it’s harder to figure out what to say?!
You have some great advice in this post, definitely helpful. I definitely think I limit myself to going to the same 3 blogs and interacting with those people, but I do really try to respond to every comment I get and comment on their blog as well. Getting comments is something I think isn’t great on my blog, but as long as SOMEONE’s reading I’m pretty happy.
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Yay I’m glad you liked it!! Tbh, I mostly make everything up as I go along, so I’m just glad this made sense. ;D And YES, expanding your blog audience really starts with putting yourself out there….although finding time to do that is often hard, right?! Gah, if only we had more hours in the day.
I have no idea how I’ve missed seeing your gorgeous blog, but it is gorgeous and I will be a regular stalker… *cough*
I’ve been blogging for almost 5 years and I always had the same group of people who were commenting. I just recently added a commentluv type of thing, so I’ve been able to go back and comment back and I think I’m getting more traffic. Perhaps it’s not because of that, but it seems to be helping. Although, I clearly need to add CAKE.
Thanks for this great post. There was a lot of interesting info!
*waves* OH HELLO STACEE!! WELCOME TO THE CRAZY. (And omg thank you for your kind words…you are so nice!) I do think the commenting-back drives more traffic! It’s like the #1 reason I think my blog has grown so much over the last few years. Before I commented-back? Gah, I probably got like 2 comments and a teeny amount of pageviews. So YAY for sharing the discussions!!
This is excellent advice, Cait. Having a simple commenting system is key! I love responding to comments. It is one of my favorite blogging tasks. 🙂
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Yay I’m glad you enjoyed the post, Terri!! 😀 I do totally confess to getting behind on comments myself…but I think it’s really the life of blogging. ;D
Hi, Cait!
This was a great post. Very timely for me. I’m a new blogger (like not-even-a-whole-month-yet new), but I’m actually doing fairly well; I’ve had comments on three of my four posts. This post was very helpful to me. I will definitely take your advice and comment on other blogs more, starting here, since your blog is relatively new to me and I need to read more of it. 🙂 Thank you!
Anna
Yay I am so glad, Anna!! *flails* Omg and WELCOME to the blogosphere!! (And welcome to reading my blog, ;D it gets crazy around here, eheheh) And I do hope the tips work out well for you. 😀
Such a great post and something I’ve been looking for. How do you feel about bloggers reciprocating comments? I’ve been following and commenting quite a few bloggers for a while. The same people seem to acknowledge each other, but sometimes I just feel left out of the loop. Taking a look at your tips I’ll try to see what my blog is missing, so I connect with like-minded people more. Thanks! 🙂
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Yayyy, I’m glad it was helpful, Katy!! *flails wildly*
AH, I do totally know what you mean about sometimes feeling left out of the loop. Which is why I think, if you honestly CAN’T make a connection with a blogger (and not for lack of trying!) that there’s nothing wrong (in my opinion anyway) with just moving on to find people who DO want to make friends. Like I said in the post, I have a ton of bloggers who I thought I was friends with but then realised it was all one-sided…with just ME commenting and interacting with them and never vice versa. Like it probably was nothing personal! People get busy and that is FINE. But for networking, it’s great to find people who are willing to reciprocate and be friends, right?!
Why does blogging have to be so HARD sometimes? Part of me just wants to do things for me, and the other part wants to do everything for readers and gain all the followers and rule the world. Overall, I blog because it’s pleasant, but I struggle to find replying to comments pleasant. Not because I don’t like the people or appreciate their comments, but because any kind of social interaction is distressing to me.
I guess I need to just sort out my priorities. How much would I value my blog reaching a broader audience, and how much would I value it remaining a quaint, quiet corner of the blogosphere.
Great post, Cait!
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But blogging doesn’t HAVE to be hard! Honest. It depends on what you want to achieve though. So if you want the followers/stats/interaction, then you have to put yourself out there…but if you totally just want to blog for yourself, then I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that either. 🙂
First of all, you are a gem, I love your writing style, and I am SO HAPPY I found your blog. 🙂 *immediately subscribes*
Second of all, this post was really, really helpful! I am new to the blogging world, but I will definitely be following all of your tips as I continue to publish more content. Thank you for writing this!
Omgggg THANK YOU, KELSEY. *gives you cake* And also welcome to the blogging world! MUCH WELCOME! It really is such a nice community *squishes everything* And I hope these tips are helpful!!
I really struggle finding new blogs to comment on. I tend to stick to the same couple of blogs to leave comments and replies on, unless another blogger comments on my blog first. For some reason, leaving comments on blogs I’m unfamiliar with makes me incredibly nervous, something I’m trying to get over. I really love being able to interact and discuss books with readers and other bloggers, so I’m actively trying to be more active on other blogger’s blogs! These tips are really helpful and I’ll definitely keep them in mind as I attempt to grow the amount of comments my posts receive!
I do get the “nervous of new blogs” thing! MEEEE. That’s why I do linkups to find new blogs…because I feel like since everyone is blog-hopping around it’s easier not to be weirded out if someone just appears in the comments babbling in allcaps about books (aka me. 😂) AHEM. But yes! Just remember, they don’t bite, and they probably adore getting comments just as much as you do. ;D ANYWAY THANK YOU SO MUCH!! I’m really glad you liked the post. 😀
Thank you for this helpful post! I agree it is quite hard for people like me who have just been introduced to the book blogging world to actually gain followers and to be known. So as much as possible, I try to discover new blogs. I, as you would like to say, ATTACK THEM WITH MY FRIENDSHIP YAY! Hahahahha. Great post, Cait!
YAY FOR ATTACKING WITH FRIENDSHIP!! *gives you cake* It is really hard to start up, sometimes, I think! I was there, don’t worry.😂 I honestly contribute like 90% of my blog’s growth to the fact that I comment-hop around so much!! Once you get a loyal following though, it does take the pressure off trying to find a zillion new blogs all the time. ;D Just gotta get it started!
Excellent advice! I definitely need to network more…I get lazy and would rather read more books than work on the blog. It’s a struggle. 😛 But I do want to put more work into it this year!
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But that’s okay!! I mean, it depends on what you want for your blog, right?! If you don’t mind not having a big audience, then of course you can just read more and not worry about the blog so much.😂 JUST DEPENDS ON YOU! GO WITH YOUR WISHES!
Cait, I definitely needed this post. Even though I know I’ve just started blogging, my unrealistic expectation of having 50 gazillion comments overnight tends to creep into my mind from time to time . . . Or after every post. ^_^;
But yes! Your reminder that comments will trickle in as long as we put in the hard work is spot on. I’ll continue to network by commenting on different blogs and making my posts as friendly as possible. And oh! Cake, must remember to bring cake. I think that may be the one step that I’ve been missing. Thanks, Cait!
AHHHH I’M SO GLAD YOU LIKED IT, JAMAE!! *flails* And omg I hear you. I used to get SO frustrated with how slowly my blog was growing.😂 Tbh, I still get frustrated at times…and I have to remember that some blogging seasons are just more busy than others? ANYWAY. It is about the hard work! I believe what you put into your blog, you’ll get back. ;D
BUT GIVE THE PEASANTS CAKE. THEY’LL LOVE YOU.
Found this post via Word Revel! Great post. I shall have to try really hard and contemplate/implement some (or all) of the points you have made here. My book blog is fairly new (a little over a month now?) and I have had ZERO comments so far. My analytics suggest that I have may be 1 or 2 regular visitors. I do have an instagram, a twitter, and a facebook account, but I have always been, and remain to be, unaccustomed to proper usage of social media. I just DO NOT know how to get this thing working! But may be I’m being impatient, because, as I said, my blog (and relevant social media accounts) is only a month old. I am also not good at leaving comments on other people’s blogs; which I shall change from this moment onwards (I’m leaving a comment here, YAY!) As far as actual blog posts go, I’m mostly just writing reviews. I am trying to incorporate some diversity, but not sure how. I’m in the process of brainstorming. But in any case, it’s a great post, and I am bookmarking your blog for future reference =)
PS: What sort of cake do I get?
Maliha recently posted…Book Review: The vegetarian by Han Kang
Oh oh thanks for stopping by Maliha!! *waves and gives you cake*
*probably chocolate cake*
*BECAUSE CHOCOLATE*
Ahem. And also congrats on your blog! (I shall go stop by directly after this. ;D) I honestly think that leaving comments is the BEST way to get known and to show people you’re around! I basically attribute 90% of my blog’s growth to comment-hopping-around. 😀 And after a while, when you have a few fairly loyal followers, people will start sharing your posts and things too, which is great for traffic. OH. And linkups! I do linkups to find new blogs and get new traffic!
Thank you so much for your input here AND ON MY BLOG TOO YOU FOUND ME AND I HAVE A COMMENT ON MY BLOG NOW CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW HAPPY I AM SO HAPPY THAT THIS IS ALL CAPS AND NO PUNCTUATION WUT
*coughs*
Here’s a gigantic slice of cheese pizza with pineapple and shiitake mushroom toppings! Oh, what the heck, have a piece of cake too!
PS: Thanks for the cake! How the heck did you even know that I only ever ate chocolate cake? I could spill bucket full of tears, if you’d believe me.
OMG YOU ARE MOST WELCOME!! Honestly this kind of reaction just made MY DAY. *flails for you* 💕😊 I shall try to stop by regularly!! BECAUSE PIZZA. PINEAPPLES AND MUSHROOMS ARE THE WAY TO MY HEART OMG.
And is there really any other cake except chocolate?! ALL OTHER CAKE IS INFERIOR.
Thank you! I’m a newbie who knows basically nothing (I’m still not entirely sure what a blog is or why I have one) and so this is very helpful!
Omg that was literally ME when I started. 😂 My sister was like “START A BLOG!” so I did and it took me 2 years to figure it out. Ahem. But since you’re a newbie and already commenting, then I think you’re off to a MASSIVELY good start. ;D
Thank you! XD That’s funny.
One thing that drives me insane is Blogger. There is a glitch (for years now) where people who are not using gmail accounts or google chrome might their comments poof after hitting submit. It doesn’t happen all the time but it happens enough that I just don’t comment on Blogger blogs anymore. 🙁
OMG I HEAR YOU AND I THOROUGHLY AGREE. I loathe blogger. 😂 That is like 94% of the reason I moved to wordpress…it’s such a relief not to have to battle with everything…including the comment sections. So many people don’t even realise they can open up their comments to open-URLs. They think if they do that all the spam will come. *headdesk* And when I comment on other blogger’s blogs now… I still occasionally lose my comments. D:
Oh no, I had no idea! My blog is hosted by Blogger, and I recently had someone mention that their original comment was lost, but that’s the only incident I know of. I have wondered if maybe I should switch to WordPress (I’ve seen lots of people moving from Blogger to WordPress, but none the other way around), but I’m afraid it would be a very messy transition… Maybe I just need to look into it more.
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I love this, SO, SO MUCH. Getting comments is honestly the best part of blogging. No, strike that, actually, SHARING AND TALKING WITH BOOK PEOPLE is the best thing about book blogging. It’s really hard at first, to go meet people, talk with them and leave comments, but it’s the best way to interact, get comments back, and just have a great time.
I have to say, I sometimes talk A LOT, and my posts are WAY too long. I try and cut those with GIFS, titles, images, but I’m just insanely jealous and forever in love with how you’re formatting your blog posts. You’re talking a lot sometimes, like in this post, but I DO LOVE IT, never stop, and I never feel like I want to give up until the end, because you MAKE IT WORTH IT AND okay, sorry, haha. Great post, and great tips! 😀
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YES YES I THINK COMMENTS ARE AMAZING! And I have zero shame for loving them a lot! I mean, IRL, we wouldn’t talk to people who ignored us, right?!? So I don’t see why that doesn’t translate to online. *nods* And I think it’s easier to talk to people online than IRL. 😂 Ahem.
ZOMG I’M SO GLAD YOU LIKE THE FORMATTING. <3 I've been doing some different things (read: I have no idea what I'm doing) and I'm glad they're not TOO awkwardly long. 😂 I do feel like I should post shorter though, omg. hehe.
This is a great post! I just started blogging at the end of December and I think I am in the rut of visiting the same blogs over and over because I love them. I really need to work on branching out and visiting more blogs/circles.
Yay, I’m glad you liked it!! And it totally is easy to get into a rut. I mean, I don’t even feel like I visit the blogs I DO follow enough…and then to add in more…*drowns a bit* 😂 It’s good to find the balance and visiting new blogs means you could find some new awesome favourites, too, right?!
I find when visiting new blogs I find awesome new things that I love! I also find new formats that I try to incorporate into my blog!
This is a really great post. ^_^ I have nothing else to say, I just needed to comment that, heh heh.
I APPRECIATE THIS COMMENT MUCHLY. <3
*grins* <3
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This is a really good discussion, Cait! I can relate and I agree with everything you said, especially with regards to cake. I feel like I don’t mention that enough in my blog, hence the lack of faithful followers. It explains everything!
Seriously though, I also believe in commenting back. Comments are wonderful and there’s always room for one more opinion, no matter how similar it might sound to someone else’s. Whenever I visit someone’s blog, it’s because I like what they wrote and would love to get to know them better. However, if there wasn’t a reply or I never hear back from this person in, like, forever, then I feel disheartened and think that they’re not interested with connecting with me. XD
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DUDE YES. Cake will bring all the followers dashing over and stay forever. It’s basically a guarantee. #legit
It IS disheartening to receive no reply/interaction when you comment on a blog, right?! IT REALLY IS. I mean, obviously sometimes bloggers get busy and fail or whatever and that is fine. We’re all human! But when you continually support someone and they give nothing back? Idek…it feel like trying to be friends with unresponsive pudding or something. 🙁 Sadness.
Thank you so much for this post. It was very helpful. I am new to book blogging so I don’t have many followers, viewers, or comments. I wish I was able to get more people to come by and visit and read but I understand it takes time.
Penni @Penni’s Perceptions recently posted…Discussion Time!!!
It does take time *nods* But you can get them coming but going to meet them first. ;D Get people to know you and your fabulous blog exist and it is aaaaall cake and discussions from there. XD
This post was so helpful.
The main reason why I started my blog was because I wanted to find new people to talk to about books and I’d been finding it hard to do.
– Yasmin 🙂
YAY I AM SO GLAD!! *shares cake with you* Here’s to finding more people to talk to about bookish things! 😀
This was such a great post, Cait! I’m constantly worrying about getting feedback on my posts from people, but I try not to let it get to me too much when I don’t. I agree with everything you said, you have to put in the effort on other blogs if you want people to return the favor and it really just takes time. I struggle with remembering to end my reviews with questions for my readers so that they invite discussion. I don’t want them thinking that my word is law!
It’s all a working progress, right?!? And honestly, I worry about feedback too a lot of the time. 😂 SO WE’RE NOT ALONE AT LEAST. hehe. But yesss, omg, yes, I honestly believe that what a blogger puts out, they’ll get back. *nods* Hard work pays off.
Well, I now know I’m one of ‘them’ where it’s annoying to comment. I had all those weird things you mentioned – surprised I’ve had any comments at all! (at least my non-google-plus savvy mum will be able to comment now, haha) So helpful, thanks!
I’m glad it was helpful, Catherine!! 😂
Terrific post! Sometimes I see people begging for comments and I know they never talk to anyone…ever. Yet they don’t understand why no one comments. 😛
It is a bit frustrating when people do that. Gah. I honestly think if you reach out and give, you’ll get things back. WHICH IS GREAT.
This is such a great post– and it’s so on time for me. I blog about mostly bookish things, and I just about always have discussion questions. My fear sometimes is that my posts get a little too academic, and alienate people. But it seems to be gaining a following, one person at a time. Even that little bit of progress makes me excited!
Yay for still gaining followers! I mean, it all does depend on what we want to achieve, right? IF you want to appeal to a wider audience, sometimes you have to adjust how you blog? But, like, you have to blog for YOU too or else it becomes a drain. So BALANCE IS KEY THERE. ;D Anyway, I’m rambling, heeheh, best of luck!
What excellent advice! I am such a creature of habit and pretty much comment on the same blogs. I really should branch out. It is like diet and exercise help you lose weight, I know what I should be doing and I think you post has given me a push.
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Ooh, I am glad it’s been helpful, Whitney. 😀 Tbh, I need to take my own advice and read more new blogs too, hehe. 😂
I always knew you held the power to all the world’s deepest secrets! And it turns out that power is cake.
*runs to shop to buy cake*
Sarah
http://www.sarahschapter.co.uk
Yuuuuuus. I KNOW EVERYTHING. THE ANSWER TO LIFE IS CAKE. *throws cake in the air and dances in it manically* Ahem.
CAIT OH MY WORD I FOUND THIS POST BURIED IN MY INBOX. I HAD NEVER READ IT. I was slightly abhorred with myself XD So I, of course, ate it right away BECAUSE I’M TRYING TO BE YOUR MODEL MINION *strikes a pose*
That aside, this is great advice. I’m still trying to find my blogging niche, but this might help. Thank you! ^.^
YES I THINK YOU ARE THE BEST MODEL MINION OF THEM ALL, OF COURSE OF COURSE YOU ARE.
Good luck with finding a niche that you like! 😀 I mean, you don’t have to have a niche…it all depends on what you want to achieve, right?
True, I just feel like I haven’t settled into what I really want to blog about//the atmosphere//subject matter I want my blog to have XD But I’m not stressing it.
AWWGSH DON’T SAY THAT now i have feelings XD
I love your blog!! Its so funny and helpful with lots of good tips and tricks and did I say your blog is funny? Hahahha…
Omg thank you, Ezza!! *gives you cake* THIS MAKES MY DAY.
This is such a great post! I have this big problem with comments cause my internet connection sucks and I end up following blogs via email cause it’s easier! Also, psss, I feel so shy talking to new people it’s almost scary. But I decided this year will be different 🙂
Agh to internet connections. That must be really difficult/disappointing. 🙁 I don’t follow many blogs via email, but I do love bloglovin’ for keeping everything organised!! (And it’s okay to be shy! In real life, I am the MOST shyest of all! But internet people can’t bite, right?!)
These tips are awesome! Thank you thank you thank you for compiling this! I’ve seen that list of “all the right things” so many times I’ve almost given up on reading posts about getting more comments or followers, because I already do all of those things. I’m so glad I read this one, though!
So now I’m going to go stalk random blogs and throw (virtual) cake at everyone.
Serena recently posted…rural life {mini reviews}
YAY I’M GLAD IT WAS HELPFUL! Tbh, I actually google how to get more comments/followers myself and it always annoys me that there’s no real handy list of things you can DO particularly? It’s just like “write good content” Grr. That’s helpful (not) because you can write the BEST content in the world, but if no one reads it than it’s not helping is it?!? Ahem. Buuut anyway. CAKE IS THE ANSWER. ;D
I’ve only just recently started blogging on wordpress – I’ve been bookblogging on tumblr for over a couple of years now – and reading up on helpful posts like this is definitely making me less anxious about posting. It reminds me that it will take time for me to network, to get people who are reading and willing to comment – and it reminds me that there are helpful bloggers like you that are sharing their experience with newbies like me. So thank you for this, this is definitely something I’ll be keeping in mind. (:
Ahh, I’m so glad you found it helpful!! HONESTLY THAT MAKES MY DAY. *flails wildly* Ahem. And best of luck for your new wordpress blog!! 😀
Thank you! (:
As always, this is fabulous advice, Cait. Except I don’t think I’ve offered cake to anyone but you. Obviously this has prevented me from growing my blog. But I don’t want to be a copy-Cait, so maybe I’ll offer veal parmesan. That should totally work, right? 😉
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Thanks for this post! I just stumbled upon your website today, and I quite enjoy your writing style. 🙂
Oh HUZZAH!! I’m glad you liked it (and asjdfklads I’m really glad you like my blog!)
I agree with everything you have here. Great advice!
Commenting platforms are super important in my opinion. Captcha is annoying. And it’s always nice to have an easy way to link back to your own blog without having to actually include it in your comment. 😉
I also think replying to comments and/or visiting your commenters’ blogs is very important. It shows them that you read the comment and care about them too!
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Yesss, I couldn’t agree more, Sam!! I think it’s only polite to talk to people who are talking to you, right?? (Although, I totally understand that real life gets in the way sometimes…so we do need to cut each other some slack. Buuuut, it’s a REALLY good habit/practise, I believe!) And zomg yes, CAPTCHA is the most frustrating thing. -_- Especially when there are spam filters! Or you can moderate comments if you’re that worried, right?!?
Thanks for visiting! 😀
Hiya Cait.
Thanks for this really useful post; I have just discovered your awesome blog and I love it!
Aw, thank you, Melrose! WELCOME! *gives you welcome cake* 😀
Thanks, Cait! This was encouraging – mostly. Blogging is so much tougher than I thought it was going to be and its nice to know that you all didn’t get so amazing overnight because I am not amazing yet and I was beginning to wonder if there was something wrong with me. Everybody else is so good at this blogging thing!!!
Aww, I’m glad this was encouraging!! *gives you cake* AND YES. Trust me: everyone is probably having a hard time at some point or other. 😂 It takes time and practise! And remembering to keep it fun and not stress too much. 😉
This is such a goos compilation of tips and tricks of the trade. I completely agree making people comment is a hard skill to master, for me, I think I fall at the first hurdle and don’t tend to do the polka in other blogging circles. IM SORRY. When I have the whole afternoon in front of me, I love to just comment-surf people’s blogs and stalk the chain of people. Most likely I’ll start on a book review, and then click on someone’s blog who has commented *then the cycle continues* until I’m at something completely random like 39 uses of the household hammer.
Ahhh I’m so glad you like it!! 😀 *flails happily* I think a lot of things can be improved with practise and persistence for sure.😂 But if the blogger makes it EASY for their followers to comment…then that’s a good step in the right direction, eh?!?
Another great post Cait! You make me laugh. I can’t wait to try these out!
~E
“If you pretend to know what you’re doing, you’ll figure out what you’re doing.” This is my life right now, as I’m figuring out this book blogging thing. haha 🙂
Thank you for all these helpful posts. I have literally been taking notes. (And I never say “literally” without actually meaning “literally.” Because I take the word “literally” literally.)
Anyway. 😀
It works! Trust me. 😂 I have generally no idea what I’m doing bhahha. Ahem. And I’m really glad some of this was helpful for you!!