Blogging

Simple answer to getting blog readers and commenters

92 Comments

Time for new student bloggers and the typical questions: “How do I get more readers?” and “How do I get people to comment?”

My standard answers have been these three:

1)  Comment on other people’s blogs

2)  Announce your new posts on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn

3)  Add a user-friendly comment device [don’t make commenters jump through too many hoops].

However, after reading several of their posts, I have another simple answer — but, first, a story:

My Story about Peter

Several years ago, when I was teaching beginning journalism students at Southwest Missouri State, the students’  daily chore was to write in a log. . . .  and then I read them.

Big mistake — both the assignment and me spending time reading them.

When left to their own devices . . . students wrote about such earth-shattering events as breaking up with their boyfriends and flushing letters down the toilet to buying a pair of boots at the mall to the scores of basketball games in the local conference. Needless to say, I was questioning my sanity for having asked for these papers.

Until Peter, that is.

Peter wrote plays and poetry. Peter analyzed the news. Peter shared intelligent conversations he had had with friends. Peter reported on books and articles he was reading.

And his writing was so flawless that I was envious.

But I loved reading his stuff and looked forward to every entry.

I was in awe of his talent and wondered what I could offer him.

So I went to several of my colleagues to ask their opinions; one comment stood out: “Peter’s stuff is good because he writes about things that are important and interesting.”

When you blog — and you want people to read and comment — WRITE ABOUT THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT AND INTERESTING.

Why write about anything else?

 

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92 thoughts on “Simple answer to getting blog readers and commenters”

  2. You nailed it! I’ve learned a lot from your blog here! Keep on going, I hope more people discover your blog because you really know what you’re talking about.Can’t wait to read more from you! I will keep an eye on it.

  3. You did the precise thing in this article that can make almost any article compelling: told a story! No matter how good the info is, if it’s not conveyed in a meaningful way, it won’t sink in. And it’s been proven time and again that we as people are storytellers. Smart brands tell a story with theirs. Everyone from speakers to copywriters can make their content compelling with the simple addition of a story. That’s when our ears perk up… we automatically wonder, “What will happen next?”

    PS: I enjoyed your story!

  6. Real content for real people. That makes GREAT sense. Reads and comments come because of the quality. Thanks for the nice list to get our heads a thinkin but I love the way you close it our with real story and hit it out of the park with the close… No kidding. So obvious but so forgotten. Thank you!

  9. Hi Shari:

    I absolutely love this blog post. Yes using other social media to announce a new blog post works perfect for me to get more readers. I also agree that the topic discussed should be of interest to the readers otherwise they will bounce as soon as they read the first few lines. Catchy titles are great too but all the same people have to connect with the content. Thanks for sharing.

  10. I agree that when you post something up on your blog you should write about something interesting and important. If you find the right subject it makes people want to read and comment on your blog. I also think that its your blog and you decide to write about whatever you feel like writing.

    1. Jame, one thing to think about for your viewpoint is to ask yourself whether you are writing for yourself or to communicate to an audience. Next step is to further define that audience. That makes all the difference.

  11. Hello Shari,

    This is a short, yet profound summary of the core of what draws people to blogs. After reading this article it seems so simple to “write about things that are important and interesting.” If we can consistently post article that are relevant, and interesting it would solve the simple answer to getting blog readers and commentaries.

    We must make the effort to make comments on other blogs and making sure there is a backlink for a possible return comment.

    Thanks!

    Raena Lynn

  14. Hi Shari,

    you are obviously practicing what you teach, what a lot of comments!

    I like the example you gave. Providing things of interest and keeping people engaged is where it at.

    I do like the way you break up the text so it makes it easy to read.

    Thank you for the interesting read.
    Cheers,
    Yorinda

  15. Hi Shari,

    You have some excellent points. Another I would add, for those in a tribe (a “reciprocal program”), is to be in a tribe with your same niche. I am really enjoying my tribe, learning a lot, and don’t want to leave, but at the same time, my niche is totally different. So not everyone is going to share my posts. Some do, though, and that’s good. It’s a start.

    What do you tell your students about how long it takes to find your “blogging voice?”

    1. How long does it take to find your blogging voice is a very interesting question.
      🙂
      From my own experience I would say that one thing to think about very carefully is your target audience. We do need to “speak” in different styles to different sets of people. Like lots of things in life, it is impossible to be all things to all people.

  16. Info on Blogging–that I am finding helpful. 1. commentary should represent example of a page identifying an issue in the public interest; 2.find out how that public interest is subverted; 3.engage readers & produce positive results.

  17. I think the key to getting readers for your blog is to be visible and be a contributor in communities where people in your niche hang out. The key to getting commenters is writing content that addresses the problems or questions people in your niche ask, and offering solutions or direction.

  19. It’s my experience once one gets through the “ego” of blogging and presents content the reader wants to read, learn from, and enjoy, writing is very easy. I enjoy your style of writing. You bring quality content to your readers in a short concise method. That’s a lesson I’m still learning, write interesting content with clarity and keep the readers attention.

    Looking forward to learning more from you-

    Terrific Tonya Heathco
    National Seizure Disorders Foundation

    1. I like to hear people say that “writing is easy” but, of course, that will depend upon (1) whether you have something to say and (2) how passionate you are about your thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and observations.

  20. What an excellent post, Shari! Sometimes pointing out the obvious is all it takes 😉 After all, if a post is not interesting or informative, why would anyone choose to read it?

    I think what can happen, just as I suspect happened to your students, is the following thought process:
    “Oh – I need to write a blog post. What shall I write about? Nothing much exciting happened: perhaps I’ll just write about what I had for lunch.”

    I imagine it’s easy to get into that mode when “required” to write something, say, once a week. For those of us who are not under no such instruction, there really isn’t any excuse: we just create our own stupid deadlines and then get caught with the consequences.

    Thanks so much for reminding me it’s about quality, not quantity.

    Alan

  21. Hi Shari, Great post! I liked it. So we write about something interesting to us, but what if it is not interesting to others. I think we just have to be us, our real self, authentic and genuine. If people find us interesting that is wonderful. If we have some growing to do in our writing style and skills, then join TSA and at least 9 or so people may comment on your blog. 🙂
    Have a sweet and wonderful day!
    Lynn

    1. Yes, Lynn, TSA is definitely a way to get comments on one’s blog, but here’s something to consider: are comment like opinions? Everyone has a right to have an opinion, but are all opinions worth hearing or reading.

      Now that you bring this up, I have a problem with people commenting when they really have nothing worthwhile to say. To my mind this simply adds to the “noise” out there. Perhaps TSA and similar tribes could offer Blog Commenting webinars . . . and even “extra credit” contests for the best comments. Now there’s an idea I really like.

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