I feel your pain. You write what you think is a killer content post. You follow the details to make it a great copy. The stats are showing traffic to your new post so you know people are reading it. But, there are only a few comments trailing your post.
Don’t vex and don’t give up! Most likely, you haven’t done anything wrong. Actually, you have taken a step in the right direction. By taking the time to write a good blog post. Many bloggers share the same problem as you. So let’s look at ways for increasing blog comments.
How to get comments on your blog posts
1. Don’t require readers to register to leave a comment
If you make your readers sign-up and login, your not going to see many comments. Not all readers are bad ass bloggers, like yourself (“I thought everybody blogged, Christine.” Sorry, this is not the case.). So your sophisticated blog commenting system could be killing your conversation before it even gets started.
This blog uses Disqus. Commenting can be left as a guest (no sign-up required) or as a Disqus, Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo or OpenID user. As the admin, you can reply to readers from the WordPress dashboard, the blog post, from the Disqus website, or Disqus mobile application. Its a pretty sweet platform.
2. Showcase your readers comments
Add a Recent Comment Widget to your sidebar. Users can actively read the feedback left by other readers. This can compel a reader to leave a comment in return.
The Disqus comment platform provides a code to paste in a text widget. This will pull a users gravatar, leave an excerpt of the comment, and denotes the length of time the comment was left.
Create community and engage with your readers.
3. Ask for comments
Straightforward. This first step in getting comments can work well. Complete your blog post by inviting readers to leave comments.
In my email newsletter, I end with the comment, “click here to read more & leave a comment”. I do send email updates with full post description, but having a link is an easy way for a reader click and leave their thoughts. Comments lead to great conversations on posts. As a blogger, it is a way to talk openly and build trust with your readers. The same trust that will turn readers into customers.
Rule of Thumb: You can roughly gauge the amount of readers you receive to your blog, by the amount of comments left. Roughly 9% of readers will leave comments time-to-time and 1% will actively leave comments. I use the simple thought, ‘that 10% of my readers leave comments’. Meaning, if five people left comments in a day, I can assume approximately 50 people read my post.
4. Ask questions and opinions
Ask your reader’s opinion about the topic. People enjoy sharing their opinion. Especially on a controversial topic left up for debate. the process of asking for questions and opinions fosters community by including your readers.
In many of my posts, I will ask questions. For example, in this post I am going to ask you, “how do you get more comments on your blog post?” Comments can help you increase your knowledge about a subject, lead to good debates, or lend future post topics.
Consider highlighting or setting your font to bold with the main question in the post. Readers who scan posts will focus on the question. Increasing your prospects for a comment.
5. Respond to your reader’s comments in a timely manner
The key to conversation is a two way street. Meaning, be active in the conversation you started and reply to the comments. Your job as a blogger does not end when you publish a post. Engage with your readers. While comments don’t require immediate response, good practice is to answer it in a timely manner.
I make it my goal to respond to all my comments left on Christine.Biz. For one, I love a good conversation. Two, you’ve taken the time to stop by and comment on this blog. I think it is my commitment to respond to that comment.
BONUS: Rewards your commenter for commenting
If all else fails, consider rewarding readers for commenting. Recently, I’ve seen blogs, like Consumerism Commentary, use a point system. When a reader logs in, they can accrue points when they leave a comment or share articles via social media tools. The points can then be used to buy goods like books and gift cards.
CubePoints is a point management system (plugin) designed for WordPress blogs.
These are only a few of the ways to get more comments on your blog. How do you get more comments on your blog post (I told you I was gonna ask)?
Have you checked out my facebook page? It’s where you’ll find blog stats and tactics I use on this blog, Christine.Biz updates, and where I like to speak my mind. You might get a kick out of it!
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About Christine McCarthy
Did you know there is an RSS member's only category? Its only visible to those who subscribe. Have you 
Thanks for the tips Christine – this is something that has really perplexed me!
Hi Nancy! The easiest thing to do is leave a call to action, “leave a comment…” having social media buttons, like tweetmeme, help spread your post around. Which can increase readership. And possibly more comments.
I forgot to add my follow up, I have Blogger which seems more complicated than WordPress. I’ll have to figure out the Guest Comments section there. Thanks again.
Oh no. Blogger has a good system. Disqus is available, too. Although you can easily leave a comment without logging in. I’ll be happy to stop by later and help you out or point you in the right direction.
Yes gologe bot does crawl Disqus comments. I just did a test with Google and webmastertools and it works fine there.
Hi Nancy, I sent a message on your Facebook profile. I would be happy to help.
Great tips, but you will still get people that do drive-bys when it comes to commenting. All you can do is try though.
Of course. but implementing these tips will hopefully result with an increase in commenting. *crosses fingers*
Thank you for stopping by and commenting
Systems where I have to log on, and then type in the code, which I often get wrong drive me bonkers sometimes. They are unnecessary!
Christine, it would be great to have you write some blogging/social media tips type post on Yakezie.com one day if you have time. I’ve come to realize that Yakezie.com really is not just about personal finance, lifestyle, and the writing contest… a lot of it has to do with blogging! Afterall, we are a network of bloggers who want to get better and hopefully monetize our sites and do online business as well!
In fact, you need to join our family again! No brainer!
Sam
Ah, thank you Sam. That is so kind. I will consider on both writing and rejoining. Thank you.
I think the best thing that has helped me to get more comments to my blog is to ask people questions and ask people to comment. I think for some audiences in some niches they aren’t used to interacting with content, so bluntly asking the question can help.
I totally agree, Brett. BTW, thanks for stopping by.
I will use all your rules
And I hope you will let me know how they work for you!
What happened to Disqus?
You are not using it any more.
Jeremy Myers recently posted..Benefits of Resigning as Pastor
Hi Jeremy, Love Disques, but the plugin caused all sorts of crawl errors. Can’t have that!
Christine McCarthy recently posted..How to Use Aweber Email Autoresponders to Make Money Online
Hi Christine,
Thank you for your informative blog! I use the blogger platform and I attempted to install Disqus, but it did not work? I use the simple template from blogger with customization. I created a profile with Disqus and then attempted to install. Maybe I could not correctly edit the html code? Unsure, but would love to hear your thoughts because I love the idea of disqus!
Thanks again!
Heather recently posted..House Rules….What House Rules?
Hi Heather, try these instructions from Disqus (http://disqus.com/admin/blogger/) and let me know if that helps.
Thanks for stopping by!
Christine McCarthy recently posted..How to Use Aweber Email Autoresponders to Make Money Online