Thanks to all of you who joined in last Thursday’s lively discussion on blog commenting on our #BlogChatIE tweet chat. For those who missed it, or those of you who want to catch up on the tweets, you can find a recap here.
Next week’s #BlogChatIE will take place on Twitter on Thursday January 31st at 9 pm GMT. We will be discussing how to overcome blogger’s block.
Meanwhile here is a selection of your tweets on the topic, ranging from why comments are so coveted by bloggers, whether they are a measure of your blog’s success, how to get more comments on your blog, overcoming barriers to getting comments (registration, captchas) by installing CommentLuv plugin (thanks to @blogformatting for great tips on this), and what to do with negative comments.
T1 is Why are comments seen as so important on our blogs? Are comments a measurement of a blog’s success? #blogchatie — Lorna Sixsmith (@WriteOnTrack_L) January 24, 2013
@writeontrack_l gives credibility to your site I guess! #blogchatie
— Cormac Moore (@CormacComedy) January 24, 2013
@writeontrack_l – T1 – - not sure they are a measurement of success but they show ‘engaged readers’ #inmyopinion #blogchatie
— WiseMóna (@WiseMona) January 24, 2013
A1 I know, in the blog awards, interaction on the blog in the form of comments was one aspect of the judging criteria #blogchatie
— Lorna Sixsmith (@WriteOnTrack_L) January 24, 2013
T1 Do we have a higher opinion of a blog then that gets lots of comments? #blogchatie
— Lorna Sixsmith (@WriteOnTrack_L) January 24, 2013
@writeontrack_l T1 suppose so! Social proof. #blogchatie
— Cormac Moore (@CormacComedy) January 24, 2013
@writeontrack_l Hi, T1, the amt of comments wouldn’t affect my opinion of a site. Content is more N.B. to me
— Marian Hearne (@SpeltforChoice) January 24, 2013
#blogchatie T1 shows that people are paying attention and are prepared to interact No one wants to blog and get no feedback
— Kevin Markham (@kevinmarkham) January 24, 2013
@kevinmarkham T1 Agree, it can be disheartening when you get no comments on a post.Push through regardless, is what I think. #blogchatie
— Colette(@Katzwizkaz) January 24, 2013
A1 I know we all love to get comments, it’s great to know someone took the time to comment but do they signify success? #blogchatie
— Lorna Sixsmith (@WriteOnTrack_L) January 24, 2013
T2 I think the more ‘personal’ a business blog can be, it will get more comments. Easier for some businesses than others #blogchatie
— Lorna Sixsmith (@WriteOnTrack_L) January 24, 2013
@blogformatting Yes, I know of very successful businesses who write great blogs and get very few comments #blogchatie
— Lorna Sixsmith (@WriteOnTrack_L) January 24, 2013
#blogchatie T2 I found adding polls to posts helps engage with audience. Easier to engage for user. A2
— Cormac Moore (@CormacComedy) January 24, 2013
A2:Commenting on other blogs where lots of bloggers hang out helps too #blogchatie
— Delia (@blogformatting) January 24, 2013
Yes, and if your comments was helpful and even better if yo can answer someone else’s question in a comment @writeontrack_l #blogchatie
— Delia (@blogformatting) January 24, 2013
@writeontrack_l #blogchatie T2 I do leave comments on blogs, but rarely for the sake of it or to try to improve my visibility.
— Kevin Markham (@kevinmarkham) January 24, 2013
@writeontrack_l @cormaccomedy #blogchatie T2 I think polls need to be v. visible. I have one currently in the top right panel where it stays
— Kevin Markham (@kevinmarkham) January 24, 2013
I find it harder to comment on blogs that need registration … sometimes that can be a fiddly process so I give up A2 #blogchatie
— mindful productivity (@mindfulproduct) January 24, 2013
I just leave if I need to register or if I see captcha – I am never able to enter those letters properly, LOL! @mindfulproduct #blogchatie
— Delia (@blogformatting) January 24, 2013
I found the CommentLuv plugin to be great in enticing ppl to comment. Do you guys have it installed? #blogchatie
— Delia (@blogformatting) January 24, 2013
Here you go: How to install CommentLuv blogformatting.com/wordpress-plug… >> leave me a comment if you need help
@gettapsandsinks#blogchatie
— Delia (@blogformatting) January 24, 2013
Make sure you back up your blog and then go ahead and install!
— Delia (@blogformatting) January 24, 2013
T4What about negative comments? How should you deal with any negative comments? Do you delete? Do you respond? #blogchatie
— Lorna Sixsmith (@WriteOnTrack_L) January 24, 2013
@writeontrack_l – T4 #blogchatie / I delete them if they are anonymous – otherwise I answer them :0) really nicely
— WiseMóna (@WiseMona) January 24, 2013
@writeontrack_l #blogchatie T4 Only had a couple of -ve comments. Responded amicably and that was end of it.
— Kevin Markham (@kevinmarkham) January 24, 2013
A4 If comment is rude I’d just delete. If OK but negative, twist things around in your reply. Other ppl are reading too
#blogchatie
— Delia (@blogformatting) January 24, 2013
Marie Ennis-O’Connor BA, MIAPR, holds an Honours degree in History from University College Dublin. She is a graduate of the Irish Academy of Public Relations and has worked in a variety of PR roles over the past 12 years. Marie is editor of several award-winning blogs ranging from life sciences to health to business. She is a panel member of the newly established Bloggers International and is a regular contributor to Health Works Collective, an online community for thought leaders in international healthcare. She is a featured blogger on Webicina, an online service that provides curated medical social media resources in over 80 medical topics and over 17 languages, and has been awarded a top blogger accolade by Empowered Doctor.com and most inspiring writer by WegoHealth. Marie is also in demand as a trainer in social media marketing and travels the country teaching small business owners how to get online and maximise their online presence.
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