- I've been looking lately over posts with the lowest ranking number of comments.
Why? Because I am intrigued to see why are they ranked low? It's because the choice of subject, poor writing... or plainly because they are boring. Most of the time I am surprised to find out that they are, after all, not boring and sometimes quite insightful... I place the comment well deserved thinking that it was a time well spend.
- Other times I look over the highly ranked posts as some have incredible number of comments.
Why? Because I am intrigued to see why are they ranked so high? It's because the choice of subject, the great writing... or plainly irresistibly interesting. Some indeed are incredible good and professional. But others are just average... The number of comments leaves nothing more to say on the subject,but more or less about the same.
So the question remains in my mind: What makes a post to stand out to the extend that people feel commenting to exhaustion and others go by unobserved? There is a magic secret in the making?
Arina,
Thanks for the post. I agree with the comments made thus far. However, some people have bloggers whom they have subscribed to, so that they can read their posts on a regular basis. Thereby contributing to high traffic.
Sometimes it is just a question of timing. If the post appears at a time when dozens and dozens of other posts also appear on the dashboard it can scroll out of sight pretty quickly.
So it is important is to make friends by commenting on other people's blogs ..... people will read your comments then go to your blog to find out who you are .... if it looks interesting to them, they'll come back again and again as regular readers and commentors.
Arina, I think blogs posted in the morning (but not TOO early) get seen by more people. Blogs written at night get superseded by more recent posts by the time anyone sees them.
Some posters get many comments because they already have a lot of subscribers to their blogs. Others get comments because they have commented favorably on other writers' efforts.
And of course, you can't underestimate the value of a good headline!
Arina: I think incorporating open ended questions may be helpful to get people to respond and this is something I'm terrible at, even with my customers. I am really trying to change that bad habit. Also, read, if you haven't already, The Lovely Wife's Blogs about reciprocating. This one will get you started. It changed the way I participate in Active Rain and I try to pay attention to the new members in particular. It's all about helping each other, afterall - isn't it!?! Your post is one we should all take a minute and think about. I try not to be boring when I write but I'm afraid it may be in my genes! Can I blame it on that?
Have You Considered Reciprocating Your Comments? Hmmm? ROAR! (Members Only)
Headline and Topic of Interests are the two that I look at.
But unfortunately, it's just like normal television and news. The most important ones left untouched and your Paris Hilton's and your Britney Spears get the attention.
Over the past few months I have drawn some conclusions about this, right or wrong, but here they are:
If you happen to post a comment on a blog where the author believes in reciprocation, he/she will comment back - and thus begins a relationship. Evaluate your stats. If no one is clicking in to read your post, it could be that the title needs tweaking or it could be that you posted to low-traffic or the wrong groups. You can edit 'til you get it right, so take advantage of that feature.
I do try to comment on others posts. I have a lot of blogs I subscribe to and sometimes I can't get on every day and on weekends I have to play catch up! LOL. I get a little disappointed sometimes when I write what I feel is a very good blog that gets lackluster response, but oh well.
Thank you all for your comments... I appologize that I did not write, to each of you, a pesonal message but I'll come back to your blogs and get to know you better. It is indeed obvious that melts down to open a channel of communication with others and building a web of loyal readers. Looking for each other and helping each other to achive success.
Ashley: Reciprocal commenting! is indeed important. Thank you.
Joe: I am sure we all have that question in mind and, more or less, we understand the dynamic... and we all try to follow that path. But still
Laurie: Good point
William: It's true... Posting to groups that have more participants and more trafic will project your blog to better exposure.
James: Conversational style and engaging people is a real quality of a post! You're right.
Cheryl: Timing is everything... building a community of friends... That's it!
Brian: Never thought about that. But what would be the early morning when we all live on different time zone.
Chris: Summer could be one reason and maybe because this days we are all working harder and have less time to blog.
Gary: I believe that this is a great attitude. I am trying to practice on regular bases... I am going through every and each post that has low comments number, trying to stimulate a conversation and helping them with points.
Donna: I read the post a while ago and found it brilliant.
Mark: Sometimes posts reflect the latest news in the real estate market. Other times breaking out too more entertaining subjects. Just for the diversity and fun. These days a little escapism is need it.
Margaret: It is a very good advise. Thank you!
Irene: Thank you. This is my point to... when you are faced with hundred of prior comments is hard to expect the reciprocation.
Karen: Sure, we all will better worth if we'll practice the reciprocation religiously.
Chris: It great to have a sense of humor. It's true: It's like the real life.There is no magic secret. Reciprocating is one of the best ways to get posts noticed and relationships built.