What Prompts Readers to Comment (A Link)
This Week in Education is asking about something which I often ponder, "What prompts readers to comment" on a blog post? I don't think that the fact that my blog doesn't attract that many comments means that my ideas aren't good. I certainly hope it doesn't mean that since I'm taking my lesson plan ideas and developing a book of lesson ideas. This Week in Education comments that Jenny D gets a lot of commenters. I wonder if she even knows why she's able to do this? Hey Jenny, if you do know please tell me.
posted by Andrew Pass @ 7:43 PM
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6 Comments:
I comment on a lot of blogs, whenever something interests me, or I feel I have something to share, OR when someone asks me a direct question, such as "What do you think?" I've noticed, though, that on most blogs, the owner doesn't respond too often to comments. One blog I frequently post on is Asymptotia, and I think it's because the owner, Clifford, responds to almost every post. You truly feel that by commenting, you're part of a conversation. I've received a few comments on my own blogs, and after observing Clifford (and John Scalzi on his blog Whatever, who also frequently responds to comments), I'm going to make more of an effort to respond to comments. We'll see if it makes a difference.
I think that's a very good point that bloggers should respond to their commenters. However, when I first started blogging I noticed that most bloggers didn't. So I didn't. But I love it when I get comments so I'm going to start responding.
Andy
I agree with Jude about responding to comments on your posts. It does seem to increase the amount.
Several months ago I was reading something that said you shouldn't comment unless you have something interesting to say or unless you can add additional information to the post. I say that's a bunch of bunk...I would much rather folks ask me question to further the conversation, give a compliment, share an addtional resource, etc.
Andrew, you have a great site. Your material is well thought out and well written. I think mine has great content. It would seem that the more controversial the subject matter the more comments it will generate. Perhaps we aren't controversial enough....
It's a strange thing...I've had several hits on my site this week and several people have subscibed to my feed, but few comments.
I get a fair amount of comments on my homeschool blog. Openess to the thoughts of others and conversation is a big part of it. If people feel that a blogger is approachable and wants to hear their ideas then they are more willing to comment.
Speaking of my blog, I'm hosting a contest open to all public, private, and homeschooled teachers and parents. The prize is a digital camera. You might want to check it out.
Elementaryhistoryteacher thanks for your feedback. I too enjoy posting comments. Sometimes I find that I don't have enough time to post as many comments as I would like to make. I'm not sure how I feel about your thoughts on controversy. I just wish other bloggers would contribute to my lesson ideas so that they could continuously become stronger.
Spuny, perhaps blogging is a lot like teaching. When I teach I encourage my students to make comments and when they realize that I seriously want to hear their thoughts they do make comments. The one thing that blogging doesn't provide is an opportunity for wait time. Students often realize that they are expected to make comments when I stand there and wait for somebody to say something. I wonder if there's a way to build a mechanism similar to wait time into blogging?
Andy
Not sure about a how to incorporate a "wait time". I post nearly every day. It may mean leaving a post up for a few days.
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