On most websites or blogs, the ratio of readers to commenters is gigantic. On this blog, a post that garners 40 or 50 comments is considered quite a bit, even though there are many thousands of readers. The stream of comments can take many shapes, depending on the nature of the post. And, once again depending on the nature of the post, the commenters here can seem like a fairly diverse lot. But lately I got to thinking: what kind of person comments on a blog, and why?
I like blogs as much as the next guy, but I don’t think I’ve ever left behind a comment, even though I have plenty to say about lots of things. So what distinguishes me from a blog commenter?
I realize there is a selection problem here: anyone who responds to my question about why commenters comment is, alas, a commenter. Which means that regular commenters will be overrepresented in the comments — unless, of course, a whole bunch of you who never comment decide to go ahead and log in and, in the comments section, tell us why you never comment. Or why other people do.
Comments welcome.
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i would do it just to take part in the conversation. of course every comment board represents a voluntary response bias so you’ll never get all of us. some of us probably also have blogs and enjoy getting a linkback.
some blogs have tried things like, “hey look at all my readers. i want to get to know you better. comment with name, location, [or insert whatever you want]. generally it seem that most entries if they fetch 10-40 comments on a random blog would garner like 200+ in replies.
also, registration is a %$#@!
suppose you reduced commenting to Name, Website, Comment, and Verify you ain’t a robot. basically your barrier to entry is too high for a blog that’s not building a community. why do i want to register for a wordpress acct just to comment on YOUR blog?
i would do it just to take part in the conversation. of course every comment board represents a voluntary response bias so you’ll never get all of us. some of us probably also have blogs and enjoy getting a linkback.
some blogs have tried things like, “hey look at all my readers. i want to get to know you better. comment with name, location, [or insert whatever you want]. generally it seem that most entries if they fetch 10-40 comments on a random blog would garner like 200+ in replies.
also, registration is a %$#@!
suppose you reduced commenting to Name, Website, Comment, and Verify you ain’t a robot. basically your barrier to entry is too high for a blog that’s not building a community. why do i want to register for a wordpress acct just to comment on YOUR blog?
Many bloggers comment to get comments. Many also comment to connect with people. The undying need to be loved is strong with the blogging community.
Many bloggers comment to get comments. Many also comment to connect with people. The undying need to be loved is strong with the blogging community.
oh, and notice when you offer incentives, like your puzzles and the prize to the winner.. then your comment count goes way way up.
oh, and notice when you offer incentives, like your puzzles and the prize to the winner.. then your comment count goes way way up.
You’ve put up a high barrier to entry by requiring people to create an account before leaving a comment.
You’ve put up a high barrier to entry by requiring people to create an account before leaving a comment.