The last few posts on Portugal haven’t been my most popular in terms of comments, in fact the last post as of 8pm on Wednesday night had one solitary comment, my brother. He would be the least interested about the post - he was there.
Nevertheless, there have been a few posts recently describing an act that I would never do with comments.
Fake them.
I just don’t see the point of faking them, and you’re only cheating yourself. It is much better to have a purely natural comment from somebody else you can both appreciate it. Stopping the “orgasm” innuendo for just a little bit, there’s two reasons why I wouldn’t fake them:-
- I’d arse it up, saying things like “Oh Rhys you’re so sexy!”, which is a blatant lie.
- I’ve blogged for months when I started off when I didn’t recieve a single comment.
However, a lot of other bloggers base much of their success on comments, so here’s how to get comments without faking it.
Ask Friends and Family
First point of call is to ask your friends and family to read entries and comment on them. Of course, I’m too proud for this, so it’s usually in the way of “I can’t believe my entry on African Field Goats got no comments. Woe is me!”. They usually then comment on my blog. Works every time.
Write for your Readers
Like a lot of things about myself, my style of writing is long, clumbersome and difficult to swallow in one mouthful. A lot of you lot probably prefer small, bitty posts you can read in your big London trading jobs. I know, I’m sorry, I’m trying to improve on this. I’ll do my best.
Ask a Question
I got loads of responses when I left a question at the end of the post. People like giving an opinion, and interacting. So ask a question related to the post.
Talk About Sex
Obvious really. My most popular posts is when I talk about the squelchy. You’re all a bunch of internet perverts.
So, with that in mind, what’s the best way you use for comment baiting?
Popularity: 4% [?]
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Rhys Wynne, the author of this blog, is a 20 something web designer from Colwyn Bay.
Sex is awesome. I love sex.
Discuss topics that people probably have an opinion about, and stir up a feeding frenzy of debates and arguments in your comments. Then make your next post about the outcome, and then stir up more shit!
Well… I did that once and it worked!
But sex is always good. Perves we are.
Faking comments is pretty sad. Very sad in fact.
Commenting on someone’s blog pretending to be someone else is also pretty lame.
I’ve never done either
And the “difficult to swallow in one mouthful” - eww gross!
I guess the problem is that comments are only going to come when people actually have something productive to say. Your readership isn’t likely to be composed of “teen fanboi” style people who’ll just comment on anything saying “Rhys, duuudeee you waz awesome in that post larrhh” or whatever. Many of us I’m sure have read with interest about your holiday, I for one was really looking forward to hearing about it. However, there’s not really much to then respond about, I could have said “Sounds great Rhys, I’m glad you had a good time”, but to be honest, it hasn’t got much substance. I comment when theres something to say. When I don’t comment, its not that I havn’t really enjoyed the posts, it’s just that I have nothing to add
However, duude, ur ‘mazing l33t convo iz da r3son Iz getz up in da m0rnin larhh, k33p it g0in’
What sad bastards. Sad, sad, sad. I have never, and will never fake comments on my blog. Even back when I was receiving a couple on an entry, instead of what I get now.. it never crossed my mind.
The way I see it is if you have to fake comments you’re doing something wrong (you can write, you’re too boring, your post has no interest to other people, doesn’t inspire conversation, etc). Faking it isn’t going to make the problem go away, it just adds a sticky plaster.
Oh, and to answer your last question because I wasn’t paying proper attention and didn’t see it the first time: by posting something controversial. Everyone secretly loves a good argument.
“The squelchy”?!?! LOL well you have *my* attention! I go through periods where nobody comments for months, then suddenly a few different people comment regularly, then back to nothing. It’s odd really, but I’m not necessarily writing *for* the comments. Nonetheless, I know there’s a ton of stuff I could do to up some of PF’s “success”, I just can’t be arsed to figure out what.
I find that writing about not getting comments always works, every time :o)
Diamond Geezer has a good point there
wow Rhys did I mention How sexy you are looking lately I would like to make a squelchy with you please
x
I try the question thing to varying levels of success. I find people comment more if I put some effort into my post which is rare. Also if you comment on someone else’s blog and they feel bad for you so comment back… it’s so forced.
I would have commented on the previous posts but due to mega busyness in life and work I haven’t been reading the usual blogs (or posting new stuff on my blog)… please forgive me
Just writing about stuff that interests people, I think, in a way that they can engage with. NOT that your holiday wasn’t interesting - but it’s something that the reader reads and doesn’t have anything they feel they can contribute.
I think that answering comments helps - either in the comments box - which is good as it shows people who don’t comment that there’s a friendly environment - or by a brief email acknowledgement. It makes them feel included.
My friends tell me that they read all my posts, but only comment if they feel what they have to say is worth saying. But I do appreciate any comment I get, even something as tame as “Funny stuff!”. There’s just something about knowing somebody’s out there…
Trolling for comments now, are we?
Well, I have to say (in my defense) that as a middle-aged mom, I don’t know much about football, gaming, computers, or a lot of the other techno-geek stuff you talk about. A comment from me would amount to a waving of the hand to say “hey, I was here!” on that sort of stuff.
HOWEVER, as the mother of a son, I find your journey through career, family and love very interesting. I look at every young man as a potential outcome of my son so I try to pay attention to those things that matter most.
I followed the Han-saga, the foot-fetishist, and your move back to Colwyn Bay with much interest.
But that’s me. I don’t think that my demographic is the one you’re actually writing for. I just happen to check in from time to time because you’re a Welshman, possibly related to me, and you do have an interesting POV.
Ta!