Highest Comment Denominator
This is a question that comes up fairly regularly, so I dealt with it in my Blog Cabin newspaper column in `mX' (published simultaneously in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney) this week.
Some bloggers get lots of comments, but I haven't had any yet.What am I doing wrong?
Let's deal with the technical aspect first. Go to the template and if you haven't ticked the option to enable comments, do it now and hit the "Save Preferences" option. To avoid spam comments, tick the "enable comment moderation" option. This simply means you have the final say over which comments are actually displayed.
Now for the non-geeky part. A comment is the internet equivalent of an SMS or a phone call. You only get 'em from people who know you or are familiar with your blog. It can take a while - even for a great blogger - to get that first comment. The more visitors you get, the higher your chances of getting comments. It is good protocol to reply to comments. They are the only form of one-on-one communication between you and your readers, so be courteous, be concise and prompt when you respond.
For new bloggers, the more comments you reply to, the more you'll get. Likewise, it also pays to leave comments on other blogs with themes similar to yours. Don't leave trite messages such as "Nice post. LOL" because they mean nothing. By leaving a comment that is brief but pithy or to the point, chances are someone else in turn will check out the link to your blog.
Showing posts with label Answers to common blogging questions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Answers to common blogging questions. Show all posts
Friday, June 08, 2007
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Star Tech
Hari Spotter And The Exchanger Of Secrets
In my newspaper column `Blog Cabin’, published in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, I recently answered a question from Hari. This is an edited version of my answer to his question, which I think might perhaps be relevant to other bloggers as well.
Could you please review my blog and let me know what can be done to improve it.
Mate, I hope you're good at algebra, because there's one piece of an interesting equation missing here. Good blog? Check. Wide appeal? Check. Reader comments? Er, um, gone AWOL, your honour.
Book review blogs are safe territory, because they always evoke a reaction. Yours embraces many genres, but I'm baffled by the lack of comments. Like Julie Andrews, let's start at the very beginning. Claim your blog at Technorati and activate the Technorati ping sequence, which tells people every time you update the blog.
Next, you need a hit counter. If you're serious about engaging your readers (and there's no reason why a blog of this nature cannot do so) then you need to know who's visiting, how long they spend on your site -- and, vitally, if they're coming back.
I use the Site Meter hit counter. It's free and gives you a wide range of real-time information and statistics. All you have to do is register at SiteMeter.com and follow the prompts.
Editorially, I would suggest some basic improvements. First up, proof-read or spell-check each post. Don't allow mistakes to creep into text. Just as they would irk you if you were reviewing a book, they are a turn-off to your readers too. When you talk about Shirley Hardy-Rix, there is a reference to her as Shirley Hardy-Pix - and there's a smattering of other minor errors that should be fixed.
It's great that you try to contact some of the authors. This could be the one thing that sets you apart from other book review bloggers, so highlight an author's response when you get it. Post well, post often - and make sure to emphasise features that set you apart from other similar blogs.
PS: Take your lawyer to the pub every Friday - you'll need his/her help if you call authors ``horny''. Publicity is good, but not when you're being sued.
In my newspaper column `Blog Cabin’, published in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, I recently answered a question from Hari. This is an edited version of my answer to his question, which I think might perhaps be relevant to other bloggers as well.
Could you please review my blog and let me know what can be done to improve it.
Mate, I hope you're good at algebra, because there's one piece of an interesting equation missing here. Good blog? Check. Wide appeal? Check. Reader comments? Er, um, gone AWOL, your honour.
Book review blogs are safe territory, because they always evoke a reaction. Yours embraces many genres, but I'm baffled by the lack of comments. Like Julie Andrews, let's start at the very beginning. Claim your blog at Technorati and activate the Technorati ping sequence, which tells people every time you update the blog.
Next, you need a hit counter. If you're serious about engaging your readers (and there's no reason why a blog of this nature cannot do so) then you need to know who's visiting, how long they spend on your site -- and, vitally, if they're coming back.
I use the Site Meter hit counter. It's free and gives you a wide range of real-time information and statistics. All you have to do is register at SiteMeter.com and follow the prompts.
Editorially, I would suggest some basic improvements. First up, proof-read or spell-check each post. Don't allow mistakes to creep into text. Just as they would irk you if you were reviewing a book, they are a turn-off to your readers too. When you talk about Shirley Hardy-Rix, there is a reference to her as Shirley Hardy-Pix - and there's a smattering of other minor errors that should be fixed.
It's great that you try to contact some of the authors. This could be the one thing that sets you apart from other book review bloggers, so highlight an author's response when you get it. Post well, post often - and make sure to emphasise features that set you apart from other similar blogs.
PS: Take your lawyer to the pub every Friday - you'll need his/her help if you call authors ``horny''. Publicity is good, but not when you're being sued.
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Star Tech
The Graph Is Greener On The Other Side
In the past couple of weeks, I've been exchanging thoughts about growing a blog's audience with some people who write very lively blogs, including OzLady, Confused Sam, TCOs Garage, Pijush, Bart and Ak-Man. And I guess the common thread has been: how does a blogger ensure constant reader growth?
Let's put this in perspective. Has your readership decreased recently? No? Then you're already a winner. Next up, pay attention to the basics. If you want people to visit your blog every day, you need to post every day. Be lucid, be coherent, be honest to yourself. You don't have to write a 1000-word editorial on world peace. People read blogs to be entertained, to be stimulated.
Many bloggers suffer from ``writers' block''. There is a simple solution, however. If there is a subject you'd discuss in animated fashion with your friends, post it on your blog. Chances are it will engage your readers. And if people comment on your blog, reply to the comments. This is not simply good protocol, it also builds a bond of loyalty.
There are two types of readers. The first category is regular readers who visit your blog irrespective of what you're posting. The second category is casual readers, who might follow a link or a Blogger NavBar update. Check on what they are drawn to - and if there is a pattern, then use it to your advantage. If you find readership increases every time you post about technology or about Paris Hilton or Ron Paul, then that's what will drive your readership higher.
There is one other crucial element if you want to increase readership. Check the stats on your hit counter regularly. This ain't a vanity thing, believe me. Not only are you the editorial director of your blog, you are also the marketing manager. And if you want more readers, you need to know why they're reading you in the first place.
Every blogger needs to be resilient. Don't get discouraged if you get 10 hits a day. As you can see from this Site Meter graph, I only had about 10 hits each day in October. But I persisted ....
In the past couple of weeks, I've been exchanging thoughts about growing a blog's audience with some people who write very lively blogs, including OzLady, Confused Sam, TCOs Garage, Pijush, Bart and Ak-Man. And I guess the common thread has been: how does a blogger ensure constant reader growth?
Let's put this in perspective. Has your readership decreased recently? No? Then you're already a winner. Next up, pay attention to the basics. If you want people to visit your blog every day, you need to post every day. Be lucid, be coherent, be honest to yourself. You don't have to write a 1000-word editorial on world peace. People read blogs to be entertained, to be stimulated.
Many bloggers suffer from ``writers' block''. There is a simple solution, however. If there is a subject you'd discuss in animated fashion with your friends, post it on your blog. Chances are it will engage your readers. And if people comment on your blog, reply to the comments. This is not simply good protocol, it also builds a bond of loyalty.
There are two types of readers. The first category is regular readers who visit your blog irrespective of what you're posting. The second category is casual readers, who might follow a link or a Blogger NavBar update. Check on what they are drawn to - and if there is a pattern, then use it to your advantage. If you find readership increases every time you post about technology or about Paris Hilton or Ron Paul, then that's what will drive your readership higher.
There is one other crucial element if you want to increase readership. Check the stats on your hit counter regularly. This ain't a vanity thing, believe me. Not only are you the editorial director of your blog, you are also the marketing manager. And if you want more readers, you need to know why they're reading you in the first place.
Every blogger needs to be resilient. Don't get discouraged if you get 10 hits a day. As you can see from this Site Meter graph, I only had about 10 hits each day in October. But I persisted ....
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Star Tech
Adding An Extra Dimension To Your Blog
A few days ago, I was asked by a Singapore-based blogger, OzLady, to have a look at her site and give her some feedback. I’ve decided to post an edited version of my reply – because the advice is relevant to many of the good blogs and bloggers out there.
Can you please tell me how to improve my blog?
I reckon you do it right, on many levels. Your posts are always well edited, they’re lucid and they span an interesting variety of subjects. I’ve gone a long way back, into your older posts – and they’re all consistent and well presented.
I’m a journalist, so I’m not going to make this a whitewash. I’d like to see you take this blog up a notch or two. Introduce some more elements on your pages, because you did a terrific job with the graphic that accompanied the drumming posts. It was concise, clean, colourful – and easy to follow.
Try more often to break up your text with more graphics or photographs. Have camera, will travel. I enjoyed the candid picture that you posted when talking about the child experimenting with the self-timer. Carry the camera with you sometimes (or always, if it’s small enough to fit into a handbag) and use your shots with your posts. You will immediately project an extra, crucial element – and it’s so easy to do. Don’t follow what others do. Use your camera in a way that interests you – that’s what makes a blog unique.
You have an interesting site. Use your camera as an extension of a) your keyboard and b) your thought process. I look forward to the results.
A few days ago, I was asked by a Singapore-based blogger, OzLady, to have a look at her site and give her some feedback. I’ve decided to post an edited version of my reply – because the advice is relevant to many of the good blogs and bloggers out there.
Can you please tell me how to improve my blog?
I reckon you do it right, on many levels. Your posts are always well edited, they’re lucid and they span an interesting variety of subjects. I’ve gone a long way back, into your older posts – and they’re all consistent and well presented.
I’m a journalist, so I’m not going to make this a whitewash. I’d like to see you take this blog up a notch or two. Introduce some more elements on your pages, because you did a terrific job with the graphic that accompanied the drumming posts. It was concise, clean, colourful – and easy to follow.
Try more often to break up your text with more graphics or photographs. Have camera, will travel. I enjoyed the candid picture that you posted when talking about the child experimenting with the self-timer. Carry the camera with you sometimes (or always, if it’s small enough to fit into a handbag) and use your shots with your posts. You will immediately project an extra, crucial element – and it’s so easy to do. Don’t follow what others do. Use your camera in a way that interests you – that’s what makes a blog unique.
You have an interesting site. Use your camera as an extension of a) your keyboard and b) your thought process. I look forward to the results.
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