{"id":1121,"date":"2012-11-03T23:30:21","date_gmt":"2012-11-03T23:30:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/spontaneousdevelopment.com\/sdnuggets\/?p=1121"},"modified":"2012-11-04T07:52:37","modified_gmt":"2012-11-04T07:52:37","slug":"is-your-blog-productive-or-just-plain-busy-interesting-arguments-for-against-blog-comments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/tayosolagbade.com\/sdnuggets\/is-your-blog-productive-or-just-plain-busy-interesting-arguments-for-against-blog-comments\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Your Blog Productive, Or Just Plain Busy? (Interesting Arguments For & Against Blog Comments)"},"content":{"rendered":"

This post is a sequel to the 4 part post series I concluded last Saturday<\/a>. In that series, I focused on presenting my preferred approach to evaluating a blog\u2019s ability to help the owner make money \u2013 be it directly or indirectly. <\/p>\n

In this<\/strong> post I provide a review of other blog owners\u2019 posts that, in my opinion discuss the role played by \u201ccomments\u201d from a reasonably articulate, and balanced perspective. <\/p>\n

Like I mentioned in my 4 post series on comments, I've done a bit of research online to get a feel for the range of opinions on this theme. My research was of course not exhaustive. However, I did get a feel for what the major views seem to be.<\/p>\n

The posts that really stand out for me argue from different sides of the divide. Below, I review arguments made by four of them, stating my <\/strong>opinion or perspective where relevant:<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. Title: How to Get More Blog Comments<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Who: <\/strong>Matt Smith<\/p>\n

Where: <\/strong>http:\/\/onlineincometeacher.com\/tips\/how-to-get-more-blog-comments\/<\/p>\n

When I first saw the above title, my stubborn brain instantly asked<\/em><\/strong>: \u201cShould I want to get more blog comments, if I don\u2019t NEED them to succeed?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Matt accurately points out that not getting comments does not mean anything is wrong with your blog: certain blog types attract comments more readily than others. And he's right. <\/p>\n

In response to his own question about whether or not comments are important, he submits that: <\/strong><\/p>\n

a. they \"aren't particularly that important ...though you can use them to build relationships\" (I argue that for building relationships, email does a better job!)<\/em>
\n b. they make no \"specific impact on your SEO...\"
\n c. and they do not affect your website traffic volume.<\/p>\n

Then he sums the above up by saying comments have no direct impact on your site\u2019s performance. <\/p>\n

My naughty brain pipes in:<\/strong> If that is so, why on earth should I care about getting them at all? <\/em>Sounds like a good question to me...what about YOU? <\/p>\n

In the rest of his post<\/a>, Matt however points out that some visitors use volume of comments a site gets as a measure of popularity. And if low, they could lose interest.<\/p>\n

Well, if you've read my 4 post series<\/a>, you know what to think about such views. In life losses will always happen. Readers and fans will come and they will go \u2013 no matter how hard you try. <\/strong><\/p>\n

The way I see it, if anyone chooses to pass up a useful read on my blog, because no one has commented on a particular post, that would be his loss!<\/p>\n

As for me - and to paraphrase Matt - I will ALWAYS judge a website by the quality of its content. And it's people who share a similar outlook that I'd like to welcome as visitors to my blog or website.<\/p>\n

2. Title: 5 Reasons Why People Won't Comment On Your Blog<\/a> <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Who: <\/strong>Adrienne Smith<\/p>\n

Where:<\/strong> http:\/\/adriennesmith.net\/5-reasons-why-people-wont-comment-on-your-blog
\n (Psst:<\/strong> If you\u2019re wondering if she\u2019s related to Matt Smith<\/strong>, mentioned immediately above, I have not the slightest clue. In fact, it was only when I started to type out her name here that I discovered she shared the same last name with Matt\u2026lol).<\/em><\/p>\n

Adrienne starts by noting (as I did in my first post on comments) that it\u2019s a sensitive subject. Then she asks if the reader has ever \u201cwondered why\u201d his\/her blog was not getting more comments.<\/p>\n

Once again, as it did when I read Matt\u2019s post<\/a>, my non-conforming mind asked<\/em><\/strong>: \u201cWhy would I want more comments, if I don\u2019t NEED them to succeed?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Interestingly she goes on to explain how she diagnosed the \u201cproblem\u201d with some blogs she visited which she was surprised to see had few or no comments on their posts.<\/p>\n

I argue \u2013 as does Matt above, and Amy in the post featured at no. 4 below <\/strong>\u2013 that the absence of comments does NOT imply anything is wrong with a blog. You\u2019ve got to look deeper than that, and understand what kind of blog you\u2019re dealing with in the first place!<\/p>\n

Adrienne goes on to recommend five remedies in her post (click here to read them<\/a>), and at the end says \u201c\u201dMake these few changes and additions and watch your comments pick up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hmm\u2026I can tell you \u2013 as will Amy in her post, that certain blogs serve audiences that will rarely relate with blogs via comments, even with such changes. <\/em><\/p>\n

Other interesting perspectives supporting my position exist. And I\u2019d like you to read them in Amy\u2019s excellent post below, so you can be better informed. <\/p>\n

Adrienne\u2019s post<\/a> was an entertaining read. However, I think she needed to have included a note that NOT all blogs can be correctly judged for performance using comments. By failing to do so, her post commits a serious error<\/strong> of blanket generalization. I guess you could say, we agree to disagree on that point \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

3. Title: How to Get 80+ Comments on Your Next Blog Post<\/a> <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Who: <\/strong>Blog Tyrant<\/p>\n

Where: <\/strong>http:\/\/www.problogger.net\/archives\/2011\/01\/12\/how-to-get-80-comments-on-your-next-blog-post\/<\/p>\n

The Blog Tyrant is a savvy blogger. I\u2019ve come across a number of his posts on some top blogs and can confirm that he knows how to use his posts to get results. <\/p>\n

This post<\/a> was no different. In explaining how readers could get more comments on their next post, he got even those who disagreed with his ideas to comment <\/strong> \u2013 thereby adding to the volume recorded for his guest post.<\/p>\n

That's exactly what happened to Andrew G. Rosen<\/strong>, who was brave enough to voice a divergent opinion<\/a> from the majority who commented on this post. Virtually every other commenter before him had commended Blog Tyrant for his expressed views on the importance of comments. <\/p>\n

Then came Rosen: He pointed out that certain blogs had quiet communities and that he he would keep reading a \"comment-less\" blog if he felt it offered good quality content. Very wise words indeed!<\/h3>\n

\"Screenshot<\/a><\/p>\n

The fact that no one else towed Rosen\u2019s line of thought (at least none that I read after his in the comments), says a lot about the potentially dangerous \u201cherd mentality\u201d that blog comments can create. <\/p>\n

People wrongly assume that the idea favoured by the largest number of people is always superior. But that's not always the case. Anatole France, the shipping magnate understood this truth, and was credited with voicing this quote: <\/p>\n

\n

\u201cEven if 50 million people say a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing.\u201d \u2013 Anatole France<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The courage to follow our convictions when they differ from what majority hold to be true, can sometimes determine how successful we ultimately become. This truth applies to the pursuit of success in blogging, just as it does to virtually every area of life.<\/p>\n

4. Title: Do You Really Need Comments On Your Blog?<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Who: <\/strong>Amy <\/p>\n

Where: <\/strong>http:\/\/amyafrica.com\/strategy\/do-you-really-need-comments-on-your-blog<\/p>\n

Amy and her impressive community of results-focussed experts certainly offer useful information and education. Through this post, they clearly demonstrate \u2013 with powerful data and facts - that comments based popularity is NOT a reliable measure of blog profitability<\/a>! <\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

In other words, you're better off doing what works for you. This post<\/a>\u00a0 - and it's high quality comments thread - provide valuable insight into practical ways to measure a blog\u2019s productivity or success. There is also plenty of experience based wisdom about what importance to attach to comments under different situations. <\/p>\n

I urge you to read, bookmark, and re-read Amy\u2019s post. It\u2019s an excellent resource put up by a lady who knows what she's talking about!<\/em><\/p>\n

Final Words<\/strong><\/h3>\n

On a final note, let me assure you of one thing. By the time you\u2019ve read the above posts \u2013 especially no. 4, you WILL know whether your blog is productive, or just plain busy\u2026and which \"mode\" (i.e. productive<\/strong> or busy<\/strong>...with comments for instance) is better, for you, as a business minded and results focussed person. <\/p>\n

Comments?<\/strong> <\/h3>\n

What do you think of this post? Do you have any personal experience to share on this subject? Are there some other points you feel can be added, to help persons looking for answers? Post your thoughts below.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Share this post! <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Do you know anyone who might benefit from reading this post? Why not share it via your social media channels. Thanks in advance.<\/p>\n

\"Click<\/a><\/p\n\n\n\n

Click here to download a FREE PDF preview of this new ebook<\/a> (NB: <\/strong>You also get the download link to a FREE copy of my \"Proven Techniques (& Strategies) You Can Use To Start & Finish Writing ANYTHING\" report<\/a>!)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This post is a sequel to the 4 part post series I concluded last Saturday. In that series, I focused on presenting my preferred approach to evaluating a blog\u2019s ability to help the owner make money \u2013 be it directly or indirectly. In this post I provide a review of other blog owners\u2019 posts that, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[103],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1121","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-writingblogging"],"aioseo_notices":[],"views":5628,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/tayosolagbade.com\/sdnuggets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1121","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/tayosolagbade.com\/sdnuggets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/tayosolagbade.com\/sdnuggets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/tayosolagbade.com\/sdnuggets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/tayosolagbade.com\/sdnuggets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1121"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"http:\/\/tayosolagbade.com\/sdnuggets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1121\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1130,"href":"http:\/\/tayosolagbade.com\/sdnuggets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1121\/revisions\/1130"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/tayosolagbade.com\/sdnuggets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1121"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/tayosolagbade.com\/sdnuggets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1121"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/tayosolagbade.com\/sdnuggets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1121"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}