- Image by koalazymonkey via Flickr
Lists are good.
Lists have been hot here at RCB over the past week Both the top 10 reasons to post daily and the top 10 reasons not to post daily roused some lively comments and an interesting exchange about the right policy. Those comments provide the life blood for a blogger, feedback. Information about what the readers found in a post, what they liked and often a fresh perspective.
Lists can get better.
For long months as I began blogging, those comments weren’t coming. I had readers but they were not leaving any information about what they thought. Problogger told me that readers like lists and that they are more likely to respond when you ask a question. So I began posting lists. Today I would like to ask a favor from my readers. Take a look at these two list posts from last year. Give me some feedback and any ideas you have to improve them. What did I leave out? What should I leave out? Which do you think is the most important item on each list and why. Leave your comments here or on the posts. It’s all good. Thanks
Number 1 is my speculation about why readers don’t leave comments.
Number 2 is my list of ways to make your marriage better.
11. Why should I help you?
[Reply]
Claudia,
Is that for the comments list? I like it.
[Reply]
Hey Ralph,
Comments:
Did leave out – You expect me to comment on this?!
Reason: If it’s bad then how can they comment? Improvement could be necessary.
Should leave out – It was such a wonderful post that I don’t have anything to add
Reason: If it’s a wonderful post then you can always add your two cents.
Most important and why – I don’t have anything to say
Reason: This is something to look at because if there’s no value you can add, you shouldn’t say anything.
Marriage: (I’m only dating but I think the same or similar could apply)
Did leave out – Let her be who she is and be ok with that
Reason: You’re together. She’s not always going to make you incredibly happy at every single second of the day. Let her be and love her anyway!
Should leave out – Honestly, everyone forgets something now and then. There’s none I see should be left out of here though.
Reason: No one is perfect but working on remembering these and doing these is vital to the relationship.
Most important and why – Honestly, the whole package.
Reason: The important thing is to embrace it all and not just one or two as everything needs some time.
Hope this helps you Ralph!
.-= Eric´s last blog ..Lets Help Each Other =-.
[Reply]
Hi Ralph,
I can totally relate to the comments issue – it was months before I had anyone leave any comments on my blog – not even my friends and family! I think it just takes time for people to feel comfortable with you and leave a comment. Plus, a lot of people may be reading you but are too lazy or like lurking too much to comment.
One thing that I did that helped is to ask for comments. Ask people what they thought of the article. Another thing that I did was to ask lots of questions of my readers and made them think.
You have a great site with lots of useful information. It will come in time and don’t be disheartended.
Karen
.-= Karen´s last blog ..How To Make Better Decisions That Move You Forward In Life =-.
[Reply]
Karen,
Thanks for the encouragement. Patience is important and necessary but you have to market as well.
[Reply]
Eric,
Thanks for your suggestions. The wonderful post line was intended to be funny but it certainly isn’t helpfull to have that attitude if you really do want to get comments.
[Reply]
I had the same issue all the time. Its hard to get people to leave comments. But it will eventually change over time especially if you try to build up a relationship with other bloggers.
.-= Julius Kuhn-Regnier´s last blog ..My Pathetic Believe about Social Media =-.
[Reply]
I agree that a big part of the commenting is establishing a relationship. It is hard to get a relationship started in my experience. What do you do?
[Reply]
Well actually I thought of writing post about it. But let me explain:
Commenting is a great way to build up relationships as I am doing right now. I believe it one of the easiest way to build a relationship online. But there are many people that make the mistake of only commenting once on a blog thinking that this will be enough. Of course it’s not.
It’s like exchanging one sentence with a person. You can’t build a relationship this way. Heck, you don’t even get to know the person.
In order to get to know someone it takes time. The Internet is such a fast pace medium that no ones truly takes their time to connect to other people.
Just think about it. You don’t need to rush to build relationships with other people. Let it flow at its own pace. But show people that you are there and that you care about them and about what they write.
That would be my advice
Btw. I think I’ve almost written an entire new blog post through this comment!
.-= Julius Kuhn-Regnier´s last blog ..My Pathetic Believe about Social Media =-.
[Reply]
You have indeed. Thanks for adding to the content.
[Reply]