Lurkers to commentors...

[Golgotha]

Search-This gets around 2000 visitors a day and around 2 to 5 comments. In my mind, that's not so good. So September I will be trying to turn lurkers into commentors and I am open to suggestions.

Any thoughts on improving that ratio?

[Cedric]

Hmmm 2000 visitors per day is way too... WOW! Sometimes I get like less than 100 people to my blog but the comments are quite alot, and I was hoping that my traffic will increase. Your blog looks damn professional, which is a good thing I think you need to make a special announcement saying that you desperately need comments. That'll capture people's attention, well as for me, how am I supposed to get people's attention then.

[pbradish]

I've known about Search-This for years but have never actually commented as far as I can remember. I'll start commenting on your blog right now. :)

[deronsizemore]

My blog is only seeing about 50 visitors per day but I think I've got an above average number of comments.

I really don't think I do anything special. Here are some things that I do:

1. Frequently commenting on other blogs. Usually bloggers will return the favor and comment back.

2. Link to other blogs in your articles.

3. Ask questions. I try to ask questions in my posts. A lot of times people won't feel inclined to comment if a question is not asked. They just soak up the information and that's it. If you ask some sort of a question they feed more obligated to respond.

That's really all I do. Maybe I've just been lucky with getting comments?

[pbradish]

That's really all I do. Maybe I've just been lucky with getting comments?

No, it isn't luck. Your blog is pretty cool *bookmarked*

[deronsizemore]

No, it isn't luck. Your blog is pretty cool *bookmarked*

Well thank you very much, I appreciate that. :) (although my host seems to be having a small issue and I don't even have a site right now. lol)

[Christina]

My blog is only seeing about 50 visitors per day but I think I've got an above average number of comments.

I don't really do anything special I don't think. Some things that do are:

1. Frequently commenting on other blogs. Usually bloggers will return the favor and comment back.

2. Link to other blogs in your articles.

3. Ask questions. I try to ask questions in my posts. A lot of times people won't feel inclined to comment if a question is not asked. They just soak up the information and that's it. If you ask some sort of a question they feed more obligated to respond.

That's really all I do. Maybe I've just been lucky with getting comments?

I love your blog. I found it about a week ago and I instantly subbed to your RSS feed. :) It was this (http://www.randomjabber.com/blog/article/improve-the-functionality-of-your-blogs-homepage-with-one-small-change/) article that got me. It makes so much sense and I can't believe more people don't so this. :)

[rodaniel]

I've been wondering the same - our traffic is slowly but gradually increasing, but we're still not getting many comments. There are more now than earlier this year, for certain, but still not lots...

[Christina]

Also, wanted to say that I think asking a question at the end of your post would help a lot.

[doorlight]

Comment on other blogs. I do this often when I'm not that busy. I call it blog hopping.

Good luck!

[Jeremy]

I promise to shower my commentors with fabulous prizes and extravagant gifts. That usually works.

[Jewel]

I think that asking a question is the best way to go if you want comments. You could also ask for reader's opinions on an issue that you're talking about, or just ask if they have any suggestions, or even just if they agree with you.

[Jeremy]

Jewel is right, simply ask a question. Something I just recently started was running polls on a weekly basis. The first poll was just a test, but it went extremely well. 239 votes and 20 comments in one week. Most of my posts only get a couple comments here and there, so that was a huge success as far as I'm concerned.

My second installment of a poll has only been up about 24 hours and has 74 votes and 8 comments. So, I would have to agree that simply posing a question for your readers, whether it is just in a post or via an official poll or something is a good start to get people more involved.

[deronsizemore]

I love your blog. I found it about a week ago and I instantly subbed to your RSS feed. :) It was this (http://www.randomjabber.com/blog/article/improve-the-functionality-of-your-blogs-homepage-with-one-small-change/) article that got me. It makes so much sense and I can't believe more people don't so this. :)

Hey thanks Christina! I appreciate that. Yeah, I don't know why bloggers don't do it. It just makes sense if you ask me. Still to this day, I've only seen one other blog that does it (unless I just wasn't paying attention).

[Golgotha]

I've known about Search-This for years but have never actually commented as far as I can remember. I'll start commenting on your blog right now. :)

That is one of the problems, Search-This has been around since 2003, but only became a blog this year. As a result we need to almost rebrand ourselves. The early years we were more of a periodical or journal that posted informational articles from time to time. I think that many think that is what we still are. And in a way we are... We do typically publish more informational type stuff that you can turn around and implement on your own website. But this I am happy with. I think we post some great stuff. We simply need to be able to make it more inviting so that others feel like they can add to the topic and not just take from it.

I also agree, that asking questions at the end or simply opening it up for discussion is a good idea.

thanks

[4clubbs]

I'm starting a meme at my blog called MyTurn/YourTurn that is all based around the idea of asking questions of your readers.

If it fits with the style of your blog, you can join in and together we'll see if asking questions works!

[doorlight]

I promise to shower my commentors with fabulous prizes and extravagant gifts. That usually works.

Generous. :p