There has been a lot of discourse going on whether one should have the comment sections in their blog and why they are important. Some well renowned bloggers like Seth Godin have never had the comment section in their blogs and so far, his blog is one of the most followed blog on the internet.
Kenyan bloggers too, like abbaanxiety.com are following this trend with some arguing that they do not have time to moderate and reply to all the comments or the fact that readers leave comments that are not only not helpful, but do it for all the wrong reasons like to get noticed by the blogger. This of course could be true. And for established bloggers, they could get away with not having their comment sections but still command an audience.
But what about the upcoming bloggers or people who want to start a blog? What do these comments mean to them? The comment section has immense benefits and if a blogger uses it well to his/her advantage, they could pay off.
“Without comments, a blog isn’t really a blog. To me, blogging is not just about publishing content, but also the two-way communication and community building aspects behind it. A successful blog does not come without its readers, so I feel that the least we can do for them as bloggers is to allow them to have their voice be heard if they choose to speak.”
I agree with him; here is why:
Comments help find out what is on the readers minds. They are also a good way to come up with topics that could be of use to your readers by going through suggestions, questions. Their questions can be answered through writing another blogpost. As a result, you do not have to struggle to come up with content.
Help new bloggers grow a community. When you are new to the blogging world, it can be challenging to connect to your readers. Having a comment section can help interact with anyone who visits your website. It is also a plus given the fact that people always appreciate when they are given a chance to voice their views.
Shows credibility to one’s blog. Sometimes when you visit a blog and realize that it has no comments, you tend to pass it up. Readers assume that your writing is bad if it does not have any reviews after. Comments help bring credibility to your blog. When someone visits and sees the 20 plus reviews, they tend to think that you have good writing skills and therefore will take time to read that blogpost.
Help bloggers hone their skills. the comment sections allow for people to criticize your writing. It is true when they say that critics are legless men who teach running, but it is also true that positive criticism help make a blogger’s writing even better. Through this, they can pinpoint mistakes and where they think the bloggers can improve.
It enhances discourse and discussions. As a result, people can learn from each other, correct each other and come up with new ways to find solutions on issues that affect them. As a result, bloggers find people to interact and connect with. It is these connections that create a blogging community and a family where both bloggers and their readers feel they can belong.
It is a nice way to leave a back link to their own blogs. Most readers who follow certain bloggers have their own blogs where they look for more readers. Leaving a comment on someone else’s blog gives you a rare opportunity to share the link to your blog. With blogging communities following each other, it helps you grow your network.
In conclusion, the next time you visit a blog, try and leave a useful comment on their page. The blogger will also want to return the favor to your blog. At the end of the day, you will have increased your audience.
Blog Comments: Why Do They Matter?
There has been a lot of discourse going on whether one should have the comment sections in their blog and why they are important. Some well renowned bloggers like Seth Godin have never had the comment section in their blogs and so far, his blog is one of the most followed blog on the internet.
Kenyan bloggers too, like abbaanxiety.com are following this trend with some arguing that they do not have time to moderate and reply to all the comments or the fact that readers leave comments that are not only not helpful, but do it for all the wrong reasons like to get noticed by the blogger. This of course could be true. And for established bloggers, they could get away with not having their comment sections but still command an audience.
But what about the upcoming bloggers or people who want to start a blog? What do these comments mean to them? The comment section has immense benefits and if a blogger uses it well to his/her advantage, they could pay off.
Pat Flynn said,
“Without comments, a blog isn’t really a blog. To me, blogging is not just about publishing content, but also the two-way communication and community building aspects behind it. A successful blog does not come without its readers, so I feel that the least we can do for them as bloggers is to allow them to have their voice be heard if they choose to speak.”
I agree with him; here is why:
Comments help find out what is on the readers minds. They are also a good way to come up with topics that could be of use to your readers by going through suggestions, questions. Their questions can be answered through writing another blogpost. As a result, you do not have to struggle to come up with content.
Help new bloggers grow a community. When you are new to the blogging world, it can be challenging to connect to your readers. Having a comment section can help interact with anyone who visits your website. It is also a plus given the fact that people always appreciate when they are given a chance to voice their views.
Shows credibility to one’s blog. Sometimes when you visit a blog and realize that it has no comments, you tend to pass it up. Readers assume that your writing is bad if it does not have any reviews after. Comments help bring credibility to your blog. When someone visits and sees the 20 plus reviews, they tend to think that you have good writing skills and therefore will take time to read that blogpost.
Help bloggers hone their skills. the comment sections allow for people to criticize your writing. It is true when they say that critics are legless men who teach running, but it is also true that positive criticism help make a blogger’s writing even better. Through this, they can pinpoint mistakes and where they think the bloggers can improve.
It enhances discourse and discussions. As a result, people can learn from each other, correct each other and come up with new ways to find solutions on issues that affect them. As a result, bloggers find people to interact and connect with. It is these connections that create a blogging community and a family where both bloggers and their readers feel they can belong.
It is a nice way to leave a back link to their own blogs. Most readers who follow certain bloggers have their own blogs where they look for more readers. Leaving a comment on someone else’s blog gives you a rare opportunity to share the link to your blog. With blogging communities following each other, it helps you grow your network.
In conclusion, the next time you visit a blog, try and leave a useful comment on their page. The blogger will also want to return the favor to your blog. At the end of the day, you will have increased your audience.
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