If you read blogs or articles on the vast interweb then you will and have no doubt run across articles mentioning how to increase the interaction between your blog/post/etc. and your readers. And that’s what I’d like to ask you about… how do you get or increase interaction with your readers?
I’m trying to accomplish that and need feedback from you. Don’t want to force anyone to do what they don’t want to (not that I could any way) but would like to see more comments and interactions in my comment area as to hear what you think and get to know you better. And yes I do realize that sometimes with busy lives and circumstances it gets difficult to comment on everything. I am very guilty of that many times – sorry!
So tell me, when you comment on someones post what makes you do it? Or what have you found increases the interaction between you and your readers? I know you, my wonderful group of readers, do see my posts but I would like to hear what you think about what I have put out here so I know if I need to tidy up the room a bit and put out cookies 😉
Or am I doing fine here and a like is a comment as well. Could it be that I’m doing something that is bad in real life as well as in online life, comparing myself to others? Just wondering. I’ll be leaning on the fence here next to Coot Lake (didn’t see a single coot by the way or rattlesnake even though warning signs were up) in Boulder, Colorado.
Thanks – Teri
ps. Or maybe I’m just imagining things from being under the weather and the meds I’m on from contracting another viral respiratory thingy. What is it with me and airports????
Images by T.Dashfield Photography 
First off, I think blogging in general isn’t as popular as it once was. The move is to vlogging. That said, I have a tendency to comment more on a blog post when the posts are once a week or two tops. For those that post more than twice a week, I keep the blogger in my reader (not you, still get yours emailed to me cause you’re special 😉). Second, what kind of engagement do you have on other bloggers posts?
Hmmmmm I see your point there. There’s always something new and hot like vlogging or IG or whatever the newest thing is. I’m finding I can’t do everyday like I used to. I just can’t so I try to do a few a week at least. On others post I try to say at least I like the post cause of XYZ or comment on how bad the pun was, etc. Hey wait a minute! I saw that zinger you put in there 😛
Interesting discussion topic. Like Ingrid (above) I tend to comment when posts are weekly or longer intervals between. I comment less on contacts ho post frequently. I did, recently, start commenting rather than liking, having, starring, etc. and find that my comment will elicit more reaction (reply, discussion). The star and likes and hearts don’t mean as much.
Thank you so much for your input, Patrick. It is appreciated and I am formulating some changes for the blog here.
Teri, I always love your photographs and enjoy your blog posts. For me, if I like a post and don’t comment it probably means I don’t have time to comment. Sometimes the subject of a post will cause me to leave a comment. I wish I knew the answer about why some posts get more comments than others. Any way, keep blogging and I will keep reading!
Awwww thank you so much for this. I understand completely 🙂
A lot of it has to do with what you are blogging for. I blog for therapy and as a daily record of aspects of life around me. What started me on a daily blog might not of ended well, but I’ve survived and people liked the daily photos, so I have continued for nine years now. I’m not trying to sell anything so daily views aren’t super important. They only time followers and traffic come into play for me is when I apply for press credentials, and I need to show stats.
As Ingrid mentioned people are vlogging these days, but vlogging and is a lot of work, and who wants to watch me talk about anything? Egads and gags. I tried to watch a couple of vlogs and they held my attention for about 15 seconds. If anyone goes to a vlog, I unfollow them. I think daily blogs are easy enough to follow, but multiple posts a day are too much. Weekly or monthly posts are fine as long as WP doesn’t dump the notifications that alert me something has been posted.
I can watch a vlog that recaps a fave tv show that I’ve missed and some from friends but other than that…nope! I started blogging to share my photos and learn how others make photos and all of the cool places in the world to explore if even only via a blog. That has since morphed into other things hence my not doing daily like I used to. Life has changed and with it a lot of things I do or used to do. I don’t think I can do daily anymore but will do more than once a week (I hope) Thanks for your input, Tim. I’m starting to feel a little better about my blog now and thinking about ways to tweak it.
It takes a lot for me to comment. If I like a post I’ll “like” it. If it’s something I like to talk about then I might comment. If I like the person, in general, I’ll try to interact which I’m not good at online or in person. And as you can see…
You are alright with me, Mike. And thanks for commenting here.
A like is nice… but not necessary, a comment? Great. My aim is just to share my photographs with like minded people. I follow only blogs, that I really like… I don’t have the time to comment on every blogpost of every blog I follow. The more experienced (and ‘successful’) bloggers can make dozens of blogposts of how to save time when blogging and define your workflow etc while the truth is mostly: you tell others how to reduce time on pc, but it’s you who is almost nonstop in front of pc or mobile, even when you traveling. Where is the time to enjoy a view or sight? Is the self confidence so low that u always need a like or a comment and hear… I envy you, you are in a incredible place? Sometimes I try to read comments, and I see often the same bloggers commenting what is perfect…. I was following a blogger for a long time, but I felt already some months that she used her blog just as a chatbox… always commenting on very good amateurphotographers, what is good and bad on a pic… but her own pics, even her horizon is never right and she share never something unique. Is this blogging? Maybe, but not my way. I Have wonderful friends and family. I follow wonderful blogs and yes, sometimes here and there some nice interaction. But my real life is always priority, my travels, my friends, my family. Not my digital life. It’s just a nice platform to share my stuff. Maybe if english was my native language, I should make easier comments on blogposts. Since
A like is nice… but not necessary, a comment? Great. My aim is just to share my photographs with like minded people. I follow only blogs, that I really like… I don’t have the time to comment on every blogpost of every blog I follow. The more experienced (and ‘successful’) bloggers can make dozens of blogposts of how to save time when blogging and define your workflow etc while the truth is mostly: you tell others how to reduce time on pc, but it’s you who is almost nonstop in front of pc or mobile, even when you traveling. Where is the time to enjoy a view or sight? Is the self confidence so low that u always need a like or a comment and hear… I envy you, you are in a incredible place? Sometimes I try to read comments, and I see often the same bloggers commenting what is perfect…. I was following a blogger for a long time, but I felt already some months that she used her blog just as a chatbox… always commenting on very good amateurphotographers, what is good and bad on a pic… but her own pics, even her horizon is never right and she share never something unique. Is this blogging? Maybe, but not my way. I Have wonderful friends and family. I follow wonderful blogs and yes, sometimes here and there some nice interaction. But my real life is always priority, my travels, my friends, my family. Not my digital life. It’s just a nice platform to share my stuff. Maybe if english was my native language, I should make easier comments on blogposts. Since two months, I switched off many notifications (Insta, FB, wordpress etc), and I feel more relieved and more quiet. And when I am ‘blogging’,creating ablogpost, check other blogposts etc… then I can check my own comments section and reply. Not because its ‘THE blogging etiquette’. My biggest reply ever I guess:) Greetz Stef.
Hello Stef! First thank you for commenting and I agree with you. We all have our reasons for blogging and we all have certain expectations for it. I love seeing the posts of others from nearby and around the world. I can travel without traveling and sometimes I make notes to find out more about these places in the hopes of visiting them myself someday. The blogsphere has also helped me grow in my own photography by seeing – as you’ve stated – other like minded photographers and their work. I think the comments I have received have gotten me out of my funk and onward and upward.
I comment if the blog has something I feel the need to give my 2 cents worth. But I find the blog posts not a good way to carry on any sort of discussion. I limit my comments to not open up a discussion but just to offer some brief input.
And thank you for your comments about commenting 🙂
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Sorry I have been silent as I was in hospital for a month. I love your photos of your travel tales!
Oh no! I knew something must have been wrong when you were silent. I pray you are on the mend and back soon to your usual self.
The subjects you choose and your photos are always interesting, Teri. With a few exceptions, I do tend to comment more on posts that are farther between, mainly due to a decrease in free time on my part. I am only posting quarterly now, for the most part. It gets hard to keep up.
Thank you for your input, Lavinia! It seems the common denominator here is frequency of posting influences comments. And I totally understand about real life taking up more time.
A like is as good as a “hi” in real life. You don’t always want to engage in conversation particularly when people post “too often”.
On IG I hate the way that if you make a comment on a post, IG thinks you want to be notified everytime someone/anybody makes a comment on that post. For that reason I’ve almost completely stopped making comments on IG.
I don’t have that issue with IG. Perhaps it’s a setting you can change. In the meantime I am in the midst of re-tooling all of my social media. Dust is flying 😉
It certainly increases visits to my blog(s) when I comment on others’ or leave “likes”, but that it not the reason for me to do this. I comment when I think I have something interesting (?) to say, and quite a few of my “likes” are to show that I have at least seen (and appreciated) the post but don’t have anything worthwhile to say in a comment.
Thank you for commenting and I look forward to your Alaska photos 🙂
You’re welcome!
I agree with all of the above! I blog to keep my writing skills sharp and because I enjoy skewering the Orange One and unveiling the truth of how so many Christians have sold their souls to this man and his racist agenda. I see my blog as being part of the resistance and don’t give a sh*t if people comment or not. It helps me keep my sanity!
Whatever you do, do it for yourself whether people comment or not. Your photography is therapeutic. When it no longer makes you happy then stop blogging. That’s my outlook on it all.