How To Use Your Blog’s Comments To Your Advantage

Many new bloggers struggle to get enough number of comments per each post. That is usually the case until your blog becomes somewhat popular. Once you start getting more than 30K visitors to your blog on a monthly basis, those comments start adding up. A lot of it does depend on the type of content you write and how you position each and every post on your blog. Some publishers consider the number of comments on their blog to be a success indicator. While that is partly true, there is much more to your comments than meets the eye. Smart bloggers use every little feedback and discussion to improve their blog and provide a better community for their visitors.

Many super bloggers use the comments they get on their blog to come up with new blogging ideas or learn new things. Sometimes, asking your visitors a thought provoking question can turn your post into a classic. If you have been ignoring your comments so far, here are 5 ways you can get the most out of them:

1. Use your visitors’ feedback to your advantage: this is a no brainer. A lot of people do not handle criticism well. That should not be the case for bloggers as long as the criticism they receive is constructive. There is a difference between a troll and someone who genuinely wants to help you improve your blog. So ask your visitors to give you feedback and do not get defensive when people question you or your articles.
2. Learn from what your readers are doing: your readers may or may not have their own blogs. But that does not mean they don’t have something unique to offer. There may be things they are doing that you can learn from. Listening is key here.
3. Come up with new ideas: I can’t tell you how many times I have gotten ideas for my future posts by going through some of the comments I get on my blogs. Sometimes people tell you exactly what they are looking for. Some other times, you will have to pay more attention. Either way, don’t forget to go through the comments you get on your blog to try to identify needs and wants of your community members.
4. Form relationships: all bloggers can use their websites to connect with others and network with other bloggers in their niche. That’s why all bloggers need to take time to participate in discussions on their blogs. You never know who you are going to meet through your blog. The more people you get to know on your site, the more doors will be opened for you.
5. Hire your readers: that’s right. What a better way to expand your community by hiring your readers to help you manage it. Sometimes, you get lucky and find someone who has a great post to share on your blog. A few top bloggers actually pay their readers to do some work for them. Going through your comments should give you an idea about who you may want to offer a job to.

The comments you get on your blog do matter. Not all of them are going to be useful to you. That does not mean you should not be listening or paying attention.