Close Menu

    The honest truth about blog comments

    Paul SteinbrueckBy Updated:28 Comments4 Mins Read

    Can we be real with each other for a few moments?

    One of my biggest frustrations with regards to this blog is the lack of comments and meaningful discussion on most of the posts here.

    It’s frustrating for two reasons.

    First, I really, really, really want this blog to be a place where we are all helping each other to understand how to most effectively use Internet technology in ministry.  I am not by any stretch of the imagination the smartest guy on this topic or the best writer nor do I have all the answers.  This blog is not reaching its full potential because it lacks your insight and observations, your experience and perspective.

    Second, commenting on this blog is a fantastic and very easy opportunity for you to help your ministry grow.  Comments can give you credibility, links, and new visitors.  I can’t for the life of me understand why more people don’t comment more often.

    So, here’s the deal.  I am going to lay out as clearly as I possibly can the benefits of commenting.  Then I’d like you to give me the honest truth as to why you haven’t commented more often and tell me how to make this blog more engaging.

    If it’s because I suck as a writer or have been writing on boring topics, that’s fine.  I just want to know so I can try to make the blog better.  You can be anonymous.

    As I sat back and thought about why more people don’t comment on this blog, one possible reason I thought of is that perhaps some people just don’t understand all the benefits.  So, let me list them.

    6 reasons to comment on blogs

    1. It gives you a link to your site.  Links help your site’s search rankings.
    2. It gives you new visitors.  People click on your link, and visit your site.
    3. It gives you credibility.  If you post insightful comments, people will take note and take your blog/site more seriously.
    4. It gives you insight.  If you post your perspective in a comment, it gives others the opportunity to respond to it helping to grow your understanding.
    5. It builds relationships.  If you comment regularly, you’ll get to now other commenter, they will get to know you, and it could lead to other opportunities in the future.
    6. It’s fast.  You don’t have to post a 6 paragraph response.  Sometimes a sentence or two is perfect.

    Of course these benefits don’t apply only to this blog but all blogs.  If you have a blog or website commenting on blogs is one of the fastest, easiest ways to build your audience.  I know you’re busy, but I believe it’s really worth your time.

    But do you?

    Humbly seeking honest feedback

    Like I said before, I am just not satisfied with this blog.  And honestly, I don’t know what I need to do to make it better.  I need your help to better understand my own personal limitations as well as any technical issues that may be limiting the value and conversation of this blog.

    So, could you take a few seconds and give me your honest, anonymous feedback and tell why you don’t comment more often?  Here are some possible reasons I came up with.

    • The posts are not usually on topics that really interest you.
    • The writing is not engaging and interesting.
    • The writing just doesn’t provoke me to post my thoughts.
    • The blog takes too long to load.
    • There are other technical issues.
    • You still don’t think it’s worth your time to comment despite the benefits listed above.
    • You’re afraid to post comments because of what other readers might think.
    • Something else?

    What could we do to encourage you to contribute to the conversation more often with comments?

    Thanks!

    [image by Tojosan]


    Share and Enjoy !

    Shares

    Co-founder & CEO, OurChurch.Com Paul has been the CEO of OurChurch.Com since its founding in 1996, combining his passion for faith and technology to lead the organization. An accomplished writer, Paul has authored over 2,000 articles on faith and technology, featured on platforms like ChurchLeaders.com, The JoyFM, and his personal blog, LiveIntentionally.org. Beyond his professional achievements, Paul serves as an elder at Journey Community Church and is deeply engaged in his community through his involvement with the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch and the Safety Harbor Chamber of Commerce. He is a contributing author of the book Outspoken! Conversations on Church Communication. 

    View 28 Comments

    28 Comments

    2. Allen on

      I haven’t read the other comments, but I can relate to your feelings about lack of blog comments. I have a blog on our site and have really tried to blog on things that could get people discussing things, but noone seems to want to. I even have recently tried an “open forum” type entry asking for questions, with little response. I like to think that people are reading it and just not commenting. It does make it hard to keep blogging regularly, which is probably part of the reason I don’t get as much response.

      Thanks for your blogs. The ones I get to read are helpful.

    3. Stuart Dyckhoff on

      Hi Paul … well you know I comment on blogs and that includes yours.

      I know I’m late to the fray on this one, but that’s because I’ve been thinking about the usefulness of networking – be it face to face or via the internet.

      I’ve come to the conclusion that it doesn’t really matter what you write but it’s much more a matter of who you are.

      And by that I mean it’s a mater of “your standing” in the perceived ranks of bloggerdom.

      For my part I didn’t get into blogging for the stats and figures but it would be nice (like you) to see more comments and I know the site is getting visitors. I also get the occasional boost from folks via twitter or similar who say “cool site, adding to my must read list” and then you never hear from them again. I thrive on the interaction, not the stats.

      I think, that like you, I perceive social networking to be something more than most people use it for. I’m looking to make real, long lasting and hopefully meaningful conenctions (even if we never meet f2f) … but it would appear that the modern world is – and possibly due to social media to a degree – ever more superficial.

    4. Paul Steinbrueck on

      Hey Stuart, thanks for your comment. I think there’s something to a blogger’s reputation in the blogging community. The better a bloggers reputation, the more people who subscribe to their RSS feed and follow them on twitter. That means more people will see a post, and it’s more likely to get more comments.

      But there’s usually a great variation in the number of comments on a blog’s posts, so the content of each post matters. Plus the content of a blogger’s posts contribute to their reputation.

    5. Pingback: Christian Web Trends Top 10 posts of 2009 « Christian Web Trends Blog by OurChurch.Com

    6. Martin Acosta on

      Hello Paul,
      I believe in what you are trying to convey in your blogpost.
      I agree with you that we need more people who want to promote their ministries, their causes, their churches or for some other related reason.
      There aren’t enough of us who are actively looking for ways to promote our churches and or ministries.
      We need to educate our Christian brothers and sisters about how we can help spread the word for our church. One of the best free ways to reach others is by improving our church website optimization.
      It’s not just important to create websites that are appealing to visitors and provide a great user experience. It’s also necessary to find other relevant websites who are interested to provide a cooperation with each other and together reach others online.
      It’s well known that more than 90% of the websites in the Internet don’t get much traffic. According to Ahreffs, one of the reasons is because most websites don’t have backlinks.
      When a website has many reputable and relevant links that point back to their websites, they will appear in the search results more often.
      This way, when someone is searching for a church online, your church will appear in the first page.
      Sadly it’s a waste of time to create an outstanding looking website if no one can find.
      Thus, when we make relevant comments in relevant websites, other people will read these comments and perhaps click on the link you provide. Every time someone clicks on your link, Google ads a vote to your website. The more votes your website has, the higher it will rank in Google, Yahoo, Bing, AOL and other search engines.
      Let us help each other and promote comments in other Christian websites that are relevant to the topics your church website is interested in.
      Feel free to ask me any questions. I would like all of us to work together for a common goal to bring others to Christ.

    Share