I've already blown this week by discussing the art of blogging itself (see "Blog Cycles" below), so I figured another post on the subject wouldn't hurt.
The ebb and flow of people visiting and leaving comments on a blog is like the tide, only less predictable. Some people leave fishy comments (spammers!) or crabby comments (what have I done to you?) or leave whales of tales in the name of laughter, comfort and saying "hey." I've been doing this long enough to know (man, that sounds haughty) that the early part of the week sees more traffic, it drops off by Thursday, is next-to-nothing on Friday and is relegated to only hardcore weekend bloggers on Saturday and Sunday.
There are exceptions, of course. Here are a few facts/lessons to remember (or not, whatever):
Write about something heartfelt and you're bound to get more comments.
Make the rounds leave interesting comments on others' sites and the favor is often returned.
Link to sites you like in posts and in your blogroll, and the favor is often returned. Then more people see your blog's name hanging out there.
Be genuine, give good advice only when advice is solicited, and don't pick fights.
Post personal things, but also stuff that applies to a large audience. Write it, and they might come.
Avoid cliches like "build it and they will come" references from Field of Dreams. Oops.
Be humble, because a blog is just words in the ether. Having a blog doesn't make you a better or worse person.
Don't blog at work. This lesson can be learned on the backs of others who have lost their jobs because of their blogs. Those firings were wrong, but let's not make ourselves another statistic, eh?
Don't blog about work. For the same reason above. Or do, at your own peril.
There is no such thing as total anonymity. Many who have sought it or think they have its security are wrong. Or will be soon.
Your blog may not be all of you, but when the words reflect a true part of you, it becomes something special and unique. Thanks for sharing!
It's Friday, so few people will read this. Also, my making the rounds has dropped off quite a bit a victim of time and not because I don't care. I miss my virtual friends online.
I'd been thinking of doing another project The Voicemail Project for which I'd leave my phone number to see how many people called me and left voice messages. But I fear, even in my blog's dwindling popularity, that a tidal wave is still possible on this beach. Call me a chicken if you will.
Have a great weekend! Keep on bloggin'!
Chicken.
I guess it is nice to have a popular blog and get lots of comments, but that's not why I do it.
I agree with all your rules. Except maybe the first one. It seems to me that when you write about something silly you get more comments than when you write about something heartfelt. People just don't know what to say. I've gotten way more comments on something about my hair or waxing than I have about touching stories I've written about things and people I love.
Have a great weekend. Voicemail project. Hmm, sounds scary. LOL.
I bet you'd get a slew of calls T-Bone a slew!
I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
I must be the exception to the rule. I seem to get more page views on Thursday's & Friday's than on Monday-Wednesday. I agree with the weekend thing. Thursday seems to be the day that I get the most hits, followed closely by Friday. Of course I've always been kinda wierd, so it makes sense that my blog would turn out the same way with it's readership.
well, I am just dipping my virtual big toe into the blogging pool, seeing if the water's warm enough to dive in or if instead I should wade in an inch or two at a time. my take: some people are the life of the party, socializing with everyone in the room, exchanging a few phone numbers and making lots of contacts. Others are more wallflowerish, noticing people and their personalities, all the while looking for that one person to connect with. I'm the second type of person, and my blog will probably fit that mold. Enjoy your weekend all!!
I dare you.. no I double dog dare you to go through with your voicemail project *evil laugh*
i've yet to really come up with the formula for what kind of post gets the most comments. some people get 36 comments for writing one tiny paragraph because they have attention hungry blog fans (this is NOT me, please!) major events get lots of comments, so do things with themes folks recognize (broken heart, pet loss, etc.)
your rules are dead on. i've noticed the same trends. i get more and more readers as the weeks wear on, but i leave less and less comments on other sites. go figure. plus, i get tons of readers and hardly any comments (maybe 5%). go figure again.
and, yeah, folks, take it from me: don't blog from work, and don't blog (specifics) about work. seriously.
a very accurate list
I'm feeling like an old blog these days. Hopefully I'll be around long enough to grow old with you!
I'm frequently astounded by what gets attention in blogland and what doesn't. There are times I put my heart into writing an entry that gets NO attention, and there are times a have a throw away post on something quirkie and I get loads of comments. I've been at this a year, but I haven't found the rhyme or reason yet.