Why Don’t You Leave a Comment?
This question is directed to readers of blogs everywhere (not just mine), and it is inspired by a conversation I’ve been having with some of my 3D friends as of late.
I’ve noticed that very few comments are left by readers that do not have a website of blog to link back too. And it’s got me curious, so I started asking my friends that don’t have blogs or websites but still go online for fun. The answer I’m getting is that they are not sure how, and the whole process is a bit intimidating to them.
I started checking around on other blogs. I looked at blogs in the Internet Marketing niche, money making niche, but I also looked in others areas like cars blogs, home schooling blogs, mom blogs, weight loss blogs, pet blogs and the list could go on. I even looked at some of the really high traffic blogs.
I’d suggest that less than 10% of the comments left are by readers that DON’T have a website or blog to link back too. Some blogs have more of course, but the overall percentage of comments left with just an email address is very low.
Why is that?
Is it that readers without a blog never have anything to say… ever? I don’t think that’s the answer.
Is it that readers without a blog are intimidated by the thought of getting involved in the conversation? There could be some truth in that statement. When I was talking to my friends, they said they were afraid to ask a ’stupid’ question, some didn’t think that what they wanted to say would be of interest to anyone.
Is it that the comment form is confusing to them, and they give up rather than trying? I think that this could have a lot to do with it.
Maybe you know how to leave a comment, and just don’t have anything to say. But for those of you that are unsure, here it is…
How to leave a blog comment.
If you are reading an article on a blog, and you have a question or just would like to comment on something that the author has said in the article, this is what you do.
Click the no comment link at the end of the post. The article may already have some comments and the word may be a bit different (18 comments) and that’s OK. Once you click on that, it will bring you to the comment screen.
The comment screen will look something like this. It will have an area for you to enter you name, email address, and website (only if you have one). Then you type your comment in the box.
Your name and email address are required. But you don’t have to worry. Your email address should never be publicly available and is not used for anything but a reference point. You can just leave the website field blank, that is totally OK. 
If you want to be notified of any other comments that come in on this article, check the “notify me of followup comments via e-mail” . This is a really great box to click if you are asking a question, want more information, or if you just want to get involved in the conversation. You will be notified of any new comments so that you have the option to reply. In the e-mails that you get, there will always be an un-subscribe to this thread link so that once you do have enough information you can take your name off that thread and not receive anymore comments.
Not all comment sections will look the same on every blog. Some, like myself, have added some extra features like a preview section, or other fancier things for bloggers that are trying to get seen and heard (like the comment luv plugin). You don’t need to worry about those. Just keep it simple.
So after you are ready to post a comment, it will look something like this…
I blog using a wordpress platform. There are many other platforms like out there but the comment section should be set up similarly.
Some bloggers make you register before allowing you to leave a comment. In fact I did that when I first started blogging. In my opinion, that is a mistake. When the process is too complicated or takes too much time, even experienced commenter’s will click away.
Some bloggers have it set up so they must approve all comments before the comment will show on the blog. The reason for that is so they limit the number of spam comments they get. Not to worry, it will show as soon as the blog owner reviews it.
I hope this helps. 
Just because you don’t have a website or a blog doesn’t mean we don’t want to hear from you. I think I speak for many bloggers when I say, we would love to answer your questions or get you involved in the conversation, that’s why most people blog in the first place.
Don’t by shy… go ahead and start leaving comments on your favorite blogs. 
Expect the Best,
blog comment, blog readers, Blogging, community, how to leave a comment, leaving a comment
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February 2nd, 2008 12:22
[…] post by Home with Heather and syndicated by Internet Marketing […]
February 2nd, 2008 12:55
Why Don’t You Leave a Comment? | Home With Heather…
Do you notice who leave you a blog comment? Who doesn’t?I’ve been doing a bit of looking into it? And I would suppose that less than 10 % of the comments left on blogs are by readers that dont have their own website of blog. That is a pot…
February 2nd, 2008 13:22
I’ve never had a comment left on any of my sites by someone who I didn’t have a site of their own
stubsy’s last blog post..Alcohol colories and low fat beer
February 2nd, 2008 13:54
It’s because there’s no point in leaving a comment if you have nothing to gain (such as traffic to your own site). Some random stranger asking for your email address is also a bit creepy.
February 2nd, 2008 14:24
Shan’t comment. Won’t Comment!
February 2nd, 2008 14:52
Thought-provoking topic although I don’t think I’ve got anything to contribute. Hope you get lots of comments.
February 2nd, 2008 15:05
Hmm… I’ve had a couple of comments from people that didn’t enter a web site’s URL.
I think that this is a great idea though, my target audience is afterall the total newbie to blogging and making money.
It makes sense that a proportion of them haven’t yet got a site and are doing research first. And it’s a good point to educate them, much like what we do with what is and subscribing to rss.
Good post, made me think
Colin King’s last blog post..EntreCard - Pick Of The Week - 01/02/08
February 2nd, 2008 15:16
@ stubsy - that’s generally what I found when I was looking through different blogs this morning.
@ Barry - Thanks for stopping by, and leaving a comment
@ Colin - I have had a few but it is certainly not the norm. And that’s it, if we are talking to readers who are new to blogging and leaving comments perhaps they just don’t know how.
They may just be intimidated to leave their name and email.
February 2nd, 2008 18:22
Hi Heather
This is so true, great post.
I did notice you make a comment on my blog the other day it was great to see your comment.
You’ve got me motivated to make more comments on blogs now.
Thanks
Sheryl
Sheryl’s last blog post..Putting The Kids To Work!
February 2nd, 2008 18:52
Hi Sheryl, Welcome
I enjoyed reading your blog the other day, it has some great information.
One of my February goals is to spend more time in the community, posting comments. I’m glad I’ve motivated you as well. You know what I’m finding though? It’s not like work, it more like a treat to be able to spend time reading and commenting
February 2nd, 2008 20:58
Well; I leave comments in a lot of blogs without mentioning my website URL, just for fun. In fact, if I visit a blog, I see to it that I leave a comment. But I guess not everyone is as generous.
February 2nd, 2008 21:41
[…] wrote an article entitled, Why Don’t You Leave a Comment? Her article inspired this […]
February 3rd, 2008 10:32
Lots of good reasons to comment and some pretty lousy ones as well. I admit to occasionally using it to entice the host into a conversation since many don’t bother replying at all. Sometimes this is fruitful while at other times it can become downright childish. It’s good you took on this subject I think! Peace………T
Tommy’s last blog post..Supersnore
February 3rd, 2008 10:47
I know why I don’t comment on all of the blogs I read. Because I hate filling out the name, mail, website feature. I’m more inclined to leave a comment if the information has been saved.
Then add in the captcha verification and forget it, I’m colorblind and it sometimes takes me three or four tries before I can get it right.
I actually love leaving comments, but if I visit 20 blogs in a day, I can’t handle having to fill out 20 little information forms. It’s too darn repetitive.
Hope you’re having a great weekend:)
Christy’s last blog post..Groundhog Day Prediction For 2008
February 3rd, 2008 11:34
@ Kris - I did try to comment you yesterday, couldn’t get it to click for some reason. It working today though
@ Tommy - Welcome
It is something I’ve just been curious about. I hope it brings the topic up so that people feel more comfortable commenting even if they don’t have a site of their own and are just surfing.
@ Christy - It certainly does take extra time to comment on every blog. Although I am trying to comment much more this month as one of my Feb. goals, I won’t leave a comment unless I feel that I have something to say. I hate those captcha codes too! Thanks for stopping by Christy
February 3rd, 2008 15:12
I dont leave comments cuz I feel it is unfamiliar territory - I am not blog wise - so if you are trying to educate since you explained how to comment, please educate me also as to RSS, Shin, Plug and Zoom - or are those areas only for the blogger-knowledgeable folks ?? You see, if I am confused about all the terms, commenting does not come easy.. thanks for the education
February 3rd, 2008 20:56
Hey Heather,
Thanks very much for the comments. Uhmm; forgot to ask you. What’s up with the snow there? Everything okay?
February 5th, 2008 07:51
Hey Heather good to see you back posting
I don’t comment much anymore as I have nothing much to say, just wanna work lol
YC’s last blog post..Why The New England Patriots Fell Prey To The Biggest Upset In Sports History
February 5th, 2008 12:36
Heather, I think that people who have blogs pay more attention to other blogs as well. It’s like you bough a new car and suddenly you start noticing exactly the same model everywhere on the streets even though you thought it was quite a unique one. Or when you try to rent your house or sell a car - you start noticing signs for sale or rent everywhere in your community… and before you never saw them.
Probably every blogger is reading at least a few other blogs or subscribed to RSS/XML feeds… average Internet user is not that RSS savvy. I subscribed as volunteer editor for the topix.com and noticed that there is a lot of people that participate in the forums to discuss local news and alot of them don’t have blogs nor own websites. The same story with the local newspaper web sites - they have blogs and allow comments for regular news articles, and they have tons of comment by people who don’t have blogs. I just think it depends on a particular social group. How many out there who spend more than 8 hours a day working on their computer? Probably not that many comparing to overall online demographics… but almost everyone in my social group which can contain hundreds and thousands of people.
Just my $0.02
February 6th, 2008 15:00
[…] « Why Don’t You Leave a Comment? […]
February 7th, 2008 03:38
There are simply 2 kinds of people: Those who see the value of speaking up on the Web and those who don’t. People in the first category will comment - and at the same time have a blog to link back to. My two cents …
February 11th, 2008 12:43
Dear Heather,
You have written a very good post. It is true that until you let people know of yourself how can they know you? After all, we do go and say hello to someone we wish to make friends with in real life. Hence, it can be translated here to the virtual world, as life is fast changing.
It reminds me of another website I saw:
However, I came across this website, http://www.whoistopofthelist.com. You can write about your site, post and link, as well as a photo. The service is free.
Please comment.
February 14th, 2008 07:48
Your post reminds me that we should always keep in mind those who do not have the knowledge we have. We’ll always find someone who does not know the things we take for granted.
~Marcus
Internet Business Guide’s last blog post..Top 4 In 43 Days
February 14th, 2008 15:29
Thank you
February 20th, 2008 01:52
Commenting on blogs is fun and it will also help your business by building your link popularity if you post comments on blogs in the same niche as you are in.More and more blogs have removed the “no follow-tag” from the comments area.
Tom Lindstrom’s last blog post..Earn Money Online Selling eBooks
March 25th, 2008 13:04
I would agree many non site owners may not know how to leave a comment. I believe it is more a lack of trust. Many novice web users hear the horror stories of giving out your email address and getting slammed with spam and decide its best not to comment.
asia’h’s last blog post..Asia’h Epperson | Web comeback
March 26th, 2008 18:28
Leaving posts on a strangers blog unless your out to gain a link back is scary for most people. Especially if its on a topic they have a passion for. Most people are affraid of what others will have to say about their comments. Too often someone makes a comment and another bashes them for their opinion.
electric dog door’s last blog post..Dog Doors And More | Installing A Pet Door
April 1st, 2008 23:14
I believe most people don’t leave comments out of fear of saying something wrong that will rub peope the wrong way. Sometimes I feel that way as well but this post inspires me to say more.
Asia’H Epperson’s last blog post..This Week’s American Idol Shows Why We Miss Asia’H
April 4th, 2008 05:56
So many people have been burnt by leaving email address on site just to find a mail box full of porn or other spam that they just refuse to enter any information online. We all know there are those sites that abuse email lists and the average user doesnt keep a seperate address for potential spam sites.
April 9th, 2008 07:04
Many are worried about leaving comments on other blogs because they do not want to expose themselves to attention and really want to remain private. But comments are still the best way to socialise via blogs, instead of just having a one way conversation.
April 10th, 2008 11:08
I think many people really just dont understand blogs or how comments are used. I think educating the users is the way to go. explain to them all the processes involved in how to leave a comment.
April 19th, 2008 02:08
I would say that all the people can be divided into 2 parts - those who are “readers” by nature and those who are “writers”.
“Writers” are expressing themselves through written words - they usually have what to say, have their own places on the web and willingly share their thoughts by leaving comments. Readers don’t need to express themselves, they feel happy with just reading and accumulating information. There are also some people who would wish to leave a comment but feel like being “trespassers” when they come to someone else’s page with their thoughts:)
April 28th, 2008 19:51
Leaving comments is much like speaking in public. Many people are afraid they will say or do something to make themselves or others look like fools
May 9th, 2008 08:23
Most webmasters are self serving. They leave a comment because they have something to say, but, they also have a selfish motive i.e. a little bit of traffic, and occasionally free link via comment luv - thanks!
Tejvan Pettinger’s last blog post..Is It Worth Using Twitter?
June 19th, 2008 00:16
As far as comments are concerned they may be positive or negative, but most of the comments were being given for the improvement of the blog or site, should be welcomed.