You know how many comments this blog would have daily if every single visitor actually left a comment? I’d have like 500 comments or so…!
Well, obviously I don’t, and you’re probably right there with me: The chasm between visitors and commenters can often be very big.
These “lurkers” (as they are often called from forum-slang) hang around, consume your content, and then leave without a trace.
But here’s the thing: It’s our job as content producers to provide an experience, culture, and environment where they feel welcomed and at ease to comment.
Why? Because commenting (and contributing in general) can be scary!
We all know the feeling of being somewhere “new” and where you’re the “new guy,” either at work or at school or wherever.
You don’t really know the culture yet, you don’t know who’s “in” and who’s “out,” who’s “cool” and who’s “not” (subcultures) and you don’t speak the language yet.
Or, it could make one feel just plain nervous or anxious about trying something new, like sliding down that big slide…!
That’s enough cause for silence, right?
I think it’s the same way in online communities, and the similar approach needs to be considered. Find creative ways to engage your audience, create low bars of adoption and ask simple questions and create simple activities. Allow others to easily connect with each other, etc.
Help your lurkers come out and play.
ron says
But what if a comment is just a comment for commenting sake?
human3rror says
eh. not worth it i guess…
stephenbateman says
conversations (real life ones) are rarely chock-full of solid information…sometimes comments just reinforce friendship.
Mikes says
let's welcome them to comment but not to the point that we can be abused by reader/spammers
@phillipgibb says
I know that it can be very discouraging when people do not comment – maybe I am different,
but just lurking means nothing whereas a comment shows that you have found the post interesting, so what if it aint the comment of the decade – a few words bringing a knowing smile on someone's face (especially the blogger) is worth a 1000 times more that the articulated dissertation on the premise of anti-brevity.
kennysnow says
I'll fess up to being a lurker, not scared just busy π I do enjoy reading your blog John, thanks for all the info that you pass along!
joannamuses says
I totally agree. The big question is how! I want to know what my readers think about my content or the issues i'm posting on but i don't want to seem like an attention seeker in my attempts to find that out.
Tami says
For me, having someone comment means I'm not the only freak out there thinking or experiencing what I've blogged about. I tend to comment when I can relate to the content or feel I have something to add to the conversation. I fear I'm a much better commenter than blogger!
friar_don says
I have found I get more comments on shorter posts. I think lurkers are the people who do not have time to read long, drawn out articles.
I have also found subject matter counts. If people cannot relate (like when I write about theology) they will not comment. I write about fitness, and my blog has a lot less lurkers and more partakers. You really need to know your audience.
newlutheran says
I lurk, but I don't think it's out of fear.
I do sometimes comment, but I read far more blogs than I ever bother to comment on. There are a few reasons I might choose not to comment. For starters, I sometimes read blogs through google reader. This is a great way to quickly consume new posts, but not a great way to engage the authors of these posts. To comment on a post would require additional clicks. And yes, I really can be that lazy. Another key for me is that some blog posts aren't written in what I consider to be a "conversational tone". The more inviting the post is, the more likely I am to comment on it. I also agree that if the post is "too long", I may not get to the end and not bother to comment. I find myself having to employ some self-restraint when it comes to my own blog. I find that I get fewer comments on long posts.
I wonder sometimes if RSS feeds, google reader, feedburner, etc. are decreasing the amount of conversation on blogs these days. I honestly find myself *visiting* fewer blogs yet *reading* more of them.
Any thoughts on this?
human3rror says
that's an interesting point… and so here's the thing: focus on better and more useful content (if you're the creator) and they'll come and thank you for it.
lots of stuff out there to read… only a few things daily worth diving in.
@mikebone says
i confess. i just lurked. then came back to comment. felt guilty. π
newlutheran says
I did the exact same thing lol
human3rror says
hehe!
Aaron says
I think you should leave a telephone number on your blog.
Well, it works for my parents, who would rather call and tell me what they think than leave a comment. π
Brittany says
Do we blog with the hope of gaining a large response (massive amounts of comments)? Or do we blog for the sake of writing and expressing our thoughts?
I guess for me, I'm a blogger who doesn't have 500 people visiting my site everyday so it is different. I write for the sake of writing and know that the few girls who are in my small group at church who read it faithfully will respond in person if they find something interesting.
I read multiple blogs a day, and only comment on a few (if any… depending on the day). Please don't take lurking as a lack of engagement or dislike. If I stop enjoying the blog, I stop lurking. You're a good writer. Keep up the good work.
Consider this an affirmation from a lurker. π
human3rror says
Brittany,
Oh, I don't consider it a lack of interest or dislike at all! I'm just pondering how we all can provide engaging experiences!
π
Mikes says
personally i always leave a comment everytime I visit a site and have been "moved" by the post. your site john is a friendly one. good job with that!
JakeSchwein says
here is my comment…I don't want to be a lurker
Rodlie Ortiz says
I leave a comment whenever I feel the post is relevant to me personally. I'm surprised, though, that you didn't ask a question to invite people to comment. I definitely feel you, though, on your sentiments. I'm always working to engage people more as well.
@GBrenna says
I know I know… I haven't been as active on CC lately… I've been pretty busy. But I do get your point about welcoming the "new kid"… good stuff! π
Josh Wagner says
For me, lurking can be a stage. I like to know what I'm getting into before I comment. If all I see are flame wars and really angry people, I'm not going to comment. I'll spend too much energy getting angry myself and deciding the best response. If I lurk a while and like the feel of the place, I'll jump in. Like you said, John, we should create inviting places to comment and partake of the community. Good post.
Adam_S says
I find that I am more likely to comment when I disagree with something. But that is not always the kind of comments that you want to encourage.
human3rror says
puaha. hey. i like them.
Adrian jackson says
I do wish more people commented on my posts. A post with no comments makes you feel like you said something everyone thought anyways. Its like being the last one in a brainstorming session to have the penny drop on an idea.
human3rror says
ah, yes. i know the feeling..!