Cat Jackson

I've been with Blogger since 2003, and thinking of leaving them makes me a little sad, but I'm kind of frustrated about my lack of comments, and I'm wondering if switching to WordPress might help.

WordPress has a plugin called "Top Commentators" that shows a running tally of the top ten commentators on your blog. You can opt to have it reset itself every day, week, or month, and the people who comment you the most will have their names not only listed, but hyperlinked, so that their own websites actually get a little bit of promotion out of it.

I've been reading about this plugin online today, and not only is there no plugin even remotely like it available to Blogger users, but I found out that if I want to utilize ANY of the plugins offered through Blogger I'll have to lose my customized html/css and start from scratch with one of THEIR layouts which I then customize through their site (I can't just type my own html). Right now I don't even have the option of "upgrading" my website to one of their templates, probably because I'm using an external style sheet. BOO.

I don't know if WordPress has the same sort of permanent training wheel system set up for their users, and if they do, I'm not interested. But if they DON'T, should I switch? If I had a Top Commentators plugin like Tony does, would it make you guys more interested in commenting? I had 45 hits yesterday, and the only person who commented me was Brett, and only because I told him he should.

What do you think?

Tony said...

If you are just upset about the number of comments, I would just chill on Blogger. You just started to allow them. People will comment.

The first thing you should do is to make sure it is easy to comment or that the post a comment link is very noticeable. It isn't right now. Put an icon there or display a sad face if there are no comments on a post. That would be cool.

You can also integrate cocomment on your site that has a comment widget thing for Blogger.

WordPress.com is very similar to Blogger and is all training wheeled. But if you have your own install of WordPress likes me then you are in control of everything and you have a lot of plugins to choose from or you can code your own. I'd be glad to help and make sure that you have as seamless of a migration as possible, but so far I don't think it would be worth the hassle just yet.

4/14/2007 3:37 PM

Tony said...

Oh, another thing that would help is to have your comment form on your post pages instead of this freaking pop-up window thing.

4/14/2007 3:49 PM

Courtney said...

I commented on your post on cameras, but it doesn't seem to be there now >.<; I was sure I posted it.

I agree with Tony to wait a bit, you aren't going to start getting comments right away. Wait a couple minutes before you change strategies.

Another thing I think you need to do if you want to pull a broader audience is to broaden the scope of your blog -- your blog appeals to your friends, who want to know whats happening with you. If you want to start getting a wider audience, what can you do to attract them?

Though I don't know that this helps; where I write long topical posts they tend to be the least commented. >.<

4/15/2007 3:34 AM

Brett said...

you both make good points. I am thinking that you need to think about who you want your audience to be.. friends? people you want to think you're cool? who? and then write things for them. and ask them questions. maybe questions invite comments? i think it works for juan pepe.

4/15/2007 9:36 AM