The Blog Improvement Project challenged me to make my blog more comment friendly, so last week I initiated three big changes to try to increase the number of comments on my blog. These were:

Ask specific questions

I ensured that every post contained at least one, and frequently more, specific questions, to try to encourage my lovely blog readers to supply me with their book knowledge, and engage in discussion.

Reply to every comment received

I made an effort to reply to every single comment left on my blog, as soon as possible. Even when people left short “I loved this book too” comments, I used this as an opportunity to agree with them, and then give further reasons as to why the book was great, or to recommend similar books they might enjoy.

Launch Comment of the Week Competition

The idea was that at the end of the week I’d write a post highlighting the most thoughtful/inspiring/amusing comments I received in the previous seven days.

So here it is!

My post on The Ten Most Useful Cookbooks had a record-breaking (for me anyway!) 33 comments. I loved hearing about other people’s love of cookbooks, and here are a few of my favourite comments from this post:

Since I am an absolutely horrible cook (just ask those that have ever been exposed to the dodgy results of my efforts!) any cookbook is a godsend to me! I need a book with clear, precise instructions – starting with the very basics (i.e. turn on oven). There is a very comprehensive cookbook written by Australian chef, Stephanie Alexander, which I find really helpful. It takes you though the basics as well as including many, many recipes – just perfect for me! Karen

I collect cookbooks as well but don’t use them nearly as much as I should. I am going to make an effort to try more cooking recipes and be creative. Your post has inspired me along with watching my favorite cooking shows! In the US, I love Top Chef and Chopped( a new show on Food Network) and another called The Chopping Block that was hosted by UK Chef Marco Pierre White. Sadly, it was just cancelled but I found that you can still watch all the episodes online. I wrote a post about it yesterday. Bonnie

Love Nigella Lawson but have never checked this one out. Looks as if a trip to the library is in order. Just love the way she thinks of food as pleasurable, social rather than a mere collection of nutrients. And she is extremely funny. Always got a kick of her eating out of her refrigerator late at night on her show. Frances

 For a moment then I didn’t think there was any Nigella on the list and would have been most shocked, then I spotted her. Though her Christmas show was a bit bizarre my first Christmas Dinner was a huge hit thanks to it. Simon

I also found many of the replies to My First Week on Twitter post very useful:

Just post any ole link you’d like! I love Twitter and feel that I’ve gotten to know people a lot better through it. I have also used it for business by using DM (direct message). It is a great marketing tool and social tool. As with anything, you get out of it what you put into it. One thing is to stay around for at least a half hour or so at a time so that you can tweet thing and people can answer and you join in or start a conversation. Beth

I will enjoy Twitter vicariously through you! I figure by resisting Twitter, I will be banning myself to old-fogey status, but I’ll stick with my Facebook. I figure if I wait long enough, something else will take over the world soon enough! Sandy

 

 It took me a long time to decide who should win my comment of the week competition, and finally decided that Dorte H  sneaked into the lead with:

Oh, how do I write a comment so short, boring and stupid that anyone can see I am not at all trying to win anything??

It summed up exactly how I’d feel if one of my blogging friends launched a competition like this, and as it was a little bit different to all the other comments I didn’t have to decide who was being the most useful!!

Congratulations Dorte!

You win 3 bookmooch points, or the choice of any book I have for sale on greenmetropolis – I’ll send you an email later!

The improvements to the way I handle comments on my blog had a positive effect on comment numbers. In the week I launched the improvements the number of comments I received  increased by 33%, compared to the previous week.  I also noticed an improvement in the quality of the comment – so a big thank you to everyone who has taken the time to comment on my blog! I really appreciate every single one!

I will continue to use these techniques, and although there will no longer be prizes, I hope to highlight the best comments I have received at the end of each month.

Did you notice the comment friendly improvements on my blog?

Did you feel that you were commenting more than usual, and if so why?

Can you think of other ways I can make it more comment friendly?

I look forward to hearing all your comments/suggestions!