One of the easiest ways to get people to read your blogs and to leave comments is to get out to others blogs, read them, and leave comments. Once your name is recognized by a few users they will more readily click on links that have it in it or even give you alink on their blogroll. Blogs are synergystic affairs. Give and you will receive. Read some of Draginols articles (here and here) regarding Meta-blogging for good info on this topic or read Jepel's article concerning similar issues. Your name is an unfamiliar one to me (although I have not been as active here as I once was.) Additionally posting yoru articles on the forums as well aas on your blog really helps out.

You can't make people comment on your blog, you can just post what you post and hope someone bothers to comment. Course, the old 'no one is talking to me' card is usually worth a comment or two On the other hand, as greywar said, nothing is stopping you from running out and commenting on other peoples stuff (unless they disable commenting, which doesn't seem to happen very often).

How can you criticize a community you haven't made an effort to be part of? Let me tell you a secret and make a comparison.

I don't feel that I am in any inner circle of bloggers here. I have my favorites, sure, but I try to comment on and read anything that I find interesting. And I have found this to be a very rewarding experience. But only because I have made the effort.

You have written 21 articles. I have written 127. Not really a dramatic difference once you consider the time difference between us. However, here is the striking difference. You have replied to articles 24 times. I have replied to articles 1274 times. That is huge. For every article I write I average 10 replies to other articles. I have made the effort to get out, read other's writing and discuss it with them. Until you really have done the same, how can you have any gauge of the community?

Seems a bit lazy. Don't expect others to flock to "challenge your statements" if you don't make the effor to go out and do the same.

I'm new to JoeUser, so this is interesting to me too. Great advice about commenting on other's works. One thing I would share though. I found JoeUser because of the politicalmachine.com forums. I had just started following the discussions over there and had only made two or three comments when I got blasted for responding to someone's blog. He said that he clearly posted on his site that he didn't want anyone to respond, then "tore me a new one". I never saw anything in his article that stated "no comments". I figured I must be missing something, so I quit reading. I left for months, and only came back to see what folks were saying about the election. I'm hoping that I just got the one bad apple, but it doesn't take much to send new users away.

You have written 21 articles. I have written 127. Not really a dramatic difference once you consider the time difference between us. However, here is the striking difference. You have replied to articles 24 times. I have replied to articles 1274 times. That is huge.

This is actually one of the key points in Jepel's analysis.

I'm hoping that I just got the one bad apple, but it doesn't take much to send new users away.

I am sure he was just a dork. If someone doesn't want comments then they can easily disable commenting on one or all of their articles...

I haven't commented on your blogs (that I remember) for a couple of reasons --

1. I don't "know" you -- you don't participate in the community, and I don't see your comments around on mine or other people's blogs much.

2. The topics you write about don't really interest me. I'm not saying this to criticize, because I'm sure your articles are very interesting to many others, but so far you haven't written one that I felt compelled to comment on. Many bloggers feel the same way about the things I write, so please don't take that as an insult. It's just the way it is.

In blogging, as in life, you get out what you put into it.

This is actually one of the key points in Jepel's analysis.

I knew that idea was kicking around in the back of my head from somewhere, but couldn't remember exactly where I had read it. Thanks for the reminder greywar.

To start with, thanks for all the responses.

you don't participate in the community, and I don't see your comments around on mine or other people's blogs much.

I'm a little bit concerned with the idea that I have to be 'known' in order to receive responses. I find it rather telling that the best response I've ever gotten to any blog is to this one. I thought by signing up to JU and putting up my blogs, I was participating. But I will take the point about responses and replies. In my defence, it seems to me that often times the things that are being written about are personal, with 'in' references I just don't know or get, hence my lack of response. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.

Bluedev: how do you know how many responses I've made. Sure, you can see how many articles I've put up, but responses? I went looking but can't find where this information might be. Could you let me know? The other point I'd like to make in response to your comments is that I didn't know this was a popularity contest.

I also take the point about using Forums. Everyone of my articles has been made available to everyone to read, so I really thought there was no need to post articles in the Forums as well. Can somebody tell if this makes a difference?

Again, thanks everyone for the comments.

I also take the point about using Forums. Everyone of my articles has been made available to everyone to read, so I really thought there was no need to post articles in the Forums as well. Can somebody tell if this makes a difference?

If you want to receive comments, debate, etc. you really do want to post to the forums. Many people peruse the forums when they are deciding what to read.

I'm a little bit concerned with the idea that I have to be 'known' in order to receive responses.

It's just how it is. Sorry.

I also take the point about using Forums. Everyone of my articles has been made available to everyone to read, so I really thought there was no need to post articles in the Forums as well. Can somebody tell if this makes a difference?

It also gives your articles a lot more visibility... so people who don't specifically follow your blog might be intrigued to read your work.

Texas Wahine, thanks for your response. I've just finished reading your article (to which I have responded). I feel encouraged that my little blurb may have elicited your latest article.

It's just how it is. Sorry.

Hmm, but that doesn't necessarily mean it right, right?

Thanks again and cheers...

>> I also take the point about using Forums. Everyone of my articles has been made available to everyone to read, so I really thought there was no need to post articles in the Forums as well. Can somebody tell if this makes a difference?

I would have to say, by theory, if it's not in the forums, it's likely to get overlooked, especially on busy days. If you post at the wrong time of the day, it gets less responses too.

You know what's funny: My non-forum posts tend to have more comments than my forum posts - so, go figure...

how do you know how many responses I've made.

Click on your username on any comment or article you're written. It takes you to a page that shows your number of articles, comments, user points, and site points. You can do the same to any other user.

Texas Wahine, thanks for your response. I've just finished reading your article (to which I have responded). I feel encouraged that my little blurb may have elicited your latest article.

Ah, that you did. I even gave you a little shout out with a link.

Hmm, but that doesn't necessarily mean it right, right?

Nope, it doesn't. I have to get warmed up to people and I suspect that many others do, too. It's not that people intentionally ignore new users (usually they are heartily and vocally welcomed . . . and I do need to apologize for not having done that with you), but sometimes we need to be nudged or drawn into your blog, and participating in the community is a good way to do that. I (crudely) call it the "rule of 69" . . . you comment on me, I comment on you.