My wife recently picked up an interest in reading blogs. I am not sure if it is because:
- My blog is so nice to read?
- I always force her to read my blog
- She is making sure I don’t flirt with other female bloggers
- She is making sure I don’t flirt with other male bloggers
- She is checking if I am making plans to see China girls
She also visits the blogs of those who have commented here as well. One of the blogs she visited was Dr Eve’s blog. I think her blog has become my wife’s favourite blog now *jealous*.
My wife asked me… how come those people commenting on Dr Eve’s blog are so funny? They are so siao (crazy). Your blog seems to be so “proper and serious”.
I came to the conclusion that I need more crazy jokers commenting here (in addition to the crazy jokers already commenting).
I suspect that there are a lot of lurkers (people who read but don’t comment) around. I pondered deeper about this (changed key from G to F… oh never mind…) and I came up with my 14 tips for blog comment beginners.
If you are a blogger and have readers who don’t comment, or you are a blog reader who doesn’t know how to comment, read these tips:
- Don’t worry about offending the blogger. In this blog, you can write anything. Feel free to let me know if you disagree with me or hate me. I will probably spend a night crying and a few days writing blog posts about it, but give it to me anyway.
- Just say hello! I have said before that even a two-word comment (with a smiley at the end) makes my day. I’m sure I’m not the only blogger who will drop everything just to respond to a comment.
- Don’t worry about language or grammar. Feel free to comment in any language you are comfortable in. Most bloggers are not particular about grammar (you can see proof of this in my writing!)
- Want to stay anonymous? If you’re shy about commenting here because you have a secret crush on Sushi my Shaolin Shih-Tzu, just use an alias as a name and a fake email address.
- You don’t have to impress anyone. Be yourself so that everyone can get to know your personality.
- Leave out links in your comments. Adding a link into your comment could get your comment flagged as spam.
- Copy your comments to your clipboard before submitting. Some blogging platforms require some sort of human validation. If you fail the validation, you might have to re-type your smart and witty comment all over again!
- Be consistent! When you leave comments regularly, the blogger gets to know you and includes you as part of their audience.
- Try starting a blog. Before I started blogging I was a blog lurker, but after I started blogging I was commenting like crazy. I guess ‘being’ a blogger gives me that sense of belonging. Don’t forget to leave your blog address!
- Be tactful. This might seem to contradict tip #3, but keep in mind that certain people are very touchy towards certain sensitive subjects.
- Read other comments to sense the ‘mood’ of the place. You don’t want to sound all bright and cheery in a blog about someone’s depressions.
- Comment at the correct posts! I remember once I commented at the wrong post. How embarrassing!
- Try not to post multiple comments! Before you hit that Submit button, make sure you have said all you have to say. The exception is if you are replying to the blogger’s reply to your comment.
- Email the blogger instead. You can submit a private comment if the blogger has posted an email address on the blog.
Don’t get overwhelmed with this long list of items. Don’t be underwhelmed either. Just be… whelmed. I hope this helps to remove any uncertainties you have about commenting.
At this blog, I just want you to remember tip #2… just say hello!
Bloggers feel free to share these tips with your readers 
August 13, 2007 at 03:50
Hello! There, I carried out task #2! Hah! Came over from Rob’s blog. Am trying to think of something crazy to say but my mind is not at its creative best seeing that it’s way past my bedtime!
Adino: Yay, you’re the first! Welcome to my blog!
August 13, 2007 at 07:57
Hehe, spot on. I get lurkers as well, and sometimes all I wanna do is yell “Oi, say something! I know you’re there!”, but I reckon that would be a tad rude, no? :p
PS: Anyways, don’t worry too much abt your wife having a favourite blog which is not your own. My favourite blog ain’t my man’s (he’s one of ‘em, but not like the favourite-est :p But shhh, don’t tell him that ;))
Adino: I’m not worried… deep down I know I’m her favourite hehe. As for your lurkers, well… point them over here and ask them to read my tips la
August 13, 2007 at 10:05
Hahha, first time here. I’m definitely not a lurker
btw making multiple comments can be fun too..
i have frens who occasionally posted multiple comments just for fun
Adino: Hi Chen! Yeah multiple comments can sometimes be fun. But make sure it’s okay with the blogger. Some people might consider that spamming
Welcome to my blog!
August 13, 2007 at 10:16
“I came to the conclusion that I need more crazy jokers commenting here (in addition to the crazy jokers already commenting)”
Adino, rest assured that we will read your blog even if your wife dont. Also, i think there are mostly siao people on blogs. Because only nascistic people (including me) are into blogs.
Adino: She reads my blog, but she likes Dr Eve more hehe. And I don’t even know what nascistic means, but I’m going to pretend I do… *nod nod head*
August 13, 2007 at 10:43
Awwwwwwwwwwww….thanks Mrs Chang..You made my day liao…*kembang sial*
Too kembang till dunno wat to say liao..hehe..
Adino: Aiyo don’t call my wife Mrs Chang la… after she said sounds so “aunty” hehe
August 13, 2007 at 11:08
hey, i do enjoy reading ur blog darling..
ohhhh…anyway ur blog will always be the first one i read everyday! and im ur biggest fan even when u r not ‘that’ funny.:P
see now everyone thought i dun di
Adino: Thank you thank you!
August 13, 2007 at 12:04
ala! ur lurkers are so much more sporting than mine!
my request post to them ask for a hello also…. no response except for the regulars!
*kick*scream*wail*tantrum*
Adino: There there.. *give candy* Perhaps you can ask your lurkers to come read my tips la hehe
August 13, 2007 at 12:32
Hello!
Adino: Hehe… I should make it a rule that regular visitors like Pablo have to write minimum 10 word comments
August 13, 2007 at 14:31
Because my blog is on MySpace, most people comment on MyBlogLog instead, since they might not be a “friend.” Even so most are lurkers, but if they are enjoying what they are reading and listening to, I’m happy.
Adino: That’s a positive way of looking at it!
Welcome to my blog!
August 13, 2007 at 22:43
I’m pretty much classified as a lurker…but a harmless one. I probably should comment on more blogs though.
Adino: Hi, welcome to my blog! Yeah you should probably comment, because it makes bloggers like me really happy!
August 14, 2007 at 01:03
Me first time here
Not a lurker yet
erm…
lu jiak pah liau boey ??
*cant be funny, tries to be weird
boleh?
Adino: Hehe, welcome kSin! Wa beh hiao kong hok kien hua leh… Funny, weird, all are welcome!
August 14, 2007 at 04:42
HELLO!!!
*hehe*
Adino:
Hello! Welcome welcome!
August 14, 2007 at 09:26
Oppps.
Guess I should comment more
Adino: Yeah, I need more crazy jokers commenting here hehe
August 14, 2007 at 16:16
*raises hand*
self-confessed lurker. Leaving comments is like soh scar la.
Can’t I just let you KNOW that I’m reading? Hee…
Adino: Ok la, Donny you get the special ‘best-man’ privilege. Now put down your hand. Trying to show off your muscles is it? Hehe
August 14, 2007 at 16:32
Hahaha…ur wife very cute ler!
Tell her dun worry, Adino won’t flirt with Monkey Wong, even we love each other so much!! wakakaka …..
Adino: Hehehe…. hou sui ger… dun write things like that in the open la… *shy*
August 14, 2007 at 18:12
Erm, nothing funny to say but just wanted to say hello!
Adino: Hello Rachel! Welcome to my blog, and thank you so much for commenting
August 14, 2007 at 19:09
hello hello hello!
Adino:
Hello!
August 14, 2007 at 22:30
She can hear ur thoughts. It’s good!
Adino: Hehe… scary too.
August 15, 2007 at 11:22
dohnie not raising hand, he want to dry his armpit hair
Adino: Eek! Anyway he put down his hand already la
August 15, 2007 at 14:26
hmm… I sense some hostility!
Haha! Trust jl to come up something like that.
I see Canada hasn’t sobered you down either. Nyahaha!
Adino: No hostility la… Just being notty
August 16, 2007 at 12:07
canada diffrent mah.how to get sober when go from 42C to 10C in the night and DURING SUMMER. oh well,besides, how can i give up on being myself right? no1likeme.
Adino: Summer also 10 degrees… scared to visit there already
August 19, 2007 at 10:52
Great read
Adino: Thank you :), and welcome to my blog!
August 19, 2007 at 15:56
“hello!” lol
To help my readers follow your #1 tip above, I periodically remind them that I love hearing their opinions — even if they totally disagree with me — and that seems to help them get more “chatty.”
Thanks for the great advice
— and for your wife’s peace of mind that was totally *not* a flirtatious wink 
Adino: Welcome! I guess Darren from ProBlogger has posted up my blog tip
I came up with this list because I wanted more people to comment, and I guess it worked!
August 19, 2007 at 18:04
Thanks! Yep, I came through one of Darren’s recent posts (but you knew that already, lol).
I just subscribed to your blog and I look forward to reading your posts!
P.S. — Love the design of your blog…it makes me feel happy!
Adino: Yahoo! Thanks for subscribing
I’m glad you like the blog design. It means I won’t have to spend a day changing templates!
August 19, 2007 at 19:23
Great post here! I was a blog lurker too before but when I started blogging myself I felt the urge to comment more on the blogs that I read, I feel more in a “community” now.
Adino: Thanks for the compliment, and welcome! I know how you feel. Being a blogger gives me that sense of confidence.
August 19, 2007 at 20:02
It would be hard to read that post and not leave a comment!
I like your advice. There is no reason to be shy on a blog. Everyone loves to receive comments!
Adino: Hi, welcome to my blog! Yeah, it seems to be working really well hehe…
August 19, 2007 at 23:55
I found your post via ProBlogger. Nice tips! As a recovering blog lurker, I’ve been inspired to comment here on a first visit, and I normally have to come back to a blog several times before I’ll leave comments.
Adino: Thanks, glad I was able to help
Welcome to my blog!
August 20, 2007 at 08:53
Hello.
Some good suggestions for lurkers there.
Adino: Thanks Jon, and welcome to my blog!
August 21, 2007 at 01:45
Found your link from problogger and your post really provokes visitors to say hello
(I’m a first timer not a lurker yet, though.) It makes one feel like “ok you want me to say at least *hello* and I said it, now what? ” 
*joking*
Adino: Well I’m glad you said hello, it made my morning brighter
August 22, 2007 at 06:19
Hello Adino
)
first of all I must say that I really liked the current design of your site. it looks really really good. what makes it look better is the content what you write and the way you write. I wish you a happy marriage in the future ( yes that means I read the entry about your second month anniversary stuff
I wish I will be able to see the days that I will be able to live with the woman I love
Adino: Hi, welcome to the blog! Thanks for your kind words and best wishes. Hope you stay around
August 23, 2007 at 14:58
I am going to share these tips on my blog - thanks for letting me do that
nice blog design. I can here from problogger.net after reading one of his posts.
Adino: Sure… just make sure you let your readers know where you got the tips.
September 14, 2007 at 00:25
Hi Adina, thanks for the tips and I’ll share them on one of my blogs. I’ll translate them into Dutch because the blog’s Dutch (me too) and I’ll send you the link when it’s ready.
Adino: Hi Ben! Welcome to my blog. Sure, you can use the tips. I’m so honoured
November 6, 2007 at 10:07
Hello… Nice blog u have here.. will come back often to read more of ur blog.
Adino: Thank you Alan, and welcome to my blog! Feel free to drop by any time, or better yet subscribe to my RSS feed so you won’t miss a post.
July 13, 2008 at 00:34
After reading your post, I couldn’t help but leave a comment and of course plug my own blog. JohnTyra.com (how sad of me, huh?)
Adino: Thanks for leaving a comment