Notifications for Moderating Comments on Blogger

I'm posting this because I just discovered (face all red) that there were 14 great comments, not spam at all, from you faithful readers that had not been approved because I goofed.

I had not entered my email to receive notification of comments that needed to be moderated. I ran across them today while looking at my Blogger Dashboard.

So, in case you have also neglected to enter an email where comment notifications should be sent, here's how. From your Blogger blog's dashboard, click on Settings. It has a picture of a wrench. (It's not under Comments.) Then Click on Posts and Comments.

Then you will see all your options for how you want the comment box to be displayed, who can comment, how much you want to moderate, etc. There is a box where you need to enter your email, if you want to be sent notifications.

Really easy... one just has to do it.

Five Tips for Getting Comments on Blogs with Photos

I love pictures. I love blogs with pictures. But I don’t love blogs that are overloaded with pictures and no explanations. These are some tips for all of us who love the visual aspect of blogging.

1. Don’t use more than four pictures per post (generally). Adding a post to your blog once every ten days with all the pictures of your last fantastic hike or outing is just overwhelming. There is too much to absorb and no mental or emotional space for a reader to take it all in.

2. Concentrate on one theme. Focus on sharing one part of your experience. If you saw dozens of beautiful flowers, post about the yellow ones one day and the blue ones another day. Or separate them by botanical family if you are more scientifically minded. If you saw vistas and waterfalls on your hike, show us one of these on one day, and the other another day. Or group them by trail sections. My point is, give the reader a handle to attach to the content.

3. Add descriptions. Don’t make people guess what the pictures are (unless it’s a game you are running). Even if you don’t know the exact name of a flower, insect, etc., tell us what you do know. Or point out what interested you. “See the oddly bent antennae?” “Note the contrast of the red body with the yellow belly.” For scenery, tell us why you took that picture. Where is it? Do those hills have a name? Is that building historical, or the best known for something? Or did you just like the way all the elements were arranged. Get involved with the photograph and let the reader know why you are sharing it. This will bring you into much closer relationship with your readers, and they will be more likely to return.

4. Ask questions. If you ask a question you will get better responses than “lovely picture.” Adding descriptions is a good beginning to give people a reason to say something. But you will get them even more involved if you ask a specific question that requires more than a yes/no answer. It’s just like making a conversation with a stranger. You have to draw the reader out. Especially good questions will ask the reader to share something from their experience that directly relates to your photos. If you have pictures of interesting masks you might ask, “Did you ever wear a costume mask for anything other than Halloween?”

5. Memes are not creative. Sorry, but I’m not a big fan of memes. Bloggers use them as an excuse for not thinking up something personal to write about. Give us a photo for a reason you choose, rather than giving us a reason to think you are a lazy blogger.

In conclusion, even blog readers who love photos will only skim yours if you display a large pile of unlabled pictures. Just think of how you feel when an acquaintance thrusts a photo album into your hands and wants you to look through it, but they don't sit with you and point out the good parts. Don't create that kind of atmosphere for your readers.

Creatively Honest Spammer?

I got this comment on a blog today:

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "XXXX":

It's so hard to get backlinks these days, honestly i need a backlink by comments on your blog / forums or guestbook to make my website appear in search engine. I am getting desperate Now! I know you'll laugh while reading this comment !!! Here is my website Vimax I know my comments do not relate to the topic, but PLEASE HELP ME!! APPROVING MY COMMENT! Regards: PoormanBH2011"

At least he gets points for honesty, but I still didn't approve the comment.

Comments- Just a Comment

I recently read an excellent blog piece from Jen at Redhead Ranting, How Can I Get More Comments. Her main points are:
Dispense with Word Verification
Write Shorter Posts
Post More Than Pictures
Make it Easy to Figure Out How to Comment
Cut Down on the Reviews and Giveaways
Cut Down on the Memes with Many Rules
Ask Questions that Invite Responses
Respond to Comments
Don't Overdo the Ads
Don't Use Too Much Offensive Language
Don't Be a Bore

Really, you should read it... whether you agree with her or not. (And I don't necessarily agree that all her points are hard and fast rules... after all, Jen rants!) But, I would like to just add another thought to that list.

When people regularly visit your blog and make comments, make a point to return the favor. Really. There are at least three blogs on which I comment almost every post, and the writers have yet to make any comment AT ALL on my blog(s).

My most personal blog is My Quality Day. Now, I already know that what brings quality to my day is not what interests a lot of people. I learned that in kindergarten, eh? But, surely I offer enough diversity that there would be something of marginal interest to drop me a note once in a while if I'm commenting every day on your blog.

I'm a little guilty of this myself in a couple of cases. I can't think of a think to say to respond to celebrity or clothing or beauty blogs. OK... maybe I should work harder at this and take my own medicine. But I can rant a little bit too, can't I?

So to get comments, you need to be a commenter. But if you get those comments, and find them encouraging at all, please comment back.

Blogger/ Blogspot Having Issues with Comments

Blogspot is having a known issue with comments not showing up properly on a blog even if the email notification is coming through. Although it's not clear just what is being done, if you are having this trouble go to Blogger Forum and report your information.