Has anyone had tremendous success getting comments on their real estate blog?

I see plenty of RE blogs with great content and a high # of post views, but not many with tons of comments (i.e. http://www.realestatewebmasters.com/blogs/buddy-blake).

While blogs are great for building content and increasing SERPs, I really think visitor interaction is what makes a blog a blog and what will make it successful in the long run. Without comments, I feel like I'm just talking at people rather than embracing 2.0 technology.

To stimulate blog comments, I've tried varying post tone and content (controversial stuff, funny stuff, etc). I've tried putting blog topics with links in direct emails and newsletters. But so far the only people commenting are peers who I've asked to go there.

Any other suggestions?

BTW - my blog is http://www.finecoastalliving.com/blog/ (and, yes, I'm aware the RSS links are currently broke... grrrrrr... working on that)

__________________
Melody Rose Browne
Marketing Director
The Fine Coastal Living Team
Wilmington NC Real Estate

I currently have 8 different blogs showing up anyplace from #7 to #50 for one of the searches I am working, and only one of them has gotten a non Realtor comment on them. I am unsure as to if this is a bad thing or just a average this is what happens kind of thing.

These are my most recent, they don't allow comment but anyway I have plenty that do.

my REW Static Blog pages.


Madison Real Estate

Chatham Real Estate


Jim

__________________
James Boyer
RE/MAX Properties Unlimited
Morristown, NJ 07960
973-647-0253
Serving the Real Estate markets of Morristown, Morris Township, Madison NJ Real Estate, Chatham NJ , Summit, Short Hills, Millburn, Maplewood, South Orange, & West Orange Referals happily given and accepted. For information on home sales in New Jersey please contact. Morristown NJ Real Estate Madison NJ Real Estate Chatham NJ Real Estate

Melody - have you tried contributing/posting to other blogs?

The majority of the time, users that contribute comments are other web 2.0 savvy bloggers, which is totally fine.

It really depends on your subject matter check out this AR post http://activerain.com/blogsview/6240...g-introduction got a TON of comments, or this REW Blogs entry by Ryan ward GREAT contributions and topic specific contributions from other members http://www.realestatewebmasters.com/...ard/1118/show/

__________________
Want to save up to 50% off Real estate webmasters product websites & common upgrades? Check out my latest blog post regarding our end of the year sale.

melody, I checked out your blog, and I cannot even read the article http://www.finecoastalliving.com/blog/?p=17 the font is way to small, perhaps this is part of the problem

__________________
Want to save up to 50% off Real estate webmasters product websites & common upgrades? Check out my latest blog post regarding our end of the year sale.

You have a great rank for 'wilmington real estate' so I would think you're getting traffic. However I noticed that there are no specific pages for specific areas within Wilmington or surrounding cities. Are there any urban villages within Wilmington that are hot communities? If so write about the local trends in those hot communities or condos. In depth market reports are something buyers love who are gathering info. It also builds trust and credibility with them so they call you out of the blue and ask you to represent them. If I search for an adjoining town or city nearby for real estate do you have a page devoted to that local with tons of information about that city?

Perhaps offer those who comment a chance to have an username that links back to their own website if they have one so they are motivated to keep returning.

No photos. Readers love photos, humor, satire when reading blog posts.

j

__________________
Northern Virginia condo -- Cutting edge search tools for Arlington VA Real Estate, Alexandria VA Real Estate, and Washington DC
Condos

I also have multiple blogs and although I have gotten a handful of non-realtor comments, I think the problem is that there are so many blogs out there, what can we expect? I'm just thrilled when anyone finds one of my blogs & comments.

Creating a blog that becomes very popular is like anything else, only a few will reach that status. I've subscribed to blogs that entertained me & ended up forgetting about them when I got busy or moved on to something else. There's only so much time in a day.

As much as I try to also offer a bit of everything from news to useful information to local stuff and add humor where it's appropriate, I'm kidding myself if I think I'm going to have someone waiting in rapt anticipation for my next post.

Maybe by getting more involved in commenting on other's blogs is a way to get more interest to our own. Again, very time consuming.

__________________
Southwest Chicago Suburbs Real Estate is an affordable area with close access to downtown Chicago. Money Magazine says that Orland Park real estate is one of the best places to live in the U.S. Next door you can find Tinley Park homes for sale and get Orland Park amenities at a more affordable price.

I agree Judy, I make it a point to look at the REW blogs as much as i can, and comment on them where possible. I don't know how many other members do the same, but it sure would be nice if more did so. I consider it a learning opportunity as well as a civic duty.

Jim

__________________
James Boyer
RE/MAX Properties Unlimited
Morristown, NJ 07960
973-647-0253
Serving the Real Estate markets of Morristown, Morris Township, Madison NJ Real Estate, Chatham NJ , Summit, Short Hills, Millburn, Maplewood, South Orange, & West Orange Referals happily given and accepted. For information on home sales in New Jersey please contact. Morristown NJ Real Estate Madison NJ Real Estate Chatham NJ Real Estate

Thanks for the input guys.

I do need to step up with commenting on other people's blogs... I've time blocked for it but somehow it still doesn't get done.

Morgan - thanks for pointing out on the tiny font size. I've spent hours fiddling with the CSS file trying to find where/how to increase it to no avail. After reading your feedback, I took another crack at it and was successful. Hooray for me.

And jseville, I think I will add a page for "Wrightsville Beach" and "Carolina Beach." We currently have a general Wilmington beaches page but breaking it up with more content sounds like a good idea.

Thanks again!

__________________
Melody Rose Browne
Marketing Director
The Fine Coastal Living Team
Wilmington NC Real Estate

btw. how do I get my blog feed entered here?

__________________
Costa Rica Real Estate Agents - Maui Condos - Read my Blog