What does the number of comments you receive on your blog post indicate to others? Yourself?

There are so many great examples of super interesting bloggers that can ignite conversation amongst a community of readers. But, I’m interested in uncovering examples of very popular online figures who receive very few comments.

So I ask the question…

Can you really be successful and have few or zero comments from others?

Let’s take a look at two very talented and successful online entrepreneurs. First, Daisy Whitney of New Media Minute and secondly, Laura Fitton or more commonly known on Twitter as @pistachio.

Daisy Whitney is one of the first multimedia reporter and journalists to launch her own online newscast covering the business of internet video. Her webcast show New Media Minute is carried on many top networks including ABCNews.com and TVWeek.com. This Brown University Art History graduate is breaking new ground as an internet entrepreneur.

What’s interesting is she has very few comments posted on her wonderful videos.

Could it be that because her videos are re-purposed across different networks that might explain why she receives few comments on her website? Maybe people who watch online videos are less prone to comment compared to bloggers who write their message? Maybe?

Are you familiar with Laura Fitton more commonly known as @pistachio on Twitter?

Laura was already widely known before Seth Godin mentioned her in his book Tribes. I’m sure that did not hurt her by having now almost 27,000 followers paying attention to her consistent Twitter updates throughout the day.

Would you be surprised to know that she has very few comments on her personal blog?

Could it be because most are following her Twitter comments and are less interested in her blog? Maybe?

How does this apply to small business owners who may not have a huge following?

I believe in the following ways:

• Impression, credibility and commenting . What matters most is when your ideal prospects and customers arrive at your site they are provided with a web presence providing them with opportunity to get to know, like, and trust you. I have witnessed first-hand that your content can be wonderful and be perceived as a virtual agency and people will not always feel the need to contribute their opinion to your community of readers. Especially in this day and age where many people are reading to consume and not participate. To participate takes time and thought, both are lacking in our increasingly busy and stressful day.
  

• Physical Action vs. Discussion. Many people struggle to get people to take a physical action in their blog posts. For example, you write a blog post and invite people to comment & share their thoughts on this post. Many more people really struggle with creating a physical action (ex-”click on this link or “add to shopping cart) leading people to a product or service. There is still a feeling that you should not “sell” on your blog posts. If you don’t tactfully tell your ideal readers what you would like for them to consider doing, you can almost be certain they will do little.
  

• Blogs are the new websites. More and more small business owners are finding a Word Press template they love and with relatively little technical support are up and running with a beautiful and potentially “spider” search engine optimized site. Since blogs often serve as a new primary website, I believe you must create consistent and relevant changing content, but I don’t think it matters as much as before if your company online store front (blog) does not contain a ton of comments in the blog section. If your goal is to become a well-known community blogger, of course it is critically important to empower and succeed at having people comment on your blog posts.
  

• You might not be that interesting. Of course, what you write about may not be worthy of anyone taking the time to comment.

In my own personal experience, I have little success in building a community of readers who decide to comment on my blog posts. However, I’ve been very successful in converting my readers into clients or paid customers.

I think the best case scenario is to have a blog focusing on a market relevant topic for your version of an ideal client where your communication skills (text, audio, video) ignite conversation and tactfully give your ideal client the opportunity to uncover for themselves what they would like to do next and perhaps even what you would like for them to do next.

I’d like you to comment on this post. But if you are too busy, distracted or even dis-interested, I understand.

Perhaps you would like to buy something from me while you are waiting for something to say ?