Why reader comments are important
A blog is a little community – it invites the readers to give their opinion on your thoughts and content. When readers give their opinion on your content it also means that they think your content is important enough to comment on it or at least it makes them think of their own experiences. Whatever the reason is – comments are welcome because that makes you feel less alone and beside that it helps you to get known. I think these are some of the reasons why Darren suggests in his 31 days to build a better blog challenge to get in contact with one of your readers.
Reader comments are valuable!
Each and every reader is just a silent reader until you give her the feeling that she is special and valued. I think this is the best reason to try to engage with each and every reader (at least as long as you can handle it) who comments on your blog. I usually respond to comments as soon as I can – I am happy if others do it on their blogs so I think my readers have the same right. Also, I appreciate your comments and thoughts so why should I stay silent?
And this is exactly what Darren suggests – love your readers to death, make them feel welcomed.
Why you profit from reader comments
As I’m taking the 31 days to build a better blog challenge I have emailed a reader from my other blog “The Mac Mania“. The reader was new to Mac computers, his daughter has recently given him her old iMac and he enjoyed playing around with it but found it very strange. He told me a bit more about him and his life and I really enjoyed the conversation with someone far away from Australia! Thanks to my blog or I would have never met him and figured some of the difficulties he had with working on a Mac.
Readers who comment on your blog are more likely to come back, read further articles, come again and share with their friends.
If I would have had nothing else from this but I definitely enjoyed the conversation and got several new ideas for beginner tutorials for new Mac Users 
This alone is a good reason to enjoy reader comments and make them feel welcome!
Hey there,
You’re dead right, it’s important to interact with your readers – and the comments section of your blog is definitely one of the best places to do this.
I love getting comments on my blogs – and I almost always respond to every one. It feels polite somehow (I’m a Brit – you know how polite we are).
I also like leaving comments on other people’s blogs – I like the interaction. It’s good fun.
Hi Hamish,
I reply to each comment and I really hope to see my readers again. And I also try to visit anyone’s blogs and reply on their blogs. When you visit a blog and comment, do you consider yourself as a regular reader?
agreed
Hello Monja,
When I visit a blog and comment, I would normally expect to bookmark the blog and return at some point (like now). Usually if I’ve been moved to comment there’s something about the blog that I like or that interests/entertains me – so bookmarking makes sense.
I don’t always register for updates on comments or e-mail updates though. That’s just because my inbox is stuffed full already!