Asking questions on your blog: okay or not okay?
Do you guys ever read Hollaback Health? It’s a fun blog about healthy living blogging and social media – and breaking the blogging “mold.”
There was a post up yesterday about the trend of ending posts in a question, often in bold, or even bold and italics. In the post, they said that people do this for two reasons – because they genuinely have a question to ask, or because they are fishing for comments.
In the post they suggested that the question is not necessary – if the content is good enough, there should be discussion anyway. No prompt needed.
I found this interesting. I have been asking questions at the end of my blogs posts since at least October of 2009 (and I am not sure why I started doing that). And of course I did it to get comments, or rather, feedback. I tend to think of my blog as kind of a social experiment – I love hearing what people have to say about things, and I love finding other people I relate to. I look forward to reading comments, and interacting with people. I used to respond to every single comment I received. I still respond to a lot of them. Reading comments is one of my favorite parts of the day.
Anyway, here I go…
Do you think putting a bold question at the end of a blog post is superficial, and just a way to fish for comments?
You can be honest with me. It may or may not change what I do, but as always, I love to hear (well, read) your opinion.
I actually have a lot of thoughts on this topic, but I want to see what you guys have to say first!
Themocracy
Honestly? I have no idea what to think. I mean, if it’s something that would naturally stimulate discussion, then it’s true that there’s no need to ask the question like that. I think if someone is going to comment, they’re going to comment regardless of whether they have a guiding post there. I can’t say I’ve ever noticed a difference in that respect whether I do or don’t include a question… I usually don’t. Probably because I hate to feel like I’m “fishing for comments.”
Apparently, I’m contradictory and indecisive. :p
<3 <3
That is the same thing some of the commenters said on that post – people will comment whether the question is there or not. A lot of times I don’t even respond to a question if there is one – I forget to! But sometimes, people only comment on the question I post. It’s interesting. I think a lot of it depends on whether you post single-topic blogs or not. I get lost in some blogs because so much is talked about that I forget what I wanted to say by the time I am done reading!
When I first started reading your blog, Kim, I admit that I started commenting because I found your questions interesting and genuinely wanted to answer them. So I guess it works on some people?
I like the questions at the end of blogs – they are usually thought-provoking and interesting. I know the bloggers are just “fishing” for comments but I don’t mind. It’s like commercials – I know they are playing with my emotions but that’s what I expect. I think it’s smart to end with questions. It leads to successful blogging.
Hee hee. What is successful blogging? I consider it successful as long as it’s an enjoyable hobby for me!
Honestly, I think it is considerate. Maybe it is the southern in me. If I am talking about my weekend and don’t ask about yours, then it is almost rude. If I am talking about a book I like and don’t ask if you have read it/liked it, again rude. I think of blog posts almost like conversations–if you only talk about yourself and don’t ask about the person(s) on the other end then it is a bit self-centered almost. That being said, I don’t know if questions at the end of blogs make me comment any more or less than I would in the first place. I tend to comment if I have a POV, if I don’t then I skip the comments.
I love your viewpoint. A lot of times I do think about that – how can my readers relate? What would they think? Should I even write this if no one will care?
I actually borrowed the asking questions thing from you. Sure I am partly fishing for comments, but blogging is just a lot more fun when it’s interactive. Also I think the question at the end of the post can be seen as a way of acknowledging that you know you have readers, and you want their opinions, too. It’s not just a diary for yourself.
Aww, thanks 🙂 I do have problems commenting on the diary-ish blogs. Those don’t last long in my reader.
I don’t like it when the question has nothing to do with the post. Then it seems like it’s obviously fishing for comments. But when the question invites discussion about the post topic or expands on it then I think it’s great. Some people need to be invited to give their opinion. That’s the joy of blogging. And I disagree that if the post were interesting enough it would incite discussion. That’s probably only true when someone blogs about a controversial topic.
Also, I’ve done it both ways and found that while, yes, sometimes the question posts get me more comments it’s usually the same people commenting whether or not I asked a question.
I hate that too. The whole post is about one thing, then they ask something that doesn’t have anything at all to do with the post? What is that about?
But you are right – it’s the same people commenting all the time anyway 🙂
I like the questions when they’re related to a post or asking to get advance feedback on a topic the blogger plans to post about. I haven’t found that they get me any more or less comments though. But pretty much just you & Jo comment on my blog…lol 🙂
I too am guilty as charged. But honestly I’m hardly ‘fishing for comments’. I do truly want to know what others think.
*Eep* I ask questions a lot. I had to sit and think my motivation for asking question. I have decided that I usually ask questions when it’s a topic that I’m passionate about, simply because I want people to interact with me. In my opinion, if your motivations are sincere then you should ask questions all you want.
i do it because i know it helps me when I read a blog to be prompted a bit sometimes, other times I have plenty to say. but yes comments are wonderful, so who cares what we do to get them 🙂
Ultimately, I think a point the Hollaback girls missed is that it’s YOUR BLOG. Your blog to do with as you like. A blogger doesn’t owe me any sort of shared etiquette, just as I don’t owe them my readership. Do I think it’s often fishing for compliments when I see that on a blog? Sure. Does it annoy me? Sometimes, when it’s so transparent and irrelevantly done (and we’ve talked about this, you and I, and you know I don’t include you in that group!). That said, if I don’t like it, I won’t read it or comment. Not my blog; not my place.
Good point. People criticize how each other blog, but if you don’t like it… then don’t read it. Lot a lot of those super star bloggers… I skim them from time to time – when I am BORED. We just aren’t blogging for the same reasons. Hmm, I think I got a bit off track 😉
I usually ask questions at the end of posts as a way to generate discussion and genuinely find out what people are thinking. Sometimes I do, however, feel they are forced and this morning’s post made me reevaluate posting them. Reading the comments on this post has been interesting.
This is a tough one! I don’t normally post questions at the end of my posts, but I do once in a while. Like Felicia said, sometimes I just feel rude not to ask a question when I’ve talked all about me. But sometimes I will pose a question when I know the topic isn’t something a lot of people relate to. Like when I do a book review, I usually try to pose a question about the genre, or author, or something related to the book to stimulate some kind of discussion because there’s really not much you can say about a book review! (Other than to agree or disagree.)
Sometimes questions help me formulate a comment so, in that respect, it’s helpful. With some blogs, I’ve noticed it to be more fishing than genuine concern but usually, bloggers pose the question because they’re really curious!
I dont end every post with a question, just occasionally. And when I do, I actually want to know.
For me, I honestly dont think it makes a big difference in the comments I get. I hover around the same amount pretty much daily, so the question doesnt change anything.
I do understand the idea that maybe it would be “fishing” for comemnts, but is that so bad? We all like getting comments.
I want to hear about what others are doing… that is why I write questions at the end. It doesn’t happen all the time, but I know I’ve done it.
I’m not fishing for comments from a $$$ or success perspective, but I do want to hear from other people!
I actually love that you put questions at the end of your posts – I had never seen that before, and it really has a personal feel to it – like you are trying to have a conversation. And since you always respond back personally, I really do feel like you are interested in knowing about other people. And even if I don’t always comment to a question, I am always answering it for myself, and they prompt me to think about my own habits. I say keep doing it.
Aww, thanks 🙂
I really like the questions at the end of blogs and only started doing it, but that decision came naturally and not from seeing others do it. I agree with what someone else wrote above, it’s considerate to ask how your readers feel about something or how their weekend was and then they respond if they want to.
Glad you posted this! There are so many ways to approach blogging, but in the end, you can do what you want on your site.
Exactly – everyone gets to do what they want, and if you don’t like it, you don’t have to read it 🙂
I like your format, I find that you are engaging people to think and that your questions range from quirky to serious. You should do what feels write to you and how you want to approach blogging, it is your blog be happy.
hmm interesting. Every time we post we are kinda of fishing for comments anyways right? I have found that I may have an issue with something but unless I ask specifically for advice about it I won’t get tons of responses. The more I ask specifically about something the more responses I get.
I would post more on your blog posts if it was in blogger dashboard and I can see the updates daily for some reason it doesn’t work that way for me and I have to remind myself to click on it from my blog and I’m almost always on my phone reading it then I have to go back and remember to respond on my laptop. So sorry if I don’t respond a lot! I do read a lot though!
That is a good point – you might not want to comment on something specifically, unless you are asking for it. Sometimes people are afraid to leave comments.
My blog does not show up on dashboard because it is not a blogger (hosted) blog. It’s self hosted. I read about half and half (blogger and self-hosted) so I use google reader to keep track of all the blogs I read. I have never even seen dashboard. Do you know if it works like reader?
It works somewhat like reader. Except the blogs have a little blurb of the post under the title. It lists all of the blogs I read to the left like Reader. I can easily identify blogs that I ready normally that way. When I opened up reader today (which I normally don’t do! I did for you!) it looks like emails and i think that’s what turns me off. Then below the subscribed blogs are the blogs from my dashboard. Its weird.
Plus asking questions at the end, then you know people are really paying attention!
There is a setting on reader to show the entire content of the blog. Do you have that on? Because it can just show up in list form. 😉
Although, some people have abbreviated feed turned on (like your blog) and that turns me off because I cannot see what the blog is about – just a little blurb. I guess we all read blogs different ways 🙂
I sometimes ask questions at the ends of my posts but it’s very rare. I have to admit that your thoughtful questions in every post are what drew me into your blog in the first place. You always ask such interesting questions! And it encourages me to comment. I like it because I don’t necessarily have to think of what to comment about because you have already given me a prompt to do so. 🙂
I am happy to hear it made you want to comment and interact! 🙂
I do it and I’m not doing it to be superficial or fish for comments. I’m genuinely asking a question to see what the response would be. My last post was on coconut milk, not much of a discussion generater! But I would like to know if people have tried it and what they thought about it.
I’ve actually heard the exact opposite at all the blog conferences that I’ve been to. That you should post a question in order to help generate discussion on your blog. Posting a question lets readers know that you’re open to talking about the situation and you welcome opinions on the matter. I think only allowing the post to speak for itself to generate discussion only applies to “expert” blogs, meaning the blogs that are giving you advice or providing you with information about a topic.
That’s interesting to hear what you heard at the conference! That is the same thing I would think… although I can see what this post was talking about. I have seen this method be very superficial. Or maybe that is not the right word. It’s just that they will talk about all the food they ate that day, then ask “What do you think about abortion?” or something equally serious that has nothing to do with what they were talking about.
That is an interesting article! I definitely see how people use commenting as a new form of cultural capital, i.e. “More people read and feel invested enough in my blog to comment! I am therefore interesting and validated!” but I don’t think that’s always the case.
I started putting questions at the end of my posts, and I don’t think I did it to fish for comments intentionally. My logic was that I should help generate discussion for my readers (soliciting information). However, I can see the point that the post itself should generate comments.
I’m actually thinking about taking comments off my blog. Lately, reading and commenting on blogs has started to feel like a chore, so I don’t want to be a hypocrite on my own.
Commenting on blogs is a lot of work. A lot. I really think that is how you get commenters… by BEING one yourself. You know what I mean? People feel like they should comment back… which is awful, but I think partially true.
I never really thought much about the question at the end of the blog. Sometimes I answer them and sometimes I completely blow right by them because I’m too focused on commenting about something in the post. I don’t think it’s a bad thing.
Hmm, really good question. I like questions because I find they’re a great way to really connect with readers. It makes blogging more conversational than just me posting about my life.
Well obviously asking questions about questions seemed to spark a lot of comments! lol I sometimes do it because I want people to give me their opinions or just spark conversation…I guess I started because I saw other people start doing it. But if your blog is interesting to people, then they will comment no matter what.
I’ve never really thought too hard about the intentions behind bolding a question at the end of a post. I’m sure some people are fishing for comments, but I believe others are truly trying to interact with their readers. I will say, for me personally, that I am more likely to respond to a direct question than if one wasn’t included at all. It makes me feel like you actually want to know what I think. Sometimes if someone doesn’t ask a question and I comment anyway, it feels I’m giving unsolicited advice or something. 🙂
I agree – people are more likely to give me advice if I straight up ask for it. Otherwise, it’s hard to know how you come off in the written world!
I’ve always enjoyed the question you ask at the end of most of your posts. It seems like a way to interact with your users. I don’t see it as a fishing for comments thing.
Although I have to note the fact that you have a post about asking questions which is asking a question. he he he.
i honestly haven’t thought about it. i guess i’ve never thought about it as a way to fish for comments…but i’m sure that some people do that. i LOVE your question at the end, and i think i’ve always assumed that you enjoyed hearing everyones responses. personally, those are the right reasons for me!
I read that article a few days back, but thanks – I wanted to comment on it on my blog too. I totally do that – and honestly I do it for 50/50 of the two reasons that they mention.
Wow, that was a huge run-on sentence.
Finally commenting.
Since I know you, and what a fantastic conversationalist you are, I know that you’re genuinely interested in hearing about other people’s lives and opinions. Thus, you having questions at the end of your posts is totally valid. Honestly, it probably does prompt me to comment more.
There are some bloggers (who I no longer follow, and are lumped into the ‘healthy living’ category typically) who clearly post questions just to drive comments, additional hits to market themselves, and especially flattery. It’s not my thing at all, and I feel like having that sort of thing in my life makes me angry and drags me down – thus the unfollowing.
You are such a sweetie to me. Thanks 🙂
And yeah… I recognize that sort of question asking in other blogs, which is why I saw the point of the original blog post about it!
I like the questions on peoples blogs. It opens up discussions amongst the readers. I know that people say they don’t like questions that are unrelated to the post but I have to admit that I don’t mind it. My train of thought is usually a little all over the place so I feel right at home with a questions out of nowhere.
I like when comments are related to the post and aren’t just like “What’s your favorite color??” Those seem to be just fishing to comments, but when the blogger is actually looking for feedback or advice, then I think it’s fine. At the end of the day, I’m only going to comment if I feel compelled to, not just if there is a question at the end of the post. Often times I usually forget to answer the question anyway…
I actually enjoy the questions people post (for the most part!). Sometimes I have an easier time commenting if I’m actually answering about a certain thing!