What is everyone's strategy for blog comment development?

[blu3man]

Well im in the middle of trying different comment bait methods.

My most recent comment bait was while taking a screenshot for my latest blog I had barbie.com in the background. Just to see if anyone notices.

[JillianApproved]

Creating quality content is great for getting visitors. But if you want to get COMMENTS, then showing some luv on other blogs you enjoy reading is a great way to generate some. I've read and commented a lot and it has paid off. A lot of the time, I get readers of other blogs who drop by because they see how active I am elsewhere.

Commenting other places draws people in, and the awesome content you produce keeps them there.

[flashgordon]

I've seen a lot of people leaving questions at the end of their posts trying to entice comments. I also always comment back to "keep the conversation" going.

[Carnalzen]

I have to agree. I'm thrilled when I get comments, but the thrill is tenfold when it's because my writing has landed or evoked some emotional response. I do follow up with commenters - but not as a strategy to increase comments, I want to build some feeling of community in that space so reaching back and furthering the conversation is the first step.

[rodaniel]

Like Carnalzen, I kinda think comments are only really useful or indicative of having made an impression on your readers if they're genuine. You can't force real reader involvment.

And like Flash, I try to leave many of my posts open-ended to prompt commentary. I also always respond to comments to "keep the conversation" going on the post in question. This let's your readers know that you're not just sermonizing - that you want to foster two-way dialog.