Warning: this post is tongue-n-cheek. If you have a hard time grasping sacrcasm or you take pleasure in being easily offended or passing judgement, just skip this one.
When I first began blogging, years ago, I desperately wanted comments. I would write my heart out. My deepest thoughts, embarrasing moments and strange prayers. And then I would wait.
Two, three, four comments would trickle in during the following week and I would wonder in utter frustration, “What do you have to do in your blog to get people to leave a freaking comment???”
Then one day I wrote a post about my families’ obsession with pets and the gross misuse of money that is spent on our animals in this country in light of the fact that children around the world starve to death or wait to be adopted and loved half as much as an American dog.
And that’s the day I learned how to get people to leave a comment on my blog.
So for those of you who are wondering, “How do I inspire people to leave comments on my blog?” Let me help you out.
OCCR
1. Talk badly about their pets or the money they spend on their pets. Or about how much money they have. (offend)
2. Endorse a book like Rob Bell’s. Admit that you voted for Barack Obama. Or confess that you went to Planned Parenthood for years because it was the only way you could get a papsmear and cancer screening done (record labels do not equal = health insurance). (controversy)
3. Occasionaly throw in cute pictures of your kid. (cuteness)
4. And write about the possibility of baby roaches growing in your gums. (roaches. rodents. rancid milk).
Had I known talking about roach babies would generate 64 comments in one day, I would have developed this fear long, long ago!!!
You people crack me up!!! Thank you for all of your animated comments, shared confessions, and pledged support to the lunacy that can sometimes be found on these pages.
Seriously, if you are striving to generate comments on your blog- take it from a girl who has lots of blurkers (note to blurkers: I still LOVE you, you secret little weasels):
Diss on pets, take the wrong side- or worse- show grace to both sides of a controversy, toss in a cute picture of your kid or someone else’s kid, and occasionaly tell a horrible story about a mouse running across your baby or baby roaches growing in your mouth.
My gums are better, thank you for asking.
I have no idea why I: flossed, had an explosion of blood, and a roach leg then extracated itself from my gumline. I retraced my food. No herbs, popcorn, grapes or other fruits or vegetables with stems. No furthur pain. No furthur bleeding. No clue. And worst of all… no pictures for proof. Though you should know I tried.
I asked Ryan for a flashlight (Yes, I had to ask. I didn’t even know if we owned a flashlight.) and scoured the floor around my sink. I think I threw it to the ground in horror and disgust. But I couldn’t find it in the carpet. Then I thought, “Jenny- it’s highly unlikely that you threw it to the ground. You collected and saved your own earwax for the first three years of elementary school. You must’ve put it on a piece of toilet paper and ultimately threw it away without thinking.” That seemed more in line with my character and my brilliant, scientific, inquisitive mind. So I got the salad tongs and went through the bathroom trash can to try and find it. And believe me, if it were in there, I would have seen it. It was that big. But nothing. So you’ll just have to believe me.
Chip- you got two cute Annie stories coming soon, I promise.
Meggan and Elizabeth- Excellent workplace diversion. I’d love to hear the theories of the co-workers!
John- Your knowledge about what could actually be happening when a small egg embeds itself into the gums made me want to throw up 
Imagine that.
Bloggers who want comments: Be yourself. People will comment eventually. The truth of it is this, your blog becomes a community of people from all over the world sharing tiny moments of life together. And a bunch of tiny moments end up making you like family. Want proof? Annie got birthday presents from people- who I met through this blog- who we now consider family- from six different states. But before your blog becomes a community, it is first and foremost a place to craft your writing, to pour out your stories, and to bare your soul. In regards to that, my manager gave me the greatest advice I’ve ever recieved when our band signed a record deal five years ago:
Do not listen to people’s praise.
Because if you let people’s praise build you up, you will let their criticism tear you down.
Pick your safe people. Those people who love you and know you. Their praise and constructive critcism are always welcome.
Other than that- say thank you and learn to let their words fall off of you.
I am forever grateful for Brickell’s advice. It has saved me from a puffed up head and a destroyed heart. As you embark on your journey in the “public eye”- whether that’s on stage, leading others in the office, or posting your blog for the world to read- pick safe people who will build you up with encouragement and gently re-direct you when you need to hear the words that hurt… and then, just be grateful for everyone else.
Not influenced by their opinion of you; simply grateful that they are journeying with you.
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33 Comments
Karissa on April 20, 2011 at 11:03 pm.
SO TRUE! I have been blogging for a year and have never exceeded over 10 comments..but i continue to do so!
Xoxoxo I love you Jenny and would like an email soon
P.S. what size does annie-boo wear im making someting for her!
Scott W. on April 20, 2011 at 11:10 pm.
Wonderful advice. And it also includes examples of all the best OCCR that I’ve read on this blog. Truly, this is an epic post and you will be flooded with records of comments. But for a newb to your blog, what significance is “64″?
Dacia on April 20, 2011 at 11:16 pm.
Love the advice!!! That is words of wisdom that everyone would be blessed to receive =)
Gale on April 20, 2011 at 11:24 pm.
I’ll pass on the salad …. thank you though.
Erin on April 20, 2011 at 11:26 pm.
Thank you for sharing! This wasn’t what I expected, but good and humorous advice. I’ll keep OCCR in mind. =) That bit at the end is probably what I’ll remember most. “Do not listen to people’s praise,” and “Pick safe people who will…gently re-direct you when you need to hear the words that hurt…and then, just be grateful for everyone else.”
Ann on April 20, 2011 at 11:27 pm.
I have very single one of your band’s (Addison road) songs on my iPod I absolutely love yall.
Scott W. on April 20, 2011 at 11:28 pm.
BTW. I found the reference to 64 after my initial comment. Sorry about artificially up-ing your comment count with this comment.
Aimee on April 20, 2011 at 11:44 pm.
Just have to say, I love you guys!
. Thanks for doing what you do! Please keep sharing his story! Jenny I absolutely love camer + app!!! Best .99 ever spent! ~Aimee~
Josh Wax on April 21, 2011 at 1:52 am.
You could also take the advice of another band (i think you know who i’m talking about) and call it “Xmas”… that’ll get you a TON of comments
Andy on April 21, 2011 at 2:10 am.
Hi Jenny! Thanks for making me feel better about my own blog! I write and write, too. Although some posts are fun and fluffy – pics and videos of my kids, fun links, etc. – my favorite ones are heavy posts about politics or social issues or the environment or theology. I just spent 6 posts on what Jesus said about heaven and hell. I desperately want to start a conversation on these serious topics. Know what post generated the most comments ever? The one about my visit to a nudist resort! I can’t win, but I keep trying. Keep fighting the good fight! The blurkers appreciate it, even if they don’t have much to say.
Bri on April 21, 2011 at 3:00 am.
I admit, I am typically a blurker, but I just HAD to comment on this. Thank you for posting that advice, I think I may turn it into a painting! Wow! Seriously so true! When we allow people to speak into us, we accept it, positive or negative. I’m so glad I’ve found safe people to speak into my life, that way the negative aspects are to build us up instead of break us down.
Keep writing! I always look forward to your updates, even about cockroach legs in your mouth.
rebecca on April 21, 2011 at 3:09 am.
getting thick skin is a difficult process.
i say, “keep on keepin’ on! and continue to be yourself, always!” that was certainly great advice rom your manager.
chip on April 21, 2011 at 3:38 am.
I didn’t think I’d have to twist your arm too hard to get the cute Annie stories. And who doesn’t love a cute kid story?
Claire St. Amant on April 21, 2011 at 4:19 am.
Are you going to put warning labels on every post now? I for one would enjoy that. If there’s not the potential to offend what’s the point in writing?
Monique on April 21, 2011 at 4:24 am.
You’re too cute! I’ve been reading your blog since before Annie was born. I’ve never left a comment before though, because I figured you get hundreds a day, and mine wouldn’t matter. I get your blog through a reader, so I’ve never actually seen how many people comment!
I agree with your list… Sometimes just living makes people uncomfortable. I know that I try hard to be a good Christian and to live my life as an example, but life is messy and not always able to be wrapped up in a neat package. Sometimes reality includes Planned Parenthood and roach legs. I appreciate your honesty in not glossing over the hard parts.
Shelley on April 21, 2011 at 4:53 am.
I liked your disclosure on sarcasm. When Bart of MM said the “x-mas” thing in December, I wanted to flog those people with a noodle. Get a sense of humor and get a grip. I think it stinks you need to have a disclosure but I liked the post. The roach baby thing cured any interest in eating Taco Bell for the next 100 years. And, John’s roach knowledge is a little scary.
Lady A on April 21, 2011 at 7:37 am.
baby roaches is totally gross….but the tips on how to get comments on peoples feelings opinions and wat not is agood stradegty…ill have 2 take up on that and try that some time….i dont have babies though..so that cute factor cant apply to me…i would hope no one has baby roaches or eggs in the gums…lol..u got some nice blogs going on..
Mrs. K on April 21, 2011 at 12:33 pm.
Love that advice!! I often take things said to heart way too frequently and its been many a long night of discussions with my hubby–he lets things roll off him much easier than I do.
Shelby on April 21, 2011 at 1:08 pm.
I Keep on reading you blogs, because your hilarious, and always have a good story to tell. And I know that reading your blogs will make my day better!
The Annie pictures and stories are just so cute! So I agree with Chip, we need another Annie story. Maybe pictures from her birthday!
But the roach baby blog is still making me laugh! I can just picture it!
Love your blogs Jenny!!!
Anrield on April 21, 2011 at 2:19 pm.
I just started to blog recently to explain about my sons situation with Autism and I have sometimes though about stoping for a while because I don’t know if there are people who read it or not but I have even gotten people who have gone to my blog and have me on facebook and have given me even tips to take care of my son and so on. I still haven’t gotten even one comment yet but hey, I will keep at it I can’t give up that fast, ya know?
By the way I love your blog, your posts are hilarious but you end up hitting the nail.
RaVae Erickson on April 21, 2011 at 3:33 pm.
HAHAHA! I love it! And, I love you Jenny. You are honest and funny and serious (sometimes all in the same blog!) and you truly share your heart with us here. So, thank you!
Janelle on April 21, 2011 at 4:18 pm.
Is there even enough space on the Internet to host 64 comments on one single blog? I didn’t think that was possible. And now….it’s all gone to yours?? So disappointed now…(walking away from my keyboard in a dejected fashion). Thanks for dashing all the hopes of all future bloggers.
shaking my head…..
Kelly on April 21, 2011 at 7:00 pm.
I never thought about the fact that I may be a guilty blurker until today, so I will leave a comment
I got sucked into your blogosphere for over an hour today (while at work…oops) reading the past posts you referenced in this post. It has even sparked a discussion about homosexuality and the church with one of my friends. There you go again, Jenny, making me think and helping me to live my life in a more real way. That is the top reason that I started reading your blog (and get SO excited every time I see a new post on my RSS feed) – You are a real person and you are living out your faith in a real and honest way. I have been striving to do that in my own life and you encourage me so much. Thank you for your writing and for pouring out your life to others (and for your wonderful music!)!
Lisa on April 21, 2011 at 7:53 pm.
So THAT’S what I’m doing wrong. I’m playing it too safe! I get an average of 3 comments on any given post on my blog. And my aunt is ALWAYS one of them. Does that even count?
That last advice…wow! I so needed to hear that. I’m in desperate need of some ‘safe’ people in my life. Now that our family has turned a new page in our story, all my old safe people are gone. (old safe people sounds really funny) Anyway, I’m pretty sure there’s nothing you could ever say to make me stop reading what you write, and that’s mainly because even if you say something I don’t like or agree with, I know the heart of the person, and THAT’S what matters most!
Jenny on April 21, 2011 at 11:41 pm.
So strange how I came to love your music, and now combined with your blog I feel like we are BFFs! Thank you for being ever-so-real and thank you for passing on such good advice. (sorry I don’t have a funny story to tell or some other clever comment!)
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Leslie Lamb on April 22, 2011 at 1:11 am.
Wholeheartedly agree with that advice. I think it was Beth Moore that said, “Be careful of those that would put you on a pedestal because when you fall off (and you will fall off) they will rally to stone you.” Man. Have I been there. Humility is one of the greatest characteristics that we can hone… grow in and become. Not self-deprecation which is masked pride…but true humility that says “I don’t claim to have achieved it…but I know the One that gets me through each obstacle on the path.” There is great comfort in honesty…both in the good and in the ugly, and whether we admit it openly, we all carry both. <3
Jenny Shields on April 22, 2011 at 3:04 am.
Awh Jenny! You are so funny! I just love reading your blog and everything you do! Keep up the good work girlie!
Greg on April 22, 2011 at 3:59 am.
Discovered Addison Road when iTunes featured “All That Matters”. Like Chris Rice’s “Smellin’ Coffee,” I found it a highly listenable song that I didn’t realize was about faith until I listened more closely to the lyrics.
Got curious about the band today, found this blog, really happy to see that you’re as smart and interesting as your music. Good luck and keep doing what you do.
Chris Spradlin on April 22, 2011 at 3:08 pm.
super funny and so true!!
laura on April 22, 2011 at 7:24 pm.
hmm…that’s interesting…i’m gonna need to keep that in mind, thank you for sharing.
Rachel on May 17, 2011 at 2:24 am.
hi
my name is rachel, and i just found your blog last week 
you have a great balance of amazing, deep, spiritual things to say as well as some AMAZING stories about motherhood and life on the road in a bus, with like 6 guys, and one bathroom. 
anyway, i hope you never ever stop writing cuz i would definitely miss you lots 
i love love love your music, but the raw personality you display on your blog makes my whole day. you make me laugh sooo hard. if we were both in high school atm, i'd want to be your friend
p.s. what's a blurker?? lol.
Rachel on May 17, 2011 at 2:44 am.
p.p.s i lOOOOVEEEEE "Don't Wait".
it's my new fav song