Comments are one of the best things about blogging, am I right?
Comments are so tasty and delicious and I have to admit I get a bit greedy about them! I love my little minions just taking their time to feed my soul! You know the ones where someone gives you a cupcake or send you support or feeds you a compliment. Or says you post is relatable and YOU ARE HAPPY YOU’RE NOT CRAZY**.
It’s what builds up friendship!!! communities!!! love!! me eating your soul because I feel like it!!! SEE, all good things come out of commenting. And above likes and follows, comments make my day* and are just one the reasons I continue to post!
So here are some fool proof ways to get more comments! These obviously work? HAHAHA…I think Don’t blame me if they DON’T WORK. Because that is not my fault. OKAY? Okay.
*unless they are really rude comments obviously. #rude
**let’s be real I AM VERY CRAZY
You don’t have to do ALL OF THESE. These are just WAYS you COULD go about getting more comments.
1. WRITE UP SOME QUESTIONS
At the end of each post, I add a few questions. This makes people KNOW WHAT TO COMMENT. A lot of the time the post is very long and people reach the end of your post and kind-of-forget-everything. Let’s be real we are all mangolds or goldfishes okay?
So to help out your fickle readers, add a few quick questions at the end that allow people to know what to comment. Here’s an example from a recent post of mine.
2. HAVE A GOOD COMMENT PROMPT
Okay so you MAY NOT KNOW WHAT THIS IS but I promise you, minions, it doesn’t really make much of a difference BUT LOOK I NEED 10 POINTS OKAY? So basically this is the little line above the comment —>
Right now mine is just ‘Leave a Reply’ as you can see but make sure you DON’T have a super long comment prompt like ‘OMG THANKS FOR COMMENTING! I love comments but make sure the comment has no swear words or is harmful or offensive in any way and BLA BLA’
These are comment guidelines WHICH WE DON’T WANT. Most of your readers are not rude bunnies so maybe put this in a text box in your sidebar instead of in your comment prompt.
To change your comment prompt go to your WordPress Admin dashboard (yoursiteurl.wordpress.com/wp-admin), go to Settings > Discussion and scroll right to the bottom of the page. Under the “Comment Form” header, enter new prompt text and click Save Changes.
3. COMMENT BACK
So this actually DOESN’T mean replying to comments, it means commenting on the blog of someone who has commented on your post. Okay that sounds really horrible so essentially it goes like this
- Someone comments on your blog
- YAY!
- You check out their blog
- Comment on a post of theirs
- And you just commented back!
It’s basically just appreciating that someone took the time to comment on your blog and building a network between you and your readers. If you get a fair amount of comments THIS CAN BE A LOT OF HARD WORK and I tried it? but I just drowned. i occasionally check out the people who comment on my posts and end up finding great blogs!
4. INTERACT WITH OTHER BLOGS
So other people comment back to! And if even if they don’t, people blog hop via other people’s comments. basically, it’s a great way to get yourself out there.
If you’re commenting on other people’s blog NOT WITH SELF-PROMO but with actual comments and thoughts and be a loyal follower people will start following your blog and interacting with it.
Get your self out there. Tweet all the time! Wave your bookstagram under people’s noses. Blog hop regularly and more and more people will find you.
5. MAKE YOUR POST ‘COMMENTABLE’
*scratches head* How do I explain this one? Sure you need to get yourself out into the blogosphere, but quality content is key. There actually has to be things people WANT to comment about. Why do discussions get so much interaction? Because people feel obliged to add their opinion in there!
If your post is just about your dog, all people can really comment is ‘OMG YOUR DOG IS SO CUTE. i like his name’ and then that’s kind of the end of it. The longer and more content rich your blog posts are, the more likely people are going to WANT to comment.
Make your posts in such a way that people can actually leave meaningful comments on there! Make sure the post is not just about YOU but about YOUR readers. Ask for their opinions, talk about your experiences and ask them to share theirs! Make your content really interesting.
6. REPLY TO PREVIOUS COMMENTS
*GASP* ISN’T THIS SO DAMN OBVIOUS? WHICH INHUMANE CREATURE WOULD NOT REPLY TO THEIR COMMENTS.
Me.
Just kidding! Sometimes it takes me really long to reply to comments because I have no motivation. It takes me max 5 days to get caught up with the latest posts’ comments.
BUT there are actually blogs where the creator NEVER replies NOT TO ONE SINGLE Comment.Aand it’s off putting when you see every comment which has been there forever, hasn’t been replied to. Because why should I comment if they won’t even see it?
So make sure you reply to most of your comments as soon as you can! It can make or break another comment on your post.
7. ADD A CHAT GRAPHIC
OKAY OKAY, I KNOW THIS IS A BIT EXTRA! But it can really help! It looks super inviting and remind us goldfishes to actually comment. Plus aesthetic. Here are some of my favourite chat graphics.
You can also tailor what it says to you blog. For example, mine is LET’S WHISPER because my blog is called ‘A Whisper Of Ink’ or you can simply have a ‘chat with me’ graphic or something. Just go with it. Go on canva or pic monkey and just play around with some designs until you’re satisfied.
8. KEEP THEM COMING BACK FOR MORE
Apparently, people don’t comment the first time they see your blog?! I KNOW OUTRAGEOUS RIGHT. though i comment when i see a good post?! But I think what I am trying to say is most people will comment on your post and leave forever. But you want them to come back and become regular readers!
So make sure each post is really fun and commentable! Reply to their comments and get them to subscribe to your email list. Make sure you’re on Bloglovin’ or something! Make it easy for them to subscribe to get more posts of yours. Like don’t SMASH IT THEIR FACES but make it easy for them to remember and visit your blog.
9. DON’T BE SCARY! AKA BE FRIENDLY OR ELSE
No one likes a blogger who is rude, brags a lot and up turns their noses at commenters. A lot of the time bloggers can come across as ‘Ugh you opinion doesn’t matter’ or ‘Yeah, thanks.’ Like sometimes I leave really long comments and the blogger just says ‘Thanks for your comment’ and I deflate. LIKE WHAT? be nice people, don’t bite!
But the point I really want to emphasise on is because we bloggers are such busy bees we seem to give the same dull reply. Keep in mind you’re NOT replying to COMMENTS but actual PEOPLE. Make your reply actually nice and thoughtful and make it a conversation! MAKE IT REAL, KEEP IT REAL.
10. BRIBE WITH FOOD
THIS THE MOST GENIUS PLAN OF THEM ALL. I mean I am constantly giving my readers ice cream! SEE? This is why i get the comments of all comments (okay I don’t SHH). But seriously I mean WHO DOSEN’T LIKE FOOD? Give your readers food in return for comments and the next thing you know, your fame will be as tall as Mount Everest.
Don’t you just agree comments are awesome? What tips do you have for getting comments? AND DON’T YOU AGREE BRIBING PEOPLE WITH FOOD is just SO. PERFECT? Give me your genius input!
p.s do you like the new style of featured images? i’m still trying to find out what works for me to be honest.
Yasss I love this post I was laughing the whole time. TRUTH THOUGH TRUTH xDD xx
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This was hilarious? It was supposed to be informative. WHO CARES, I AM GLAD I MADE YOU LAUGH!!
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HAHA
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THIS POST IS SO GOOD , Ilsa ❤ I feel like all these are written just for me * does that make sense btw* I follow the 10th one very religiously.Like, food is the best thing in the world.I will make sure to follow all these steps though 🙂
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AWW YOU ARE AMAZING ROSE Good luck1
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Wow wow wow! Thanks! Love your way of writing too
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THANK YOU!! You are so sweet! ❤
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I have tried to comment back but I failed so hard. I do always reply to comments though it might take me a while. My record is waiting like two weeks (oops).
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Commenting back reallY IS difficult! I should really try again. 2 weeks? I am 4 days late to replying to this and I FEEL SO BAD
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Well, in my defence, I was on vacation… And had no wifi. Usually I try to keep it under 5 days delay.
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Wowie this was an amazing post. And I like pineapple as a topping on pizza. It makes for a tangy bite. And yes if you bribe me with food I might go and just comment everywhere ( kidding not kidding ) I loved this post and it was super helpful. Great Job!!
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NOOO Pineapple on pizza is a crime *glares* Each to their own, I guess! Thanks so much, hope it helps
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Oh God, this is the most important blogger lesson to me!!! Thank you!
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YAY! I am glad you found this helpful!!
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haha!! I’m going to try bribing my followers with delicious chocolates and ice creams!! Thanks for the advice, Ilsa!
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BRIBING WITH FOOD – works every time! I hope this helps you out!
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FOOD! Oh yeah…
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How could we forget food?
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Ikr
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Great post, Ilsa! I will definitely try a tip or two from this fantabulous list *wink, wink*
-Ella
https://ahappilyellaafter.wordpress.com
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AWW I am glad! Good luck
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Good idea about changing above comment, when I go to discussion setting and scroll to the bottom the last thing is social notifications and I can not see comment from.
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Yes! Great point, making it easy to comment is vital!
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You’ve convinced me! I definitely need to go and make a cool chat graphic.
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*nods* It is very aesthetically pleasing and helpful!
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Come for the blogging advice, stay for the ping pong cat gifs. Also, I’m SO thrilled there’s another Pusheen lover out there!
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PUSHEEEEN IS AMAZING ❤ ❤ ❤ I mean – YAY thanks for reading my post (*whispers* PUSHEEEEN)
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Pusheen is the best!! Am typing this while wearing my Pusheen PJ trousers ❤
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Food is guaranteed to attract commenters. I don’t like to call it ‘bribery’, personally I prefer to think of it as encouragement and reward… 😀
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*nods* OBVIOUSLY! Food is just a reward *slides cake under the table*
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I’M BACK. NOT EXACTLY. BUT YES. FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.
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OMG YES I MISSED YOU
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Hello Ilsa i just nominated you for the sunshine blogger award. Check my blog for more info..
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OMG thank you so much ❤
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Ah I’m so proud of you, gurl! Keep up the awesome work! COMMENTS ARE PIZZA . I just love them with all my heart! After many hours of drafting the post, they’re like a reward to me. Bribing people with food? I’m in. Let’s bribe the whole world and make em it the food. Food=life. Oh and the chat graphics? I suck at making those things but I just ask my followers a question or two or none if I’m feeling lazy 😂
Also, I LOOOVVVEEE YOUR BLOG, RI-ILSA (oops) . IT’S LOVELY💕
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OMG ANJ YOU ARE AMAZING!! Comments are pizza (without the pineapples 🙂 ) AND OBVIOUSLY they are the best reward. Like we spend so much time on our posts and when someone comments, it’s just amazing AGH YESS we shall take over the whole world with food. Fool-proof plan! but chat graphics looks so pretty!! ❤ ❤ YOU ARE AMAZING THANK YOU!!!
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I LOVE comments too!! And I LOVED this post Ilsa!! And THANK YOU so much for sharing all of these FAB tips!! I’m definitely going to try these out! Especially the changing the comment prompt one! I had been trying to figure out how to change it for ages and I finally know how to now haha…❤ oh giving food ALWAYS works!! (Especially Ice cream!!)
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THANK YOU SASHA! I’m really glad you enjoyed the posts and the tips *gives ice cream* Oh yes comment prompts! I really need to change mine…but to what? *ponders* food is the answer to life! AND THANK YOU FOR THIS AMAZING COMMENT!! ❤
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Awww your welcome Ilsa!!! *takes ice cream happily* You are the best! I need to change mind as well actually 😂 I’m going to start brainstorming right now 😂 and Yes! It really is! Oh and books are too! 😊😄😉 THANK YOU FOR YOUR AMAZING POSTS!! 😍❤
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This post is nearly as AMAZING as comments…no it’s BETTER than comments!!! I always bribe peoples for food it always works 😉 This was so funny to read ❤️❤️😊 I’m definitely making a chat graphic now!! xx 😛
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OMG YOU ARE AMAZING TABI!!! Good luck with the chat graphic ❤ Your blog design is one word: awesome!
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I HAVE JUST BEEN BLESSED BY THE GRAOHIC QUEEN *bows down* Thank you so much Ilsa! 😉 ❤️
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GRAPHIC*
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Thank you SO MUCH for these tips. Very thoughtful of you to help out your fellow bloggers!
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Your welcome! I’m so glad this helped!
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This was great and I completely agree about the food…My bribe food would be chocolate cupcakes *hint, hint* Just kidding, maybe… anyway, I follow quite a few of your prompts because I love comments, they make you feel so happy after all the hard work, it’s like a giving someone a hug.. virtually speaking…
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*hands over chocolate cupcakes* (I WAS SAVING THOSE FOR LATER) I mean – um thanks for the comment! OH yes, comments are like pizza and virtual hugs smushed together, I love ’em even though I get super late on replying to them *cough cough* AHEM, but anyway I am glad this helped? MAYBE.
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Yaayyy!!! Chocolate cupcakes….Thank (elegantly scarfing down the cupcakes) You!! 😘😘😝
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😂😂 loved this post. Comments are life (to me!!) I get so excited when someone comments on my posts!
I need to start bribing with food…….
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Same here! I love getting comment on my blog (like these) food works every time!!
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😂😂🍝
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Well, I went to my setting and…
Brain: Camilla, think about something else instead of “leave a reply”.
Camilla: *white noise*
I’m not good at it😂 By the way you remembered me how to get into the black wordpress, since I used the blue one. I found some seriius creepy spam comments with daddies contenent…. I will pretend to have seen nothing. Anyway, I had no idea that black wordpress is much more detailed.
I will think about the chat graphic. I will add it in my next posts, probably ❤
And I'm bad at commenting back. But I always check the blog of the commentators and I follow their blog if they struck me.
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Well, Mine is still ‘leave a reply’ too! We shall be clueless together XD Oh yes, I’m glad you found your way back into the black WordPress or WP-ADMIN. Agh spam comments *shivers* WE ARE INNOCENT. Good luck with the chat graphic. And yes, I always drown when I try and comment back!
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Ah, this post was literally so helpful! Comments are so much better than likes and follows I definitely agree. Whenever I get a like I’m not really that bothered (well…) but I always get so excited when I see that someone has commented on my blog, it’s really great being able to see what people think! Also I loved the title 🙂
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I’m glad! Yeah, I still get happy over likes and follows but when people take out their time to write a coment, it wars my heart. Thank you Kat for your comment ❤
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Comments are the best thing ever, here’s one for you right now! I will be expecting my ice cream very soon. Strawberry, please. 😉
These are really great tips. It’s awful when you spend hours on a post, and then no one says anything. I always feel so discouraged.
I love the feature image! It looks somehow more professional than your others. I don’t know why, but I like it better 🙂
~ Pip
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YASSS I LOVE COMMENTSSSS ❤ Like this one!! THANK YOUU! *sends ice cream* YEP!! And aghhah that means everything!
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Yes! Comments are so great! I always get super excited when I see that I have one.
I try to do most of the things on your list, but I sort of fail at some of them… I’m really bad at commenting on other people’s blogs, and then I feel bad, because I truly want to, I can just never think of what to say.
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COMMENTS ARE GLORIOUS ❤ Commenting is super impirtant!
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Whenever someone comments I squeal. All the squeal all the time no exceptions. They are DA BEST THING!
(Sometimes I worry if people think I comment just to get comments back but I SWEAR that’s not the case. I just genuinely read all of the posts and comment because I like them 😂. Arggghhh i worry too much what people think.)
I’m now off to bribe people because you told me to K THANKSSSS!
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I SQUEALED AT THIS COMMENT! And YES FOR BRIBING WITH ICE CREAM AND WAFFLES
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For some reason it never occurred to me to create a chat graphic. I’m not sure why…it seems so obvious and SO pretty! One more project to add to my new blog!
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Chat graphics ARE VERY PRETTY! Good luck
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You have some fantastic tips here 🙂 Comments are the best thing about blogging for sure – it always warms my heart to see people having something to say, reacting, answering, sharing their own experiences with me. IT is the best thing ever, really. Answering to comments, sharing the love, trying to comment back as much as I can are things I’m doing daily, well, as much as I can and it feels GOOD. I love striking up a good conversation, making friends and feeling part of the community this way 🙂
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THANK YOU MARIE!! yOu amazing person. Comments literally make ME SO HAPPY but sometimes I feel greedy for wanting all of them XD But thEY DO SHARE THE LOVE so YAY!!! for that
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I got so confused when I saw that screenshot of a comment box I was like ‘wait the post is over already we’re only at 2’ 😂 It took me a good few seconds to realise it was a screenshot haha
PUSHEEN. Pusheen is such a cute round lil kitty I love Pusheen
Anyway these are all very true and helpful! (who wouldn’t comment at the promise of free food I mean… come on. We’re all hungry little bloggers here. I’m hungry RIGHT NOW thus why I’m commenting) I really wish I had had a helpful post like this when I first started out haha. I was SO lost. I didn’t even know there was a wonderful book blogging community out there 😛 Great post!
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Ahah you know me I never do posts under 1k!!
AND YES!!! All the pusheen appreciation I love her.
I really wish I had read up on blogging advice when I first started because I was CLUELESS when I first started out. And me too! It took me a while to discover…other people’s blogs. Thanks for commenting !!
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This was *says singing* PERFECT!!!! 😀
I love comments, as you said, they make my day and they’re just one of the best things in the world!!!!!!
All the things you said are so freaking true!!!! It’s really important to have commentable posts, ask questions to readers, of course comment back (cause otherwise the blogging god will be mad), interacting with other blogs is for me the most important thing, I mean, blogging is not only about our blogs, wight? It’s about others too!!!! 😀 … And I don’t have a “comment” graphic as you said, maybe I should make one, they really seem to work!! 🙂
Again, great post!!!! 😀 ❤
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Thanks so much!! Comments like these are what makes the blogging experience so enjoyable. I’m so glad you agree with my advice, all of these things are so important but yeah interacting with others is what benefits blog growth the much. ❤
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No problem!!! And aww thank you!!!! 😀 ❤ And yeah, that's totally true 🙂
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YASSSSSSSSS. Love this post!! Doing a list comment bc why not.
1) FOR SOME REASON I LIKE THIS FEATURED IMAGE MUCH MORE THAN YOUR OTHER ONES??? I think it was a little weird to have that blue thing, but now that it’s smaller and you used white for the main one, IT LOOKS SO PRETTY!!
2) Thank you for teaching people how to change the comment prompt! EXCEPT WHY HAVEN’T YOU CHANGED YOURS.
3) Wow including your own chat graphic in your favorites CONFIDENT MUCH. 😂
4) I really want to comment back but I don’t have the time!! Hopefully I’ll have a day soon when I can do it for all the newer commenters because I REALLY appreciate their comments, gaaah. ❤
5) INTERACTION IS SO IMPORTANT!!! Some people don’t get that even though you follow a blog, that doesn’t mean they’ll follow you back! And then they think that all the commenters will flock to them but NOPE you have to really work for it!!!
6) YESSS THANK YOOOOOU. To get comments, your post has to spark discussion!! If you literally post about your day and what you did, all I can say is “wow what a great day you had!” (Okay, I can be a bit more creative than that.) But seriously, you HAVE to make people want to comment when they read your post!!!
7) And yes. BE NICE TO PEOPLE AND ALSO DON’T REPLY “Thanks!” TO EVERY COMMENT — the commenter took time to comment so you should take time to reply???
LOVE THIS POST ILSA!!!
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YAY FOR LIST COMMENTS!!!
1) Thank you!! Yeah, I think my older featured images were a little ugly but I’m still finding what works for me. Hopefully, I will stick with this one!
2)I don’t know why I haven’t changed mine yet? i really should change the prompt to something interesting?*ponders*
3)WELL I didn’t design my chat graphic and I really like it SO YES CONFIDENT MUCH!!
4) I knooow, commenting back makes me DROWN!
5)YESS!! You can’t just follow you actually have to be loyal and comment really thoughtful things on their blog! SO AGREE!
6 & 7) COULD NOT HAVE SAID IT BETTER MYSELF
THANK YOUUU!!
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I loved this blog post. I think leaving comment prompts at the bottom of blog posts is a great way to get people commenting on your post, even if they don’t post an answer to the question(s) you’ve asked. It’s like gently coaxing them to scroll down, without being as blunt as saying “give me comments/feedback!”. I don’t necessarily leave multiple questions, which could be why I have the experience I do with people not necessarily leaving replies to the question I’ve asked, but I think the way you do it is a really good way of encouraging people to comment.
I can totally see where you’re coming from with receiving blunt replies, too. I know if I’m feeling like my reply to people is becoming less genuine then I will leave my comment section for an hour or two, until I feel ready to be able to give them the reply they deserve. After all, they’re people, too, and by denouncing the effort they didn’t have to take to comment on your blog post, they’re unlikely to do so again. I also visit the blogs of people who visit my blog if they leave a link to it, and can hang around for ages checking out and commenting on their posts as a way to thank them for their input.
Whoops… sorry this has become such a long comment! I didn’t realise just how much I ramble. I tend to do that a lot when commenting on blog posts, haha!
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It makes me soooo happy that you loved this post!! Most of the time people don’t even an answer the comment prompts so now I’m like ARE THEY REALLY HELPING ME OUT or is just all in my head. But I feel like it’s a nice touch to kind of remind the reader what the post was about (especially if it was long) I’m such a goldfish so I definitely like when blogger’s include questions at the end! And I love rambling, long comments like this so don’t worry ❤ I'm more than a year late to this comment, I do apologise but this post about comments…got a lot of comments ahah. The irony.
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loving this post (and the new featured image!!) ❤
I can personally attest that bribing commenters with food always works. in my case, especiallyyyy boba. :') ALSO YES PUSHEEN CAT IS THE ABSOLUTE CUTEST!!
I feel like just replying back or taking the time to type up thoughtful comments will do wonders in promoting more interaction on your blog. it definitely siphons away a lot of time, but it's so worth it. and I totally get what you were trying to say about making your post "commentable"! (if that makes sense!!) you gotta attract more commenters by writing out posts that are relevant/relatable to them 😉
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thank you so much!!!
and ice cream/food always works. always. fool-proof plan to get more comments. we are geniuses.
i’m soOOO late to replying to this comment but thanks so much for taking the time to read this post. ❤ ❤
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that’s totally fine, I’m just replying to comments in December which is incredibly embarrassing so I can empathize with the struggle ❤ :')
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Amazing post Ilsa!! It’s true that we’ve gotta comment back and forth and make good friends!! I always do that!! And the thing about writing a question at the end is so true!!
Your featured image is quite cool!! P.s: how do you add chat graphics, I’m trying so much to put one but I don’t know what to do!!! I tried doing it in canva but the image was very small in size when I tried to insert it in my post!!! HELP in need !?!?
xxx
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WELL IM NOT A MILLION YEARS LATE TO REPLYING TO THIS OF COURSE!! Search up the featured image size for your theme on wordpress and then using those dimensions on custom dimensions on canva, you should have a correctly sized image!! HOPE THAT MADE SENSE xxxx
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Comments give me life!! And a lot of stress too hahaha sometimes it can be hard to keep up, and it’s hard to keep up with commenting on other blogs! LOOK. IT’S A COMMENT ABOUT COMMENTS. #inception
These are all amazing tips! I really wish I had read this post when I first started blogging BUT IT DIDN’T EXIST, alas.
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YEAHHH IKR!!! they make me so unbelievably happy!! i’m MORE than a year late replying to this so I TOTALLY understand how stressful they can be esp if you’re a master procrastinator like me. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment ❤
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I definitely believe in commenting back! I think that’s the nicest way to thank people for taking the time to talk to you and also keeping the conversation going! 🙂
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Commenting back is awesome! I just wish I could keep up with it more ❤
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Commenting back is like… really nice and all that, but it’s also sooo tiresome! I already feel so burnt out just thinking of catching up on my own reader that blog hopping and commenting on other people’s stuff is like oh my gaaaaahhhh where’s the time!? Plus I’m the worst procrastinator so I’m just god awful at doing this 😦
Also #7 awww I see mine!! (lower right hand corner) hehehe!
And lol at bribing people with food – I hadn’t thought of that one! 😛
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YAY Ilsa! ♥️ what a fun post and SO, SO TRUE! I LOVE getting your ice cream so I keep coming back for more! 🌈 I personally love handing out rainbows because hey I’m a color person but you certainly can’t eat them… (or CAN you!?)
I agree with May! Why haven’t you changed your prompt?! (Such a good idea too!) You know I’ve seen other bloggers chat graphics and did not even think to create my own but YOU HAVE INSPIRED ME… 💗
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ahaha I really do need to change that prompt!! And I’m so glad you like the ice cream and the post. And we should deffo be able to eat ice cream. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment – I’m like 2 years late to this ahaahha.
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This was such a great post!! I have been missing my people and their comments!! PEOPLE I NEED YOU!!! Hehehe *laughs awkwardly because shes obsessed.* Kidding! This is awesome I’m going to use this post all the time now!
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Hears “obssesed” *aproaches*. You get it cause of my name? OH NEVER MIND 😂😂
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Lollll!!!
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YAY GLAD THIS COULD HELP! Comments are the best thing ever ❤
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So glad this was helpful!! I’m so glad my hard work has paid off ❤
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Ah, this was such a fantastic post! I totally agree with leaving questions and doing well at replying to comments and just interacting with bloggers in general! It really builds a relationship, and I know that more people are likely to comment if they know you’ll comment back or reply to their comment or just acknowledge them in some way! I also would add that being aware of the posts you’re posting will help you; you can’t expect to get TOO many comments if all you comment is review after review after review! It doesn’t leave much to say!
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Thank you! I am so late on replying to this (well 2 days is LATE FOR ME?!!) but I think this comment is exactly what I think! Reviews definitely don’t get much comments (though mine still get a handful) so you’ve got to make sure your post has something people WANT to comment on and is something unique. Like DISCUSSIONS (Which you are queen of!)
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[…] my post’s title!! **Totally inspired by Ilsa @ A Whisper of Ink! Thanks […]
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Thanks, I needed this ! Not a lot of people comment on my posts so mabye that will change soon after this post.😀
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AGH! I’m going to comment on your latest post ASAP now ❤
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Thanks 🙂
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COMMENT BACK COMMENT BACK COMMENT BACK. This is fool proof, also it’s super duper nice and I kind of freak out when it happens to me because I’m like WOW FAVORITE BLOG COMMENTED ON MY BLOG HOLY PLUMS WHAT IS MY LIFE?? And then I go back to their blog again and again and agaaaaiiin.
I try my best to comment back. This does get overwhelming, I absolutely agree. This is why I have dedicated one day (saturday) to go comment back for all of the comments I have received that week. This is another reason why comment luv is my bff because I can just go click that and BAM I’m on their blog.
Also, yes I like food. However, I really would like some pizza…WITH PINEAPPLES. Will you give me this?? PLEASE??
I try to respond to comments in proportion to how that person commented. Or if I REALLY am struggling to come up with a meaningful reply, I come back to it later.
Lovely post, Ilsa! xx
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I LOVE WHEN BLOGGERS COMMENT BACK (like you) when I saw this comment I went ‘HOLY PLUMS KRIS JUST COMMENTED ON MY BLOG’ and then did a happy dance. BUUUT, I have tried commenting back BUT I DROWN IN ALL THE COMMENTS *Dies* Like I think having a day dedicated to replying to comments and commenting back is good but I still find it hard. I know I would probably get more frequent visitors IF I DID Comment back but replying to comments already requires a nap.
*gives pizza with pineapple* I DO NOT WANT THIS *shivers*
BUT THANK YOU KRIS for this sweet comment ❤
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[…] else but books… Well maybe about blogging too! Which is where her post comes in… 10 Perfectly Fool-Proof Ways to Encourage Fickle Humans to Comment on Your Blog Posts! (YES! That mouthful was her title NOT mine, lol…) Check it out though because she has the […]
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All great advice! I do find asking specific questions helps because it gives people a place to start. Also writing long posts. Nothing is more disappointing to me than finding a discussion post with an interesting title, and then going to read to realize it’s literally five sentences long.
Also, yes, be friendly! I think I’ve run into disgruntled bloggers maybe twice in my six years of blogging. (In that I left what I thought was a reasonable, thoughtful comment on their blog and they actually replied something like, “You’re wrong and missed and the entire point of my post.” In those words.) Needless to say, I unfollowed those people and do not comment on their blogs. And after looking around a bit more, I realized hardly anyone else comments on their posts either. Probably everyone is too scared!
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YES, asking questions really helps and asking questions about YOUR READERS also really encourages comments! Sometimes I am stuck as to WHAT i should ask but I always manage to come up with something ANd even if no one actually uses those questions, they are still there to remind people what my long post was about XD XD
Yes! I really like long quality content. I usually unfollow blogs who post every day with 50-word long posts EVERY DAY. Because their content usually isn’t too good and I find my comments to be pointless.
I totally get that! Sometimes bloggers can be straight up rude but generally, the community is really amazing so there are only a few rude onions around. Thank god for that!
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I started my blog to meet more ‘bookies’, and these are definitely fun and
great ideas! Thank you!
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Your welcome!
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Hahahahaha…great tips! And they do work…you got me to comment! 😀
Seriously, LOVED the post! Fun and informative at the same time. Keep them coming!
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Aww I am so glad! Thanks so much, glad this was helpful!
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These are such great tips! As a new blogger I truly appreciate it as it helped so much! 🙂
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Glad they helped you out!!
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I love this post! It’s really clever and well-written and helpful and funny and now I am really conscientious of the comment I’m writing. 😉 GREAT JOB, ISLA!
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I’m going to pretend but i’m not forever and a half late replying to this but i’m genuinely so happy you enjoyed my post!!
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[…] 💛 Jordon talks about pet peeves in books 💛 Mikaela talks about the dilemma of reading diverse books as a diverse reader 💛 Marie talks about relatable blogging worries and anxiety 💛 And also shared more about her WIP and AESTHETICS!! 💛 Inside My Library Mind shares a reading list for Hermione Granger 💛 Fadwa talks about Muslim representation she wants more of 💛 Analee talks about fictional schools she wants to attend 💛 Elly posted again!! And it’s another lovely playlist, this time for the month August 💛 Annemieke went to Harry Potter The Exhibition 💛 Shouni wonders if authors should keep expanding their own universes 💛 Bridget shares her blog design resources 💛 A.J. has a guide for LGBTQ+ book spine colours for Bookstagram rainbows 💛 Charlotte talks about her Melbourne Writers Festival Experience 💛 It’s the end of May’s writing challenge she hosted, and thus she shares writing advice and snippets of beautiful writing 💛 Ilsa shares 10 perfectly fool-proof ways to encourage people to leave comments on your posts […]
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These tips are super helpful to a newbie blogger like me. Thanks for the advice and the dose of humor too! 🙂
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Your welcome!! GLAD THIS HELPED!!
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These are such helpful tips for World Domination!!! I mean… blogging. Good work!
But seriously! I have been trying to do a lot of these things already, and it is just nice to see confirmation that some of these things are good ideas because most of the time I don’t know what I am doing.
Comments are awesome. I love getting comments and commenting on other people’s blogs. It is one of the best parts of blogging to be honest! I find it a little strange because in real life I do not talk to people, but on my blog I am the most talkative bean ever and I want to know WHAT HAPPENED.
I just have to say, you are spectacular at replying to comments, and I have no idea how you do it, but I applaud you for your dedication! You are one of the bloggers who has made me feel enthusiastically welcomed into the blogging world, and I am very grateful for that!
Food is always essential when blogging. No one questions that. Penguins are important too.
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WORLD DOMINATION??…i’ obviously have noooo clue what you’re talking about. HAHAH.ahhaha.aahah.aaha. (how did you find out about THOSE plans??)
and i never have a clue what i’m doing, join the CLUB!! and aha it’s ironic you say i’m good at replying to comments because i’m like 2 years late to replying to this GO ME!!! penguinnnns ❤
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Haha, nice to hear from you again. Ilsa! I am glad you have NO plans WHATSOEVER to take over the world or anything like that.
Yes, penguins. 🙂
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[…] another topic and to end on a great note, I wanted to say that the lovely Ilsa wrote a great post on how to make people comment on your blog post. It was a lot of fun, so you should read […]
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I must have missed that other post, so:
INFJ. Spices are delicious. Pineapple on pizza is heaven (don’t be hatin’). I’d rather be a witch than a wizard, sounds more mythical. Penguins are… penguins? And the sun hurts my eyes! *hiss* *vampire*
OMG, the only time I will say “thanks for your comment” and nothing else is when the comment looks like: “Great post, thanks for joining it. Check out my blog!” And I’m just like SERIOUSLY?! Did you even read it or are you and advertising machine. Pfft.
I DO LIKE YOUR FEATURED IMAGES. They remind me of Em’s on The Keystroke Blog, except black & white. Nice and tidy.
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NOO PINEAPPLE ON PIZZA really disgusts me?! I LOVE WITCH BOOKS but Wizards are cool? Ooh I haven’t heard of that blog, I’ll check it out!
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You know what I need to do?? I NEED TO MAKE A CHATTING GRAPHIC. Thank you for reminding me. Also this is a great post because WHO DOESN’T LOVE COMMENTS. they are so much fun because making friends is so much fun! And maybe I have to start employing the “bribe with food” tactic…
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CHATTING GRAPHICS ARE PERFECTION!! And thank youuu!
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Clever, funny and totally spot on! I am definitely going to check out canva or pic monkey. I have wondered where to get these graphics. Great tip, thanks!
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AHHH THANK YOU!!!
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Thank you for this! Loved reading what you’ve had to say and judging by the number of comments you have on this post alone, they clearly work!😂 To me commenting back seems the most efficient. Although I can sometimes be a bit delayed in replying to comments🙈. Thankfully my followers don’t hold it against me
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YEP THANK YOU!! Commenting back is great though hectic!
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thanks for the tips! I`m just starting out on the book blog community, so this really helps!
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YAY!! good luck
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You have some great advice here! And I love Pusheen as well!!
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Thank you! PUSHEEEEN
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Great advice in a very fun way! Thanks for making me laugh, I really enjoyed your post!
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Aww thanks so much!!
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Lol thank you for the tip and keeping it humorous at the same time! 👏🙌👍
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Your welcome!
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[…] Ilsa @ A Whisper of Ink is another amazingly wonderful book blogger writing incredible posts, reviews and overall an amazing human being. […]
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Comments are the best! I’ve been working really hard on trying to up the engagement on my blog lately, so this post was very helpful to me. Thank you for writing it! I totally agree with you on the commenting back to the people who comment on your blog. I understand when really big bloggers with lots of followers don’t have the time, but when someone with a relatively small blog doesn’t take the time to check you out in return it makes me v sad 😦 You miss out on so much when you don’t check out you comments because that’s how you make friends! I’ve met so many more lovely bloggers since I started making more of an effort with my comments section.
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I LOVE COMMENTS!! and i’m so sorry i’m a million years late replying to this!! and yeah i get that it can be disheartening but even small bloggers get busy or stressed? i don’t comment back and while i don’t think i’m a small blogger (not a big blogger) i think no matter your popularity, commenting back can be really hard! thanks for reading ❤
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This is one of the most helpful blog posts I’ve read about engagement and commenting. I feel the way about comment notifications, and my heart skips a beat when I hear the WordPress app notification sound (is that lame? Haha). It never occurred to me actually go visit someone else’s blog after they comment *facepalm*, although I do really try to make an effort to reply to everyone if I can. Great post! 😀
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OMG YEAHHHH IM SO GLAD THIS WAS HELPFUL!!! and aha i love getting comments, this one was great! Commenting back can bre great for growth but also reallly stressful!! Thanks for taking the time to read my post ❤
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[…] Ilsa shared a few nuggets of wisdom on how to encourage comments. […]
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[…] related: how to encourage people to comment on your blog. […]
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Okay so this is my second post I’m reading by you today and honestly, apart from being super helpful and interesting, I just wanted to say: you are HILARIOUS. I am honestly in love with how you write your posts 🙂
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Great post! It’s easy to forget about some of these points, but they are so important! Like you write in point nine it is really important to be friendly whenever commenting or replying to comments. From my experience however quite a few people forget to think about how they come across when writing. When communicating online we loose the non verbal cues that we usually rely on when communicating in real life. As a result it makes it more challenging to percept a comment correctly, which again may lead to misunderstanding and miscommunication.
Still working on the design for my blog, but will definitely look into getting some chat graphics! =)
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You have some great advice here! And I love Pusheen as well!!
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