If I like an article in your site, I’ll be glad to write something meaningful in comments rather than to pass it onto Digg/Twitter/Facebook and make them more popular instead. I feel that is letting down the article writer badly. If the writer finds more comments than tweets/retweets and diggs he/she’ll be more happy and will find more inspiration to write more in the future. Interaction of writer and reader is so important.

OGenius
Mac Aficionados

Of course, the obvious reason for RT’ing is to share this information with followers.

Do I think RT’ing takes away from commenting? No, because the typical RT barely adds additional thought. Although, Chris Brogan often creates his own message when sharing RT’d information.

In the end, people who want to comment, will. Just assume that many of your readers just do not have much to say OR they are not bloggers themselves.

I find that bloggers learn to comment on other people’s blogs because they too want others to comment on their stuff. With A-Listers, they have tons of bloggers following them and all vying for attention. For many of us less known authors, our work falls on family and friends who probably don’t blog at all. Let alone, RT.

Keep doing what you’re doing. Write, comment on other people’s blog, and engage with your own readers where ever they may be, and the number of comments will increase. It may never match the number of RT’s but it will increase.

P.S. To find out where your stuff is being read and commented on, check out http://analytics.postrank.com and use referral code: “grooved-gull”

I find this service has helped me realize the power of engagement and to go where people are talking about my comments.

Thanks for writing!