Black Eyed Pea Soup and “How to Get Comments”

You may remember last week, Abby gave us some wonderful tips to being a “Super Star Blogger”.

Today, I’m giving you a rundown on how to get comments (not like I’m an expert or anything since I think the most I’ve had is probably like 60; from a giveaway…but more on that later). Remember sarcasm is my first language so save your hate mail:

1. Giveaways/Competition/Freebies – Of course this is number one. “Free” anything will bring out the shyest lurkers out of their hole. Posts about giveaways and competitions are undisputedly one of the biggest comment getters. Let’s not forget, the bigger is the prize, more will be the number of people (comments) participating in it. So want comments? giveaway a piano or a country or something.

2. Rant….a lot! People like reading rants cause it gives them a chance to vent also. When they do so, they don’t feel as shitty about having it bottled up like they did. I’ve been to so many therapists that I can pretty much rant to a telephone pole to get it out me. Hence I don’t feel all that compelled to comment on a rant post. Rant over!

4) Threaten: Say your considering closing up blog shop, no one wants to feel responsible for making another blogger abandon his quest-towards-health-blog. Its very “unhealthy”.

5) “Confess”: Confession posts are fun because you learn there are people out there who do even worse things than you. This is a sure fire way  to get people to comment.

6) Gossip:Let’s face it, we are creatures that thrive off talking about other people. Whether it be Kim Kardashian or some other blogger, it will bring comments (but I’m warning, they won’t always be very nice ones…). Its doesn’t have to be bad things. Say how you think Charlie Sheen should consider doing a “Venus” commercial or how a certain blogger is a genius for making a bowl of oatmeal or doing a triatholon while raising seven kids and still managing to have time to get a book deal.

7) Ask for tips: For some reason, whenever I see a “share your tips” post, tons of bloggers and readers come to the rescue. I’m surprised there aren’t as many DIY books from bloggers with all the tip sharing going on (not that its a bad thing).

8) Debate: Start a heated debate on whether a overnight-chiaseed-bloob-protein funnel cake-in-a-jar is better or healthier than nooch crusted “faux”tato smoothie. Trust me, this can get heated!

9) Share a great triumph: Not necessarily poking fun at this one, but every time I say something about my eating disorder or my mom’s death, comments usually come in. So if your REALLY desperate for comments, say how you lost 1000 pounds, how you saved a baby from a speeding car, how you overcame some disease (never had a disease? make one up!), etc. Be creative, most people won’t do a fact check.

10) Write a post about blogging: Write a post like I did right now! Or like the one abby wrote. Posts about the actual blogosphere gets people talking. Personally, I love it when these posts generate comments because there usually is debate between other commenters which makes my heart flutter slightly. I know, I’m weird.

And since I feel awful for not writing up a recipe yesterday, I leave you with this bowl of goodness:

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 large onion (or two large leeks), diced
• 1 large carrot, sliced
• 1 stalk celery, sliced
• 4 cloves of garlic, sliced
• 1 sprig fresh thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper, or to taste
• 4 cups veggie/chicken broth
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 lbs dried black eye peas (soaked overnight if you don’t have a pressure cooker) and of you don’t want to use dried, use 1 can of black-eyed peas, rinsed

 

Heat oil in a large pot (or your pressure cooker) over medium heat. Add onion, carrot and celery and cook, stirring, until just tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Add sliced garlic, thyme and crushed red pepper and cook, stirring, until fragrant (about 15 seconds). Increase heat to high and add broth, tomatoes and their juice, and the black eyed peas. If used a pressure cooker, lock the lid on the pressure cooker. Bring to high pressure. Lower heat to maintain high pressure for 20 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally. Open it up and discard the thyme sprig. If your NOT using a pressure cooker (get one! but if you aren’t taking my advice….), bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits. Reduce heat to maintain a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the veggies are tender (about 20-30 min) Discard the thyme sprig and serve!