Quality over quantity is good in my book. I usually comment when I have something to say. I will admit that at times I’ve left a comment just to see if I could connect with the blogger, but even them I’m trying to leave a quality comment on a quality post.

@David – That’s interesting, though it makes a lot of sense. I look at someone like Darren Rowse and think how many emails he must get each day and how he could possibly find the time to open them all let alone read them. Then again I have emailed Darren and he’s replied very quickly.

Not too long ago Skellie looked at comments on a blog vs the number of subscribers the blog had. I forget what if any numbers she ran, but it was an interesting post. I can find it if you’re interested and haven’t seen it yet. Her point was that some blogs shouldn’t show subscriber counts because the amount of comments they received gave the impression the blog had more subscribers than it really did.

True though, that commenters are a rarer breed than you might think.

@Forrest – Trying to grow comments is certainly one reason for removing nofollow. There are lots of other things you can do also if you want more comments. Asking for them helps. If you end posts with a question or two it seems to lead to an extra comment or two.

Usually if you can get one or two people to comment more will comment after. I think some people want to comment, but don’t want to be first. Once they see others commenting they’ll join in the conversation.

When you compare numbers of inlinks, and subscribers with average numbers of comments one thing really becomes apparent. Commenters are probably the smallest minority of people in the blogosphere. No matter how big a blogger gets you can’t afford to alienate your commenters if you want to have any – statistically there just aren’t very many of us.

Blogging is like anything else, if you want to get noticed you have to work at it. I’m fairly choosy about where I comment and to whom I link, mostly because I think quality trumps quantity. I’d rather have fewer links to quality blogs than many links to every blog that comes down the pike. Linking to dreck isn’t going to get me anywhere. Plus, if I don’t respect or enjoy the blog or the writer, it doesn’t matter how popular they are, I don’t want my work associated with their work.

As for the ProBloggers being busier and less likely to need my link or my paltry influence, I can only say this. We all started at the bottom at one time or another. Those people who stay at the top are the ones who remember that they were once at the bottom, and who are willing to lend a helping hand to others.

What I like most in your post is your idea of “PROMOTION”, that networking with bloggers with higher influence may lead to promotion. This is particularly true in a workplace where you have to get the favor of your bosses to improve your chances of getting promoted. However, my idea of networking can be compared to a “Democratic Election” where in order to become the President, you must get the support of the people. Support from a mayor or a senator may improve your chances of winning but does not guarantee success.

It was a long read but I’ve enjoyed it. Happy blogging.

I totally concede to that statement. This was by far a good analysis. Thanks for a very insightful post.

@Aurelius – Thanks. I’m glad you liked the post.

@Rocai – Thanks. I hope I made it clear in the post that I do agree with everything you said. I guess I disagree a little that probloggers aren’t necessarily generous, but otherwise I agree with everything.

The analogy to a democratic election makes sense. In that case it would make sense to network with as many people as possible and if it’s the numbers your after going after the less known bloggers is absolutely the way. Using your same analogy, though if you can network with a few influential people at a major news source those connections can go on to get many of the people on your side.

Sorry for the long read, but I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for your post as well. I read it last night and it got me thinking about this one and like I said I do agree with your assessment.