Writers write for readers. OK, I may sound like the
proverbial broken record, at least to those who actually remember records. I
have certainly said that before. But it’s true.
What can bloggers do
to encourage readers to visit their sites?
Quality content, consistent posts, niche writing, and
appealing images are critical. Search engine optimization (SEO) is important.
Eventually, however, devoted bloggers discover that the
weblog community tends to foster itself. Those who blog seem to enjoy reading
other blogs. So how can participants invite other bloggers (and their readers) to
visit and follow their posts?
Here’s a simple step, all too often missed, that sends
readers to blogs like children and little critters to the legendary Pied Piper of Hamelin.
Commenting is a key to
successful blogging.
I belong to a few online blogging groups, primarily for
networking and technical tips. Often, we share ideas for promoting our blog
sites.
Sure, we may Tweet links to our blog posts. We may include
them in Facebook posts or put them up on Google+, Linked In, or similar social
sites. Every link helps, if it positions a blog out there.
As vast and sterile as cyberspace may seem, a personal
approach still works. Savvy bloggers read blogs a-plenty and leave pertinent
comments on every post they peruse.
Here’s a secret. (OK, maybe it’s not really a secret.)
Here’s a secret. (OK, maybe it’s not really a secret.)
Every blog comment form offers the reader an opportunity to
provide a link to his or her own website. What’s more, the commenter’s name
(either a real name or screen name) is usually hyperlinked to Google+ or
another site of choice.
Ideally, a smart blogger will leave one hyperlinked title,
leading the host blogger and that blog’s subsequent readers to a relevant post.
(Click here to read Super-Simple
Linking (how to make HTML hyperlinked blog comments.)
The blogger who reads, but does not stop to comment, are
simply skipping an opportunity to share a link to his or her blog.
.
.
What makes a great
blog comment?
Bloggers generally welcome intelligent and cogent comments
that refer to their posts, revealing that readers have actually absorbed their
content. Considerate readers try to incorporate keywords from blog posts in
comments. This can give such entries a boost in search engines.
Comments on blog posts may be controversial or constructive,
but they need to be courteous, or they may be deleted.
The biggest danger is for a blogger’s comment to be tagged
as spam. Comments like “Nice blog” and “Why haven’t I seen this before?” may
end up in trash folders or be robotically flagged. Likewise, those containing
too many links are likely to be removed.
Consider these two
pairs of commenting examples. Which of these comments would you rather see on your own blog?
“Fine post.
Glad I stopped by.”
or
“I wish I had
read your helpful observations about post-operative care for an appendectomy before
I went through it myself.”
“Sweet blog!
Have you tried the new XYZ techno-gadget with whiz-bang features?”
or
“Your insights
on organic fertilization options for azaleas are practical and helpful. My
garden flowers thank you.”
An intelligent and appropriate blog comment, including a hyperlink
to a pertinent post (or to the commenter’s own blog) can reap benefits for both
blogger and readers. Why miss the chance?
.
.
Image/s:
Pied Piper
.
.
I don't always comment, because I don't always feel I have something intelligent to say. (And sometimes, because I'm a little afraid to disagree with the person who posted.) I know I should probably comment though, so that's what I've been trying to do. :D
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more, but do find myself often frustrated. I may visit, read, and comment on 20-25 blogs daily and get 5 responses in that people actually return the favor by coming to my blog and leaving a comment. I also get frustrated when people send an email instead of visiting the blog. I purposely have left my email off 2 of my 4 blogs and will sometimes get a nasty comment like. I tried to email you but you have that feature turned off. Email to me is only appropriate instead of a return blog visit/comment when it's personal...and if it's personal, those folks have my email addy. Same thing with people who join linky's. The whole point is more readership. Argh...I do though keep trying.
ReplyDeleteAnd now am your newest follwer.
This is one thing I've known for a while, but haven't really put into practice. I always get a little tongue-tied when trying to comment, probably (as Rena said) because I don't feel like I have anything intelligent to say.
ReplyDelete