Top 5 Methods To Show Your Readers You Care
When you set up a new blog at some point after adding in content and performing smart marketing promotions, you will get a few blog readers and or visitors trickling in now and again.
You will want to treat these readers like they’re gold. Because they are. If you need a few tips on ways to show your initial readers that you care and want them to come back again and again, below are a few tips to keep them coming back for more.
image (via how to blog a book)
1. Reward Comments – there are several ways to reward a comment on your blog site. One is via a WordPress plugin called “Top Commenters” which you can see in action here on the NetChunks blog, see it on the homepage right above the blue Facebook box. This plugin as the name implies, will list your top commenters along with a link to their blog and the link can be made dofollow via the plugin. This is one excellent, quick, easy (and free) way to reward comments on your blog.
2. Acknowledge Their Contribution – if a reader happens to ask a valid question in the comments area, be sure to take the time to answer his or her question, as best you can. If you don’t know the answer, feel free to direct him or her to a reputable source such as an article on Problogger, Wikipedia or a trusted (and related) friends blog. The point is to respond to comments and never let a question or complaint go unnoticed on your site.
3. Link to Them – what blog owner doesn’t squeal with delight at discovering that a fellow blogger linked to them? All of us love a good link. So with that in mind, one of the best ways to thank a commenter or reader on your site is show him a little link love. Go to his blog and see if which article is deserving and or which one can be used as a resource to link to in your next (or upcoming) article. Never underestimate the power you possess as a fellow blogger on the web. We love you and appreciate all your hard work.
4. Tweet About them – another awesome way to mark a readers contribution is to follow them on Twitter and spread some social media hugs and kisses. Do so via a tweet about one of their articles, business, service, product, etc. And don’t forget the @ symbol so they get notice of your tweet.
5. Show Some Facebook Love – regardless of how you feel about Facebook, most likely your reader is on it. And alot. So with that in mind and out of the way, you know that a status update or LIKE on their site is another free, quick and sure-fire way to express gratitude and appreciation for their visit and or comment. Give it to them and freely.
BONUS: Accept guest posts. If you have yet to allow and accept guest articles on your site, why not. What is keeping you from doing so? Let me know in the comment area. If you do allow guest posts – good for you! You are now considered a Super Blogga and you should claim your badge at once. Wait! there’s no such thing. Maybe I should make some.
My point is that if you get creative about ways to truly thank and show appreciation for your readers and visitors, they will multiply. You may only have a small number now, but give it time and follow my steps and you’ll have a flourishing community in no time. It takes work, lots of networking and the tips above to grow your community.
Category: Blogging
About the Author (Author Profile)
This article was written by Missy Diaz, a top niche affiliate blog master and author of the upcoming Kindle book and ebook called Super Blogga. A guide aimed at new blog owners with over 70 tips tricks and techniques to take your blog from zero to hero.Subscribe
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it.
Comments (35)
Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed
Sites That Link to this Post
- profitblogcom | June 22, 2011
I think the best is to reply to every comment of the website. Regarding linking and twitter, I am not sure that it may work, as probably they will not be able to see it and twitter widgets are pretty heavy as need to connect to twitter API.
Hi, Jack:
Replying to comments is essential. But you would be surprised a to how many blog owners – do not. I sometimes may not get to a comment right away, but I do get to it.
Linking and Twitter are optional. But they’re just extra steps to take to show a reader, visitor and or commenter – you care.
Thanks for your comment.
Cheers,
Missy
i agree, it’s a great idea to show your readers that you care by sending some link juice their way as well. It only takes a minute of your time, but helps establish relationships, and is a nice gesture.
Ben recently posted..Blogging For Profit: Unconventional Avenues To Bring In Revenue
Hi, Ben:
Link juice is an excellent way to show show reader appreciation for sure. Visit their blog and find something to link to.
Unless their blog is horrific – their should be something there.
Cheers,
Missy
This is a good list and I have to admit mentioning other blogs is not something that has crossed my mind. I think it is all to easy to get so heavily focused on your own stuff that sometimes you forget to look beyond your own domain and the larger picture.
Thanks
Dave
Hi, Dave:
Yes! we do tend to get heavily focused on our own blog sites and to the detriment of the blogosphere. As we are all connected and tied in many ways, reach out and touch another blogger. Every chance you get!
Thanks for dropping by.
Best,
Missy
Twitter: sureshpeterss
says:
One more tip
you can add some hello bar in your site, you can wish for any new year , festivals . it ads more effective too
sureshpeters recently posted..Free Download Mozilla Firefox 5 For windows ,Mac, Linux In Your Lanugage
Hi, Suresh:
The Hello Bar has taken the blog world by storm and many now use it on their sites. I too use it on some of my niche affiliate sites. It works!
Cheers,
Missy
Twitter: sureshpeterss
says:
Got one more idea, daily tips on your niche
will add extra love to your site
sureshpeters recently posted..Free Download Mozilla Firefox 5 For windows ,Mac, Linux In Your Lanugage
Another way to show your care is by giving them giveaways.
Asad recently posted..10 Best Games to Play on iPad 2
Hey, Asad:
You’re right. Readers love giveaways, especially the type that involves a quick and easy entry. Such as on Twitter or Facebook.
Thanks for your comment.
When you tweet about or mention your readers in one of your posts, it makes them stoked and feel special. I’ll agree with Asad that giving giveaways is one way too of showing your care by giving them rewards.
Thomas recently posted..Lave priser på charterferier i august ved godt sommervejr
@Thomas:
It only makes sense to honor a reader that has taken the time and initiative to support you – by linking to them, tweeting or joining their Facebook fan page.
Not only that but it’s likely that there is a related niche as well. Might as well sync up and become a duel, trio or mini-group.
Cheers,
Missy
Very good points. I always try to repay those who take time to comment and RT my links.
Howdy, A Tatum:
Absolutely! That’s why we blog right.
p.s. Thanks for joining in and dropping your comment.
No problem!
A. Tatum Jr recently posted..What is Your Online Identity: Reloaded
I believe that we should really show care to the readers… One of the ways would be replying to their comment ang giving importance to their feedback…
Bettie J. Brown recently posted..Why Dogs Eat Grass And Not Just Sheep?
Hola, Bettie:
Replying to comments shows courtesy and appreciation. It’s the least a blog owner can do to show he or she cares.
Right you are.
Twitter: Josyladblog
says:
@ Asad, you are very right I have discovered that sites with giveaways always have Large readers.
@ Missy, I accept Guest Post on my Blog
@Joseph:
Giveaways when done right, tend to bring in traffic and that’s always a good thing. The trick is to choose a good prize and make giveaway entry easy.
Thanks for visiting.
Those are good technics. will try with my own site.
SSC Aero recently posted..World’s Fastest Cars (SSC Ultimate Aero TT competitors)
Those are good technics. will try with my own site.
ps: sorry for previous post, you can delete it.
SSC Aero recently posted..World’s Fastest Cars (SSC Ultimate Aero TT competitors)
Give the tips above a try and let us know how it works out.
Cheers!
I believe it depend on the niche of particular blog, but some of those points are evergreen and work very well. Rewards and promotions are one of the best way to attract visitors.
Hi, Maggie:
You’re right. Some niches are better left without the comment feature in place, such as an affiliate site. Since what you want are sales, not a community.
Thanks for your comment.
Thank you for this article. I run a website that shows funny videos on Youtube and I keep looking for ways to get my users involved. This really helps!
Hey, Jeremy:
That is one sweet video site you have there. What theme are you using or is it a custom job?
Would love to know.
Cheers,
Missy
There have been a lot of blog posts about showing love to your commentators! I agree, some of the most popular are the Top Commentator ranks, as well as links. Quite a few blogs I read have an End of the Month blog posts talking about their Top Commentator, or the Top 3, with small blurbs about their blogs and links. It’s pretty awesome, and every month is a new mini-competition to see who will win the award for the following month. Pretty great!
Delena
Delena Silverfox recently posted..Hireko Golf Coupon Code
Great idea. I always read blogs that “spotlight” other bloggers and I think it’s great because the blogging world is a community of its own. This shows humbleness as well as being personal, rather than just a robot that writes and blogs. Great tips.
I have some blogs that I didn’t visit any more because the owners haven’t answered to my comments (they were not spam). I think that it means showing disrespect to your readers and the reputation – and as a result – popularity – of such sites is low.
Other things I would add: always to reply to their comments/e-mails and give away free stuff from time to time.
Twitter: techcrates
says:
Very well written Missy ….
All the 5 methods just work gr8 to engage with readers … Thanks for the share
Salman recently posted..HTC EVO 3D: First 3D Smartphone
This is very good idea if blog owner don’t reply to their reader then reader too don’t take much interest.
Twitter: phxazlaura
says:
Hi, Missy –
I love this post – what a great synthesis of easy, organic ways to encourage more interactivity among blog readers! I’m doing my own post about the importance of commenting today, so I will feature your steps with a link back. Many thanks for the great content.
Laura (aka Marcie Brock)
Laura Orsini (aka Marcie Brock) recently posted..Encyclopedia Brown and the case of the disappearing Britannica