7 Tips To Increase Your Blog Comments
A Repost from Charlene Kingston in Social media Examiner
Tip#1: Check your blog comments settings
Do you make it easy for someone to leave a comment?
That might sound like a crazy question until you look closely at the comments settings available in the two most popular blogging platforms, WordPress and Blogger. Both platforms give you options for limiting who can post comments on your blog without really explaining the impact of your choices.
Tip #2: Ask for comments
At the end of your blog post, always ask the reader to leave a comment. It’s like telling someone a story and then saying, “Well, what do you think?” I recommend that you write a customized comment request statement at the end of each blog post. Rather than writing a generic statement (“Post your comments below”), be specific. Write a unique comment request based on the blog post content.
Tip #3: Write a blog comment policy
It’s your blog. You can set the rules for what makes a safe conversation zone for your community. What you choose depends on your business and your community, along with your own sensibilities.
For example, the blog for a pub might allow more colorful language than a blog for home schooling.
When defining your comment policy, think about these factors
Tip #4: Provide comment instructions
Do you moderate comments from first-time commenters? Do you have a blog comment policy? Why not include this information right next to the Submit button for your comments?
This type of just-in-time information helps a new blog commenter to get the information she needs to feel confident before placing her first comment.
Tip #5: Respond to comments
While building your blog community, you should respond to every blog comment. It shows people that you are paying attention and that you respect your community.
You want to reply to comments quickly after they post. Most blogging software allows you to set up email notifications when new comments appear. You don’t have to respond immediately, but you should respond within one business day.
Tip #6: Make people feel good about their comments
What you say when you respond to a comment makes a huge difference in how that person feels about your online community. Your attitude and opinion of their comment leaks through in your word choices and the points you make.
Tip #7: Build community with your replies
Bring a sense of appreciation to your blog comments and to your commenters. They didn’t have to read your post. They didn’t have to leave a comment. In fact, they don’t have to be part of your community. They chose these things.
Always look for something smart in every blog comment, a great point that you can reply to even if you don’t agree with the commenter’s opinion. You’ve had your say in the post. Now, listen to their opinions and leave a reply that makes commenters feel good about you, your business and your online community. You do that by making them feel great about their comment.
To see the whole piece go to socialmediaexaminer.com