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Inviting reader interaction on your blog

January 19, 2012 By 58 Comments
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Reader interaction aka commenting, accomplishes many things for a blog planet

  • It helps add user generated content.
  • It also helps pull in more readers.
  • People want to participate and see what everyone’s talking about.

But getting reader interaction isn’t always easy. Here are a few tried and true strategies for getting more interaction on your articles and blog posts.

Share a picture or video

We’re visual people. When we see a picture that makes us laugh, smile, cry or get angry, we are motivated to comment on it –  because it triggered an emotional reaction. The old cliche “a picture says a thousand words” has never been more apt. A good strong image can say more than any article or blog post. But posting a cat pic on a business blog isn’t going to do you any favours – make the pic relevant to your blog’s theme or business values.

Respond to comments

When you respond to comments you start a discussion. Other people may feel the desire to put their two cents in. If you don’t respond to the comments, then the conversation may stop there.  Just one comment saying thanks for all your comments doesn’t wash either. If you want to motivate more readers to chime in and offer their opinion, insight and comments, then always make time to respond personally to each and every comment. It’s important to you and to your reader.

 Spark a controversy or discussion by presenting a potentially heated topic

Not one of my favourite ways but controversy tends to motivate people to share their opinion. Take care here. If controversy doesn’t fit your brand or personality, then stick with publishing newsworthy content. Again, people often feel motivated to share their opinion on both controversial and newsworthy topics.

Share a personal story

Within the body of your article or blog post, share a story. Take time to share something personal that relates to the content of your blog post. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or long winded. When you share a story, it motivates others to share their story. You can find yourself learning a lot about your readers and prospects when you use this technique. Remember;  it’s a fine line between sharing a story and making the post all about you, rather than your reader.

and finally…

Ask for it

One of the best ways to get more interaction is to ask for it.  It doesn’t matter if you’re writing an article or a blog post. Here are just a few questions (sometimes called calls to action) that you can include at the end of your blog post:

  • What’s your experience?
  • Do you have any advice on?
  • What do you think?
  • Have you ever…?
  • What’s your favorite?
  • Do you remember when…?

Of course some topics lend themselves to this approach better than others. A blog post on a home cooking site about your favorite soup recipe is likely to get a lot of  comments. People love to share their favorite recipes. However, a blog post about how to soak lentils isn’t likely to get much feedback unless you ask for advice or information about different soaking strategies and even then you may not get many responses…

If you have a blog, reader activity and comments are seen add to credibility to your blog. Remember though, people also share and the conversation could take place on another social media channel.  Additionally comments tend to motivate more reader interaction, links and increased traffic.

So, come and share with me your tips for getting more interaction.

Sarah

Sarah Arrow

Sarah Arrow

Director of Special Projects at Sark eMedia
Blogging an issue for you? Social media not quite working how it should be? I started out as a transport blogger for a same day courier company, and grew into a kick-ass blog coach as well as creator of Birds on the Blog (listed 3 times by Forbes as a top 100 website for women). You want your blog to make a difference, so subscribe here and stay in touch, my updates will help you connect the dots.
Sarah Arrow
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Comments

  1. Ben Williams says:
    January 19, 2012 at 10:19 am

    Hi Sarah,

    My tip would be to end on a question, or if not a question, then something to make them think.

    Also, as you said, ask; if you don’t ask, you don’t get!

    Thanks,
    Ben Williams
    Keepers Accountancy
    Ben Williams recently posted..Bookkeeping – Should You Do It Yourself, Or Should You Outsource It?My Profile (dofollow)

    Reply
  2. Jonathan Watson says:
    January 19, 2012 at 10:21 am

    great article and captures the blogging to social media connection very well, superb!

    Reply
  3. HerMelness Speaks says:
    January 19, 2012 at 10:21 am

    Hello, Sarah.

    Well done on this initiative by the way.

    To any new blogger I always say ‘offer and write as your authentic self’. That way the writing comes easy, is not a chore and you don’t have to remember what you thought about a topic – you will always know.

    I see so many bloggers floundering with different ‘personalities’ they see being successful, not realising that they are successful because they are writing content which is engaging and coming from their true selves. People read people, and tend not to follow people they can’t get a read on. (Pun intended).

    Be authentic is the best advice I could give any blogger. Doesn’t matter if you don’t appeal to all people – that’s life and is the same for the blogging world.
    HerMelness Speaks recently posted..The Bermuda Triangle Age Of Women: Contains Scenes Of Mild ThreatMy Profile (dofollow)

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  4. Jane Child says:
    January 19, 2012 at 10:54 am

    Thanks Sarah
    I always thought that I had to prepare everything that I was going to write on my blog and therefore never actually wrote anything! Then it struck me that if I ‘just did it’ I would find plenty of things to talk about. Writing as I think makes it all flow better and I think more interesting.

    Keep up the great work!

    Jane
    Reiki Jane – bringing balance & harmony to life through learning the art of self-healing
    Jane Child recently posted..Karuna Reiki® – A deeper healing effect?My Profile (dofollow)

    Reply
  5. Fred Felton says:
    January 19, 2012 at 11:12 am

    Hi Sarah

    Thanks for the great post.

    My advice would be to keep asking those questions of your followers
    and keep posting your blog everywhere and join networks of bloggers
    and if somebody comments on your blog, respond to it.

    Kind Regards

    Fred – Social Media Strategist & Speaker & Author

    Reply
  6. Richard Lock says:
    January 19, 2012 at 11:12 am

    I think content is King. You need to have well written content that is targeted to, and useful for your main audience. If you are aiming for a business audience, it is likely your style will be more neutral and informational, whereas targeting individuals can be more personal and chatty. Of course, at the end of the day all businesses, large or small, are comprised of people so there is always room for some humour and alternative approaches. It is about balance. Good content will get shared and interaction may be encouraging others to share your blog through social media channels rather than commenting.
    Richard Lock recently posted..Customer Service: little things really matterMy Profile (dofollow)

    Reply
  7. nick tadd says:
    January 19, 2012 at 11:38 am

    Thoughtful content, not ‘band wagon’ content. I think the most commented blog I ever wrote was one word ‘yes’. The title was ‘broken’ – I was just feeling ill that day, but it worked, it caused conversation.

    I was inspired by Hemingway who wrote one of the shortest stories ‘For sale. Baby shoes. Never used.’

    It gets in your head.

    N
    nick tadd recently posted..If you use app’s then you’ll have more sex. Really.My Profile (dofollow)

    Reply
    • Sarah Arrow says:
      January 19, 2012 at 7:08 pm

      Ah, bandwagon content is so hard to avoid! That’s why I love content curation, you can share great stuff and avoid the bandwagon. It’s certainly hard to define what is the bandwagon and what is your own, unique take on a topic.

      Your ‘Broken’ post is a great example, I think I commented on that one :)
      Thanks for stopping by Nick.
      Sarah Arrow recently posted..Dedicated Couriers: the different types of deliveryMy Profile (dofollow)

      Reply
  8. Lilach Bullock says:
    January 19, 2012 at 11:39 am

    Thanks Sarah, I’m enjoying your emails too:)

    Great tips as always, I’m learning so much from you about blogging – thanks so much:)

    Lilach
    Lilach Bullock recently posted..21 WordPress Plugins I Can’t Live WithoutMy Profile (dofollow)
    Twitter:

    Reply
  9. Alan Bowman says:
    January 19, 2012 at 11:54 am

    Hi Sarah

    I blog as alanlsg on Hub Pages and have about 20 blogs that are my consistent views also have the Book Aspirational Attainment on Amazon as well as my website http://www.aspirationalattainment.co.uk.

    Cheers

    Alan

    Reply
  10. Michele Taylor says:
    January 19, 2012 at 11:56 am

    • Content
    • Contact
    • Consistency
    or
    • say something important
    • for people you hold important
    • with integrity

    Reply
  11. steven healey says:
    January 19, 2012 at 11:56 am

    Thank you Sarah , great post (again !!)

    Blogging with passion on topics which are relevant to your audience invites participation.
    steven healey recently posted..Hear me , Xeeme and Connect.MeMy Profile (dofollow)

    Reply
  12. Neil Infield says:
    January 19, 2012 at 11:58 am

    My rule of thumb is, if I am interested in the topic I am writing about, maybe my readers will be too.

    Also, I think it is obvious to your readers when you are interested in a topic… and when you are not.

    Neil
    Neil Infield recently posted..Interview with Jesús Montero freelance film makerMy Profile (dofollow)

    Reply
    • Sarah Arrow says:
      January 19, 2012 at 10:55 pm

      You are so right Neil, people can feel the disinterest in your words. No matter how skilled a writer you are, you can’ fake enthusiasm and joy for something :) Thanks for stopping by.

      Reply
  13. Suzan St Maur says:
    January 19, 2012 at 12:34 pm

    Excellent post! My tip?

    Although writing correctly (grammar, spelling, punctuation and all that stuff) is not as important as it once was, if you’re blogging for business, you want your quality of writing in the blog to be as professional as you are – just as you would with the writing in your advertising, brochures, business letters etc.

    That does not mean that your blog writing style should be stuffy, boring, formal or pompous – merely that it should be basically correct, so people appreciate you for the erudite expert you are. It’s not rocket science to clean up the goofs … it just takes a little more time.

    One final tip? Never trust spellcheckers … they’re far too logical to cope with the lunacy of the English language….

    Suze
    Suzan St Maur recently posted..Why marketing messages are so important – and so hard to get rightMy Profile (dofollow)
    Twitter:

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  14. Tea Silvestre says:
    January 19, 2012 at 3:04 pm

    On my blog, I’ve noticed that the posts that get the most comments have three things in common:
    1. They tell a real-life story (aka case study);
    2. They wrap up with a short list of action items on how to apply the lessons; and
    3. That list of action items is intentionally left slightly incomplete so that there is room for others to add their advice.
    Tea Silvestre recently posted..Brand Turnaround: An Interview with Karen Post, the Branding DivaMy Profile (dofollow)

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  15. Dianne says:
    January 19, 2012 at 3:52 pm

    I am finding an uptick of activity on my young blog and a good number happen to be from the UK. Since I write on a variety of topics that are related, I am getting responses to some of my “Life in Jamaica” posts as well as my other health and wellness posts. I tell you, it’s slow, but it’s working. Thanks, Sarah!
    Dianne recently posted..12 Exotic Jamaican Fruits & Vegetables You May Never Have Heard OfMy Profile (dofollow)

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  16. Jonathan Pettus says:
    January 19, 2012 at 4:21 pm

    Great post, Sarah! Who wants to pour their soul into a blog day in and day out and never get any feedback? Crazy people and liars, that’s who.

    It’s no secret that people absolutely love talking about themselves. Asking a reader about their past, their tastes, or their personal opinions will usually transform them from being just a lurker to a fully engaged, contributing community member of your blog.
    Jonathan Pettus recently posted..Thursday Trifecta | 1.18.12My Profile (dofollow)

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  17. hypnodude says:
    January 19, 2012 at 4:57 pm

    Well Sarah I think that a clean layout is the first thing, followed by content and a question at the end. I begun using what do you think too. :) And I always reply to comments one by one, readers took the time to express their feelings and I find it correct to answer them. the same thing that I usually do when someone replies to one of my comments on other sites. It’s interaction and being polite. And as you say that’s also what readers like, being consdered and appreciated.

    Have a great day!
    hypnodude recently posted..What is OCD and How to Deal with OCD DisorderMy Profile (dofollow)
    Twitter:

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  18. Lisa M says:
    January 20, 2012 at 3:23 am

    Thank you! This article is very helpful. I saved it so I can keep returning to it. Your tips make sense!
    Lisa M recently posted..Resources for Teaching Dr. MLK and Beyond!My Profile (dofollow)

    Reply
  19. Kimberly ~ Gypsy says:
    January 20, 2012 at 3:34 am

    I always try to ask a question or ask for the reader to share their input in the comments below. But you really need to keep the reader riveted enough to get that far — still working on my content ;) It will come! I know it will!!!
    Kimberly ~ Gypsy recently posted..STOP Censorship ~ Down Against SOPAMy Profile (dofollow)

    Reply
  20. Anita says:
    January 20, 2012 at 4:13 am

    Hi Sarah,

    Thank you for your post.

    I am conducting a little survey at the moment; trying out various methods to gain comments. I do struggle with this, but am working on it.

    One of my blogs feeds the whole post by email. I would get a lot of people emailing me with their comments that they wanted to share with me, but not adding them on my blog. So I changed tactics to see what would happen, by asking people to visit my blog to read the rest of the post, and that I looked forward to any comments they wished to make, rather than the standard feedburner message. It has already made a big difference. :)

    I also think questions for my other blogs works well, such as ‘what’s your favourite garden to see snowdrops?’ which I am trialling this weekend on Birds :)

    Reply
    • Sarah Arrow says:
      January 20, 2012 at 9:31 am

      Hi Anita, it’s good to hear what’s working for you with the feeds. I have that on some of mine and not on others, I think this a full feed here.

      One of the most interesting things I see around the blogging world is that people think comments are a way of measuring success. A post where you get an email over a comment is a stronger post in my opinion – someone has reached out personally to you. But no one else can see that, so you might be considered to have just a blog rather than a community, they forget that there are more ways to skin a cat. Social shares and email still count for a lot.
      Sarah Arrow recently posted..Why it’s your fault @Fedex deliver like thisMy Profile (dofollow)

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      • Anita says:
        January 20, 2012 at 5:17 pm

        Hi Sarah,

        I really appreciate the personal emails, I value them :) In this case I thought I would see if I could encourage others to join the discussion. As the particular blog I am talking about is more ‘personal’. Some of the commentators, leave one comment on the blog and also leave a more personal reply via email :)

        I really don’t like the ‘popularity game’, which can come with the territory. I hear many people bragging how many facebook likes they have, how many comments they have, and I know this puts off a lot of new bloggers, as I think there is that part of ‘oh I have failed’ if no one leaves a comment or tweeted it, or ‘liked’ it… thats why I point people your way, for encouragement in their blogging. :)

        One thing I have learnt is to switch off, when I am tempted to feel like I am talking to myself, as it can be demoralising…

        There is a lot of emphasis on the need to gain commentators, I just hope to have a conversation and make a difference in some small way. :)
        Anita recently posted..Just a note to say notelet setMy Profile (dofollow)

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  21. Paul Green (Small Business Expert & Author) says:
    January 20, 2012 at 1:12 pm

    Hi Sarah,

    I guess the starting point is the ‘headline’ – one that grabs attention and encourages the person to engage in the article. If it can controversial or maybe have some innuendo or create intrigue that helps. I think ‘The Sun’ newspaper probably has the edge here!

    If a poll or survey can be incorporated that is relevant to the article this can generate interaction.

    My final tip would be to link to related blogs so that your blog is ‘stickier’ and keeps the viewer on your site.

    Hope this helps?

    Best regards,
    Paul.

    Reply
  22. Paula Kemp says:
    January 20, 2012 at 3:17 pm

    Hi Sarah, as a new blogger I don’t have any other tips that haven’t already been put onto this list, but this post has taught me what I should be doing to engage my readers, so thank you Sarah.
    Paula Kemp recently posted..Benefits of Regular MassageMy Profile (dofollow)
    Twitter:

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  23. David Pratt says:
    January 22, 2012 at 3:50 pm

    It seems to me that the main issue is the one that I was taught as a young lad. Really success is much about working hard. Strangely enough I was at a superb presentation by Lord Digby Jones on Friday. It was all about what the future could hold for Western civilisation. The givens were that the nineteenth century belonged to the British Empire, the twentieth to America and its imposition on the world, and that already the twentyfirst century has been claimed by the Eastern cultures, mainly China. Further, it will be claimed almost exclusively by them if we are not careful. What can we do about it? Well the solution is that as a country we must develope and use our technical skills, but work much harder as a nation. Something to think about.
    I guess social networking and blogging is much the same. To succeed in a very dynamic environment means to quickly get to understand the technology behing SN and Blogging but then just work as hard as we can to ensure that we capitalise.
    Young Sarah Arrow is a perfect example of just what I am talking about. Not only does she understand the technology, and she has worked very hard to gain the knowledge she now has, but she is driven to help others to also understand what is needed. Sarah also puts in a tremendous amount of hard work after she has worked hard at running a transport company.
    So, we are all in a position where not only can we succeed ourselves, but we can make a difference to our nation. Thank you Sarah for all the help you have given Christine and I and I am pleased to say that we in HR & DM are starting to succeed with the help of the Social Networking Skills you have provided.

    Now lets go sell Airplanes to the Chinese!!
    David Pratt recently posted..Bullying in the workplaceMy Profile (dofollow)

    Reply
  24. Angela Boothroyd says:
    January 22, 2012 at 11:22 pm

    Hi Sarah,

    I have terrible problems getting people to comment / interact on one of my blogs (mini English lessons). What I would like is for the readers to practise their English by commenting on the posts / lessons, but I find they will happily send me an email with a comment, but not comment on the actual post.

    One thing I find very interesting is that a post and call to action on my blog that gets no interaction whatsoever on the actual post, will often get comments and questions if posted on my Facebook page. In my case, Facebook is clearly a better platform for interaction with learners of English and this is something I need to build on.
    Angela Boothroyd recently posted..Phrasal verb: tamper withMy Profile (dofollow)
    Twitter:

    Reply
    • Sarah Arrow says:
      January 24, 2012 at 4:25 pm

      I think you should listen hard to your audience Angela, they’re telling you something :)
      Do you have the Facebook commenting system installed? Whilst I don’t like it personally it might help your readers make the transition from Facebook commenting to blog commenting.

      Reply
  25. Malcolm Watson says:
    January 23, 2012 at 9:29 am

    I believe the key to success is Consistency! If you Blog regularly people come to expect it and hopefully look forward to receiving it!

    Reply
  26. Mayfair Mum says:
    January 24, 2012 at 11:49 pm

    I definitely stand by the advice to reply to your comments – you may not get a reply to your reply but it encourages others to make their comments in the hope that they can entice you into a dialogue or at least get a reaction to their thoughts.

    I asked my readers if they kept a record of the books they had read and also put that question in the blog post title – this post won me the most traffic ever in terms of comments.

    Reply
    • Sarah Arrow says:
      January 27, 2012 at 5:56 pm

      Wow, that’s a good one Mayfair Mum, that works on many levels – the title gets people thinking “should I be recording the books that I read?” and at the end of the post you reinforce the message and use it to get comments :)

      Reply
  27. Duncan Girvan says:
    January 25, 2012 at 4:10 pm

    I belive in the old saying “if you ont ask, you dont get”. so if you want retweets, shares and comments then ask.

    Reply
  28. Emma Cox says:
    January 26, 2012 at 10:02 am

    Hi Sarah
    I’m fairly new to blogging so have been reading your emails and blog posts with interest. Plus all the great comments here. This has helped me identify what I should be blogging about. I’ve decided to focus my blogging on my niche from now onwards. As I do IT training to identify and automate (or speed up) repetitive tasks I can give people hints and tips and as you suggested I will add stories to them.
    Keep up the excellent work.
    Emma
    Twitter:

    Reply
  29. Yorinda says:
    January 16, 2013 at 7:24 pm

    Hi Sarah,
    wow, you do have a lot of interaction here!

    Thank you for the great suggestions.
    There are quiet a few that I could put into practice.

    The questions you are providing are great!

    Much appreciated!
    Yorinda
    Yorinda recently posted..Imagine if we would choose to BelieveMy Profile (dofollow)
    Twitter:

    Reply

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