No one likes to write on a website and have no one come to read it. There are times when you may wonder if anyone is visiting your site and reading your posts at all (I know I was – I even asked – see “Honestly, it is a struggle for me“)!
Reader interaction accomplishes many things for a website. It helps add user generated content. It also helps pull in more readers. People want to participate and see what everyone’s talking about. However, getting reader interaction isn’t always easy. Here are a few tried and true strategies for getting more interaction on your articles and blogs.
#1 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 or calls to action you can include at the end of your content piece:
- What’s your experience?
- Do you have any advice on?
- What do you think?
- Have you ever…
- What’s your favorite?
- Do you remember whenÖ?
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 content. 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.
#2 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. If you want to motivate more readers to chime in and offer their opinion, insight and comments, then always make time to respond to comments. It’s important.
#3 Spark a controversy or discussion by presenting a potentially heated topic – Controversy tends to motivate people to share their opinion. Take care here. If controversy doesn’t fit your brand or personality, then consider publishing newsworthy content. Again, people often feel motivated to share their opinion on both controversial and newsworthy topics.
#4 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. Sometimes a picture or a video is all you need. It can say more than any article or blog post. However, other times it’s nice to include it with relevant content.
#5 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 article. 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.
If you have a blog, reader activity and comments add credibility to your blog. Additionally, they tend to motivate more reader interaction, links and increased traffic. If you have a theme-based website, then reader-generated content can really help you boost your search engine ranking.
thanks for the tips Paul.. I tend to forget the #1 tip you mention and at times, have updated my post to ask relevant questions.. Though I have been blogging for some time, I have not been consistent at all (not certainly in the last year), and there is lots to learn still..(and practice, practice, practice)
Growing up in a musical family, we have a framed picture that read, “Practice make Perfect.” This is certainly true when it comes to a website, LadyInRed!
Stick with it, make ti consistent, and you will go far!
Great tips. I especially like #2. This makes the experience so interactive.
This is one of my favorite ‘lessons’ to teach about since people do not always equate replying to comments as interaction! This is one of the best and easiest ways to start a relationship with someone! Thanks, Kathleen!
The UBC is worth it for me just for this post. This is awesome Paul. Thanks so much. I practice some of this, but I learned a lot of new things as well. I’ve been toying with more controversial posts. I’m going to do it. Let’s see how it goes.
An easy way to do this, Ed, is to simply dictate a few minutes and then transcribe it. Just speak… and then type. Or, may programs let will convert speech to text so it is even easier! Good Luck! And, glad to have you in the UBC!
Great inputs for business
And even if it is a personal blog, there are some great things you can do in here. Thanks for stopping by, Mahesh!