How Do You Thank Your Readers?
Your Blog Readers
The 9 to 5. Cooking dinner. Homework help. Repairs around the house. Diaper changes. Mowing the lawn. Playtime. Bedtime rituals. Dishes. Scrub the damn tub. There’s so much to do. Where do any of us bloggers find the time to blog? Add to that, reading other blogs, leaving comments (real comments not vomit), networking, etc.
As bloggers, we all have a lot on our plates. This is why I appreciate every single comment my blog receives.
I know that someone took time out of their busy schedule to read my long ass post and then took the time to leave me a comment.
So how do I thank my readers/fellow bloggers?
1. I make it a priority to visit their blog, read their post, comment, tweet, like, etc.
I’m kinda sucking in this department lately cause i really should be commenting too, but my comments tend to be long and it sucks doing it from my handheld. But I do retweet and like and stumbleupon where the option is available.
2. DoFollow
My blog is a DoFollow blog. I can make it such because I don’t advertise or have paid links. By doing so, those who leave a comment (or those I add a link to in my post or blogroll) get a bit of page rank juice from my site.
3. Guest Posting
This one I haven’t done yet. I’ve asked a few bloggers and I hope to get confirmations soon. Why is this a thank you to my reader? My traffic isn’t bad (it’s not in the thousands a day, but it’s not bad). It’s added exposure to the guest blogger.
If you’re interested in guest posting for me, I’m currently looking for posts from writers about blogging and social media and how/why they utilize it for exposure. Just to be clear, I’m not looking for posts from blogging and social media experts.
I want to hear from writers who specialize in other topics and are willing to share how they expose their posts through social media or how blogging has affected their way of sharing their specialty.
By the way, I can’t pay you. I’d love to, but I can’t. All I have to offer is a bit of extra exposure for your blog.
4. Post Exposure
My commenting system also supports CommentLuv. Bloggers who leave a comment not only get a backlink from me but are also able to promote their last post to any other visitors viewing the comments section.
I’m able to offer anyone leaving a comment a choice of any of their last 10 posts to link to. Why does this matter? Ever read a post and think “Oh crap, my post from last week would relate nicely, if only I could link to it”? Well, here’s your chance. But only if it’s one of your last 10 posts. Also, keep in mind, when your backlink links to a post that relates, it helps your page rank for that topic.
5. Profile Exposure
Y’all know how I love Gravatars.
If you’re unfamiliar with Gravatars, hover over a picture in my comments section and check out the commenter’s profile that pops up.
How do you get one? Check out my post on Rocking Your Gravatar.
How Are You Thanking Your Readers?
I’d love to know.
My readers/fellow bloggers that take the time to read my posts and leave a comment or share my posts deserve as much thanks as I can give them, so any ideas are greatly appreciated.
Photographer Credit:
© Konstantin Sutyagin – Fotolia
© Djordje Korovljevic – Fotolia
© Konstantin Yuganov – Fotolia
I use to thank my readers through appreciating for stopping by and for taking time to read my post by that I’m pretty sure that they feel happy and may come back again to visit.
Jarred Mccuan recently posted..Tires For Sale
Hi Vanita, you have a great list and lots of information. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.
Anja recently posted..What You Need To Give Your Arowana A Good Home
Twitter: TatterScoops
says:
I’m slacking in commenting too – guilty as charged. But I do RT or tweet posts and interact through Twitter a lot lately. These are great list, V! Thanks for being such a cool buddy
TatterScoops recently posted..On Taking A Break
Paying it forward will serve you well. I’ll be honest, I don’t visit everyone that leaves me a comment anymore. Not because I’m so huge or I don’t appreciate people reading. I’m not and I do. I’ve just been blogging long enough that I have to limit my time on the computer or it takes over my life. You left me nice comments and tweeted out an awesome #FF so I WANTED to check out your blog.
Did someone seriously want you to pay them for a guest post?!?
Poppy recently posted..The Week in Review
well yes, many ppl do want to be paid for a guest post. i can understand it though. your writing is your work, you but your time and effort into it, you edit, add pictures, grammar check, sometimes research elements of it. I can’t blame someone for wanting to be paid. I just can’t offer money.
All I can do, which I’d be happy if someone did for me, is help to promote their writing.
Poppy, Thank you so much for stopping by and connecting. This is why I love blogging. I’ve always loved reading, but the additional interaction is wonderful.
and i hear what you’re saying, there’s only so many hours in a day. We need to have lives, but I’m sure everyone gets that, that’s why I made sure to offer whatever I can on auto pilot, so if I can’t get to replying to you, I’m still thanking you with a link. I also follow these commentluv links back to the blogger’s site and read their post. If I can’t comment, I’ll still share it via whatever social media options are available.
I am very active with my readers.
Guest posting is a good idea to both have on your site and to do on other people’s sites.
Jessica recently posted..Busy Tweeting
Jessica! Thanks for stopping by and for connecting on twitter! I love the guest posting idea, but haven’t had many takers yet.
I’m working on getting better at this…i gotta get better at managing my time. Thanks, as usual for your tips and pointers. At least they make things clearer.
You are very welcome my sistah! you know I’m happy to share whatever i know to help out a fellow blogger (and ya’ know, to also show off my genius
)
Twitter: chelleinmo65584
says:
You know, it’s funny, I have been really struggling with finding time to blog. I started out thinking I was going to blog every day in June. Not! Hasn’t happened. I keep coming up with great ideas but then time slips away from me. And the more blogs I read, the more to blogging there is. LOL! I’m kinda overwhelmed by all the things I learn some times. Then I get frustrated because I want to learn more but where am I going to squeeze in that extra time?
Thanks for this post. It’s good to see I’m not the only one dealing with the time constraints.
yep, there is definitely not enough time. I’d suggest starting small, connect with a few bloggers every week and definitely try and make the time to get those great ideas out so we the world can enjoy!
Thanks so much for stopping by Chelle.
Thank you for the very kind words you left on my blog today. And no, I don’t mind that it is long. I LOVE long comments!!
Great post you wrote here. It’s good to know that I follow all 5 steps you presented here. Whew!
Mama Mia recently posted..Happy 3rd Birthday, Maia!
Mama Mia, THank you for dropping by and commenting. I love your blog and that little girl of your is gorgeous.
Twitter: thejackb
says:
I think that it is great that you think of it. Not everyone does. When I switched commenting systems I lost CommentLuv. It is my biggest complaint with DISQUS.
Jack recently posted..Why Do You Blog?
ya know Jack, I really really wanted to have a more flexible commenting system. Wanted to give readers other ways to sign in, so when they dropped by, if they were already signed into FB or Twitter, they can just comment and not have to walk through the steps. I installed Disqus and IntenseDebate, and both enabled my CommentLuv, so I got rid of them. I think offering a link that is DoFollow is a great way to thank my readers.
Thank you so much for stopping by. I’ve been reading your blog, though I can’t remember if I had the chance to comment yet, but the eye-rolling thing . . . i got that today. I’m actually going to stop by to give you my comment on it.
Twitter: thejackb
says:
I agree with you regarding the flexibility. It is important to minimize the hurdles so that people can just pop in and say whatever it is they have to say. I may change systems again- but haven’t decided yet.
Jack recently posted..Am I The Father I Want To Be
I do really like WP’s Comment Luv – I wish there was a similar widget/plugin for Blogger. I link to folks that I enjoy throughout my posts, I team up with them and do joint blogging posts and projects, I involve them as much as possible by asking them what they want or what questions they have that I could research and solve for them (as to blogging matters) and I try to stop by their place every week when I can. The point of blogging, for me at least, is to build connections with others. You can’t do that without interacting, acknowledging and gabbing. Personal e-mail communication is how I do lots of behind the blog building, as Matty mentioned. Nice post – and beautiful format over here. So slick!
Bumbles recently posted..ON BLOGGING ~ Best Of Blogging Links…
Molly, I truly love the idea of joint blog posts. I’ll need to check out your blog again soon to see how that works.
Twitter is my poison. I love interacting on twitter and there are a few special fellow bloggers that I chat with on facebook. I’ve met some amazing people through blogging and I’ll have to forever be grateful for that.
Vanita recently posted..How Do You Thank Your Readers?
I thank my followers by not posting pictures of my belly.
I make sure to comment back on every comment I receive and I am planning a giveaway right now. No contest, no entering, if you’re a fan or a follower, you’re in!
Excellent Waning! Some of these contests are so complicated, I don’t enter. I get how important it is to utilize the chance to host a contest and how important it is to send some promotion the sponsor’s way, but sometimes, there’s just too many things to do.
Vanita recently posted..How Do You Thank Your Readers?
I have a blog tour and I can add more stops to it. I love thanking my readers by stopping at their blogs and doing a giveaway
Just email me if you want more details.
I also work hard at visiting the blogs that visit me. Most of the time I add them to my reader as well so I end up visiting them more often.
Val-Mom Chats recently posted..Tips to Curb Summertime Teen Laziness
I think I seriously need to stop using my reader. I read so many blogs a day, but because my reader is sometimes funky, I don’t always get to leave a comment.
Vanita recently posted..How Do You Thank Your Readers?
What reader do you use? I’ve never had a problem with google reader. I try to hit it once a week so it’s not AS out of control lol
Val-Mom Chats recently posted..Tips to Curb Summertime Teen Laziness
I’m using greader on my android and it’s not always the friendliest app. it of course syncs with google reader, but the app itself needs a bug fix update. i can’t tell you how many times i’ve written a comment and it will go poof! but also, blogger has had some issues lately and since i’m commenting mostly on blogger blogs, there may be some connection.
Vanita recently posted..How Do You Thank Your Readers?
I had to take it off my droid because I feared I’d never get off my phone. lol I limit the blogger blogs I follow because of the commenting issues. I don’t use a commenting service and my blogger account hasn’t been posted to in years so I refuse to log in to some account to post a comment. I’m not sure blogger users even realize how many comments and readers they turn away.
Val-Mom Chats recently posted..Tips to Curb Summertime Teen Laziness
Twitter: BeautifulSpitUp
says:
Great list, Vanita! I try to do these things to thank my readers. I don’t have many readers, but I do make it a point to say thanks. Oh and I want to guest post on your blog. …..even though you didn’t ask me!
Eve recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Instagram App Food Porn
Woman! You were one of the first people to come to mind, but I figured you’re so busy. I’d happily have you post. please send me your idea and when you think you’ll have it. also, Eve, BlogCatalog, $10 a month and they’ve increased my traffic a bit. well worth the 2.50 a week. if you sign up be sure to connect with me. they also have a free option that i was using for months and when i saw i was gaining a visitor here and there i decided to forego the weekly fraps to pay for it. and u can cancel anytime.
Vanita recently posted..How Do You Thank Your Readers?
Hah! I love WP plugins. CommentLuv is now enabled on my site. Thanks! I love new widgets and plugins …
Kate recently posted..I am a BAD girl …
I’m gonna assume you have the current version. The beta I’m using will be published next week, or so Andy says, so be sure to upgrade! Also, if you want to offer link love to your visitors, be sure to allow DoFollow on the comment links. Also, be sure you’re running askimet, caused the dofollow option attracts spammers like we’re attracted to nutella
Vanita recently posted..Are Your Blog Posts Protected?
hmm … commentluv, ehh? Have to look into that one.
Kate recently posted..I am a BAD girl …
Twitter: dwmatty
says:
Hi Vanita,
As you know, I don’t have WordPress yet, so my blog and what it offers is pretty basic. All I can do for someone is give them a link when I post, or share their post through spcial media.
As for time, I know exactly what you mean. Finding the time to do everything related to blogging can be a challenge. And I can surely add a few things to your list of other life responsibilities that draw us in other directions. Unlike you though, I never use my phone for blogging. So if I’m not at a computer, then I’m not reading, commenting, responding to comments or posting.
When it comes to thanking my readers, I personally respond to every single comment I receive by replying directly through email. I also make it a point to visit their blog.
Matty recently posted..Legacy – A Guest Post
Matty you are just awesome with the responses and the visiting. I love that about your blogging. And mentioning someone in a post is a high compliment. I don’t always get to do so, so I try to automate the link sharing using the CommentLuv feature. Also? Who do you think I had in mind when I mentioned the repairs and the lawn mowing? lol. my one male reader. thanks for the support Matty.
How do you avoid using the Android X for blogging? Man, I could actually write posts with that thing since the screen is so big.
Vanita recently posted..How Do You Thank Your Readers?
Lots of great info here, thanks, Vanita!
Beth recently posted..Until Today
You’re welcome Beth and thanks for leaving a comment.
Vanita recently posted..How Do You Thank Your Readers?
How Do You Thank Your Readers? http://goo.gl/fb/F9NOk