Thursday, March 12, 2009

Social Networking: Invite Participation

I’m starting this post off with a guessing game. Guess where I am. Here’s a hint -- I’m not in Austin, Texas.

Back to Social Networking via your blog.

Give your blog readers a reason to comment, either directly or indirectly. Ask a question, like, What do you think about this? Or, if you’re talking about something like self-publishing, Have you ever published your work yourself? Or… remember how I ended my post on Day 2 of this series? I said: “Start today. Start here. Leave a comment and add your link.” I invited you to comment.

You don’t want to ask a question every single time you post. That can get boring.

Sometimes you don’t have to. Like in this series I’m doing. I’m giving advice, offering tips. There are plenty of people out there who blog and who read this blog. They have advice to add in the Comments section. That’s great. I, for sure, don’t claim to know it all. And that’s another reason for you to read the other comments on blogs -- you’ll find out even more than what was in the original post.

The more your readers feel they are invested in your blog and that they have a say in your “forum,” the more likely they are to come back. And the more people you have coming and commenting, the more people will want to come and be a part of the group. The more welcome you make them, the more they feel like they have a say and can be heard.

“Social” means more than just your voice.

Okay, here’s where I am today -- Orlando, Florida. Where will I be tomorrow?

TweetIt from HubSpot

23 comments:

  1. Amen on not knowing it all! You're right that we'll learn from the comments of others.

    L. Diane Wolfe
    www.circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com
    www.spunkonastick.net
    www.thecircleoffriends.net

    ReplyDelete
  2. I try to end my blog posts with a few questions, so if a person doesn't relate to one, maybe the other one will click.

    Morgan Mandel
    http://morganmandel.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I try to end my blog posts with a few questions, so if a person doesn't relate to one, maybe the other one will click.

    Morgan Mandel
    http://morganmandel.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. More good stuff again today, Helen. Will you be visiting Disney?

    ReplyDelete
  5. If you're smart you'll be in Orlando again tomorrow where it's warm and sunny. Central Texas will be cold and wet.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for the good information and advice, Helen. I really had not thought very much about using my blog as a social network, but I'm starting now after reading your series of posts. Thanks.

    Sharon Reece
    http://grandmaisawriter.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm guessing you'll be in Georgia!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Good advice. Also good that you started out with a question and didn't answer it until the end so we have to read ALL of your post (smile).

    I dunno where you'll be tomorrow but if you visit either of my blogs tomorrow I'll know cuz I have several widgets that track the IP addys of visitors and commentors. Also a cool "flag counter" gadget that tracks all the countries that have visited and how many from each. Great fun. Free Spirit blog has - last I checked well over 70 countries checking in regularly.

    Another helpful post, Helen.

    Marvin D Wilson
    http://inspiritandtruths.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  9. I've read conflicting pieces of advice and would like your opinion. If someone comments on my blog and I want to reply to that comment, some people say I should do so in the comment section of MY blog. I've always felt I should pop over to their blog to do that because I doubt anyone will read the comment section twice. What do you think?

    Lynnette Labelle
    http://lynnettelabelle.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I echo Lynette's question, which I've wondered about for some time. Sometimes I respond to comments on my own blog, sometimes on their blog, and sometimes I'll send an email thanking them for the comment. I'd be interested in your advice too, Helen.

    And thanks for this series -- I'm learning from you and from other commenters.

    Kim Pearson
    www.primary-sources.com/blog/

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hey, I just recently found this blog and began following this great series. I usually try to end with a question or some sort of thing to give people something to comment about.

    the lovers, the dreamers, and me

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks for the good advice! I'm following you now and appreciate all you are sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  13. This whole series about social networking has been fantastic, Helen. I hope it was sunny in Orlando while you were there.

    Jenny Bean
    http://theinnerbean.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Angie.

    Nope, not going to Disney. Sorry for the slow responses. This is my first chance to go online. I ended up spending hours in the Orlando airport, then we went to Titusville, then to wherever Disney parks its cruise ships, then back to Titusville. No Disneyworld, though.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Is it still raining, Mark? When we left it had been raining since midnight. We weren't sure we'd get out since the only way in or out of our subdivision has a low water crossing. But it was all good. Slow going to the airport, though.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Way to go, Sharon!

    Nope, not Georgia, Christina. Although that would be fun going to my old homeland.

    Marvin, I'm hoping to visit you and everyone tomorrow. We'll be on the road again, though.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Lynnette, I answer comments here on SFH in the comments section on SFH, like I'm doing now. Some people do come back to check to see if I've answered the question. I've seen where someone would apparently answer a question in the comment box of the person who asked the question. But to those reading that blog, the answer made no sense since they didn't have the original question or the context. I've also had people answer a question I've asked on their blog by emailing the answer to me.

    I like to go with answering it here on my blog so that even if they don't come back to check, the people reading the comments will see the answer and might even throw in their own two cents.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi Jenny. It was indeed sunny here. And, wouldn't you know it, I seem to have lost my sunglasses. Will definitely have to get a new pair.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thank you everyone for stopping by. You are such wonderful friends. I love hearing what everyone has to say. I, too, am learning.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I try to leave posts with a direct question or other invitation to act, though sometimes I forget this vital step. Doing this makes blogging more of a social interaction than a "talking head" lecture.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I think Orlando airport is one of the most beautiful. When my husband and I visited USA we had an air pass and spent a lot of times in airports. I became a bit of a connoisseur. Hope your traveling is going well Helen.

    I agree with Helen that it is better to answer on your blog and let the conversation continue. I also sometimes go back to the writer's blog (esp. if they're new) and leave a comment on their posts.

    Lauri
    http://thoughtsfrombotswana.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Lisa, I tried to leave a comment on Books by Lisa Logan, but it wouldn't let me. Just wanted to let you know.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Good advice, Helen. It's great to have enthusiastic visitors.

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...