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
