Today’s task in the 31 Days to Build a Better Blog challenge is all about building community on your blog and making an impression upon readers by giving them some personal attention.
The task is simply to email a new reader (or more than one).
While the tip sounds simple – too simple – it is actually a technique that I used in the early days of this blog (ProBlogger) and it really helped build up reader engagement.
What I found is that when you pay personal attention to a reader it significantly increases the chances of them not only returning to your blog but also spreading the news of your blog through their network.
So look over the most recent comments left on your blog and identify a reader that you don’t recognise the details of. Shoot them a quick email thanking them for their comment.
Make sure you include a link back to your blog so they know who you are and make the email relevant to their comment (ie answer a question they asked or add to their comment in some way). You might also like to point them in the email to your RSS feed (converting them to a loyal reader). While there are some tools out there that email new comment leavers automatically for you – the more personal you can make it the better.
Two Ways to Take this Further and Make a Bigger Impression
The above technique can really be worth investing time each day into – but here are two ways that you can extend this:
1. To make an even greater impression if the person has left a link to their own blog in their comment click that link and leave a comment on their blog. Again – this is another technique that I used in their early days of my blogging and it was certainly a factor in getting the ball rolling for me in terms of building readership.
2. Another quick thing to do is to respond to the comment ON your blog. Sending the email is great on making an impression on the person themselves but leaving a comment in your own comment section shows other readers that you’re interested in engaging in conversation. It also helps build comment numbers which can build social proof and show your blog is active.
Rinse and Repeat
If you’ve got a few extra minutes today – do this with a handful of new readers – the more the better. I’d also highly recommend adding this task to your daily routine – 10-15 minutes a day on this task could make an impression on thousands of people a year.
This simple tip takes just a moment to do but can create a loyal long time reader. Do it at least once a day (or set yourself a higher target) and you’ll build your blog consistently over time.
Is this Tip Not SPECTACULAR Enough For You?
Last time I shared this tip with a fellow blogger they rolled their eyes at me and told me that they didn’t want to find just one more reader for their blog – they wanted hundreds or thousands.
This blogger failed to realize two things:
- Loyal Readers Spread the Word – I’ve found that in many cases a single reader quickly becomes numerous loyal readers because when you make an impression on people it’s likely that they’ll spread the word about you. They do this through their own blogs, word of mouth, Twitter and other social networking sites.
- Loyal Readers Build Page Views – One loyal reader can potentially view your blog hundreds (if not thousands) of times. A daily visit from that reader for a year brings an extra 365 page views to your blog. Gain an extra loyal reader every day for a full year and the numbers start to add up.
While there’s nothing wrong with attracting thousands of new readers to your blog quickly – the majority of times they’ll come and go very quickly.
Build loyal readers one by one on a daily basis and can be a lot more fruitful in the long run.
Don’t have any comments on your blog yet?
I know there are a number of very new bloggers doing this challenge that might not yet have people leaving comments on their blogs to email. If this is you – don’t worry, I have another mini task for you to do today.
Spend 10 minutes visiting other blogs on your topic and leaving relevant, helpful and genuine comments on their blogs. The more helpful your comments the better – make an impression with quality comments raises your profile and can potentially drive traffic to a blog.
Related Reading:
- 10 Techinques to Get More Comments on Your Blog – for those who are still trying to get readers commenting.
- Should You Respond to Comments via Email or in Comments – two options for interacting with readers – both have their place.
Update – Find out how others are doing with this task over at the forum! Day 5 – Email a Reader
Want More?This task is a sample of one of the tasks in the 31 Days to Build a Better Blog Workbook – a downloadable resource designed to reinvigorate and revitalize blogs. Join over 14,000 other bloggers and Get your Copy Today. |
PROBLOGGER is the best blog I have read that actually helps build a blog.
Hi. Been trying to keep up with the assignments…in my fashion…I’ll go back and add to the appropriate day my comments on that assignment. But, starting last, today’s lesson. I think this is great advice, and I’ve started doing it today. I know when I’ve left comments and not gotten some return communication it lessens my connection with the person. I guess it’s like any other communication…someone says something to you, you let them know you’re glad they did and perhaps encourage more. When that doesn’t happen, you’re less inclined to continue the “relationship”
Great idea, Darren. I must have got a psychic vibe from you, because I did this yesterday. Emailed two people who left comments, and was very happy to do so. Now to go comment on other blogs…
This works. On the list post, I invested some time promoting it through twitter (@eloranicole) & one of my friends read the post, retweeted me, ping-backed on his blog, & responded to mine with one of his own list posts. It’s been great for my numbers, because up until now they have been pretty dismal & I am noticing a substantial difference in traffic.
It also helps in building of online relationships – this friend of mine has been a huge part of encouragement – pushing me to keep writing and such. Check out my list post – it challenges readers to come up with their own: http://eloranicole.wordpress.com
Thanks for this post! I’ve never even thought of writing an email! I usually leave a comment on their blog or if they don’t have one, in my own comment section. Email is a great idea!
I get warm replies from people when I email them after they comment on my blog. It really does make people feel special. And for the newer bloggers, another great reason for placing well-thought-out comments on other blogs is that it shows up in your search engine results. I didn’t realize this until some time after placing a few comments here on Darren’s blog, and I Googled myself and found those comments showing up in the search. Very cool little bit of automatic reciprocity.
I’m really enjoying the activities, Darren!
Suzanna Stinnett
http://www.GreatAdaptations.org
This is a great tip that I know for sure works. I have used it on my own blog for a long time now. I respond to comments, but I also email people who leave comments. It is alot of fun and I’ve gotten some loyal readers out of it.
Darren, I’ve noticed that my traffic has increased as a direct result of the 31DBBB. I’ve got a bit of catching up to do with the last couple of days tasks, but as for today’s – it’s a good point to make.
I use a wordpress plugin called ‘Comment email responder’. It allows me to respond to a comment from my blog and it leaves my reply in my comments section and also emails the person who left the comment. I found I was trying to do both unsuccessfully before I found this plugin. More info about it here http://semanticallydriven.com/2008/04/comment_email_responder.html.
Darren,
Just wanted to Thank You for answering me on not getting comments. Since you put a link about 10 techinques on getting comments on your blog here today. Also I have been reading the 31 day challange and so far the are great as usual. I am starting a new blog on godaddy, had no idea it was free with my current website lol. Again Thank You.
Tony
P.S. sorry I have no link yet, since I’m only working on it as of yesterday.
At first I thought this was lame, but then after I thought about it I totally came up with a great reason to email a commenter that wouldn’t be interpreted as annoying.
At first this suggestion feels totally cheesy, but if you do it right, it’s really a good thing.
I always respond to comments and if the person has a blog I go and visit it and try to leave a comment there. I was told to do so when I started blogging and it seems a logical thing to do. When someone speaks to you, you respond, don’t you? And then you think of something to say and they respond. The networking power of blogging is often neglected. I have met some great people through blogging.
I am a little shy about sending emails. I don’t know why.
For those of you who are struggling a little with setting the tone of the message:
Mean it and not just pretend to be interested in them. Have genuine interest in your readers and the words will follow.
Mean it -> Feel it -> Write it.
It’s magic ;-)
I think your right darren, I have a movie site, and I cant just limit my content to one gender, I try an put something for everyone, and pay close attention to my antalityics to see what people are looking for then provide more of that, great post.
Email your new viewers? I should do that. I have replied to several new visitors on the blog, but they usually don’t reply back. Of course, I don’t get a lot of viewers. I have been posting on other blogs relating to my niche. So for now, since I haven’t had a lot of new visitors, I should do the mini-challenge.
There is a good reason to be personal, no one takes the time to do it and that will make your blog stand out. Most people don’t want to be just a number. The web is supposed to be interactive.
for me, I don’t have any comments yet. I haven’t looked at my stats in the past 2 weeks, so I will need to do that.
But I will leave some good comments on other people’s blogs. I got lucky and my boyfriend pointed me to a highly successful blog and I did learn alot.
Thanks Darren.
Once again darren has made a complicated thing very simple…
Glad you have the extra mini challenge, the blog that I am working on for the 31 days is pretty new. Although I do have some great content started.
Thank you so much. I’ve only received two comments since starting my blog, but my readership has increased several hundred percent. I’ve really been learning some interesting things about posting and use keywords in titles.
I’m new, with much to learn. I’m thankful to God for this challenge. It sure is challenging:)
Andrea
http://www.talenttraders.com
Oh thanks darren for the fantastic fifth post!!
Yes you are right if People can encourage their readers they can definitely spread your blog over and over!!
This is a particularly timely suggestion for me, so I thank you very much! Now I’m off to do some emailing! It’s overdue!
Great tips today. However, I’m always concerned that if I respond to their comment back on my blog, then they probably won’t see it since I don’t expect people to come back to the comments section once they’ve already left their comment. So what do you do – leave one on your own blog and send them an email?
This is excellent advice. I’ve found simply visiting the blogs of those who comment for me and making sure to leave my own comments not only keeps them coming back, but it also brings new readers beyond them! :-)
I answer comments on my blog every day or two. Some of the best experiences and opportunities I’ve had since starting my blog have come from starting conversations in the comment sections of my blog, or other blogs, that often go to email or Twitter.
I don’t have any comments or RSS subscribers yet so I did the mini task. I noticed on my wordpress admin dashboard that there is a widget for incoming links so I can see the comments I left are pointing back to me. Neet!
I constantly use this technique all the time. The best is having the conversation on your comment section. It engages the original poster as well as other readers. I also do go to my reader’s blog and comment as well.
-Belkis
This is indeed a simple tip but very powerful, i guess. i have just started nearly a month ago. and this what i am going to do next.
Unless I already have a relationship (and that can be as much as knowing them from a forum or NIng site etc.) with this particular reader, I would never send an email. I don’t like spam, and I’m sure other people don’t like spam.
I do however reply when people post comments to my blog posts, especially when they are asking a question. It’s only polite to answer when people talk to you.
Thank you for this inspiring post Darren. I always try and answer the comments within my posts, but I have not thought about answering by email. Logically, it just makes sense, and is so noted.
Darren,
Thanks for todays lesson.
This is good buiness in any situation to say thank you to those that use your product. It works. I am glad for your encouragement.
http://germanedel.blogspot.com/
I visit all my of readers blogs and follow the principles you suggested, so today I visited some of the people who left comments that they had new blogs and had some great email exchanges with them. I am meeting great people and being exposed to great blogs. http://budurl.com/lp52
Thank you very much for your wonderful tips and tricks. I’ve only just started to write my blog (a few days ago, and its a work in progress) and am constantly adding your valuable knowledge onto my website, as well as getting all of my thoughts on the computer.
http://touched-by-spirits.blogspot.com/
Darren,
I checked out my blog stats today and I was so shocked.
Last week I had 67 hits/visits
This week I have 469! And I am not even sure that the week is over in totaling the amount.
I have had the best week in my blog’s history. I can’t wait to keep doing each daily task.
While I am working on two blogs with this challenge, I am focusing more energy on http://lindylou-blogspot.com
This weekend I am going to buy my own website domains and work toward moving my blog’s to their own website. YEAH!
I’m not sure I like the idea of sending an unsolicited email to a reader. In my little culture-circle online here, it’s considered pretty rude (I personally wouldn’t mind it so much, but I’ve gotten emails from people at church and the like and thought, “Uhmm how did they get my email address?”) However, I do always reply to my comments, and I always check out their blogs.
Having said that, I’ve only ever gotten a couple of comments from people I didn’t already know and they were people from 31DBBB… so they would know what I’m up to if I emailed them hahahaha.
I once read a blogger suggest commenting to visitor’s comments to assure them you are reading what they have to say. But I think emailing them personally is a nice touch. I have a blogger do that they other day and I thought it was nice. Great ideas.
I have been forgetting to look at the stats for my blog for awhile – and consequently feel like NObody is reading it! This is mainly because I get so few comments…but with the ratios you explained in another one of your posts, one needs LOTS of visitors to get even a few comments. So – it is definitely time to network with people who write about similar topics. We all can benefit from mutual commenting, particularly when we have something relevant to say. Already, even after only a few days of this challenge, my stats are on the rise and I am getting more comments. You are reminding me to stay focused on my niche and to spend my (limited) time on other related blogs (not the pie-in-the-sky ones).
Thanks!
Michelle
Cooking with Kids for a better body, planet and community
http://whatscookingblog.com
Thank you Darren for this task!
I chuckled when I read your comment about the blogger who rolled their eyes when you suggested this seemingly simple task of reaching out to readers!
Why? Because I sometimes get the same reaction when I suggest that people send hand written “Thank you” notes after an interview or impt exchange…. The power of a simple gesture is not to be treated lightly as it can build into something more; open doors that lead to something truly meaningful.
I responded to the reader who commented on my blog yesterday, connected with him on twitter, and just sent an email now to connect again.
I have invited him back, asked for a link to his blog if he has one, and encouraged him to join the 31 Day challenge.
I love these tasks as they are giving me fodder for my blogs too … This is Brilliant!
Perfectly agree with you Darren. Thats what I am doing since the past month. There is a plugin thread comment which also email the commentator back whenever you reply his comment. It really work and make the person know that his comment was not wasted.
Hi all the posts in the 5 days have been great. But i have a small doubt, whether toolbar can be used to promote my blog.
This is something that I’ve done from day 1 – building community is far greater than running a numbers game! Thanks for the sound advice/teaching :)
I have been responding to comments with my own comments, but also pasting my replies into emails so they don’t miss it. But after today’s tip, I started adding to the emails:
In addition to the copied comment, I am adding my elevator pitch (when appropriate) and finding a personalized way to invite them to consider subscribing (when appropriate), including the link to my Subscribe page.
This is a great tip. I try to respond to most comments on my blog in the comments section, but it never occurred to me to email the commenter. Now that you mention it, I recall one or two bloggers emailing me directly in response to a comment I’d left and it definitely makes an impression!
Ali (Worducopia)
Since I challenge myself with 31DBBB I got many comments and emails form my readers..
I also put a signature in my email when I send to them so they can get back to me..
Great exercise!
Yes, it is working. I too have experienced this during my start-up days of my blog.
http://www.jarlinpaul.com/
Enjoying your articles in this 31 days challenge.
Before I started tracking them I often forgot where I had left comments. I like the idea of getting a little nudge to check back again and see where the conversation is going, or to remember the blog even exists!
Not too many comments on my blog yet so will invest some more time commenting elsewhere. Consider this on my tallyboard!
Hi Darren,
Thanks for the reminder about answering all comments and sending e-mails. I was doing well with this but got behind during the holidays.
I’m caught up again.
Does it also work to have an e-mail conversation with those who comment about what kind blogs they’d like to see written?
I wrote a 12-part series on my Boomer Consumer blog on the Seattle Post-Intelligencer Web site. The focus was on consumer groups that lobby at the state legislature. The last post was a listing of all the groups with links to their action agendas and status updates. The purpose was to help readers keep track of what’s happening at the Washington State Legislature.
I thought it was great, but I didn’t get any comments on the series and my comments in general dropped off.
Thanks for the assignment to write list blogs. Two list articles I wrote for my main blog, The Survive and Thrive Boomer, are receiving comments.
I’m also working on figuring out how to do trackbacks on Typepad.
I welcome conversation with other boomer writers at http://boomersurvive-thriveguide.typepad.com.
Rita
I must admit I was a little bit sceptical of this task because I was really worried people might think of me as a creepy stalker person for emailing them after they commented on my blog.
Also, I really didn’t want the email to sound insincere and turn people off reading my blog.
However, after thinking about it for a while and then just jumping in and doing it, I really enjoyed it.
Since I write a weight loss/fitness blog, there was quite a few things I could email my readers about and I really enjoyed doing it. I am also hoping that the readers I emailed write back as I genuinely want to know how they are doing.
Thanks for making me do this task Darren.
Thanks for mentioning the email to commentator plugin, just installed, it’s now more convenient to write email back, thanks for sharing, no more cut and paste needed.
As for me I still trying to figure out how to get people to leave comments on my blog, I would so enjoy replying if only I get the opportunity, so the trick for me me is “How not to sound desperate?”
I guess it all comes down to, as strange it might sound, LOVE your readers!
They will feel this – and come back again and again!
cheers
I don’t get a lot of comments over at Beyond Beeton http://beyondbeeton.com but I always try to respond when I do.
In the very early days of my blog, I noticed a commenter who had an unusual name and was from my city. I had recalled a friend mentioning a friend of hers by that name on a few occasions.
I mentioned that to the commenter and it turns out that we did indeed have a friend in common. We started tweeting and then emailing and we’ve now caught up a number of times in person. I’ve made a good friendship as a result!
I’ve also been fortunate enough to recently ‘meet’ some new people as a result of 31DBBB and commenting on their blogs.