Whose side did you take?
In my post, Are High Page Views the Greatest Thing in the World? I was overwhelmingly outnumbered when readers voiced their collective opinions: Engagement if far more important than page views on a blog.
After all, there are many upsides to having engaged readers. For example, engaged readers will create bonds, and those bonds will create communities.
Also, readers will spend so much time on your blog, your bounce rate will improve.
Now that commenters have echoed the importance of engaged readers, the question is how to go about hooking them.
Fortunately, today’s guest author Terry Meiners is here to explain 10 unique ways to engage your readers.
Do You Want to See More Engaged Readers on Your Blog?
by Terry Meiners
You’ve built your social media campaign for your blog or business; now how do you get your audience engaged?
We have put together some tips for you that will help you get your audience more engaged leading to more likes, shares, and comments.
- Personality – allow your personality to come through your writing, videos, and comments. However, you need to adjust that accordingly to the post you are making; an example would be you would not be joyous or happy if you were posting about an Amber Alert unless the post is to notify that the child had been found and the Amber Alert is canceled.
- Ask questions – ask questions of your audience. They need not all be about your business or industry either. You could use something like how often do you go out to dinner? Who does the cooking in your house?
- Share videos and photos – share tutorial videos on your product, share your audience’s photos or videos if they fit into one of the posts you have made. For instance, if you are making a post on how to properly bake a roast, you wouldn’t include a photo of dogs or cats.
- Post consistently – post consistently doesn’t mean you have to post every day, but at least publish twice a week. Also, take a few minutes at least every other day to recognize your audience; give simple thanks for sharing or that’s a great idea or even just a like to their posts lets them know that you appreciate them.
- Keep posts simple – keep posts simple does not mean talk down to the audience as if they are 3rd graders but use a plain way of speaking, especially when it comes to technical stuff. In fact, if a 5-letter word will work for a 20-letter word that most people won’t have any idea of the meaning, then use the 5-letter word. Many people will say keep it short, people online do not have a large attention span but the truth is they will read a longer post if it is what they are looking for which brings us to our next tip.
- Write engaging and valuable posts – make sure your post provides valuable information that your audience is looking for. Make that information engaging. In many instances, a 1500 or 2000 word post on your blog will work better than 5 separate shorter posts. An in-depth article is also going to help increase your SEO ranking better than 5 short articles. Basically, if your post is not valuable to your audience, they will go elsewhere which brings us to the next tip.
- Know your audience – getting to know your audience may seem a little difficult, but you really can get to know them before they start engaging with your posts. This can be accomplished by reading articles of your audience’s age group or interests. This will show you what they are engaging with and what type of information they are looking for. For instance, if your niche is fashion clothing for young hip older teens to young adults, you want to see what they are reading– what type of information they are looking for– and provide it in a new and interesting way. You can make sure they have all the facts or maybe some reviews.
- Call to action – a call to action could be rewarded very simply with a giveaway such as a gift certificate for the most shares and likes. It could also be a photo contest; have your audience post photos of them using one of their favorite products or shopping in your store,
- Make sure that you post a Get to Know Us – A Get to Know Us post should include photos of your work, possibly customers with their permission, the outside of your business, if you have one, and things around it. Include the address and phone number. Explain what your company is about; it is the mission of ____ to provide you the best clothing made in the US or Italy (or where ever it is you are located), to always be honest and forthcoming with our customers. Allow them to get to know you and your business.
- Have fun – Have fun with your audience but always stay respectful. Let them see you have a humorous side, a side that feels compassion and love. Basically show them you are human as well.
Conclusion
There are many things you can do to help get your audience become engaged with likes, comments, and shares. Whichever engagement strategies you adopt, don’t forget one important rule: Always write for your audience.
About the author: Terry Meiners is a business owner and a passionate writer. He loves to share his experience about business and help people to understand business better. He is the co-founder of TopWritersReviews.com
Host blogger’s commentary:
Bloggers frequently ask how to build a community of engaged blog readers. Readers, please share, so other bloggers know how to engage their readers.
Terry presented many unique ideas for getting engaged blog readers. What do you feel was his most valuable tip? Did any surprise you? How do you ensure readers are engaged on your blog? I look forward to your views in the comments section.
Related Posts:
How To Engage Your Blog Readers
How to Engage Blog Readers Who Are in a Rush
Your Blog Needs Video Content. Here’s Why…
How to Make People Spend More Time on Your Blog with Stories
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I especially liked engagement 2 because in my mind I put myself in that place and really keeps my mind working I.E. Engaged in what I am reading.
This is putting a great stuff simply.
You are sweet Ayietim. Thank you.
Janice
Janice Wald recently posted…This Is How to Make Engaged Readers, 10 New Ways
These are all great tips. I like the idea of writing a get to know us post.
HI Emily,
I agree it was a good idea my guest author Terry came up with. I’ve heard of Get to Know ME. I’ve never heard of Get to Know Us. I guess it’s good for businesses. Thanks for writing.
Janice
Janice Wald recently posted…This Is How to Make Engaged Readers, 10 New Ways
Awesome tips, I do a lot of them and they do work, now I will apply the others 🙂
Hi Andria,
Thanks for letting us know my guest author’s tips are effective. Which ones are you finding success with? Thanks for your comments.
Janice
Janice Wald recently posted…This Is How to Make Engaged Readers, 10 New Ways
Great post. A blog of highly targeted and engaged audience is the greatest asset of every blogger.
Also, I like the call to action part. I will put it to use.
Isaac Anim recently posted…4 Important Settings After Installing WordPress
Hi Isaac,
Thanks for the compliments on my guest author’s article. I have Calls to Action, but I’ve never used them in conjunction with a giveaway except at my blog party. Let me know how it goes.
By the way, I am going shopping for the burger, buns, and condiments for this Saturday’s blog party. I hope you’re planning on dropping by.
Janice
Janice Wald recently posted…This Is How to Make Engaged Readers, 10 New Ways
Hey Janice,
Love the post. I’m on your side. Engagement is much better than just views. Whether it’s a blog, national website or minisite, having people who read and take action is better than quantity.
Thanks,
Dennis
Hi Dennis,
Thanks for commenting on my guest author’s article. I know what a blog is. What is a national website and a minisite? Thanks for explaining.
Janice
Janice Wald recently posted…This Is How to Make Engaged Readers, 10 New Ways
Hi BBFFJ,
I’m actually doing pretty good this time!
I already do #1-7, and 10!! Yippie Yi Ay!
Your BBFFM
Melinda Mitchell recently posted…Kim’s Kwilt Komplished
Hi BBFFM,
Thanks for complimenting on my guest author’s article. You may not have a Get To Know Us Page, but do you have an About Me page? At work, or I would go to Florida and check myself =).
BBFJ
Janice Wald recently posted…This Is How to Make Engaged Readers, 10 New Ways
I already do most of these things, but I don’t do them all in every post.
Barbara Radisavljevic recently posted…Niume! Should You Dabble or Plunge In?
Hi Barbara,
Thanks for writing. Great to see you here. I agree with you. For example, I have giveaways in my Thursday’s blog party Call to Action, but certainly not in every post.
Janice
Janice Wald recently posted…This Is How to Make Engaged Readers, 10 New Ways
Hi Janice and Terry, I like the part about the call to action. I need to add more of those on my blog or posts. I would prefer an engage audience too as you would learn much more about your readers than if they just read your post and left.
When you get to know them it helps you create more posts too I find.
Thanks for sharing these tips with us Terry. I hope you both have a great day!
Hi Lisa,
I agree with you. When people comment, I copy their relevant comments and paste them into blog posts that address their comments and/or questions. Excellent point. Great to see you here. Thanks for the visit and the comments.
Janice
Janice Wald recently posted…This Is How to Make Engaged Readers, 10 New Ways
Keeping your visitors engage on your site is as important as driving traffic to it.
User engagement can improve bounce rate, increase pageviews and thus, can alter your rankings indirectly.
Thanks for the post.
Cheers !
Panks recently posted…Content Delivery Network (CDN) – A Detailed Guide 4000+ …words
Hi Panks,
I just came from your blog ad commented there. Thanks for coming to mine and commenting. I mentioned the bounce rate, but can I ask how they increase page views? Thanks for explaining.
Janice
Janice Wald recently posted…This Is How to Make Engaged Readers, 10 New Ways
These are definitely ten excellent engagement inducing strategies Terry!
Thanks so much for sharing them!
And while it’s obviously, you don’t have to try and incorporate all ten at once,
there is more than enough proven content here, to help anyone serious, move off center!
And they’re extremely low cost and practical too! Thanks from reminding us how to be
proactive!
Mark recently posted…Being An Entrepreneur: Means Leveraging Your Current Skills For Maximum Profits!
We do love to let our personality shine through! Thank you for this article,very helpful :)) Jen
These are great tips! I’ve been blogging for just a year so I greatly appreciate these!
My pleasure Tracy. You came to the right place; I help new bloggers at my site.
Janice
when ever i visit this blog i leave with something unique to develop my blogging career . blogging without engaging readers will increase bounce rate
thanks for sharing this wonderful idea
samuel recently posted…True facts about what blogging really is
Thank you for your kind remarks, Samuel. I am glad you enjoyed the article. Nice to see you again.
Terry and Janice, I enjoyed this post and heartily agree that engagement is key. I’d like to post twice a week (Terry’s suggested minimum), but when I started my blog nearly 7 years ago I knew I’d never be able to consistently post more than once a week, so I post every Thursday like clockwork. Thanks for the tips.
Jean recently posted…Stuffed Bell Peppers Deconstructed – Unstuffed Bell Peppers
I focus on the personal, engagement and having fun parts Janice – as soon as those things are lost then I think I’ll stop – and find a new interest – macrame anyone??
Macrame? No! We’d all miss you!
Janice
Janice Wald recently posted…Blogger’s Pit Stop #48
Super interessant post, thnak you so much for sharing dear
I agree with you especially by the 1,3,6,7
the rest most important too
kisses
Anita
https://femmeetinfos.wordpress.com
I’ve just recently started becoming more personal and playing off my blog’s name “Dazzle While Frazzled” by sharing a “Frazzled Moment” in my posts. It’s too early to tell if it will lead to increased engagement but I feel like I’m being more authentic and real and hopefully that’ll hook visitors. Visiting from Saturday Sharefest.
For a new website owner your website is invaluable. I found Terry’s post very helpful. I need to work on a whole lot of things.
Jenny recently posted…Circadian Optics Lumos SAD Lamp Review
Hi Jenny,
Thank you so much for the kind words about my articles. I hope you will consider signing up, so you never miss a post.
Janice
Janice Wald recently posted…Microsoft Will Make You Get More Blogging Done in Less Time
Very good ideas. I really like “the get to know us”. I had not thought about that one.
Roy Miller recently posted…Buіldіng a Suссеѕѕful Onlіnе Buѕіnеѕѕ!
Hi Roy,
I agree with you. The post was guest authored. I had thought of an About Me page, but not an About Us page. Thanks for writing.
Janice
Janice Wald recently posted…Inspire Me Monday Linky Party #105
Great article. I have some difficulties with engagement because of the nature of my posts (more informative than anything). But I always welcome comments and questions.
Hi Matt,
What is your topic? Is it technology? Thank you for writing me. I always welcome comments and questions too. Sometimes I think wanting tips does not lend it self to as much engagement is other topics, so I can relate.
Janice
A good tip about the length of the posts being beneficial to SEO. I made the mistake of writing fairly short specific posts around my core subject. They got nowhere in the rankings. When I combined four into a 3000 word article, like magic a couple of weeks later I was showing way up the rankings on page 3. So I can testify that post length does work the magic.
Colman recently posted…Inflatable Hot Tub Aromatherapy. Fragrance your Spa
Hi Coleman,
Thanks for writing with this great testimonial about the value of long posts. I’ve actually been criticized for having long posts, and I don’t think any of mine were that long! If I use your comments in a future post, I will link to you.
Janice
Janice Wald recently posted…How to Copy Your Blog & Why You Need To: WP Twin