How To Engage Your Blog Readers

By: | February 17, 2015 | Tags: , , , , , , , |

Welcome to my first guest post!

Do your stats show that readers are coming to your blog but leaving soon?  By looking at your stats page, you can see how long they stay.  Are you disappointed?

Engage readers so they stay loyal blog followers.

Writing a blog entails engaging readers.

Linda and I met at a blogging class we took recently, we struck up a friendship, and I instantly checked out her site.  I was shocked by what I saw–smiley faces and the response to them.

Linda had written a post about smiley faces.  What impressed me more than her creativity (I wouldn’t know what to write about smiley faces,) was how engaged her readers were–I mean they were really engaged.  She had 21 “likes” on the post, and she had just written it.  There were already seven comments.  Seven comments and 21 “likes” on a post just published–I was impressed.

Is it magic?  Is it a mystery?  What is Linda’s secret to reader engagement?  I invited her here today to tell us.  Linda, take it away!

What an honor to be invited to guest blog on Janice Wald’s Reflections!

When I started blogging a little over a year ago, it was basically to prove to myself that I could still harness the power of the written word, to learn a whole new technology and to try to determine what my next career move might be. It never occurred to me that I would meet so many like-minded people along the way!

So I wrote and posted and what the heck, some people clicked the like button! And some others wanted to read more so they followed! And I follow some intriguing people who share their varied lives.

What makes them engage? I think I’ve connected with that corner of the everyday. A stairway is a stairway unless you shoot it upside down. A local park is more interesting when you learn the story behind it.

I started to look at my hometown, New York City, in a different light when I viewed it through the lens of the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge.

Yup, photos. People need pictures to get what you’re saying, although it doesn’t have to be literal. When the Photo Challenge was “express yourself” I showed fireworks. It could have been the express train to work or an espresso coffee. And give your challenge posts actual titles, not “my weekly photo challenge thing.”  Think of it as a magazine article.

Challenges are great because there is a built-in community of creative people who want to see how others interpret the word of the week. WordPress Blogging University, where I met Janice, is another way to meet other bloggers. You’re all there to learn something from the WordPress people and from each other. You visit each other’s blogs and answer each other’s questions. Instant engagement!

I would also advise to keep it light. That’s not always possible but sometimes, we need to read a positive spin on something negative. One day I felt really down but kept thinking of the Photo Challenge word “serenity.” So I posted about the Museum of Modern Art. Thirty-one readers liked or commented. They understood!

Comment on other blog posts. You have something to add to the conversation and most likely, someone else agrees.

Another word of advice: post frequently. To be honest, I don’t do that because life keeps getting in the way. But take a look at www.unclespikes.wordpress.com. Somehow this guy manages to post gorgeous images, share his story and still be a farmer, daddy and husband. He is what I aspire to be as a blogger. Also worth a visit are www.psychologistmimi.com and www.anotherday2paradise.wordpress.com. They post regularly and intelligently and comment. I just read the loveliest thing from www.thismansjourney.net who does not post a lot but when he does, it’s heartfelt and sweet. Eighty-six likes and nineteen comments on his latest post prove my point.  Above all, be yourself. Share knowledge. Have fun.

There you have it, the secret to increasing readers’ time on task.  It may also increase bloggers’ time on task.  They will be so motivated by the encouragement that readers are spending longer at their site, they will keep writing.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThank you so much to Linda for being our guest today.  More of Linda’s writing can be found at Laughing Through Life.  In addition, if you’d like to read the post about the smiley faces that so impressed me, here’s the link: Expressing the Smiley Side.

If Linda’s tips for engaging readers can help other writers, please share.

Readers, what do you think?  Do you agree with Linda’s tips for engaging readers?  Which tips have you tried that work the best?  On the other hand, do you have your own suggestions for reader engagement?  I look forward to your views.

 

 

  1. lindasblogs

    Thank you, Janice, for your kind words and for inviting me to guest post. When I first clicked over to your blog I thought, “How did I miss this? This is great.” Thanks for being part of the learning journey!

    • Janice Wald

      We made a good team. Would you consider reblogging it so your readers can see too?

      • lindasblogs

        Thank you, Janice for the opportunity! I had no idea it would be so much fun and popular. We should do this again.

        • Janice Wald

          I would love that, thank you. Do you have any ideas for another guest post you could write?
          Your ideas were so well received on my site. Have you looked at it to see how many “likes” it got? A whole line of people! People put the ring on Pinterest as well. Did you get any new traffic from it from my site? I got to know some of your followers like Uncle Pike. Hopefully, some of my readers came to you.

  2. Wysjoyfulcompany

    I enjoyed it to the point of inspired gratitude which is one of my tags so I go now to step into my way of wellness!

    • Janice Wald

      Hi,
      I wanted to thank this opportunity to thank you. Everytime you click “like” on one of my posts, I feel so supported. I wanted you to know that.
      Janice

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Linda! Thank you so much for the reblog, the great post, and the kind words!
      Janice

    • Janice Wald

      Hi,
      We had a hit! There are over 20 comments on your post! Are you able to read them? Your writing is a hit!

  3. Uncle Spike

    Interesting post Linda, thanks for letting me know Janice; what a surprise to be someone’s inspiration…. a pot of pills on the way to Ms Linda then I reckon is in order 😀

    • Janice Wald

      Hi,
      I’m glad you enjoyed my first guest post. Thank you for reading it and writing me.
      Janice

  4. anotherday2paradise

    Some great thoughts from Linda. I’m honoured to see that my blog is one of the ones she mentions here. I do always try to keep my posts light and positive. 🙂

    • Janice Wald

      Hi,
      Thanks for checking in. I agree, Linda was very kind to give shout outs. She clearly thinks very highly of your writing.
      Janice

  5. Kathy

    Some helpful advice for many of us bloggers. I do think that it makes a difference “why” you are blogging and what you hope for in the end. When I started out I was obsessed by numbers, but now nearly 4 years into I got rid of the number of “likes” on my page and definitely don’t post the number of my subscribers. While it can be encouraging to get into the “numbers” I was finding it distracting from my purpose. Again, it all depends upon the purpose for your blog.

    • Uncle Spike

      I agree Kathy, numbers mean diddly-squat at the end of the day. Some of my cookery posts get the fewest likes, but the most sincere comments, coz they really mean something to the few who they are aimed at. Yet, a simple photo gets zero comments, but swathes of ‘likes’. I learnt a while back to do my own thing and ignore the stats (which I personally find to be pretty unreliable anyway). Blog for the sake of communicating ‘your thing’ and the wonderful friendships it generates – as a hobby, it keeps me off the streets

      • Janice Wald

        This is great advice for me. I look at the stats way too much. Thanks as well for the reblog this week. Nice meeting you. Linda has nice friends.
        Janice

        • Uncle Spike

          It’s a nice little community I’ve found, with everyone sharing both advice and their work 🙂

          • Janice Wald

            It sounds it. Linda is lucky to be part of it.
            Janice

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Kathy,
      I would like to monetize my blog one day. I thought to do that, I have to make sure my page views stay high. Am I right? Thanks for writing!
      Janice

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  7. litadoolan

    Great takeaway – ‘People need pictures to get what you’re saying’ it makes me realise what a highly visual medium blogging is! Super advice. I particularly loved your Modern Art post Linda! Easy to engage with when you are so honest and I agree an upbeat is always welcome.

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Lita,
      I’m glad you enjoyed my guest post. It was the first time I ever had a guest writer, so your compliments mean a lot. I saw you followed my blog this week. Your support means so much. Thank you!
      Janice

      • litadoolan

        Hi Janice, your guest post feature is so well presented, I am shocked this is the debut! I like the way you have placed it on your blog it is a great fit, congrats! I will look out for more in the series.
        Lita

        • Janice Wald

          Thank you so much. I actually just completed my first expert interview round up post. 19 guests all commenting in one interview. Exciting stuff.
          Janice

          • litadoolan

            Fantastic! Sounds content rich. I will check it out 😉

          • Janice Wald

            Hi Lita!
            Thanks for the nice feedback. I really appreciate the validation.
            Janice

        • Janice Wald

          Hi Lita,
          Linda, the writer, just wrote me and asked if she could write another guest post for me, so there might really be “a series” after all! I’m so glad you’re interested!
          Janice

  8. Annie Kate

    Well, I’m pinning it, if you keep records of that! 🙂 Great post with great links. Thanks

    • Janice Wald

      Hi,
      Did you pin my ring? Thank you so much! However, on the post at the bottom under “shares”, it doesn’t say anyone pinned it on the Pinterest button. I would be so excited to see that someone pinned my picture on Pinterest, but I never have.
      Thank you for the compliments. They mean a lot. Thanks for writing as well.
      Janice

  9. marykatbpcsc45

    Hi, thanks for linking up this informative post on Literacy Musing Mondays. It includes some great tips for my readers. I pinned, twittered, and facebooked. 🙂

    • Janice Wald

      Hi,
      Thank you so much for all the exposure you gave my writing (and my graphic) this week. Make sure I am on your Email list so I can always be apprised about your writing linky party. I noticed you are following my writing board on Pinterest as well. Thanks again for everything.
      Janicegreenfield123@gmail.com

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  11. Island Traveler

    Thank you Linda for mentioning me in this post. I agree, we just need to be ourselves…to write and capture the world around us with our hearts. We need to blog with passion and to treat our blogger friends as “family,” and they are. I went through life’s many ups and downs and when I read my blogger friends comments through the years…just fills my heart with joy and gratitude knowing someone in this world have me and my family in their thoughts and prayers. This is the priceless blessing of blogging, to connect in a very personal, enriching manner. Thanks Janice for the recent comment. Truly appreciate it. Have a great weekend. God bless you and your family.

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  14. Jennifer

    Hi, Janice. I have followed your post and I’m really enjoying it. Thank you for sharing these wonderful tips with us. Bjs.

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Jennifer,
      Thank you so much for commenting on my article and your kind words about my blog.
      Unfortunately, I never received a notice that you followed the blog. Did you activate the link in your email?
      Since you expressed interest, I took the liberty of signing you up. Welcome!
      Janice

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