Week 2 of the #31CBBC is all about nurturing the relationships with your readers, fans, and customers.
When was the last time you thanked someone for commenting on your blog?
When was the last time you emailed them, thanking them for their comment?
My blog mentor taught me to do this but I don’t think I do it often enough.
I love-love-love comments – don’t you? It makes you feel all happy inside. It may be just an ego thing but it validates your efforts. What’s even better is when someone is actually helped by something you write.
As a crochet business (blogger) your customers are your readers. How much more attention should you give to your comments?
Commenting is an intimate thing. It is someone taking time out of their busy schedule to leave their thoughts. How easy is it to just skip commenting and click the share to Twitter or FaceBook buttons?
Thank Me Later Plug-in
You can email those who leave an especially thoughtful comment or you can use a WordPress plug-in like Thank Me Later.
You can customize messages for categories, tags, and pages. You can also control when the email is sent – 30 minutes after the comment or a couples of days later.
What do you think about emailing your readers? Is that spamming as they didn’t ask for it?
Comment Re-Direct Plug-in
Comment Re-direct is another option if you don’t feel comfortable auto-emailing your readers. This plug-in redirects after someone comments for the first time. You can direct them to a thank you page which also invites them to share your blog or sign up for updates.
Have you been to a blog which redirects you to a thank you or product page? What are your thoughts on using something like this?
A couple of things to note: (all are optional)
- Comments are welcome and encouraged
- Visit the FB group and add your post for the day to the pinned post if you’d like to receive at least 2-comments on your post.
- Join the Crochet Business Blogger G+ Community
- Community Event: #Crochetbusiness Twitter Chat 12pm PST
- Add your blog url to the #31CBBC linky (not the post url) – this will help you identify who is participating
- As you are visiting other bloggers, take note of any similarities you have or complimentary projects/services you have. This is a great time to jot down the blog name and get to know the blogger behind the blog.
- Don’t stress on writing a post each day. A picture with your thoughts, a video, a top 5 list, or simply a quote on why you like crochet all counts as a post.
P.S. Someone pointed out to me that I wasn’t adding gifts to the blog. (not all people are signed up for the emails) I am, just not in the post. If you look on the right sidebar you’ll see a section entitled “Don’t Forget: Gifts from Me” – those are the gifts.
I will change that starting now. Just in case you missed the daily gift here is a roundup:
- 365 Crochet Blog Writing Prompts
- Start Your Day Off ‘Like a Boss’ aka 3 Quick Tips to Start Your Day Off Right by Chris Cade
- Achieving Your Dreams Without Fear by Chris Cade
- CBB-sellingcrochet1
- Pinterest Traffic by Michelle Shaeffer
- commentingworks-hookingforcash-worksheet
- A Guide to Google Plus Hangouts
- Download: Twitter Chat Howto
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I completely agree with the need to thank and interact with those who comment on my blog post. I try to reply to every comment, but right now my following is smallish, so not an issue. I’m not sure how I feel about the automated thank you….seems sort of impersonal. But maybe something to look into in the future.
Amy, I think it is more of a lead generation tool at first. For instance if they are redirected to a thank you page, you might let them know about more posts on the same subject or invite them to sign up for updates. I’m a bit iffy on the auto thank you email because I think it crosses a line into spam. Once in a while an email of appreciation might be fine but an auto email is pushing it.
This reminded me to check my Ravelry interactions! I love it when people link up their projects and I often forget to interact. I’ve found some of the sweetest reviews and made new crochet friends that way!
Elisabeth, I rarely get to Ravelry these days. I find if I’m there I’ll browse the patterns for at least an hour or pop into to forums and browse conversations.
I have always tried to personally respond back to each comment… I love having a relationship with my readers!! Thanks for all the great info… I still have some reading to do on some of your other subjects!!!
Elena, comments are great especially when you know the person read what you wrote. I think it is the beginning of a relationship.