Reader interaction can help you accomplish various goals for your website. Including adding user generated content.
It also helps to pull in more readers. Folks often want to join in and see what others are talking about.
But getting reader interaction isn’t always easy. It can be fairly challenging, especially in the beginning.
Ask
One of the most effective ways to get more interaction is to ask for it. It really doesn’t matter if you’re writing an article or a blog post. It’s about content writing.
Here are some questions or calls to action you can include at the end of your piece of content:
– What has been your experience?
– Do you have any advice on…?
– Give us your thoughts.
– Have you ever…?
– What’s your favorite…?
– Do you remember when…?
Of course some topics lend themselves better to this approach than others. A blog post on a cooking site about your favorite cookie recipe is likely to get a lot of reader content. Folks love to share their favorite recipes.
But a blog post about how to soak beans isn’t likely to get much feedback unless you ask for advice or information about different soaking methods.
Respond
When you respond to comments you start a discussion and then other folks may feel the desire to add their thoughts. If you don’t respond to the comments left on your blog, then there’s a good change the conversation will not go much further.
If you want to encourage more readers to chime in and offer their opinion, insight and comments, then always make time to respond to their comments.
Controversy
Spark a controversy or discussion by presenting a potentially heated topic. Controversy tends to motivate folks to share their personal opinion.
But do be careful.
If controversy doesn’t fit your brand or personality, then it may be best to stick with safe, newsworthy topics. Folks often feel motivated to share their opinion on both controversial and newsworthy topics.
Share
We’re visual folks so share a picture or video. When we see a picture that makes us laugh, smile, cry or get angry, we are often motivated to comment on it.
I’ve read somewhere that sharing a photo showing a selfless act is a very common theme among viral posts. Which makes sense.
Sometimes a picture or a video is all you need to get interaction. It can say more than the words of an article or blog post can. But sometimes it’s nice to include it alongside relevant content.
Share some more
Within the body of your article or blog post, share a personal story. Take time to share something personal that relates to the content of your article or post.
It doesn’t have to be elaborate, long winded or extremely personal. When you share a story, you help to build rapport and trust. This in turn can motivate others to share their story.
You can end up learning a lot about your readers and potential customers when you share openly.
If you have a blog, reader activity and comments add credibility to your brand. This also tends to motivate more reader interaction, links and increased traffic.
So which tip will you try first?
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