But i have to admit, every title i click on your blog, interests me. :) great work.

I like the look at feel of the comment system, so I added it to our blog (http://www.palaestratraining.com/blog)

Thanks again, always great information here.

I also noticed he was using an interesting plugin called “CommentLuv” which lists a commenter’s latest post under their comment. I thought that was a neat way to encourage posts!

Add a podcast to your blog!

There that’s it have another way to talk to your audience. Some people prefer the listening to the reading.

I have podcasts on all of my blogs and I know they are appreciated. On Wizardgold.com/wordpress I have produced 35 podcasts and had 35,000 downloads. Not absolutely massive compared to something like Coffee Break Spanish or Grammar girl but I think it is good for the niche that I have.

I have just started a new Blog and podcast called Funniun and I will be talking to people in the street and in the course of my daily business and recording their funny stories. Everyone has a party piece and now a chance for the internet world to hear it.

I will also be taking recordings via Skype, so if you have a funny un’ contact me on Skype and of course you can plug your website in the podcast and I will include a link in the enhanced version and in the show notes for you.

Skype name = Wizgold

I also have information on my sites about how to make a podcast. If you have any questions then please ask. Did a session on Podcasting for beginners at the recent Podcamp Barcelona.

Great discussion all!

Tink *~*~*

Here is a question that bugs the hell out of me.

I have a bit of an issue with people that leave one-line that adds no value to the conversation and then take the liberty of dropping a link back to their blog too.

Even worse than that imho are hit and run comments. People that throw something in and then never come back to see the response. I know this can happen because if we subscribed to all the coment follow ups we’d get overwhelmed with e-mails, so it’s easy to forget every now and then.

However, I know some people that do this all the time and the crushing lack of genuiness (made up word) as Gala alluded to, does my head in.

And another thing as I rant on to nobody in particular.

Those people that comment for a short period and if you don’t go and reciprocate on their blog, they never come back (unless you’re ‘A’ list in which case they’re just waiting to be the first to comment). This just means they were never interested in the first place and were only looking for traffic.

Personally, I read a lot of the people here and comment on about 1 in 20 posts that I read. If I can’t offer any value, then what’s the point other than to attract other bloggers?

I’m not even sure what value I am offering here other than whining and I’ve even forgotten what my original question was (I’m losing the plot), so let me end by saying this:

“Great post, it couldn’t have come at a better time for me and I’m going to print it off and nail it to the dog to remind me. Please visit my site for a slightly greater post about why my dog insists on sniffing my butt when we have guests” Here’s the link in case you haven’t got the energy to scroll up to my name”

For me, it’s been a matter of trying to remain humble, of knowing that I don’t have all the answers, and of discovering just how much wisdom there is in my readership.

Gala Darling’s “authentic desire” you can’t fake sincerity and passion. At least not all that well.

Someone left comment yesterday that asked for a serious response. I found myself today doing what John Chow suggests. I asked readers to help me respond to his question. Wow! The wisdom and advice was marvelous. Conversation is another thing that can come when we ask. :)

Darren – Thanks for including me in this. Very humbling and very cool.

I love the input from the others as well. I can’t say that I would disagree with any of the points and this is a great compilation of pointers for folks just starting out or even for those of us who have been at it a while.

Yet another reason ProBlogger is at the top of most people’s conversation points. Great stuff.

To foster the first, you have to get into a link bait state of mind. Which approach is going to get a reaction, how can you press topical or emotional hot-buttons? Many bloggers drift into snark territory with those. It could, though, be as simple as linking to other bloggers with an interesting and unusual question that you would like to see answered.

I actually don’t see a problem with being snarky IF you can back it up…Mike @ TechDirt does this in a provocative, yet referenced and purposed way.

You’re right though, you should do this carefully.