Comments on: 3 High-Powered Reader Engagement Tactics

By: cooler

cooler — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 22:02:38 +0000

Good advice. Blog readers, and the way they read while on the internet, are a distinct audience, and knowing what they look for is always good to know. Writing a post that looks for a specific response is a great way to cater to what a lot of blog readers are looking for.

By: Ryan Biddulph

Ryan Biddulph — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 01:33:19 +0000

Very good post. I know sometimes when in a rush I don’t have a real gameplan when it comes to my blog, these steps add some order to my mind. Thanks.

By: guide

guide — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 11:14:38 +0000

This site is interesting as well as informative. Enjoyed browsing through the site. Keep up the good work. Greetings..

By: Loren Fogelman

Loren Fogelman — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 04:36:00 +0000

Thanks so much for the post. I have begun to blog and appreciate having the tutorial. I am looking forward to putting your advice into action and seeing the results.

By: George

George — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 18:23:21 +0000

Am just getting frustrated by each day that comes, seems not to be doing the right thing.

By: SingleGuyMoney

SingleGuyMoney — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 15:55:10 +0000

Great tips! I try to engage my readers by asking for their thoughts at the end of a post. Especially if I am writing about a sensitive topic.

By: Gabriel - Gadfly Revolution

Gabriel - Gadfly Revolution — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 22:34:36 +0000

I’m trying to write more immersive posts in my blog. In the end, I think a lot of connecting with people is about stories — theirs and yours and how they interconnect. Stories give people something to relate to.

By: L.L. Barkat

L.L. Barkat — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 19:02:46 +0000

Came over from GoodWord.

I write what’s on my mind. My mind is a crazy place. Sometimes it’s bossy (prescriptive). Sometimes poetic or humorous or I-am-so-in-love-with-the-things-of-the-world (immersive). And always interactive (feedback)… unless of course I’m in a bad mood and don’t feel like talking.

Which brings me to the point. I think the power of blogging often lies in the power of personality– and this tends to run like a golden (or scarlet or mud-brown) thread through any blogger’s posts.

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 21:12:20 +0000

Great reading and some excellent points very well written. I tend to write immersive posts, but like to read prescriptive ones!
I would add one to your list, and that is Informational posts. These don’t fall into any of your categories, but there is a place for pure information, with no call to action – for example on a travel blog.

By: ATLANTA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

ATLANTA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 19:23:01 +0000

i usually write complete posts. Im going to have to hold back. Maybe we blog b/c we want to say everything that we think about all at once. This wouldn’t leave room for anyone. So, I think that Im going to start writing complete yet unfinished posts and get those who want speak out the permission to do so. thanks

By: Caleb

Caleb — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 19:05:14 +0000

“Engage” is one of my secret mantras…the very word alone causes one to ACT!

Theses three styles of writing are the styles I constantly toggle through when preparing content for my blog…I just didn’t have a name for them.

Of course, a bit of all 3 in EVERY post wouldn’t hurt ;)

By: Geuka | humancipate.com

Geuka | humancipate.com — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:56:56 +0000

This was an excellent article. I’m just starting my blog, but my first few posts have been prescriptive or immersive.

@David A. Shaver
I think you might have something there with the Meyers Briggs point. I am also an ISTJ and I love explaining things to people. I was married to an ENFP so I can really appreciate how one’s personality profile can greatly influence their communication style.

When I really think about the three styles, prescriptive seems like the one I would gravitate towards most in my own writing. But as a reader, I really enjoy all three styles.

I will take this article as a challenge to be more intentional in my writing and to definitely incorporate more articles that actively engage readers in the discussion.

Thank you so much for this article and for all of the great comments!

By: Tim Tyrell-Smith

Tim Tyrell-Smith — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 17:57:03 +0000

I write two blogs. One is on job search and one is on ideas. To date, both have been largely prescriptive but I’ve had the most luck in gaining comments when I have written about the psychological aspects (being out of work, launching a new idea). I absolutely love the posts on this site. They make me think – every time – about how I can do things better.

When I get immersed in my own blogs, the perspective and longer view come from ProBlogger. Thank you!

Quixoting – http://quixoting.typepad.com
Spin Strategy – http://quixoting.typepad.com/spin_strategy

By: Suresh

Suresh — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 14:50:04 +0000

Well , Getting the readers to the blog using quality content and SEO is the first task and getting them back once again is the problem of establishing identity and giving a feeling of useful for me .

Over the time only the quality of content and good presentation will help.

By: YRP Jen

YRP Jen — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 13:54:21 +0000

Thanks for really breaking these down as I think it will help me stay on task for future blogs I write. I tend to write the 1st & 3rd types. Here are recent ones that I would really appreciate any feedback upon … http://blog.yourrealtyportal.com/2008/12/01/post-it-forward/ and http://blog.yourrealtyportal.com/2008/12/15/holiday-curb-appeal-sells-listings/.

For the new year, I need to focus on figuring out how to get people to even see my blogs. So much to learn from the Blog community and ProBlogger! Thanks :)

By: Tumblemoose

Tumblemoose — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 13:52:59 +0000

I tend to be more immersive in my postings but I usually ask my readership a question or two and specifically ask for feedback on some items. I want to hear what they think. It’s all part of that balance beam of being an authority without being arrogant. I consider my posts to be a benevolent dictatorship rather than a totalitarian regime.

Cheers

George

By: David Leonhardt - SEO blog

David Leonhardt - SEO blog — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 13:19:05 +0000

I think I tend to write prescriptive posts most, but I sometimes add a question at the end. I really should do more of that, just like this post did. I look for prescriptive posts myself (might explain why I write them), seeking nuggets of useful information to take away.

By: Scott Mahler

Scott Mahler — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 06:42:43 +0000

I think each style you wrote about work well, it all depends on what your topic for that post is about. For example; my blog is a companion to my website, which offers my services as a website developer. A lot of my posts are about describing what a website developer does and why it behooves the reader to hire a credible professional. I have also written a couple of how-tos. I haven’t written any tip posts, but I do enjoy reading them, so I’m thinking I’ll have to incorporate some of those as well. By the way, thanks for your tips.

http://www.datexmedia.wordpress.com

By: Sarah Jo

Sarah Jo — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 04:53:37 +0000

As soon as I submit this post, I’m going to revisit a post I just scheduled and craft a better way to engage my audience by helping me solve the problem. Great advice!

By: Jonathan Fields

Jonathan Fields — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 01:12:57 +0000

Great comments, everyone.

Another interesting point, I’ve noticed a lot of bloggers I know tend to write the types of posts they like to read, which makes perfect sense. We generally like to produce in the same mode we process.

But, in a way, that may also limit the appeal of your content to readers with similar “delivery mode” preferences and turn away readers who like your content, but prefer other posting styles.

So, why not experiment with introducing a variety of posting styles? If you notice a bump in readership, comment volume, subscribers, that’s a reasonable sign that the mixed approach is better engaging your readers.