Do you have a blog? Is your comments section open or do you have it closed? Do you comment at other blog sites? Do you know the value of the comments option at your blog site?
1: You get some idea of how many people are reading your blog posts and who they are? However, the large majority of your followers will never or rarely comment.
2: You’ll find out what topics are of the most interest to your readers.
3: You’ll get ideas for blog posts.
4: You’ll meet potential guest bloggers.
5: People are more inclined to read a blog where there’s a lot of activity—interesting comments from others.
I have a couple of blog followers who comment fairly often about my blog. But not in the public forum. They comment to me. They email me. I love it, but I’d love it more if they would share their great comments with all the others who read my blog.
Others would be more inclined to follow suit. Then those stopping in for the first time would see that we’ve established a bit of a community of writers/authors here and they would want to feel a part of it.
Do you see how that works?
Of course, I would get more comments if I wrote in a more controversial vein. When I do get gutsy and bring up a hot topic, I get comments. But I guess sensationalism isn’t my nature. I’d rather offer the tips, techniques, perspectives and resources that I think can benefit you the most.
SPAWN’s Generous Donation and Opportunity for Members
On a new topic—most of you know I am the executive director of SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network). This month SPAWN has donated $500 to the Ojai (California) Library while providing a dozen SPAWN members the opportunity to network face-to-face. During the month of June, here in Ojai, there will be almost daily, day-long workshops. On Saturday, June 23, the Ojai Writers’ Conference will kick in and the opening event is an elegant Book Tea. Organizations can sponsor entire tables (seating for 6) for $250 and individuals can attend for $30 each. All proceeds go to the Ojai Library. SPAWN is sponsoring 2 tables and SPAWN members will be our guests. For additional information about the Book Tea, go here:
http://www.ojaiwritersconference.com/booktea
Waiting List for Seat at SPAWN Table
To go on the waiting list for the free SPAWN networking opportunity, contact me at Patricia@spawn.org. You must be a SPAWN member. It’s $65/year to join. Sign up here: http://www.spawn.org
For the writers conference: http://www.ojaiwritersconference.com
For the month-long workshops: http://www.ojaiwritersworkshops.com
Patricia Fry Keynote Speaker at Luncheon June 23
I will be the keynote speaker for the luncheon following the Book Tea. I’m speaking on the ABC’s of Self-Publishing. The luncheon is $20. Sign up here: http://register.ojaiwritersconference.com/Literary-Events/Writers-Luncheon-Saturday-JUNE-23.html
Patricia Fry Workshop Leader in Ojai
I’ll also be presenting a workshop on writing a book proposal at the writers’ conference that afternoon.
http://www.ojaiwritersconference.com
Wow, you’re going to be busy. Wish I could attend and absorb some of your knowledge. Ojai sounds like a great place for a writer, too.
I know just what you mean. I love getting emails that say great blog or nice article – but it would mean as much or more to have the comment posted where the editor could see it – and where it might spark an idea in someone else who then leaves a comment. I’m all for open comment sections. Yes, there will be spam and the rare nasty remark but it makes it much easier for everyone else. I don’t leave comments on sites that ask for personal information or require me to join and then sign in each time. Thanks for all the good information you give us.
Kathleen,
Would love to have you visit. Ojai seems to foster the writing and artistic bugs, but it is just recently that someone has attempted to bring writers together in any big way. Seems to be highly successful and it’s great fun meeting writers at all stages of their passion.
Patricia
Sandy,
Thanks for taking time to comment. Oh yes, the spam–it can become overwhelming and quite annoying. You go to the trouble of writing a meaningful post for folks that are actually interested and then you’re comments box fills up with spam from robots touting all sorts of totally unrelated products and trying to find a platform for their weird causes. It is refreshing, indeed, when the blogger hears from a real follower who is actually interested in the topic.
Patricia