So you’ve written that new blog. Now you want to encourage more and different eyes to read it: new and existing clients, prospects and referrers.

Inviting and responding to comments is a great way to keep your website content fresh while engaging with your readers.

Here are seven ideas to encourage comments:

1. Keep asking!
Regular and consistent requests that people a) read and b) comment on your blogs may sound obvious – but it works. Of course the blogs needs to be engaging, informative and helpful… (All three? even better).

Ask by email when you’re in touch with your contacts and clients, especially if the subject relates to what you’re chatting about… Ask in person too at networking and other events.

2. Return the favour…
Offer to read others’ blogs and to comment on them. In the process you’ll hit on new ideas for your own business and get to know that person better too. It will be an extra talking point when you next bump into each other. What’s not to like?

3. Respond to the comment
Someone has written a comment: brilliant. Replying as soon as you can afterwards shows your appreciation (and demonstrates the values of your business).

Other readers get to the end of your blog and have enjoyed it.

They see the “call to action” inviting them to add a comment and notice that you’ve responded to other comments in a friendly, upbeat and positive way.

Are they now more likely to leave a comment of their own? You bet.

4. Tweet your thanks
Someone who left a comment is on Twitter. Send a tweet saying thank you and mention that you’ve replied. Include a link back to the blog… to encourage more and different eyes to read it too. And comment too? That’s also possible.

5. Targets –
If you can’t measure it, it’s not marketing. Setting yourself a goal for a certain number of comments per blog (three, for instance) may also help spur you on to write your next one.

6. LinkedIn/Facebook post –
You’ve promoted your new blog on LinkedIn and/or your Facebook business page. Why not try out adding a comment to those posts saying thanks to someone who’s added a comment?

7. Republish
You publish the blog, or perhaps a summary, in a magazine column or on another website. Include your “call to action” asking for comments, and a link back to the original blog, in that piece too.

This article is based on a longer blog. If you read it please… wait for it… add a comment. www.briandmcgee.com/blog

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