Contest Post by Kimberly
Kimberly is 30 year old female from Southern Illinois. Backgrounds in IT, small business & social media, she is passionate about helping small businesses succeed in social media. She primarily blogs at http://just-ask-kim.com. If you're looking for advice on social media... Just Ask Kim!
Kimberly normally writes at Social Media Technology Made Easy and tweets at @AskKim
Help Kimberly win the Famousbloggers ComLuv contest by clicking these buttons and retweet it to your followers!
Sometimes, a blog can feel a bit like a creepy old ghost town. No action happening except the occasional tumbleweed blowing through town. Cue up the spine tingling music and the sense of dread and suddenly you’re reminded of what it’s like when you’re blog isn’t generating any action.
There are a ton of posts about the necessity of creating interactions – with other bloggers on their blogs – and then also with your commenters on your own blog. There are equally as many talking about how to get visitors from social media.
But how can you encourage those visitors to stop and leave a comment??
Below are 5 simple solutions to encourage your visitors to leave comments and tell the tumbleweeds adiós!
1. Use Post Excerpts On Your Homepage
Whether your theme already includes this or you grab the handy Homepage Excerpts plugin for Wordpress to easily add the functionality, excerpts prevent visitors from doing the old cut and run! Now they will open the full post to read more and then find less hassle involved in leaving a comment. No more asking them to kick a tumbleweed (click a link) just to do you a favor (leave a comment)!
2. Enable Comment Threading
Comments are considered “threaded” when replies “nest” under the comment they belong to. It improves readability, flow and makes the comment system more inviting. Wordpress used to require clunky full comment system replacements to add this but now premium themes can either enable the built in feature under Settings -> Discussion or older themes can grab the WP Comment Thread plugin. This allows you and your readers to easily dialog and get to know each other.
3. Enable Subscribe To Comments
If you can keep a reader coming back, you increase their time on site and odds of leaving a comment. Make it super simple for your visitors to subscribe to all the replies of a particular post with the simple to use Subscribe To Comment plugin for Wordpress.
4. Thank First Time Commentators
If you’ve ever been a new commenter on a blog you know how unnerving it can be to leave a comment and see it go to moderation – or worst – say submitted but appear to vanish. Now there is a plugin called Comment Redirect that can easily identify a person that has not commented before and redirect them to a page of your choice. Set this page up to welcome them, thank them, encourage them to opt in and suggest other things they might enjoy. A win/win for you both!
5. Share the Link Juice
This “dream stack” will prove to visitors that you truly DO care about them and want to thank them for participating and commenting. Commentluv, Keywordluv, DoFollow & Top Commentators Widget all fit together to remove the no follow attribute, improve the back link quality and give more and better backlinks. There is no better way to say “thanks for helping me grow my blog” than saying “here’s something to help you grow yours”. These four greatly benefit the SEO work your visitors are likely doing and can help build a lot of traffic. The community surrounding Commentluv is a open but tight-knit family that actively supports each other and can be a great source of free traffic and relationships.
Ghost Town or Thriving Metropolis?
This powerful combination of tactics and plugins will help you increase the number of your visitors that not only stop by but settle in and help you turn your ghost town into a home town!
Combining off and on-site relationship building with these tactics help us keep the “social” in social media and prove ourselves worthy of being the major of a thriving metropolis.
Now it’s your turn! What is you’re favorite tactics to increase comment rates? Which plugins do you love to love – or love to hate? What has worked successfully for you on your blog? Are there certain plugins that you find reduce your likelihood to comment?
If you found this post interesting or useful I hope you’ll syndicate it, bookmark it and share it with all your friends and fans! Share your thoughts below in the comment field, I cant wait to compare notes!
This post was submitted by Kimberly.
Twitter: ImAHotMom
12. Jul, 2010 at 4:23 am #
I have Commentluv, Lucia’s Linky Love & Top Commentators Widget in my blog and love them! Time to get the Subscribe To Comment plugin and what plugin would you recommend to notify the comment author thru email when you reply?
Excellent tips, as usual, Kim. Thanks for sharing!
Young And Fabulous´s last blog ..My Hot Mom Of The Week- Tyesha Brown
Twitter: AskKim
12. Jul, 2010 at 10:11 am #
I have a review on my blog of Comment Reply Notification which I adore – however bunch of us are going to need to chip in and get that one fixed its got a minor bug. The reason I’m sending you to the review though is I wrote up my thoughts on that type of plugin and the CAN SPAM law which by themselves all those plugins violate. I think you probably know where to find my blog by now
Kimberly
kimjcastleberry´s last blog ..Is Your Blog On The Slow Road To Suicide
Kimberly,
You have a value packed post here, you never seize to amaze me with your generosity in the knowledge and information you continue to share.
There’s a few tops tips here that I didn’t know about, or I just totally forgot lol.
Good Luck with the Competition Honey, if anyone deserves to win its you.
Beth
Beth Hewitt´s last blog ..Thank you- but NO thank you
Twitter: AskKim
14. Jul, 2010 at 9:47 pm #
Beth, thanks so much for your love, support and comments! You’re the best!
I’m not sure if you’d have heard that list before or not. I never know for sure what you’ve picked up where since I alwalys forget you didnt arent one of my students
hehe. It’s okay you’d make me look too darn good!
Kimberly
Kimberly´s last blog ..Understanding the Types of Syndication Tribes
Twitter: prfuller
12. Jul, 2010 at 12:34 pm #
Hey Kim
Great advice, especially the part about sharing link juice. I have noticed a few blogs out there wanting commentators but they have “nofollow” setup. I assume that they do not know any better. Hopefully they do now.
I think WordPress with no special plugins now defaults to “nofollow”?????
Peter Fuller´s last blog ..Brand yourself online with your own “Nerve” Center
Twitter: AskKim
14. Jul, 2010 at 9:50 pm #
By default, all wordpress comment links are nofollow. This is from the “protect your seo juice” days. Infact many seo vets still preach that. I know quite a few PR4+ blogs that can easily disprove that myth though or at least prove that its more than made up for in traffic.
A plugin must be used – and people hear about the seo “issue” and the increase in spam and dont want to install yet another thing. For the most part, most just don’t know better. It’s why I’ve wrote so much about DoFollow on my own blog (although I need to make some of those posts easier to digest). Cant really hold it against the new guys that don’t know.
Kimberly
Kimberly´s last blog ..Understanding the Types of Syndication Tribes
Twitter: delightfulrepas
12. Jul, 2010 at 3:50 pm #
Kim, this post is full of great ideas for me. However, I use Blogger rather than Wordpress. Is there a “subscribe to comment” plugin for Blogger? (I’m a low-tech type; can you tell by my question?!)
Twitter: AskKim
13. Jul, 2010 at 1:27 pm #
Hey Jean, while I’m not real fluent with Blogger (except that I’ve seen lots of migration problems from it), I did some digging and there appears to be a similar feature built in already at least for those with google accounts.
http://www.google.com/support/blogger/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=79117
So I wandered over to your blog and left a comment and at the VERY bottom of the page I saw “Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)” That would be it I believe. However, that’s essentially an RSS feed and not quite the same thing. Then I saw a little “Subscribe by email” right next to the “post comment” and “preview” buttons. That would be what you’re looking for. (You probably have to be signed out as administrator to see them).
So you have that plugin built in. Of course, to leave a comment I was forced to signin (hence one of many reasons I don’t usually comment on Blogger blogs).
Hope that helps!
Kimberly
kimjcastleberry´s last blog ..Twitter – How To Get Off Inappropriate Twitter Lists of Others
You always give the greatest tips. Whatever will I do without you Kim?
Twitter: AskKim
01. Aug, 2010 at 3:21 am #
Awww thanks sweetie. Hopefully you wont have to go without me! I plan on living for evah! LOL
Kimberly
Kimberly´s last blog ..31DBBB – Day 4 – Analyze a Top Blog In Your Niche
Donna, I so agree! Kim is the most knowledgeable person on SM that I know.
Hope you are doing well.
Sandy
Sandy & Al Abrams´s last blog ..Can The Porta-Potty Cleaner Read The Label On The Vitamins You Took This Morning Part 2
Twitter: AskKim
06. Aug, 2010 at 8:17 am #
You two girls make me blush! Although Donna would probably argue I could use some blush I’d rather not! LOL! Love ya girls!
Kimberly
Kimberly´s last blog ..Digg v4 Alpha Brings Two Cool New Features
Twitter: BethNelsonAllen
12. Jul, 2010 at 8:08 pm #
Turning your ghost town into a home town ~ love it! Great post here, Kim. You always deliver such valuable insights and strategies to streamline our social media strategy.
I’m not yet using Keywordluv or DoFollow, so will have to go add those. I definitely want to be sharing the love, and always appreciate you helping me figure out ways to do that!
Beth Allen´s last blog ..Moments that Matter…Living Your Fullest Life-
Twitter: AskKim
13. Jul, 2010 at 3:47 pm #
Beth, it’s my recommendation to also grab SI Captcha as well. It seriously cuts down on the spam level associated with sharing so much link love. Infact it’s good enough that I’m seriously considering deactivating Akismet until they sort out their current blacklisting bug. .
Thanks for all your love and support girlfriend!
Kimberly
kimjcastleberry´s last blog ..What Do The “Colors” Mean On Skype
I love that saying “turning a ghost town to your hometown” Beth, I’m putting that on a post it and sticking it on my computer.
Regards,
Donna
Twitter: AskKim
01. Aug, 2010 at 3:24 am #
That’s definitely the idea I was trying to get across. Its the ghost town effect that disappoint so many when they start blogging and have no access to traffic sources. Isn’t it sad how many sites you can run across that just seem to be spinning their wheels?
Kimberly
Kimberly´s last blog ..WordPress Plugin Review- Defensio Anti-Spam and TypePad Anti-Spam
Twitter: knsfinancial
13. Jul, 2010 at 1:07 am #
Kim, once again you have given me a lot of great information for my website!
I think your articles are must-reads for new (and seasoned) writers!
Khaleef´s last blog ..How We Saved Over 125 in 20 Minutes at CVS
Twitter: AskKim
13. Jul, 2010 at 3:58 pm #
I enjoy helping you make your blog shine! I figure bloggers have enough to worry about with maintaining their blogs, the last thing they need is a headache! I always try to shoot straight! Thank you for commenting and sharing, I really appreciate it!
Kimberly
kimjcastleberry´s last blog ..What Do The “Colors” Mean On Skype
Hey Kim,
You hit a homerun with this one!
Excellent blog post full of some great tips.
Comment Luv is a no brainer and the redirect is
something that I may consider using in the future.
Thanks again Kim.
Cheers – Steve
Steve Hachey´s last blog ..Culture… And We Are Not Talking About Yogurt Here-
Twitter: AskKim
13. Jul, 2010 at 4:00 pm #
Hey Steve!
If you have any trouble with the redirect, give me a shout! It’s pretty straight forward but a little unusual in that you’ll want to hide a page. That said though, its a great way to further “time on site” and to further relationship building. Most use it as another place to make a call to action for opting in and some even sell a low cost product on it. Lots of flexibility depending on your goals.
Thanks for your support and help! Appreciate it!
Kimberly
kimjcastleberry´s last blog ..Is Your Blog On The Slow Road To Suicide
Twitter: virtuallyamaz
13. Jul, 2010 at 3:22 am #
Kim, I often enjoy your blog. I need to start commenting more as I always appreciate your knowledge and humor.
Thanks so much.
Grace White´s last blog ..Comfort when traveling- it’s a must
Twitter: AskKim
13. Jul, 2010 at 4:09 pm #
Awww Grace thank you for your compliment (and comment)! I’d definitely love to see more of you in my comments! Can I ask why you dont generally comment? Is there anything I can do to make it easier or more likely you would?
Thanks to you too!
Kimberly
kimjcastleberry´s last blog ..WordPress Plugin Review – TwitterLink Comments
Twitter: tonyknuckles
13. Jul, 2010 at 6:01 am #
Kim, you knocked it out of the park on all accounts with this post. RT’d and blasted you across the web. Good luck in the contest.
tonyknuckles´s last blog ..Failing To Draw A Crowd
Twitter: AskKim
13. Jul, 2010 at 1:02 pm #
Awww Tony, thanks for the kind words! I appreciate your support and kindness! You rock!
Kimberly
kimjcastleberry´s last blog ..Thesis 18 Coming Soon To A Blog Near You-
Great advice. Interacting with other people’s blogs seems to be very worthwhile endeavor. Now if I only had more time….
Cheryl James´s last blog ..What are you reading
Twitter: AskKim
13. Jul, 2010 at 9:27 pm #
I totally hear you about the time factor Cheryl! I’m still looking for that cloning device! Time is the premium I tell ya. So many people talk about free this and free that but often its better to invest some money just to free up some time! I’ll keep you posted if I figure out cloning!
Kimberly
kimjcastleberry´s last blog ..Understanding the Types of Syndication Tribes
Twitter: nancyburkebarr
05. Aug, 2010 at 5:58 pm #
Hi Ladies!
The time dilemma seems to be universal. The old expression is, “I have more time than money.” Hmmmmm…….I don’t know about that one, because I am pretty short on time.
I hear that outsourcing is the key. In fact I am going to contact my friend, Garrett Miller , the “Outsourcer” and find out what he’s got up his sleeve. If I could unload some of the really time consuming work, it would help to get me blogging more!
Lookie there! You always get me thinking!
Mentor Mama
Twitter: AskKim
06. Aug, 2010 at 8:19 am #
Yay! Thinking is good thing and so is outsourcing when its done by dependable people. If its technical stuff send it my way and if its general stuff thats not necessary to be personallized definitely find a VA to outsource to! I’d take a bow at getting you thinking, but I’d probably trip over my feet! LOL
Kimberly
Kimberly´s last blog ..Digg v4 Alpha Brings Two Cool New Features
Twitter: sonlinebiz
13. Jul, 2010 at 4:42 pm #
A teeny weeny problem with the Comment Redirect plug-in is that the thanks for your comments page doesn’t open in a new tab or window. For some reason I just dislike using the back button when surfing the web.
Commentluv, Keywordluv, DoFollow & Top Commentators Widget. Nice. I’ve got them all
Udegbunam Chukwudi´s last blog ..Top 16 Essential Plug-ins For Every Wordpress Blog
Twitter: AskKim
14. Jul, 2010 at 10:00 pm #
I’m not sure that I view that as a problem *IF* the thank you page is fully developed. Now mind you, I’m a bad example, not having spent the time I should on mine. However, logically someone should have finished reading the post and sharing before commenting. Redirecting them shouldnt be too big of a deal if you make a strong call to action and point them to more of your best stuff. The problem becomes when the Redirect is basically a dead-end and yeah… back buttons are kinda #fail! Maybe a check box for open in new tab would be a good suggestion to that plugins developer, what do you think?
Kimberly
Kimberly´s last blog ..Understanding the Types of Syndication Tribes
Twitter: anoopjacob
13. Jul, 2010 at 5:46 pm #
Hi Kim,
Every blogger loves link luv and that’s why comLuv turned out to be a great plugin.
Apart from the points you told, I would also recommend the feature email notification when a commentator gets a reply. Some themes lack this feature. Now, you may wonder why am stressing on this point. Because my blog don’t have that feature and am trying to figure out a way to resolve it
Jakes´s last blog ..Are you in Terminal Love
Twitter: AskKim
01. Aug, 2010 at 3:45 am #
If your talking about how my site sends you an email when I reply to your comments, search my site for “Comment Reply Notification”. Read the comments though as it has a minor bug I work around. I’m taking donations to get it fixed. Love that plugin. Read the post though because plugins like that can be a violation of the law. That’s why they’re not built into most themes, people would not allow it. Hope that helps!
Kimberly
Kimberly´s last blog ..WordPress Plugin Review- CommentLuv
Twitter: nancyburkebarr
14. Jul, 2010 at 2:54 am #
Hi Kimberly!
What a fabulous post! These are the kinds of posts that make you the blogging Queen! I love to write articles, but definitely need help in this arena!
Thank you!
Mentor Mama
Twitter: AskKim
01. Aug, 2010 at 3:46 am #
Hey hun! You know what the nice thing about plugins like these are? They’re – for the most part – “set it and forget it”. You spend a little time getting them in place and then they require very little babysitting. They let us get back to talking about the fun stuff!
Kimberly
Kimberly´s last blog ..Top 10 Must Have WordPress Plugins
Twitter: nancyburkebarr
03. Aug, 2010 at 3:34 am #
That is great to know Kim! One of my next projects is to go through your site, post by post and implement your info! I need to get on this one sooner rather than later!
Mentor Mama
Mentor Mama Nancy, you can’t go wrong with Kim’s posts. She only shows you the good stuff AND somehow gets total technophobes (like me) to be able to actually feel like you know what you’re doing!
My best tip – open her blog in one window and your dashboard in another. Play the video, pause, go to your site and do as you’re told, back to the video, repeat.
Works like a charm!
Jacqueline Gates´s last blog ..My 7 “I’d Really Rather you Didn’ts” – Facebook edition
Twitter: AskKim
06. Aug, 2010 at 8:22 am #
Thats a great tip, especially use of that pause button! Without that sucker how-to videos just fly right by too fast! I know I get great mileage out of training videos and hope mine are helplful!
Kimberly
Kimberly´s last blog ..Digg v4 Alpha Brings Two Cool New Features
Twitter: nancyburkebarr
12. Aug, 2010 at 5:31 pm #
Hello Goddess Jacqueline,
You are so right! I never realized how mant things must be done to a blog and I do think that it is important for me to understand them. I think that I need to go to Kim’s blog everyday, carve out 30 minutes and implement one strategy per day!
I’ll def use the 2 window suggestion.
Mentor Mama
Twitter: AskKim
06. Aug, 2010 at 8:21 am #
The one nice thing about this stack is that they are mostly “set it and forget it”. Done once and other than updates tend to just keep on chuggin! The only thing you might change from time to time is your Thanks for Commenting page but that’s not often. I’m a big fan of stuff I only have to do once! I hate monotonous repetition stuff!
Kimberly
Kimberly´s last blog ..Digg v4 Alpha Brings Two Cool New Features
Twitter: lambdakennels1
14. Jul, 2010 at 2:29 pm #
I love the ghost town analogy. Very creative. I have all the things you mentioned except the top commentor plugin. I worry that posting that will turn the comments into a contest, not something to build community. Have you had problems with that?
stephaniesuesansmith´s last blog ..Free Tuition to ComLuv-Famous Blogger Contest College
Twitter: AskKim
01. Aug, 2010 at 3:53 am #
Stephanie, I think that’s a really powerful question.
What I’ve found is that it really triggers little more abuse than being dofollow does. You will occasionally find me having “friendly rivalries” with fellow bloggers on Top Commentator, but its in the name of “good sport”. Sport and interaction among your readers DOES actually build community. There’s no harm with a little fun and games.
What is a problem though is when someone comes in and leaves a quick comment on every single post on your blog – that’s not a “good comment” – just for the link backs. That happens regardless though.
People just getting started with Top Commentator tend to let it run and not make it reset. However then you get someone who has, say, 40 comments and no one else can easily make it on the list. This bums out new visitors. I found that happened at about the 3 month mark for me.
Now, I set my TC widget to refresh (start counting again) every 3 months. 90 days. That gives regulars a fair chance to play, and new guys a fair chance to get the link. A dofollow TC link can mean a lot to a little blog, if it’s from a ranking blog, even if its only for 3 months. That can be enough to help google start to see the little blog. I have given some thought to finding a way to run TWO copies of TC, one that refreshes and one that doesnt, to reward established commenters, but also to reward the newer commenters. I will probably do that once commentluv gold goes live with its own copy of TC.
Kimberly´s last blog ..Top 10 Must Have WordPress Plugins
Twitter: lambdakennels1
01. Aug, 2010 at 12:36 pm #
I suppose that makes sense. What made you set it for 90 days instead of 30 or 60? Did you go through some process of testing which worked best or did you make an educated guess? I would probably start with 30 days, but wondered it you tried that and it wasn’t long enough?
Stephanie Suesan Smith´s last blog ..ComLuv/FamousBloggers Contest Benefits Garden Bloggers
Twitter: AskKim
01. Aug, 2010 at 10:39 pm #
I spent some time discussing it with some friends who happend to also be regulars on my blog.
Top Commentator isn’t fun so much for the name recognition as it is the SEO back link that generates traffic. If you put a couple hours in doing comments on my blog, and got this link, and it went away 30 days later, you’d probably feel frustrated at the lost effort.
That’s definitely what I heard from the community. Its also the reason I think I will run 2 copies of the widget in the future.
If you’re going to do a couple hours of work for this link, and then lose it, then suddenly its clear that those couple hours would be better spent getting a high quality forum backlink or doing some link building on various sites than continuing to spend time on the same site. This is about seo and link building.
90 days was pretty much the minimum we agreed worked. I tried 60 for a while and I saw some annoyance at that. I’d personally rather use 60 but I’m not greedy, I wont snub the nose of my loyal readers if that link is really what they want for me, ya know? It’s so hard to have rewards for our regulars that keep them feeling appreciated, that the risk of snubbing them is just too high for me to go below 90.
This is one of those plugins where at the end of the day it doesnt come down to “what do I want”, it comes down to “what do they want”.
Kimberly
PS: I should note that I know some VERY high traffic blogs that have theirs refreshing at 30 days, but even though I break the 100k alexa mark, my traffic is pidly numbers compared to theirs. In 30 days they have so many comments its difficult for the new guy to get a foothold – AND – their PR on their blog is 4+ and thus worth a lot more than mine is to the visitor.
Kimberly´s last blog ..Top 10 Must Have WordPress Plugins
Twitter: GrowMap
16. Jul, 2010 at 8:57 am #
Congratulations on the number of comments this entry already has. I wanted to offer some great information on the benefits and how to use KeywordLuv and point out my post about CommentLuv (appropriately featured in CommentLuv in this comment).
Both provide comprehensive explanations of the enormous benefits of being part of our DoFollow CommentLuv KeywordLuv community.
Do drop by and add your information in the comments of those posts and I will add you to the lists I maintain of friendly blogs to frequent.
GrowMap´s last blog ..How CommentLuv Grows Businesses and Blogs
Thanks for the tips Kim. I love how you always provide such useful and practical information in your posts. Do you know if any of these options are available for wordpress.com blogs?
Twitter: AskKim
01. Aug, 2010 at 4:08 am #
I had to do a little digging. I believe that the subscribe to comments feature is already included in wordpress.com (it really should be part of wordpress core, in my oppinion).
Commentluv should be available to you if not directly then through the use of Intense Debate. Usually I dont recommend ID due to the annoyance of logins but if its what it takes to get access to commentluv then I’d say do it.
Homepage Excerpts isnt available but there should be themes available to you that take advantage of this as a standard homepage display. Just look at the themes and pick one that doesnt display the whole post by default.
Comment threading should be availble as its part of the core now, although it is possible that a few of the themes don’t support it. Usuallly Automattic filters out non compliant themes though so that one should be easy. Even if its not, if you have to use intense debate, then that will get you comment threading.
Comment Redirect, Keywordluv, Top Commentator are probably not available to you. There should be a manual way to edit the theme to make the site DoFollow but I can not for the life of me find a link to confirm that. It’s really all these additional tools and flexibility and owning our property that is why so many of us use wordpress.org and self-host.
Hope that helps!
Kimberly´s last blog ..Top 10 Must Have WordPress Plugins
Twitter: LindaSecretan
18. Jul, 2010 at 11:03 pm #
Kim, you are so-o knowledgeable and gracious. I’m going crazy bookmarking all your great ideas for when I’ll need them (blog? what blog?) lol.
I aspire to just a smidgin of your guru-ness.
Twitter: caraballo12345
20. Jul, 2010 at 10:26 pm #
I agree with Linda. Where do you find the time for all of this?
Thanks thanks thanks!!
Jose H. Caraballo´s last blog ..Do You Have Too Much on Your Plate Or Your Mind
Twitter: LindaSecretan
21. Jul, 2010 at 6:00 am #
ah-hhaha, Jose — Your blog post title made me look! I think both my mind and my plate are too small!!
(otherwise you would get an active link instead of an under construction sign on my blog address ;-/)
So I went to your post and just loved your thinking. You really nailed it!
Thanks so much!!
Linda
Twitter: AskKim
01. Aug, 2010 at 4:09 am #
Linda do you need a hand getting your blog set up? Give me a shout hun, I’m here to help!
Kimberly
Kimberly´s last blog ..WordPress Plugin Review- Akismet Anti-Spam
Twitter: AskKim
01. Aug, 2010 at 9:01 am #
LOL It’s this dual force of being something I really enjoy combined with external environment forces that say “results must happen now”. It keeps a fire under my butt! LOL
Kimberly
Kimberly´s last blog ..WordPress Plugin Review- Akismet Anti-Spam
Twitter: AskKim
01. Aug, 2010 at 9:02 am #
Linda its my pleasure to help. It just happens to be something I’m pretty good at. If I can be of assistance helping you get that blog up and going give me a shout hun. Thanks so much for the stopping by, sharing and commenting!
Kimberly
Kimberly´s last blog ..31DBBB – Day 4 – Analyze a Top Blog In Your Niche
Don’t we all, Linda?!
Jacqueline Gates´s last blog ..My 7 “I’d Really Rather you Didn’ts” – Facebook edition
Twitter: RosinaWilson
19. Jul, 2010 at 10:38 pm #
Wow, Kim ~ These are really fantastic suggestions. As always, your ideas are fresh, original and “outside the box” enough to provide amazing content for us all, regardless of experience level. Thanks so much!
Cheers,
Rosina
Rosina Wilson´s last blog ..The 2010 San Francisco International Wine Competition 30th Anniversary!
Twitter: AskKim
01. Aug, 2010 at 9:04 am #
Hey Hun, thanks for stopping in and commenting! You rock!
I’ve been trying to catch you on skype the last few days but it seems your porch light may be on even though you’re not around. I don’t know whether you’ve gotten my message or not! Skypes a little wierd like that!
Hope things are going great!
Kimberly
Kimberly´s last blog ..Top 10 Must Have WordPress Plugins
Twitter: caraballo12345
20. Jul, 2010 at 10:25 pm #
I have actually neglected to add many of these features to my blog. Thank you for the great reminder and for including the plugins inside this post. I am going to work on these tonight!
As always Kim, great content, great info and great help.
Thanks for continuing to give back (or pay it forward) whichever fits best.
Jose H. Caraballo´s last blog ..Do You Have Too Much on Your Plate Or Your Mind
Twitter: AskKim
01. Aug, 2010 at 9:06 am #
I doubt you’ve done much outright neglecting, I know you’ve been busy with the new classes and whatnot! How’s that going? It’s great to see you back in the blog world, I’ve missed seeing you regularly!
Kimberly
Kimberly´s last blog ..WordPress Plugin Review- Akismet Anti-Spam
Twitter: annesoul
29. Jul, 2010 at 12:51 am #
Great post Kim! Powerful tips and suggestions to keep in mind and apply.
Joanne G. Apat´s last blog ..How To Hollywood Video Men- What’s Keeping Them Busy
Twitter: AskKim
01. Aug, 2010 at 9:14 am #
Hey Joanne, its great to see you here! Glad that Glen connected us! Thanks so much for the comment and tweets, really appreciate it chica!
Kimberly
Kimberly´s last blog ..WordPress Plugin Review- Defensio Anti-Spam and TypePad Anti-Spam
Twitter: itsmeEdward
29. Jul, 2010 at 4:04 am #
Hey Kim,
Great post. Packed with amazing content to get the luv flowing over at your blog. Thanks for your leadership in this area. I really appreciate it as I know many others do to.
Make it a great day!
God Bless,
-ed
Edward´s last blog ..Share Your DREAM Friday – with Special Guest Dreamer Nicole Rushin!
Twitter: AskKim
06. Aug, 2010 at 9:51 am #
Hey Edward! Thanks for all you do for the community! You’re an outstanding example of taking a leadership opportunity by the reins and running with it. You’re working with some great people on some great projects! Keep on rockin!
Kimberly
Kimberly´s last blog ..31DBBB – Day 8 – Interlink Your Old Blog Posts
Hey Kim, you gave really useful and working tips here. We can increase comment interaction by asking readers to participate in discussion or asking about their views at the end of post, just like you did. Nice post
Whiztechy´s last blog ..FontFonter- Check How Websites Look in Web Safe Fonts
Twitter: AskKim
01. Aug, 2010 at 9:17 am #
Awww, thanks hun! I definitely agree a strong call to action really helps! Just asking readers to comment is rarely enough and as you suggested asking them questions or fueling their creative ideas can really help. That’s a powerful tip for sure!
Kimberly
Kimberly´s last blog ..WordPress Plugin Review- Defensio Anti-Spam and TypePad Anti-Spam
Twitter: Authentic_Em
29. Jul, 2010 at 10:06 am #
Hi Kim I’m learning lots from you and will apply this when I’m blogging in future. Thanks for sharing! Good luck with the writing contest. Emily x
Twitter: AskKim
06. Aug, 2010 at 9:48 am #
Erin thanks so much for the comment hun, I really appreciate it! You’re a gem and good luck when you start blogging!
Kimberly
Kimberly´s last blog ..Digg v4 Alpha Brings Two Cool New Features
Twitter: natalielouiseau
29. Jul, 2010 at 10:50 am #
Hey Kim
Great value packed post, thanks so much for all the info you share, It is truly appreciated!
There were a couple of plugins in your list that I don’t have so i’ll be sure to check them out.
luv your work!
cheers
Twitter: AskKim
06. Aug, 2010 at 9:45 am #
I think you’ll like them – its a real solid performing stack! If you have any issues with any of them be sure to let me know! They’re pretty straight forward but comment redirect probably puzzles some people since it really should have a hidden page. Take care gf!
Kimberly
Kimberly´s last blog ..Digg v4 Alpha Brings Two Cool New Features
Hey Kim, sorry I haven’t dropped by until now. I think it’s great what you are doing! You’ve definitely EXPLODED onto the blogging scene over the last 6 months. I know all the hard work and time you’ve put into this and it’s really paying off for you.
I remember when I started blogging 3-4 years ago, there were no other network marketing bloggers out there to exchange comments with and help.
I’m so glad all that has changed and you are leading the way.
Keep up the great work,
Gavin Mountford
Gavin Mountford´s last blog ..The 3 Step Process Of Attraction Marketing
Twitter: AskKim
01. Aug, 2010 at 10:31 pm #
Gavin you have certainly earned your stripes the hard way out here! The industry has come a long ways in a short time but when youre waiting on it to catch up it can seem like a L-O-N-G time!
No need to apologize at all, I should do the same for being so caught up in everything at the moment that I haven’t had a chance to get back to your blog and check out some of the things you’ve linked me!
Thanks for all your support and hope things are going well for you!
Kimberly
Kimberly´s last blog ..31DBBB – Day 4 – Analyze a Top Blog In Your Niche
WOW Kim! I’m not amazed that you are kicking it, but I am amazed by how much time and energy you continue to put in. I love your persistence and dedication in creating content.
I so appreciate you my friend. Will do what I can to spread the word.
Kellie Frazier´s last blog ..What’s Your VPA 3 Key Components to Turn Dreams Into Reality
Twitter: AskKim
01. Aug, 2010 at 9:19 am #
Kellie, Thanks so much for all your ongoing support girlfriend. I know we havent connected heart to heart in forever, but I really appreciate you. I hope you’re hanging in there and the family stuff is settling down. We’ve both been going through some craziness thats for sure. Look forward to getting to chat with you again soon!
Kimberly
Kimberly´s last blog ..WordPress Plugin Review- Akismet Anti-Spam
If I ever need help I know to come to your site for the answers.You help me every time.Your free tips are great!Thanks for another great post.
Beverly Monical´s last blog ..Four Powerful Strategies for Becoming The “Go To” Person In Your Business
Twitter: AskKim
01. Aug, 2010 at 9:21 am #
Aww Beverly, thanks for your support hun. I really appreciate it. You’ve been moving and shaking like a rockstar yourself. I know we haven’t really had a chance to connect, but hopefully soon!
Kimberly
Kimberly´s last blog ..31DBBB – Day 1 – Write An Elevator Pitch For Your Blog
Twitter: nancyburkebarr
03. Aug, 2010 at 3:40 am #
Hi Beverly,
Isn’t she amazing? I really appreciate all the help Kim has given me! She came to ME to tell me that I had a problem and then she helped me fix it! Wonderful!
Mentor Mama
Twitter: AskKim
06. Aug, 2010 at 9:38 am #
Hey! I’m just taking care of my people! You’d have done the same for me! Communities look out for one another!
Kimberly
Kimberly´s last blog ..Digg v4 Alpha Brings Two Cool New Features
Twitter: knsfinancial
29. Jul, 2010 at 10:32 pm #
Hey Kim,
I’m already doing 1, 2, and 3, plus Commentluv. I think you have convinced me to use #4 and the “link juice dream stack” as well.
Thanks for consistently giving us information to improve our websites!
knsfinancial´s last blog ..In the Military Here are Some Things You Should Know
Twitter: AskKim
01. Aug, 2010 at 9:12 am #
Oh yeah, bring on #4 and be sure to let me know as soon as you have all the pieces set up and I’ll add you to the list of sites I have on my blog (a free link) that are set up. That page gets a lot of SEO traffic and click throughs so should be a little free traffic for you that way to boot!
Kimberly
Kimberly´s last blog ..31DBBB – Day 4 – Analyze a Top Blog In Your Niche
Twitter: knsfinancial
02. Aug, 2010 at 7:07 pm #
Ok, that sounds great! I will have the rest of the “dream stack” installed in the next 10 minutes.
Do you have an example of how I can take advantage of the comment redirect plugin? For instance, do I just send them to the home page, or should I create a landing page? What should I include on the landing page? Do you use this on http://just-ask-kim.com? I have left many comments on your site, and I don’t remember if you used this on my first comment or not.
Thanks!
Khaleef´s last blog ..Man Finds Contentment in 89 SqFt House
Twitter: AskKim
06. Aug, 2010 at 9:34 am #
Sad to say but I don’t currently have my “Thank You For Commenting” page set up well again after I lost it previously. You an find it at: http://just-ask-kim.com/thanks-for-commenting/ You want to create it as a “page” on your blog and then hide it from view. If your on thesis this means you don’t include it in your navigation, if you’re not then this means you need the “Exclude pages” plugin. (Or if your theme is new enough to use the new wordpress 3.0 menus you could just not include it there) . Now truth be told that page needs some SERIOUS work. It should not only thank them, but also link to some p opular posts they’re likely to enjoy (my best stuff) and also encourage them to opt into my mailing list. Be sure to include some suggested reading though, so they dont leave!
Kimberly´s last blog ..Digg v4 Alpha Brings Two Cool New Features
You are so awesome Kim. I can never keep up with the information you give us all. After reading your comment luv explanations, I am not taking mine for granted anymore. Thanks Kim!
Twitter: AskKim
01. Aug, 2010 at 9:11 am #
Was that the how-to set up or the traffic video? Yeah its a real force to be reconed with that sits right under our noses and is terribly easy to ignore when it could be a working for us!
I cant wait till commentluv gold gets here, going to be a premium plugin that combines all four of the dream team stack into a single plugin and takes a lot of the confusion of that stack out! Anything that makes life simpler (and will also reduce spammers) is a friend of mine!
Kimberly
Kimberly´s last blog ..31DBBB – Day 1 – Write An Elevator Pitch For Your Blog
Kim, this has so much meat that I will be chewing for days!
Beth, my ghost town is going to be a home town with all this great stuff.
Thank you so much Kim
Sandy
Sandy & Al Abrams´s last blog ..Can The Porta-Potty Cleaner Read The Label On The Vitamins You Took This Morning Part 2
Twitter: AskKim
06. Aug, 2010 at 9:30 am #
Yeah Beths reply is classic! That’s definitely the mental imagery I was aiming for! You girls make me smile!
Kimberly
Kimberly´s last blog ..Digg v4 Alpha Brings Two Cool New Features
Hi miss Kimberly
I’m not a writer but I do spin some words of “come on in” once and a while. My job as the sales manager of an SEO company is to find any reasonable way I can to invite interest in our service. I create ways for others to make extra money from our service from off of their website. I tweet. I search the net and physically e-mail our partnering offers and our service fees to those that fit the bill. And I comment from time – to – time on blogs. I’m not technical for I don’t know where that would fit in to blogging or selling. I will say it’s clear that you know your stuff. Thanks for your sharing and helping spirit.
Success to you and thanks for following on twitter.
JohnRobbins
Twitter: AskKim
06. Aug, 2010 at 9:19 am #
Hey John, thanks for for stopping in and commenting! I really appreciate your support! Spinning the “come on in” can be just the invite someone needs to drop in and grab a cuppa and make themselves at home! It sounds like your doing an awesome job getting out here, getting to know people and helping others make the most of your services!
Kimberly
Kimberly´s last blog ..Digg v4 Alpha Brings Two Cool New Features
Kim-
Keep up all the great work with providing so much information!
Emmie
Twitter: AskKim
06. Aug, 2010 at 9:29 am #
Thanks Emmie! I really appreciate the feedback!
Kimberly
Kimberly´s last blog ..Digg v4 Alpha Brings Two Cool New Features
Kimberly,
As always your post are filled with incredible value. I just did a post on the power of good comments in building your online relationships. I’m gonna have to go back and rework it now.
Don Enck´s last blog ..Are You Building Relationships With Effective Comments
Twitter: AskKim
06. Aug, 2010 at 9:12 am #
I saw your post and really thought about all the comments I’ve seen in this contest on comments… you should have participated! The traffic boost has been nice and its been a wild ride of a learning experience. Fun (sometimes in a masochistic sorta way), wildly educational, and valuable all about sum this up. Loved your post!
Kimberly
Kimberly´s last blog ..Digg v4 Alpha Brings Two Cool New Features
Twitter: nancyburkebarr
05. Aug, 2010 at 5:47 pm #
Hi Kimberly,
I have to tell you that I have been coming back to this article to absorb all of the great info. Each time I read it, it is like peeling an onion: There is a new layer to discover. . . A new insight.
My favorite idea here is “the dream stack”. it is such a stellar example of getting by giving. You are a true giver, so I’m not surprised that this would be one of your tips!
Thanks for a super and succinct post!
Mentor Mama
Twitter: AskKim
06. Aug, 2010 at 9:28 am #
I really need to spend some additional time blogging about the dream stack because its one of those things that have been instrumental from a decision making standpoint to my success gaining traffic. People just happen to like knowing that a comment on your blog is worth 10x SEO value to them compared to a non equipt blog!
Kimberly
Kimberly´s last blog ..Digg v4 Alpha Brings Two Cool New Features
Twitter: tospost
05. Aug, 2010 at 9:08 pm #
I would try to implement the Top Commentators Widget soon enough!
Mani Viswanathan´s last blog ..SEO – Avoid Tag clouds to prevent Keyword Stuffing says Matt Cutts
Twitter: LindaSecretan
06. Aug, 2010 at 1:53 am #
Hey Kimberly,
You are so generous, not only with your thoughtful post which will yield so much for so many, but also with your comments back. Especially over the past week or so, your presence as a role model for bloggers has loomed beneficently!
So have you enjoyed your competition? Are you glad that you did it?
Twitter: AskKim
06. Aug, 2010 at 9:10 am #
Hey Linda!
Careful girl or you’re going to make me blush! If I’m a role model for anything I hope its for the constant need to keep learning, implimenting, applying and staying in when the going gets crazy!
Hesham recently asked me to write up a synopsis of my thoughts on the contest and here’s what I sent him!
Participating in the ComLuv & FamousBlogger blogging challenge has been an absolute riot! It’s had this whole roller coaster of emotions… from wondering if I would do okay participating… to fear of getting my butt kicked… to excitement at the idea of leveraging my community to action… puzzlement at what to write about… anticipation after submitting it and waiting “forever” for it to be posted… overwhelm, exhaustion and amazement at the community support the two days after it launched… fatigue at keeping up with hundreds of comments… gratitude for everyone that went above and beyond to help me out… concern over how to keep up with it amid personal challenges… and now rekindled excitement as we come down to the wire and I gear up for one final push to make it into the spotlight! It’s been a journey that I’m so incredibly glad I didn’t let pass by! Its been a lot of work but balanced out by gratitude, new friendships, renewed sense of community and new readers on my own blog. I’ve made some awesome friends and readers and can’t wait to see if we do this again next year! Bring it on!
Thanks sweetie!
Kimberly
Kimberly´s last blog ..Digg v4 Alpha Brings Two Cool New Features
Twitter: RobinLynnBrooks
06. Aug, 2010 at 5:30 am #
I am always coming across and learning about so many of these various plugins to optimize your blog and it can be downright confusing. There are millions to choose from. It helps to know there are those who seriously test the various combinations and have a real desire to provide sound advise when they do.
Always learning,
~Robin
Robin Lynn Brooks´s last blog ..Listen for that Real Connection in Relationship Building
Twitter: AskKim
06. Aug, 2010 at 9:05 am #
Hey Robin! Thanks for stopping in and for your comment! Really appreciate it!
You’re right there are millions! It’s rather nuts how much flexibility and choices we have. Sometimes “a lot” may be equal to “way too bloody much!” hehe Hopefully between this and my Top 10 list its a little less overwhelming to get the basics covered.
Kimberly
Kimberly´s last blog ..Digg v4 Alpha Brings Two Cool New Features
Twitter: michelini
06. Aug, 2010 at 6:04 am #
wow, this is GREAT Kim,
my personal blog (linked here) is getting more commenting finally, after years, and i need to upgrade the blog to accomdate this.
i’ll try these wordpress plugins…but always paranoid they’ll mess up my blog!
mike michelini´s last blog ..Everyone “fails”- Even Google- Stay Motivated!
Twitter: TheJockWilliam
06. Aug, 2010 at 11:16 am #
Kim being more of a Jock by nature than a Geek I appreciate this blog, all other blogs and tweets. Massive value! thank you thank you discovering you is very helpful in my learning curve yeehaaa
Twitter: creative_ace
12. Aug, 2010 at 4:45 am #
Kim — awesome post. I use a most of the plugins you mentioned, but one I don’t is the nested one. I have been debating about that for a while. I’ve seen site that do this well and others that don’t (mostly those that don’t do it well). Will definitely check it out. Who knows maybe this weekend there will be a change
CJ Spurr´s last blog ..Online Help Subject – Part 2
Thank you so much Kim you came up a fruitful tips. This is so useful to encourage readers to speak up what’s on their minds.
Twitter: AskKim
14. Jul, 2010 at 9:57 pm #
Hey Walter, thanks so much for the reply. Glad you learned something! Keywordluv is fun and lets the name/url field accept some anchor text so that people can still enter their real name AND anchor text rather than telling me that their name is “best washing machines” LOL!
Kimberly
Kimberly´s last blog ..Understanding the Types of Syndication Tribes