Carol Cassara

Avoid these 5 blog mistakes

By 58 Comments

FIX THESEIf you’re not a blogger, you probably don’t know that your comments are blogger GOLD. Whether it’s because we like to promote discussion or we want to show reader engagement to our sponsors, we love your comments.

But there are a few easy-to-fix mistakes bloggers make that get in the way of reader engagement and comments. They don’t mean to, they just don’t know they’re making them.

So here are 5 blog mistakes that bloggers can fix today and in the process, improve reader engagement with their site.

MAKE YOUR POST COMMENT BUTTON VISIBLE

If a reader can’t easily figure out how to post a comment, they’ll move on. Make the POST COMMENT button super obvious. If it’s too light and fades into a light background, change the color. If it’s dark type on dark background, it’s probably too hard to read. Fix it. And put it someplace obvious. The most obvious location would be at the end of your post. Blogs get more comments if it’s easy to comment. It’s as simple as that.

ELIMINATE POP-UPS

I’m sure it comes as no surprise that pop-ups are annoying. Readers do not want to have to close a window to read your blog or comment. Most often these are pop-up subscription promotions.  I am not alone in thinking they are annoying. Find another way to get subscriptions, even if it’s a line and link inserted at the end of every post.

MAKE POST CONTENT RELEVANT

To readers, that is. I see quite a few bloggers posting local content in comment-exchange groups that have an international membership. How relevant is a post about Joe’s Auto down the block to readers in India or even Peoria?  All comments are not equal: if I were the client, I’d look at those comments from people who will never use my business and think the blogger isn’t doing her job.

Bloggers with a passion for narrow topics that are of limited interest, shouldn’t post in comment exchange forums populated by bloggers who really don’t care. Know your audience and go after comments from people who do care.

AVOID PERSONAL PURGING

It always surprise me when bloggers post extremely personal anecdotes that are simply purges with no lesson or takeaway message. Your blog is not your private diary. Don’t tell readers that your mother abused you without also telling us how you coped with it or asking for suggestions because you are having trouble coping. A story is just a story unless it teaches the reader something or promotes real discussion about solutions.  Save cathartic purges for your journal. Make your blog content educational or meaningful to readers.

ADD YOUR TWITTER HANDLE TO YOUR TWEET BUTTON

Bloggers who want to know who is tweeting a post, should make sure their Twitter handle is loaded into the Tweet button so they are automatically notified.  If we’re tweeting you, we want you to know, but we don’t want to have to look up your Twitter handle. Mostly because many handles are not intuitive. Easy to do.

So there you have it. 

Five fixes that you can implement today.

You’ve probably figured out the key to fixing these five blog mistakes, and it’s this:

Make your content relevant and interesting to your audience. And make it easy for readers to comment.

Yes, just that easy. Happy blogging!

Comments

  1. Quin B says

    I just said to someone the other day that comments are like gold to bloggers! Very good points and more importantly, very easy to implement. Thanks!

    Reply

  2. Karen says

    I dislike pop ups as well. They annoy me and it makes me want to just close the window. However, many bloggers swear by them that that is the only way they can get people to sign up. I don’t have them but I continue to watch and way the options.
    Karen recently posted…Savvy Health Round Up #1My Profile

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  5. Haralee says

    Great points. I too hate to hunt for the comment button. Those outside of the blogging world don’t understand the importance of comments and I have been told by several they feel intimidated to make a comment. I wish I knew a way to get these readers to comment.
    Haralee recently posted…My Last Breast Cancer Awareness PostMy Profile

    Reply

  10. Debbie @ Coach Debbie Runs says

    I am always conflicted about my popup subscription button. I know it’s annoying, but my subscriptions have more than doubled since I started using it. I do have it set so that it won’t pop up for the same user every time they visit, so I hope that helps.

    I get so annoyed when people don’t include their twitter handle on their share button! Sometimes I’ll hunt it down, but if I’m in a hurry I just don’t bother.
    Debbie @ Coach Debbie Runs recently posted…Another Take on Quiche. And the Race I didn’t run.My Profile

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  13. Hil says

    Thanks! I love comments too. It fun to see if people actually like what you are writing and paying attention. And I didn’t know that about tracking your twitter tweets through your name, very clever!

    Reply

  16. Ellen Dolgen says

    These are excellent tips, Carol. I try to be mindful of not purging in my blogs. You are so right, there is a fine balance between too much sharing and just enough so that your reader knows that you have also experienced some of the same issues being discussed.

    Reply

  19. Barbara says

    Good points! I’ll have to check and see if my twitter handle shows up on the share. I think it does. As for pop-ups…STOP!! I will leave the page, in most cases. I sometimes try to end posts with reminders about commenting and subscribing. I think that’s efficient and doesn’t piss people off.
    b
    Barbara recently posted…When Does a Memoir Become a Saga? NaNoWriMoMy Profile

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  29. Sheryl says

    Thanks for this, Carol. I’ve been blogging for so many years but I just checked to see if I had my twitter handle on my blog and wouldn’t you know it…I don’t.

    Reply

  31. Veronica Morra says

    I agree with you…almost. Personal purging: My blog is what I want it to be. If you don’t wish to read my “personal purging” you don’t have to. I do not care about sponsors. My blog is not a business. It is an opportunity. If I want it to be my journal, that is my business. It is my opinion, and I am sticking to it. 🙂

    Reply

  36. Robyn says

    Funny! I was just thinking about how much I fall down when it comes to networking through commenting on other’s blogs. I’m usually pretty good at getting back with those who comment on my blog, but can quickly fall short when it comes to leaving comments on other blogs. I’m getting better though, because comments ARE such a vital life line for bloggers!! Thanks for the reminder!
    Robyn recently posted…My One Minute MindMy Profile

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  37. Ashley says

    These are excellent! I am definitely guilty on a couple of these and I will start to implement ways to change them very soon. Also, you are definitely not alone in disliking pop-ups. They are extremely annoying, especially on mobile devices.

    Reply

  39. Denay DeGuzman says

    This Blog Mistakes post hits the nail right on the head! I too dislike pop-ups. And I absolutely agree about oversharing very private stories that don’t incorporate a teachable moment or food for thought. And you are absolutely right that local content does not belong in international blogger comment exchange groups. Thank you for your Twitter suggestion. I will look into it pronto, but I’ll probably need to call in my techie guy to help me implement it as I don’t know how to make that happen!
    Denay DeGuzman recently posted…Garden Party Quiche RecipeMy Profile

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  42. Becki S says

    Good tips, especially the one about this not being your personal diary. I cannot tell you how many blogs I come across that I don’t comment on or engage with because it’s full of negativity and I feel like my comment would be the same as the one above.

    Reply

  44. Robin says

    I have actually been debating on putting a popup email subscription on my blog. I have seen a lot of bloggers post about how it’s better and will get you more subscribers. But, like you, I find it annoying. How do I go about put it below in every blog post instead? That sounds like a better idea. I am on blogger.

    Reply

  47. Gilly Maddison says

    These points are all useful, especially the pop up thing – I don’t know anyone who likes them. Regarding the personal purge issue, although I don’t like those kind of posts myself I would never advise people not to write them. I simply click away from them or avoid them if it is obvious what they are. Although those kind of posts may seem self-indulgent, I am aware that there are many lonely people out there with no one to talk to. Especially people with mental health issues. If they get relief from purging publicly, I think that is a good thing for the writer – I would not want to make those people feel there is no place for them or make them feel ‘wrong’ for doing it. No body ‘owns’ the Internet and people are free to write whatever they want. Even if there is no guidance or advice with a purging post, it may still be beneficial to others who have felt alone with the same problem or experience. Although the really misery filled, self-indulgent posts annoy me on a certain level, I try to think of the person behind them and consider that shouting into the vast space of the Internet maybe feel like their only choice to be heard or feel less threatening than talking face to face with real people.
    Gilly Maddison recently posted…Maple Leaves ForeverMy Profile

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