No Comments?
Leaders in online spaces want to provide members with information that is compelling, useful, and generates a response. Typically though, we post blogs or forums, wait for an answer, and no one responds. Then we keep posting, not knowing if anyone is even reading, and get frustrated with the lack of engagement in our groups. How can we get people talking? Here are a few tips for posting content that gets responses:
#1 Be Relevant to Your Readers
“Your opinion, although interesting, is not relevant.” (Pragmatic Marketing) Often times we want to post about the latest thing happening in our organization, law firm, or practice. We put a lot of information on the page and expect people to either click to our website or respond about how wonderful our newest campaign is. The issue here is that if all we’ve done is given information, we’ve missed the opportunity to connect to fellow members. WHY SHOULD THEY CARE? This is a question that always must be on the forefront of any post. Are you solving a problem for them, addressing a fear, asking for advice? Too many posts are written like show and tell: here’s what’s going on, here’s a link, here’s more of what’s going on. To really grab reader attention, make it relevant to THE
#2 Ask Questions to Generate Discussion
Finish your posts by asking a question or giving a specific call to action. It’s not enough to put information out there, even if relevant, and expect people to do something. Spell it out for them. If you want them to click, say something like “click here” or “check out this …” If you are trying to generate a discussion, ask a question. ”What do you think of …” is a good one or “Has anyone had experience with …” In dating, if all you do is talk about yourself without asking questions of the other person, chances are you won’t get a second date. Same thing in blogging or forum discussions – make it an exchange rather than a monologue.
#3 Fake it Till You Make It
Getting responses and interest in your posts may require some direct outreach. Sometimes people need a little nudge. If you’ve written relevant content, included clear call to actions, try inmailing or emailing members of the group directly who you have some kind of relationships with and ask them to respond. Also, don’t be afraid to reply to your own post if you haven’t gotten any responses after a few days. The idea is to keep “the goose eggs” off of your comment count. No one likes to be the first one on the dance floor, so if you can encourage friends to get out there with you or even put yourself out there as the first commenter, it may get things going.
Outreach to Fellow Members
Of course each of these tactics depend on people even looking at your posts in the first place. Try sending out a newsletter or email 1 time per month to friends and colleagues. Ask them to pass it on to people who may be interested in. Once you get the eyeballs, the tactics above should help with comments.
I hope this list of tactics is helpful to anyone running a forum or blog. What tactics have you found useful in getting comments?
