Blogging Information: The Pros And Cons To Open Commenting

There are some pros and cons to open commenting you should consider before you allow it on your website.

The fact that readers can interact with and initiate a conversation with a blog's author, and voice their opinions on various topics, is why blogging has become so popular on the Internet.

Because commenting is such an important part of the blogging experience, many bloggers allow open commenting on their sites without any moderation whatsoever.

Although comments are what make blogging different from other forms of information sharing, you should think twice before allowing open commenting.

Many bloggers make their readers jump through hoops before allowing them to make a comment on their blog.

This is a BAD idea for several reasons. You should never make your readers register or log in to your blog before they can voice their comment, unless you're setting up a membership type blog, or a forum type of platform.

People in this world are always pressed for time and usually have little patience or tolerance for any procedure that causes the slightest inconvenience or slows them down.

Most users will simply leave your blog if they have to register or log in before they can make a comment. It's just not that important for them to leave a comment if they have to take time to sign up, register, or log in.

Many bloggers, like myself, hate to have to remember another password, or even store it so they can make post on a blog.

In addition, there are tons of passwords that get accidentally deleted or lost in the shuffle of recreating a data base, if your computer crashes, or you just lose your hard drive without a backup.

To the average person, the inconvenience is more trouble than it's worth. However, there is a happy medium you can use that's not as inconvenient; CAPTCHA!

As long as you can come up with a CAPTCHA code that is not difficult to read; you should consider using CAPTCHA to verify that comments made to your blog are not spam.

Although it is somewhat of a roadblock to easy blogging; using an easy to read CAPTCHA code
is one remedy to open commenting and the horrors of comment spamming.

If you can find an easy to read CAPTCHA code that doesn't cause the blogger to take more than one try to correctly fill in; you have the solution to open commenting that won't cost you to lose any blog comments.

I have personally tried to fill in CAPTCHA codes that took me several tries and a good deal of time to complete. I have also left several sites when I couldn't get the CAPTCHAs to cooperate. CAPTCHAs are also major roadblocks to people who are color blind.

There are pros and cons to open commenting but generally, the fewer roadblocks you put up, the more comments you will get on your blog. And, the fewer comments you get, the less successful and interactive your blog will become.

The goal is to make it as easy as humanly possible for your readers to participate on your blog and to keep the spam down.

The easier it is for them to comment; the more comments you will receive on your blog.

It's just that cut and dried!

Get More Blogging Information Here.

Email Marketing: Using Other Bloggers As A Source Of Email Subscribers

Using other bloggers as a source of email subscribers is a great email marketing technique, that is used on a regular basis by many newcomers and marketing "gurus".

Generally there are three methods that are used extensively with a great deal of success.

• Reviews

When other bloggers review your videos, ebook or software download, or some other incentive you provide, which includes the URL link to your squeeze page, or sign up page.

Their readers read their review, and will click your link to get your video, ebook, or software download. And, in order to receive your product, they must opt in to your list.

This method works best when generous incentives are freely provided, and a persuasive "call to action" is made to the viewers.

• Guest Posting

Many email marketers build their lists by offering to "guest post" on other blogs that are related to their market niche.

Most bloggers will jump at the suggestion because they receive free useful content which is always in demand.

When you provide your guest blog post, mention your newsletter in your attribution line along with a link to your sign up page. Use something like "For more tips like this sign up to .....".

The traffic and subscriptions you receive using this email marketing tactic are laser targeted to your topic. These people are also more inclined to purchase your product or service because they have already signed up to your list.

• Linking

Focus your newsletters or incentives around a specific topic that bloggers will discuss and link to.

Include a sign up link in your newsletters and your opt in form for your free ebook, videos, or other software downloads you are offering to your subscribers.

Using other bloggers as a source of email subscribers works if you spend some time and effort doing it properly.

Learn More About Getting Started With Email Marketing Here.