Here are 5 ways to start a conversation on your blog:
1. Just ask. Pose a question in the title or at the end of a post.
2. Allow anonymous comments. You can still encourage registration but if you allow anonymous comments you are likely to get more.
3. Allow commentors to include photos, video & even audio.
4. Allow subscriptions to individual posts so readers can get updated on future comments
5. Allow users to create their own profiles others can see.
These and more suggestions can be found in a great article by Steve Outing for Editor & Publisher.
We would add the following:
6. Write on a controversial subject. Religion, politics & the 6% commission
7. Take the minority viewpoint and argue it persuasively. You must challenge the popular position on a subject to spark a debate.
8. Answer your commentators and engage them in conversation. Sort of like in real life.
Artwork: Conversation by Jean Marc Constantino.
