Interactivity: Difference between revisions

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In blogging, interactivity can be defined as engaging readers with the author and the content<ref group=>Carroll, p. 24</ref>. When starting a blog, it is important to think about interacting with the niche’s audience and other bloggers. Short sentences, active voice, and presenting information in an [[inverted pyramid]] format help to clearly convey content to readers<ref group=>Carroll, p. 24</ref>
When starting a college blog, it is important to know how to encourage participation with not only other bloggers, but the readers. Short sentences, active voice, and presenting information in a pyramid format help to convey content clearly to readers<ref group=>Carroll, p. 24</ref>. But participation is more than just writing in a clean, concise manner. Blog authors must understand that blogs do not operate in a vacuum, but instead is a piece of a vast branching network.  
. There are also four other interaction techniques to consider: regular blog posts, commenting on similar blogs, etiquette, and relevant or interesting posts<ref group=>Carroll, p. 24</ref>
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Brian Carroll in ''Writing for Digital Media,'' writes that “web users do not merely read online content, they interact with it...”<ref group=>Carroll, p. 24</ref>


== Interact with Other Bloggers ==
Blog readers, indeed most web users, do not just randomly access content on the internet. Users are searching for specific information when they get on the web, and likely will only find blogs via a search engine by typing in key words[http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=7323316]. Most likely, users happen upon blogs via another blog they go to for specific information that has your blog hyperlinked[http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=7323316]. In this respect, it is important that bloggers consider interacting with blogs that share a similar niche topic. One way to participate with other bloggers is to search for blogs with a similar topic, then add it to a blogroll[http://techcrunch.com/2012/01/04/blogs-need-comments/]. Provide links to these blogs in posts. This may encourage the blogger to respond in kind. Consider following and commenting on other blogs. These comments should be thoughtful and follow proper etiquette[http://financialbloggerconference.com/a-primer-on-blogging-etiquette].
== Social Media Widgets ==
Having social media share widgets will help spread the blog’s content throughout the web. When users click the share button, the blog post will show up in their status updates, where the blog’s content will be seen by the reader’s friends and followers. Websites that enable a Twitter sharing generate up to seven times more mentions than websites that do not[http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/220720#ixzz2P218v72T]. To activate social media share buttons, go to the widgets area of your dashboard. Consider, too, providing widgets to your social networking sites. This allows the reader to connect with you on those sites, and gives a sense that the blog author is accessible.


== Regular Blog Posts <ref group=>Carroll, p. 181</ref>==
== Enable Comments ==
Writing blog posts on a regular basis will keep readers coming back for more. Regular blog posts will also get  [http://www.smartbloggerz.com/2010/01/why-should-you-blog-regularly/ more back links] and a higher ranking on search engines.  
Enabling comments on your blog shows readers that you value their participation[http://digitallearning.macfound.org/atf/cf/%7B7E45C7E0-A3E0-4B89-AC9C-E807E1B0AE4E%7D/JENKINS_WHITE_PAPER.PDF]. Replying to readers’ comments also helps to engage readers. Consider adding a subscribe to comments button, so readers will receive email notifications of new comments.  
== Visit and Post on Other Blogs <ref group=>Carroll, p. 181</ref>==
“Comments keep bloggers humble, honest, accurate, and in touch with their audience.” - Josh Constine “Do Blogs Need Comment Reels? Yes, and Here’s How.” TechCrunch. January 4, 2012.  
Visiting and posting on other blogs, particularly if they share a similar niche, encourages these bloggers to respond in kind. Consider having a blogroll on a [http://techcrunch.com/2012/01/04/blogs-need-comments/ sidebar menu].  
Having most recent comments appear at the top of the comment section makes it easier for readers to access newer comments[http://vandelaydesign.com/blog/wordpress/hacks-user-interactivity/ 9 WordPress Hacks to Encourage User Interactivity].  
== Respect Blog Etiquette <ref group=>Carroll, p. 181</ref> ==
There are several important [http://financialbloggerconference.com/a-primer-on-blogging-etiquette/ blogging etiquette] rules relating to comments, attribution, and credibility. Respecting blog etiquette helps keep readers and other bloggers from getting offended and avoiding your site.


== Write Interesting, Entertaining, or Relevant Posts <ref group=>Carroll, p. 181</ref>==
Keeping up with current events about the blog’s topic and/or having an unorthodox viewpoint about these events helps to keep readers interested in the blog’s posts. Consider [http://www.seobook.com/bloggers/ conducting daily news searches] on the blog’s topic to find out if anything new is happening.


== External Links ==
[http://www.smartbloggerz.com/2010/01/why-should-you-blog-regularly/ More Back Links]
[http://financialbloggerconference.com/a-primer-on-blogging-etiquette/ Blogging Etiquette]
[http://techcrunch.com/2012/01/04/blogs-need-comments/ Sidebar Menu]
[http://www.seobook.com/bloggers/ Conducting Daily News Searches]
== Notes ==
== Notes ==
<references/>  
<references/>  
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== References  ==
== References  ==
*Carroll, Brian. "Writing for Digital Media." Routledge; New York, 2010.  
*Carroll, Brian. "Writing for Digital Media." Routledge; New York, 2010.  
*Constine, Josh. [http://techcrunch.com/2012/01/04/blogs-need-comments/ Do Blogs Need Comment Reels? Yes, and Here's How.] ''TechCrunch.'' January 4, 2012. Web. March 31, 2013
*Handley, Ann. [http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/220720#ixzz2P218v72T How to Increase Social Sharing to Generate More Leads.] ''Entrepreneur.'' December 2011. Web. March 30, 2013
*Handley, Ann. [http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/220720#ixzz2P218v72T How to Increase Social Sharing to Generate More Leads.] ''Entrepreneur.'' December 2011. Web. March 30, 2013
*Constine, Josh. [http://techcrunch.com/2012/01/04/blogs-need-comments/ Do Blogs Need Comment Reels? Yes, and Here's How.] ''TechCrunch.'' January 4, 2012. Web. March 31, 2013
*Jenkins, Henry. [http://digitallearning.macfound.org/atf/cf/%7B7E45C7E0-A3E0-4B89-AC9C-E807E1B0AE4E%7D/JENKINS_WHITE_PAPER.PDF Confronting the Challenges of Participatory Culture: Media Education for the 21st Century.] ''Building the Field of Media and Learning.'' MacArthur Foundation. 2006. Web. April 11, 2013
*Lawrence, Eric; Sides, J.; Farrell, H. [http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=7323316 Self-Segregation or Deliberation? Blog Readership, Participation, and Polarization in American Politics.] ''Perspectives on Politics.'' 8:1. p. 141-157.  March 2010. Web. April 11, 2013.
*Post, Emily. [http://financialbloggerconference.com/a-primer-on-blogging-etiquette A Primer on Blogging Etiquette.] ''Financial Blogger Conference''.  December 5, 2012. Web. 31 March 2013.
*Snell, Steven. [http://vandelaydesign.com/blog/wordpress/hacks-user-interactivity/ 9 WordPress Hacks to Encourage User Interactivity]. ''Vandalay Design.'' August 24, 2009. Web. 31 March 2013.
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