Chapter 7. Interacting on Your Blog
In This Chapter
Eliciting more comments from your readers
Finding out about TypePad's commenting options
Managing your existing comments
Understanding how to block commenters
Using trackbacks
Unlike other forms of writing, blogging is, at its core, a sort of dialogue between blogger and reader. No other venue offers writers such quick access to engaging a readership or puts such instant information and entertainment at a reader's disposal.
To many bloggers, receiving comments is an important part of the overall blogging experience. It's an instant dose of affirmation that what you've written has been read. Additionally, comments help build a community around your blog. The discussion generated in the comment section engages your readers and encourages them to come back. It stands to reason, then, that you'll want to manage those comments efficiently to invite people to contribute their thoughts.
In this chapter, we examine TypePad's commenting features, showing you how to manage existing comments and how to encourage your readers to leave even more. We tackle the not-altogether-pleasant subject of blocking commenters. And we discuss the topic of trackbacks — how to manage them at your own blog and how to leave them at others.
Note
Don't let the subject of blog commenting discourage you. As much as we all enjoy the affirming feedback, it will take consistent work and nurturing of your blog before regular comments begin rolling in. Give it time.
Inviting Users ...
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