The volume of my blog comments has increased dramatically in the past year. I am so grateful for the robust community that has developed here. People often tell me that they find the comments as helpful as the posts. I agree.
As a result, I read every comment and respond to as many as I can. However, this is currently taking me about ten hours a week.
In the last 30 days, I have seen my blog traffic jump by 81.3%. I have seen steady growth since I converted from TypePad to self-hosted WordPress two years ago (up 338.6%). But the last 30 days represented the largest single jump in my traffic ever.
I want to share why I believe this has happened, so that you can apply what I have learned to your own blog. Hopefully, you will experience similar results.
This past weekend, I passed a major milestone on my blog. I received my five thousandth comment. When John Saddington, my blog designer and developer pointed that out, I was blown away. I had no idea.
Of course, this is the essence of Web 2.0 or, as it is sometimes called, the “read/write” web. People are not content to let authors pontificate. They, too, want to participate in the conversation. Blogging is no longer a monologue (if it ever was); it’s a dialogue.
I help people live and lead on purpose. I am also the Chairman of Thomas Nelson Publishers. Read more about me ...
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Record Recorder: disqus i simply love you - thats all there is to i...
Myrna Walters: Loved this blog. I'm checking out Toastmasters ne...
Christine: Say a prayer and know that you're never alone....
levittmike: When I reflect on my life, on how some punk from P...
Michael Hyatt: Be sure to come up and introduce yourself! And don...
Patricia Hylton Zell: Pair and share is a good strategy. The people who...
John Richardson: Awesome!...
Bernice Wood: So excited that you are speaking at Blissdom! Can'...
Jim Martin: Dan, your point regarding preparation (and practic...
Jim Martin: Keith, this strikes me as such a helpful disciplin...
These are the amazing people who help moderate my comments and provide leadership to our growing community.
MICHELE CUSHATT is a communicator and storyteller whose speaking experience includes Women of Faith, Focus on the Family, and Compassion International. As emcee and communication coach, Michele is in her sixth year on staff at Dynamic Communicators International. She lives in Colorado with her husband Troy and three teenage sons. You can connect with Michele on her blog, Facebook, or Twitter.
BARRY HILL, JR. is a storyteller, blogger, speaker, barista, and is in his fifteenth year of full-time ministry to teens and their families. He lives in Northern Virginia with his wife, Rachel, and their six children—“the circus.” You can usually find Barry where fresh coffee and good ideas are brewing. To join in the conversation, drop by his blog, The Ordained Barista, visit him on Facebook, or follow him on Twitter.
JOE LALONDE is a husband, explorer, challenger, and an adrenaline junkie. He has served as a youth leader for E3 Ministries for over 10 years. He is usually found wandering the woods, enjoying the company of his wife, or running the trails. Joe enjoys helping others expand their influence and leadership skills. You can connect with Joe at his blog or Twitter.
RACHEL LANCE is originally from Alaska but now lives in a Chicago suburb with her husband and daughter. She works in technology and communications for the Willow Creek Association. She holds a degree in information management and is working on her Master’s in Library Science. Given the gift of time, top on her list would be a long bike ride, a great novel, and a farmer’s market dinner. Follow her on Twitter.
JIM MARTIN is the minister of Crestview Church of Christ in Waco, Texas, where he has served since 1994. He also leads a mentoring group, primarily composed of younger Christian leaders, and serves as a Mentoring Partner for MentorNetwork Ministry. He and his wife, Charlotte, have been married for 33 years. Read his blog, A Place for the God-Hungry, and follow him on Twitter.
TIM PETERS is the Co-Founder of Resolute Creative, a digital marketing group. He loves seeing organizations of all sizes come alive when they identify the best digital solutions to advance their cause. Tim enjoys working out, running marathons, playing golf and spending time with his wife and three kids. Connect with him on his blog, follow him Twitter or connect with him via LinkedIn.
JASON STAMBAUGH is a husband, father, former fat kid, accidental techie, and founder of Wevival and Shop My Church. Jason also blogs at Heart Your Church about church ministry in the social media era. When he’s not helping customers, or working on his latest project, you will find him hanging with his family, reading, learning to code, cooking, hobby farming, and exercising. Connect with him on Twitter and Google +.
JEREMY STATTON is an orthopedic surgeon in Louisville, KY. Although he enjoys writing, reading, and running, his first love is his wife and four kids. His family is currently in the process of adopting a son from China. He is also the author of Grace Is: A Practical Guide to God’s Love. He is an avid blogger at JeremyStatton.com focusing on helping others live a better story. Follow him on Twitter.
JOHN TILLER is an inspirational speaker and writer. He travels with his family to churches, conferences, and other events sharing their remarkable survival story. He enjoys real estate investing, serving at his home church, watching NFL and NASCAR, improving his 10K time, and hanging out with his family at their Powhatan, Virginia home. Connect with John via blog, Facebook, or Twitter.
JUSTIN WISE is the social strategist for Monk Development, builders of Ekklesia 360. A proud husband and dad, Justin and his family live in Des Moines, Iowa. When not running, reading, or cooking, find him blogging at JustinWise.net, online at Justin.am, or on Twitter.
Hi, my name is Michael Hyatt and I am the Chairman of Thomas Nelson Publishers, the world's largest Christian publisher. In my free time, I enjoy my family, writing, speaking, running, and occasionally playing golf. Learn more about me »
I speak on topics related to leadership, productivity, and social media. I have been speaking publicly for more than 25 years and have keynoted more than 100 events. I have also appeared on more than 1,500 television and radio shows, including all three major networks.
I would love to make a presentation to your group!
Now if you are going to win any battle, you have to do one thing. You have to make the mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do. The body will always give up. It is always tired in the morning, noon, and night. But the body is never tired if the mind is not tired.”
— Gen. George S. Patton
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