Engagement, Interactivity Creating a conversation, building an audience of loyal followers

Some Video links How to build an Engaged Audience, from Scratch (and for free), 3 mins, 2011, firepolemarketing. Moves fast, visuals from 37 experts offering Twitter –like comments on techniques to engage http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YOH-t2Ar5k Beginning the engagement process – not writing, but sales per se. And very good. Gitomer, 90 secs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqWXUciFbDg Outstanding video 4 mins by blogger Chris Ducker. Great overview of effective engagement tips, and interlinking different platforms. Really focuses on feedback and interaction, too. http://www.chrisducker.com/audience-engagement/ Additional Resource: Engaging your reader with Sentence Structure, Walden Univ. 1:15:00, posted Feb 2013. Excellent, in-depth, much longer video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGoDiyCXl2Y

Engagement v Interactivity Your audience is actively interacting with your content. Reading, watching, writing, sharing, etc. Interactivity: The means by which you engage your audience beyond them simply viewing, reading your content. An interactive site will have a more engaged audience. This audience will also likely stay on your site longer, return more often, be more happy with your product / service, and more likely to share.

Interactivity The means by which your followers interact with you and your content Leaving their own comments Ask readers to post images, videos, links etc. Interaction between visitors (forums, etc) Ratings, rankings, etc. (ie product, movies) Seek user experiences (ie travel blog, product user) Polls, surveys (will they see the results? Tell them) Ask for Likes, Shares, Follows (Social Media)

Interactivity How do you encourage interaction? Ask questions such as “what do you think?” or “What would you do?” Add buttons “Rank This” “Rate This” Thumbs Up, or Down” Provide comment, discussion areas (not the same) Allow people to subscribe to newsletters, email etc Allow subscriptions to conversations, discussions

Interactivity Why does engagement via interactivity matter? Engaged visitors stay on your site longer Engaged visitors will likely return to your site Active website, SM accounts encourage more activity – it’s like a circle that feeds on itself Interacting with your visitors shows they matter to you Fulfills the ‘you’ factor: Acknowledges their voice Engagement encourages sharing, creates viral lift for your content

Interactivity Tactics to increase engagement: Post interesting, informative, timely content Update existing content with new developments Respond to your audience – daily (at least) Offer incentives (prizes, discounts, sneak peeks etc) Say thanks for good ideas, suggestions, reviews etc. Acknowledge good, constructive criticism Act on good, constructive criticism (even better!) Stay upbeat, but don’t make it pedantic Admit errors, problems; thank whoever found them Fix them in timely fashion (even better)

Interactivity Some Don’ts when it comes to interactivity: Don’t respond to rants, flamers etc. You can’t win (though there are, sometimes, exceptions) Don’t poke fun, or insult people who disagree with you Ignore responsible criticism – bad stuff goes viral, fast Think you are in control. You are not

Never talk AT people, Just talk WITH them Closing Thought Never talk AT people, Just talk WITH them

Now you try it: You have 15 minutes to create a blurb, or paragraph, seeking engagement on these webpages. How would you ask people to interact in a Discussion forum or Comments page? Write your answers as a REPLY in the appropriate thread in the Week 9 Discussion Forum. Read the top scenario in this Ask Amy advice column, about the abusive spouse. http://www.ottawasun.com/2013/10/29/sister-insists-family-include-abusive-ex Just skin the information on this do-it-yourself page for laying roof shingles. No need to read every word, just get a feel for the content http://www.wikihow.com/Lay-Shingles

Some Article links 37 Tips to Engage your Website Visitors (frogloop blog) with ppt. slideshare http://www.frogloop.com/care2blog/2012/8/14/37-tips-to-engage-your-website-visitors.html Different types of interaction – and an explanation of multi-user interaction vs single user interaction. Her English writing skills only so-so but information is good. http://www.webdesignviews.com/2009/10/interactivity-in-web-design-a-beginners-guide/