Write to Excite Engagement

Posted in Inspiration, Writer's Block

BloggingDo your readers read you?

My platform challenge for today is to write a post that includes a call to action. I try to do that in every post, with the exception of my poetry. I don’t always get a call to action in, but I try. For example, the second two words in this post are a call to action. By clicking on the link you can learn more about the platform challenge facilitated by Writer’s Digest senior content editor Robert Lee Brewer. See, I just did it again. If you click on the word “poetry” you will find a poem I wrote following the shooting in Roseburg, Oregon.

The purpose of a CTA is to engage readers at a deeper level. I have written a number of book reviews and other content that is all over the place. To get as much mileage as possible out of those posts, I can subtly guide readers to previous posts on similar subjects, or I can be deliberate about promoting my book, “Finding Family.” The goal is to encourage readers to learn more by clicking on a link.

As a really lousy self-promoter, I’m not much good at the call to action for my stuff, but I’m more than happy to take readers to information I believe they will enjoy or get something from.

Why reader response matters

In some ways posting creates an opportunity for dialogue between the writer and her readers. The comment section at the bottom of posts is there for a reason. As a writer it is encouraging to me when someone comments, positive or negative. Why? Because as a writer I know my work is being read. When it just sits there, even though I can count the clicks on my analytics page, I don’t really know how much of what I have written is being read and thought about. Comments are the lifeblood of a post. So please comment below.

If comments are the lifeblood, “like” and “share” are the heartbeat. These two actions by a reader lets others know the content touched something in him and inspired a response. So when you read a post, mine or anyone else’s, like it and share it with friends and family.

I want to thank anyone who has ever commented, liked or shared one of my posts. It means more to me than you can imagine.

 

4 thoughts on “Write to Excite Engagement”

  2. Writer’s Digest and Robert Lee Brewer are among the go-to resources for me. Brewer has a April Poetry a Day Challenge that I’ve participated in for the past three years. It forces me to write poetry based on prompts I never would have thought of. Have a great day!

    Like

  3. I appreciate the info about the platform challenge – not that I can take it now, but knowing there’s a place to go to learn more about building a platform is helpful… for that someday when I can return to focusing on my blog and writing.

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