Housekeeping & Rewarding Top Commentators
It is a good thing to do some housekeeping from time to time, particularly when that work involves a blog. I must admit that I’m constantly being peppered by spam, so my daily work never seems quite done even on days when I choose not to write and post an article.
Are You Part Of My Top Ten?
After much deliberation, I’ve decided to include a “Top Commentators” widget for this site, which takes a look at everyone who has posted here since December 2005 when the original blog was launched by rewarding them with their name in “lights” so to speak.
Because I’m a firm believer in sharing linky love, each name is hyperlinked to the site you’ve been listing in your URL comments and that link is “nofollow” as well. That way, you get rewarded for leaving your wonderful comment and with more than 750 posts and pages associated with this site, that reward should certainly come in handy.
Right now I am featuring the “Top 10″ commentators, but I may expand that list eventually. I removed references to my name and dropped two individuals whose blogs were either dormant or their links dead.
Musing About A Variety Of Topics
This blog has a different theme than the original The Article Writer blog although that defunct blog’s posts are now part of Matt’s Musings. Lately, I’ve been covering more SEO and technology topics, fewer political (civic) stories, but I plan on sharing additional writing tips and ideas going forward.
Thanks to everyone who stops by and leaves a comment except for you spammers who oddly believe that my readers are interested in your druggie site (your stuff gets promptly vaporized). Special thanks to Lillie Ammann whose example gave me the idea to reward my commentators. Though I probably won’t do a monthly round up, my next best thing is to have your name prominently featured in this blog’s sidebar.
Related Reading: Commenting? You Can Do Better Than That!
Tags: blog comment, CommentLuv, comments, Top Commentators, widget
Linking Strategies, SEO Tools | Matthew C. Keegan, 20 Apr 09
By Lillie Ammann, April 20, 2009 @ 4:34 am
Matt,
Thank you for the thanks, but I can’t take the credit for thanking commenters. I think I originally got the idea from Lisa Gates, and several other bloggers do it regularly as well.
Your top commenters widget is great, and I’m glad to see I’m there!
By Matthew C. Keegan, April 20, 2009 @ 5:00 am
Thank for giving credit where credit is due, Lillie.
I have seen “Top Commentators” in place elsewhere, but I must say that you are one of the most thorough people to actually thank your commentators each month. I can’t promise that I’ll be that mindful, but the TC widget will be my way in helping to keep the reward system open to my top people, yourself included.
By Deb S., April 20, 2009 @ 6:55 am
I think the reward idea is a good one. Too bad I didn’t know about your site in 2005!
Looking forward to reading your writing tips and ideas. Have a great week, Matt.
Deb S.s last blog post..The right web host can give you added impact
By Matt Keegan, April 20, 2009 @ 6:57 am
Thanks, Sis! You have a good week too.
I update two to three times per week and will be including additional writing tips as I go along. I look forward to your return.
By LarryJackson, April 20, 2009 @ 10:15 pm
Thanks for putting up the Top Commentators widget, Matt. It looks like it was meant to be there. Thanks also for the articles you write. I always enjoy reading what you have to say.
LarryJacksons last blog post..Diplomacy, Obama style
By Matthew C. Keegan, April 20, 2009 @ 10:54 pm
You’re welcome, Larry. I’m glad that it is a good fit for the site…I had to tweak the heading to make it stand out as the original text looked odd and didn’t fit in.
By Erwin B., April 21, 2009 @ 2:13 pm
So matt i think it’s a good idea to thank your top commenters, but i’m intrested in how you do it. Do you personally look at all the posts?
By Matthew C. Keegan, April 21, 2009 @ 2:36 pm
That’s a very good question, Erwin.
As a matter of fact I read every comment left on this site and have done so since I launched it nearly 3 1/2 years ago. But, as far as tallying everything up, I leave it to the plugin to handle those numbers. In fact, I removed a few names from the list, especially if they don’t have a link to their site or if their website has since shut down.
By Dominique, April 22, 2009 @ 12:43 am
Matt – What a great idea! I noticed this plug-in on Larry’s blog a while back. I think it is a really cool idea, especially if you have people who are competitive! LOL
Congratulations on 3 1/2 years! Wow! I can’t wait till I can say that!
By Matt Keegan, April 22, 2009 @ 4:58 am
Dominique, I think it will prove to be a very good tool. I may eventually expand it to include 12-15 folks, especially if I see people are leaving quality comments and are trying to move onto the list. I still have a friend’s list — you, Lillie and Larry are on that — but I may eventually remove it to make room for additional Top Commenters.
Matt Keegans last blog post..2010 Madza3: Recalled!
By Van, April 23, 2009 @ 1:09 am
Giving your visitors this kind of appreciation is a great way to bring on more readers to your page. Thanks for the idea. Someday, I’ll use this for my blog, too.
Van
By ViCky, April 27, 2009 @ 6:56 am
Its a Good toll and I will have it as soon as i think many people consistently comment so that the widget will be helpful for me and most importantly them .