Top 11 Blogging Call to Action Tips

If you are wondering why your blog readers never leave a comment, share your blog posts, revisit your blog, or participate in any other type of interactivity it may be your fault.  What?  My fault?  Yes.  However it is because you probably were not aware of some of the strategies you can use to get your readers to act.  It is known as a “call to action” which communicates to your readers exactly what you want them to do.

1. Identify the Action

Before you can communicate with the reader you must know what action you want them to take such as subscribing to your news feed, leaving a comment, responding to a poll, etc.

2. Keep It Simple Stupid (KISS)

Whatever the call to action is keep it simple.  If the action requires a lot of steps your readers will not want to bother and they will move on.

3. What’s in it for Me? (WIIFM)

Whenever possible create the call to action in a way that provides benefits to your reader such as offering a freebie, entering their name in a giveaway, etc.

4. Make the Call to Action Stand Out

Instead of blending the call to action with the text subtly make it stand out so it naturally draws the reader’s eye such as placing an image near it, using a different font, or any other type of subtlety.

5. Avoid Overloading the Post

As a general rule blog posts are short so avoid overloading them with multiple calls to action.  Instead stick to one call to action for each post to avoid annoying your readers.

6. Clarify the Call to Action

Be clear and concise with what you want the reader to do.  If they have to spend time figuring it out they will abandon the action and move on.

7. Make It Fit Naturally

The call to action should naturally lead the reader so taking action seems like the logical next step.

8. Vary the Call to Action Placement

Place the call to action in a different location for each blog post.  If the reader gets accustomed to seeing the call to action in the same place they will eventually become immune to it and ignore it.

9. Include the Call to Action with the Post

If you include the call to action with the post it makes it easier for the reader to see why you want them to take a specific action as opposed to placing it in a random spot on the blog or in the sidelines.

10. Call to Action Does Not Mean Hard Sell

Be clear and precise with the action you want the reader to take but avoid coming on too strong.  If you hard sell the action this is the equivalent of badgering the reader until they get disgusted and walk away.

11. Always Highlight the Advantages

Stay positive and always highlight the advantages of taking action to the reader.  Your clients are always looking for solutions or ways to make their life easier.  Deliver it.