Are bribes good or bad for commenting?
Over the last day or two I have gotten numerous emails about a new WordPress plugin that will reward your commenters. Have actually been to sa site that uses it and then got an email with a gift (bribe) along with a note that when I reached 5, 10 and 20 comments on that blog that I would receive more gifts.
Now my question is this something that is good or bad for your blog?
This is one of those questions that has no correct answer but my initial reaction is not to use something like this. Here is why…
I am not against rewarding commenters. I do it all the time here through using comment luv and do follow. It rewards those that add to my content but does increase the amount of bogus comments I end up moderating.
This type of incentive works well in my opinion because those that get the most from the reward are likely to be valuable resources in my niche for this blog. What links they are leaving are likely to be of value to my readers creating a win – win – win. My favorite conclusion where everyone gains.
Now this plugin while increasing comments is a draw to those looking for something free and they are less likely to add value to my blog.
The worst part is that because it comes with 4 gifts to give away the vast majority of users will not add in their own gifts to replace what they get. This could very well end up being a negative and hurting your recommendation.
For these reasons I can not get excited about this new product.
All of that being said I can see how a good marketer could use this with their own gifts to improve their business. The vast majority won’t go to the bother as it is marketed as an easy button solution.
That is my opinion what is yours?
About the author
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Mike Paetzold got started blogging in 2003 and has become an expert on using WordPress. He has become known as The WordPress Guy. After being an under ground niche marketer using his blogs he has surfaced to share some of the ways he uses blogs to enter various niches profitably. Get the details at Profitable Blog Steps |
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Disclaimer: Some of the links mentioned within this post or posts it may lead to are my affiliate links and in such case I will get compensated for recommending those products. However, I will never recommend something that I don’t personally believe in and I welcome your questions and feedback.
2 comments
Lonnie Minton on February 25, 2010 at 3:35 pm
Mike, I think I agree with you although I have no real basis for thinking that. It just seems to me that you have hit it on the head and this will draw span type comments just to get the free offer. Would be nice if that were not the case and all it really did was draw valid comments.
Lonnie Minton´s last blog ..Something To Add To Your Affiliate Marketing Strategy
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Leslie West on February 25, 2010 at 10:57 pm
I tend to agree Mike. I would want to only attract valuable comments to add original content to my blog.
I understand offering bribes for adding users to a mailing list. However, bribing for comments is likely to attract freebie seekers who will want to get their gift as cheaply as possible, maybe even spam you.
Since moderating comments is necessary and time consuming I would not want all the extra work for little reward.
Leslie West´s last blog ..Solving Your Clean Water Problems – Water Filter Choices
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