Mobile app version of vmapp.org
Login or Join
Si4351233

: How to motivate visitors to comment At first I must apologize, because I am not sure if this question is valid for webmasters topic. I deal with the problem as being webmaster, however, i

@Si4351233

Posted in: #Comments #Marketing #Visitors

At first I must apologize, because I am not sure if this question is valid for webmasters topic. I deal with the problem as being webmaster, however, i think this question is more related with marketing. Nevertheless, I was searching for marketing stack-overflow at meta stack-overflow and did not find such page.

Background

Four days ago, I launched a portal with database of barber salons at which people can find a salon through various criterions, see its photos, details, and also put a comment with their own opinion. The development took me half a year and it took me other 2 months to fill the database with information about barbers (I've also hired another three people to this job).

I have not a big problem with getting people to my portal, I pay for PPC, comment on barber discussions etc.. In past four days I've reached a satisfactory number of visitors.

Problem

I deal with fact that everyone wants to search and read comments, but no one is willing to put her/his own opinion to barber.

So I've tried following (2 days ago):


Made comment anonymous, no one has to be afraid of compromise her/his identity with a salon owner
I prepared a competition for users in which they can win a cosmetic package if they comment on at least three different salons
I payed for PPC campaign on facebook which is telling people about the competition
I registered competition on 20 portals for competitions


And the result:


People are commenting on facebook that the competition is a good idea
They are giving likes on facebook
But no one put a single comment to a barber salon


I am getting little confused about what am I doing wrong. I will be thankful for any advice.

10.03% popularity Vote Up Vote Down


Login to follow query

More posts by @Si4351233

3 Comments

Sorted by latest first Latest Oldest Best

 

@Gloria169

my experience (we can only base ourselves on our experience here) is as follows: if you add the Facebook comment box, people will comment. It doesn't matter if the site doesn't get much traffic. It is just that an interface that is already known and used, combined with the fact that users tend to be already logged in to social networks, encourages comments. Another suggestion (I wouldn't recommend it) is to give a dofollow link for comments. That way you just fill the site with spam.
Can't you try a stronger Facebook integration? Create an app, let people interact with it (up votes, down votes, comments), then import all activity on the site.

Indeed you must trigger emotions, as @JVerstry says

10% popularity Vote Up Vote Down


 

@Ann8826881

I would think the simplest option would be to contact barber/salon owners and inform them that your site exists, that their business is listed, and that as an owner, they have the opportunity to have their satisfied customers post a positive comment on your site to increase their customer base.

Bare in mind that you will need to make this really simple for them- something like a code to enter that will take them to their profile instead of a complicated URL. As well, you can offer the business owner the opportunity to comment on their own business to better define any unique value proposition (marketing speak) they may have such as discounts for service members and so on.

Also, know this. I have a friend that has a barber shop, sadly- I no longer need a barber, but he gets a ridiculous number of calls trying to sell him something, telling him about online opportunities such as business listings, and so on each and every day. It will be hard to crack that nut. But I suspect a friendly e-mail or letter would go really far. Emphasis the win-win opportunity for both of you. Gentleness/kindness encourages people to participate as a kindness back to you, however, business speak will not.

You can also make it easier with a simple rating system for those who are reluctant to comment. You can target a potion of your PPC ads and offer a coupon/rebate of anyone who leaves a comment. Something like: Love your barber? Tell us!

I am sure there are many other ideas. These are just a few. Good Luck!

[Update]

Here is a fun idea! How about hosting a humorous haircut contest above or in your comment section. You can offer a cash reward for the funniest haircut- you can split the reward to the poor soul wearing the unfortunate haircut and the barber/salon owner who can cut it gain (if they want) with any employee. Site visitors can vote on the haircut and the highest vote count wins. Of course you will have to regulate voting a bit with one vote per IP address, CAPTCHA, and an other check to prevent gaming. Alternatively, you can use the comment section for votes too! This is an opportunity for actual barber/salon customers to participate. You can encourage commenters to not only comment on the haircut, but their experiences with the barber/salon too. It is too late for me to participate, but it could work for others! As well, you might end up with some unique content that may attract new users. Who knows?

10% popularity Vote Up Vote Down


 

@Goswami781

My experience is that unless people had a really great experience or a really bad experience with a product, they don't make comments. May it is because your site is new and does not generate much traffic. They may be using other established sites to put their comments instead. Instead of comments, you might try your own +1/-1 buttons.

What triggers comments is typically something controversial, something extremely funny, something totally unexpected... There is always a high emotion behind it.

10% popularity Vote Up Vote Down


Back to top | Use Dark Theme