I have a huge headache. The headache was caused by a plugin called ” Contact Commenters.”
Contact Commenter allows you to send a mass email to your commenters instantly.
The ” Contact Commenter” plugin is said to improve your interaction levels with commenters and increase your readership by contacting selected commenters via email.
I don’t know about improving interaction.
I used “Contact Commenter” for the first time today.
I chose the option to search those commenters who hadn’t added anything here in 90 days.
I opted to send the messages individually.
My message read:
Dear (name)
I hope this email doesn’t disturb you.
First allow me to thank you for commenting on my blog in the past. I really appreciate those who take the time to comment on my blog.
Commenters are the driving force behind a blog. Our blogs would be nothing without an audience.
I was just looking through past comments and I noticed that it has been some time since you left a comment on my blog http://rosedesrochers.todays-woman.net and I’d like to take this time to invite you back to join a discussion or check out what I’ve been blogging about.
If I can help you in any way, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me.
Thank you for your time and I look forward to talking to you soon.
Sincerely, Rose
What happens when you choose to mass email Commenters who have not commented on your blog in the past 90 days?
I’ll tell you what happens:
Some wrote they were happy to hear from me as they had lost the link to my blog. My email even spurred a couple of people to revisit my blog. One blogger thought it was a great marketing tool.
Some commenters were not as delighted to hear from me.
One person called me a bot. Another person thought I was a spammer.
A few people didn’t recall having ever commented on my blog. (I’m easily forgotten.)
The plugin also emailed some commenters who I have had to ban from my blog. (What a pain in the butt that was.)
The emails are still coming in, so I know I have not seen the full effect of Contact Commenter.
I don’t know if I’ll be using this plugin again. I did remove a few email addresses from my comment section as I certainly don’t want to make the mistake of emailing those people ever again.
Ari also wrote about the plugin. He uses it on his blog too. That was actually where I first saw it. Check out his post “Commenter or Lurker: Which Blog Participant Are You?”
Do you have this plugin installed? Was it successful for you?
Rose DesRochersRose wears many hats. She's a wife, mother, respite worker, proud shih-tzu owner, blogger, published poet, freelance writer, as well as the owner and administrator of Today's Writing Community and Blogger Talk Blog Community. Feel free to contact her with any questions you may have.Rose DesRochers has 1229 post(s) at Rose DesRochers – World Outside My Window
RSS
Subscribe
54 responses so far ↓
Wrote: Jan 28, 2010 at 12:44 am
I don’t use WordPress, so I can’t comment on the plugin. But I do know where you’re coming from.
Some things that are meant to make life easier, just end up making it more difficult.
Robert Bravery´s last blog..Why you should not model your blog after Darren Rowse’s Problogger.net
Rose DesRochers Reply:
January 29th, 2010 at 12:54 am
I agree wholeheartedly.
Wrote: Jan 28, 2010 at 1:03 am
Scroll through the comments on my post you linked to… specifically looking at those comments from people who received my email and commented as a result. They’re still commenting, so something worked.
You can’t please everyone.
Ari Herzog´s last blog..Boost Corporate Branding and Add That Blog Comment
Rose DesRochers Reply:
January 28th, 2010 at 2:15 am
I hope that the negative out weights the positive Ari.
Wrote: Jan 28, 2010 at 1:35 am
Hey Rose, I was one of those who got the email. I did remember your blog, and took no offense. I did have to laugh about the pros and cons of using the plugin. Similar things have happened to me. Looks like “no good deed goes unpunished” still holds true, huh?
Carol Wilkerson´s last blog..Where In The World Is Your Surname?
Rose DesRochers Reply:
January 28th, 2010 at 2:17 am
Carol thank you for revisting. The email did open a huge can of worms from 2 years ago I thought was done, forgotten about and closed.
Wrote: Jan 28, 2010 at 3:47 am
Hi Rose,
I also received one of these messages from you. I haven’t taken offence and, as you can see, I’m visiting again! I wish I had more time to keep up with all the wonderful blogs out there (like this one) where I’ve picked up something useful, or benefited in some other way. Regarding the plugin, I’m guessing that the response is likely to be good from your regular visitors/infrequent commenters, less so from “drive-by commenters”.
Kind regards,
Russell Cohen
Maskil´s last blog..Activism for a just Israel
Wrote: Jan 28, 2010 at 4:12 am
You have to use it to know the consequences.
I got the e-mail and wasn’t offended at all. Why would I? I was curious enough to revisit your blog, so it works!
Tink´s last blog..A. Vogel workshop
Rose DesRochers Reply:
January 29th, 2010 at 1:10 am
Tink, thank you. I hope you’ll visit again.
Wrote: Jan 28, 2010 at 6:27 am
I received the email this morning hence my appearance today. Like another commenter on here, I didn’t mind. I thought at first it was spam and was about to delete it without looking but the title seemed different from regular spam.
I won’t install the plug-in myself but I am glad I was reminded of your blog.
Rose DesRochers Reply:
January 28th, 2010 at 1:50 pm
Glad you dropped by and didn’t delete my email.
Wrote: Jan 28, 2010 at 6:34 am
I got the email, too…I remember visiting your blog in the past…I think it is saved someplace on my computer, actually, although life tends to get in the way of me reading blogs regularly. I didn’t mind the email, and as someone pointed out, you will never please everyone. I am happy you gave me a kick in the butt to get back over here!
Rose DesRochers Reply:
January 28th, 2010 at 1:47 pm
I know what you mean about life getting in the way.
Wrote: Jan 28, 2010 at 6:50 am
Well, as you know, you contacted me. I must have initially contacted you through my work e-mail, but subsequently from my home e-mail, because – swear to God – I actually HAVE commented to you in the last 90 days. Heck, in the last 90 HOURS.
But it was cool. I knew you weren’t a spambot. Well, I was pretty sure…
Roger Green´s last blog..Lacking Grace
Rose DesRochers Reply:
January 28th, 2010 at 12:02 pm
ROFL Roger!
Wrote: Jan 28, 2010 at 7:26 am
Hey sweetie pie.
Thanks for the warning. I would hate to have to go through that hassle. Have a great day, Rose!
Gordie´s last blog..How Passionate Speaking Can Be Deceiving.
Rose DesRochers Reply:
January 28th, 2010 at 1:43 pm
There you go calling me sweet again. Seesh! You’re giving away my secret.
Wrote: Jan 28, 2010 at 8:04 am
I also got an email, and I’m afraid that I am one who can’t remember why or where I commented before! My guess is that it was a meme or something back from when I had just started blogging, based on the email account where I received the email.
I’m sorry that your plugin has caused so many problems! I hope everything works out well for you.
Asara´s last blog..Epic WoW Marathon! (plus news.)
Rose DesRochers Reply:
January 28th, 2010 at 1:35 pm
You commented on Wordless Wednesday – School Vandalism and Graffiti.
Welcome back.
Wrote: Jan 28, 2010 at 8:35 am
Hey Rose,
I, too, got your email and did not take offense. Sometimes good things get forgotten for whatever reason, which we may or may not have any control over. I’m glad to see you’re still around.
As for the plug-in, I have no use for it personally because I have no visitors to my blog, but I think it’s a matter of figuring out exactly how it works and going from there. I wouldn’t necessarily give up after only one use, though!
Kasey
Rose DesRochers Reply:
January 28th, 2010 at 1:31 pm
Kasey, just read your latest post. I’m proud of you.
Wrote: Jan 28, 2010 at 9:24 am
I don’t have this plugin installed but I don’t think my comment base would make it useful to me anyways.
Personally I wouldn’t be offended by such an email as long as the link to the site was clear. Which yours is.
In my case I’d probably feel flattered that someone actually cared if I commented or not, ha,ha.
I have read Ari’s post on this and his results seem to mirror yours.
BTW, I really like the footer on your posts. 1083 posts. Holy crap…
Glen´s last blog..Do Something
Rose DesRochers Reply:
January 28th, 2010 at 1:29 pm
I’ll email you today and thanks about the footer.
Wrote: Jan 28, 2010 at 11:29 am
Worked for me, I’m back…
And I’m not upset about the email….
Rose DesRochers Reply:
January 28th, 2010 at 1:28 pm
Welcome back Don.
Wrote: Jan 28, 2010 at 12:11 pm
I also received an email, but I don’t mind. I haven’t been back in a while so the reminder worked just like it was supposed to.
Charles Richey´s last blog..Real Estate Update
Rose DesRochers Reply:
January 28th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
That’s great Charles. I visited your blog, but don’t really have anything to ad to the topic of Real estate.
Wrote: Jan 28, 2010 at 1:03 pm
Eek no. Wallpaper- ug. We just remodeled our house and two walls had wallpaper on them. What a real mess to remove it all.
Wrote: Jan 28, 2010 at 1:09 pm
I think it is great, because now I’ve reconnected with you & visited your blog something I may not have done if not for the email.
Wrote: Jan 28, 2010 at 1:53 pm
I too cannot use plug ins however i would also like to drive more attention, followers and be able to interact with many. Sorry about the headache.
Wrote: Jan 28, 2010 at 1:54 pm
@Robert Bravery: I agree with Robert…sometimes the littlest thing can make things more difficult
winnie´s last blog..Have you Found what you are looking for?
Wrote: Jan 28, 2010 at 2:36 pm
I’m here because of that email but not to complain!
for me it was the nicest email I received that day and I starred it to make sure I came by and said, “hi!”
The only issue I see with it is the fact that the follow up message was not requested. You would have to put in a notice or comment policy which could say “you may occasionally be contacted, please click here if you do not want to receive any communication.”
either that or a follow up message when they comment with a double optin link.
and there’s no one so picky about receiving emails as the internets crowd even though they send them all the time!
Andy Bailey´s last blog..How CommentLuv was born and raised
Rose DesRochers Reply:
January 28th, 2010 at 5:39 pm
Like the idea of adding an opt out to it. Thanks for commenting Andy. Check your inbox.
Wrote: Jan 28, 2010 at 3:30 pm
Wow, I bet that was an interesting test and experience. Although I had never even thought about doing this beforehand, I’m glad to know your experience with it so that I know now that it’s definitely something I don’t want to use.
Rose DesRochers Reply:
January 28th, 2010 at 4:49 pm
It did bring a lot of readers back to my blog.
Wrote: Jan 28, 2010 at 3:34 pm
I was wondering what was up with that email, now I know.
Judging by the response to this post something worked.
- Len (aka CptCanuck)
Len´s last blog..New Design Live
Rose DesRochers Reply:
January 28th, 2010 at 4:47 pm
Len, so nice to see you here. You must have wondered why I was emailing you. lol How are you?
Wrote: Jan 28, 2010 at 4:12 pm
Before I comment, let me say this. Keep in touch, Rose!
I just sent you an email back, btw. Hope you tell me if you received it okay or not.
Anyhoo… Congrats on your 100 comments!
Remember that we had discussions on that one forum- Sy, you and I and others.
Kelly´s last blog..Living In A Haunted House
Rose DesRochers Reply:
January 28th, 2010 at 4:58 pm
Honestly I don’t recall. lol Glad you stopped by & I received your email.
Wrote: Jan 28, 2010 at 5:06 pm
@Rose DesRochers: Yeah, I’d say that’s a positive then.
Wrote: Jan 28, 2010 at 5:55 pm
I did something similar to this, but had no one respond to it. I only knew something weird had happened, because I was getting emails for comments I made on my own blog. Screwy. I ended up writing a post apologizing for the goof so anyone coming to my site would know it was a mistake.
I thought it would only send to new commenters not everyone and their mother from the past. Oy!
Anne´s last blog..Honor Thy Father ~ Forefathers, that is
Rose DesRochers Reply:
January 28th, 2010 at 6:00 pm
Opps! lol Live & learn eh Anne?
Wrote: Jan 28, 2010 at 6:26 pm
Put me in the column of people who don’t remember being here before!
Hummie´s last blog..Nothing is Ours
Rose DesRochers Reply:
January 28th, 2010 at 6:37 pm
You commented on May 5th 2007 on a post “Photo Hunters- The Essence of Childhood.”
Wrote: Jan 28, 2010 at 7:28 pm
Just splendid. And you?
Len´s last blog..New Design Live
Rose DesRochers Reply:
January 28th, 2010 at 7:54 pm
Not bad. Thank you for asking. Are you still holding down the fort over at the forum?
Wrote: Jan 29, 2010 at 1:09 am
@Maskil: Thank you for the comment. I did drop by your blog, but did not comment as I felt that I had nothing to add to your topic.
Wrote: Jan 29, 2010 at 11:11 am
it dropped me a line also. I was not offended…it reminded me I hadn’t dropped by in a while!!
so delurking!
trishk´s last blog..Feeling My Immortality
Wrote: Jan 29, 2010 at 2:54 pm
ROFLMAO. I tried using the plug-in once and mistakenly sent out the email twice 2 all my commentators. I quickly wrote a post apologizing to them all and some responded understanding the small mistake.
I’ve removed the plug-in ever since. It is a nice plug-in though
Udegbunam Chukwudi´s last blog..StrictlyOnlineBiz’s Top Blog Posts Of The Week
Wrote: Feb 3, 2010 at 3:10 pm
This plugin is kinda like a High School reunion, you meet some people you like, some have changed since then and moved onto different ways. Nevertheless its a good way to draw old readers back again.
Wrote: Feb 4, 2010 at 8:03 pm
You should try “Meet your commentators” I have this on my website OurBlogLog.com and anytime somebody comments , I get to see their social profiles such as twitter and technorati (you as well)and maybe then socializing would be better than emailing.
Wrote: Feb 6, 2010 at 9:58 am
I also didn’t have a clue who you were. I suspect I followed a link from somewhere else, though I did wonder if this was some kind of phishing. (So I didn’t click the link, but I was curious enough to investigate so I searched for your blog using Google.)
Anytime you throw out a mass email to a bunch of people you don’t know, and you don’t really understand or know how they found *you*, you should expect a range of reactions. Especially with all the spam we get these days — probably 80% of the emails I get at this address are spam.
Rose DesRochers Reply:
February 6th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
You had commented on my post “Princeton Premier- I Smell Spam.” I sent the mass email to those who had commented on my blog before. Some of them were return commenters. Some of them were people like yourself who had only been here once.
Wrote: Jul 31, 2010 at 7:00 pm
I got an e-mail from you recently inviting me back. I suspect it must have been via this plugin. So it brought me back. Cool idea.
Ned Carey´s last blog..The Best Baltimore Real Estate Blog