Thank You!
I usually write this blog post as soon after the end of the month as possible but this time I decided to hold back for a couple of days. There are a few of us who write similar posts and I thought it might be kind of nice to stretch the gratitude out a bit more. 
I’m also setting this post out a bit differently to usual. I was first inspired to do this when I read fellow blogger, Elmar Sandyck’s month end review post at the end of June. Elmar weaved all his posts into a commentary which I enjoyed reading very much.
I’ve decided to mention the top five most viewed posts on this blog during the previous month. These titles come from all my posts but obviously include a good number from July having just been newly published.
If you missed any of these, you’re one click away from finding out why people enjoyed reading these the most.
If you viewed, commented on and shared any of these or any of my posts, thank you very much!
The Most Popular Titles on This Blog in July 2011
- Three Simple Ways to Feel Happy and Achieve More Everyday
- What Does Freedom Mean to You?
- Who and Where are you?
- Network Marketing Business Opportunity Top 100
- Who’s That in Your Driver’s Seat?
During July I also experimented with a different plugin for keeping track of supporters who comment here. What I noticed soon after installing it, was that I was getting more comment spam than usual.
Another blogger I spoke to seemed convinced that the new plugin was responsible. I didn’t quite understand how this could be the case but I decided to remove it and monitor the situation.
I still wanted to know who my top supporters for the month were however, so I found another plugin by the good guys at Max Blog Press, called, “My Top Commentators”. This plugin does not produce a visual widget on one’s site but it does keep a record in the Admin area.
The spam did not seem to get any better or worse so I don’t think the former plugin was responsible.
Now I’d like your opinion about which kind of plugin you prefer:
Do you like to see a widget on a blog updating who the most popular commentators are at any time? Why do you like this option? Remember they also get a backlink this way. OR
How do you feel about this information being recorded behind the scenes? Does it have the potential to generate more curiosity about who’s on the list?
Whatever is most popular is the way I’ll move, so make sure you have your say in the comments section below.
Here is a screen-print of the report of the top 10 commentators for July 2011
Did you make it? Any surprises? By the way it starts at No2 rather than 1 because it includes me as commentator which cannot be changed.
Congratulations to everybody on the list. I appreciate you all.
As usual I want to feature my top three supporters with a link back to a post of theirs I particularly enjoyed reading in July.
All three are well known bloggers, great leaders and very worth following if you don’t already do so. All three are also regularly featured here in this way. Thank you to all of you for your continued support. It means a great deal to me.
The Top 3!
#1
Janet Callaway‘s blog is one of my favourite hang outs. She writes posts that will challenge you to be the best that you can be so that you can also have the best life possible. A post that I particularly enjoyed reading in July was, What do Social Media Marketing and Riding Bicycles Have in Common?
#2
Oliver Tausend‘s blog is another of my must visit sites. He writes a lot from personal experience and isn’t that the best way? He’ll take you along with him but be prepared to ‘go deep’ too. A post that I particularly enjoyed reading in July was, If you can Doubt it You can Make it
#3
Ilka Flood‘s blog is also a favorite of mine because it’s always packed with practical tips to help you in business. She has the knack of being on the leading edge when it comes to new releases which makes her posts very handy resources. A post I particularly enjoyed reading in July was, Linked Influence – How to Effectively Grow Your LinkedIn Network
Thank you to everybody who visits this blog, whether you comment regularly or not. I appreciate your support.
If you would like to be featured for August, all you have to do is visit and comment on posts published here more than anybody else during the month ahead.
Be Happy!
Clapping Hands: Wowovr2 (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Welcome to my blog. I hope you enjoy your visit. May I suggest you...
Hi Marcus,
thanks for putting this together and of course also for the kind mention and the description of my blog I can fully subscribe to.
Commenting on blogs like yours is always a pleasure because it’s networking at its finest.
I prefer exposing my top commentators throughout the month for several reasons, such as social proof, appreciation for a wider range of people than the top 3 and also: competition because the plugin shows the number of comments left.
I also like the “new” format of your monthly review.
Keep up your great work.
Take care
Oliver
Oliver Tausend recently posted..Money Management – How We Set Positive Causes For A Financially Free Future
[Reply]
Hi Marcus… phew… I am so thrilled I made it into the ‘movers & shakers’ category! LOL
Love visiting here!
You know Marcus… I have the same question myself. Although I have not installed a top commentating plugin (yet)… it is on the never ending list to do.
I think it’s nice to show smiling faces in the side bar, but not completely necessary. I suppose it’s easier for people to ‘see’ the others and this might prompt inquisitive clicks… but at the end of the day, you also don’t want TOO much cluttering up your online real estate.
It’s a tough call Marcus. I might have to think about it some more. AT the end of the day, I feel it’s the blog owners call.
BTW… I noticed the Twitter@anywhere plugin is having the same problem mine was. ie: it returns an error code. Mavis fixed mine for me as I just couldn’t wrap my noggin around it. Perhaps our little whiz kid might help you out too.
had you noticed??
Talk soon
Jayne
Jayne Kopp recently posted..My 4 Year Anniversary as a Work at Home Mom!
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
August 9th, 2011 at 2:48 am
Hi Jayne,
Always nice to have you visit and well done for making the list!
I guess it is the blog owners call whether to have the visible widget or not although I am really quite neutral on this one so I am going to go with the majority which it seems is opting for the visible widget.
My issue is not with the widget itself but I just wasn’t having much luck getting any of them to look the way I wanted them to. I’ve decided to put this to bed for time the time being though and move onto other areas for attention. Funny how sometimes we get stuck on something that’s not really not that important.
Thanks so much for letting me know about the error code Jayne. You’re the first one to say something so either nobody is using it or else they just couldn’t be bothered. Anyway…. much appreciated!
Mavis is away now so I’ll have to ask for her advice when she’s back. In the mean time I’ll try and get it figured. Oh no another something else to spend too much time on…
Take care.
~Marcus
[Reply]
Hi Marcus,
Wow, I made it on your “Movers & Shakers” list. How cool! Thanks for the mention! I so appreciate that!
I really like the idea of including popular posts for the month. (Just in case I missed one.)
About your question whether or not to record the top commentators out in the open or behind the scenes …
I like to display my top supporters where everyone can see them. Because, the widget I use also displays a hyperlink back to their site so this gives them additional exposure.
I didn’t even know that there was a way to record this activity behind the scenes. I guess in a way it is an incentive to comment because one doesn’t know which place one is on
Thanks again for the mention and the nice write up about my blog! I truly appreciate it!
Ilka
Ilka Flood recently posted..The Enlightened Networker – Top Commentator Award Winners for July
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
August 8th, 2011 at 10:38 pm
Hi Ilka,
You are very welcome and thanks so much for the post format feedback too.
I hear you about the widget being visible. Thank you. I think I may go back to using the same widget you do which is the first one I used too.
Thanks for your continued support Ilka. Much appreciation.
~Marcus
[Reply]
I always love these appreciation posts – it’s a great way to show support to your supporters. Congratulations, top commenters!!
Natasha
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
August 8th, 2011 at 10:34 pm
Hi Natasha,
Thank you for joining me in congratulating them. I have to say Natasha I would be surprised not to see you make this list this month. You seem to be a commenting machine and on a lot of blogs too!! Awesome.
~Marcus
[Reply]
Marcus, aloha. How exciting that I am your top Mover & Shaker! Marcus, you know how much I love visiting and commenting on your blog. Your posts intrigue and inspire me. Plus, you ask great questions.
Have to tell you, Marcus, I love the company I am in with your other Movers and Shakers.
Marcus, I like seeing the widget on the blog itself. Why not acknowledge people all the month long and show appreciation?
Also, what if someone was around the first couple of weeks, commenting on each post and then went “away” for whatever reason. Chances are they would not “make the cut” for the top commenters to be recognized on a blog such as this. Thus, they would receive no public recognition for their comments (other than their names being seen in the comments section). Marcus, we both know how appreciative we are of all the comments we receive.
Finally, I often look at who the top commenters are on a blog that I routinely visit and then go visit some of their blogs. For instance, one of your top commenters of July is unknown to me as many times as I have visited. While I no doubt saw this person’s name in the comments section, I did not register the frequency or I would have visited that person’s blog.
Marcus, this format is a winner; I absolutely love it. When Elmar did it, I thought how brilliant. You are recapping the month so it makes sense to include people, posts and comments/observations.
Well done, my friend. Until next time, aloha. Janet
P.S. Thx for asking for our vote and why, Marcus, as well as for letting us know that the majority rules.
Janet recently posted..Thank You by Janet Callaway | The Natural Networker
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
August 8th, 2011 at 10:27 pm
Janet aloha. Yes indeed Janet you are THE top mover and shaker and it’s very well deserved as always. Not only do you visit my blog regularly but you take the time to leave value packed comments that always add to the posts too. Thank you for your care, making a difference and always enriching my life too Janet.
You make some very excellent points about why having the widget visible is advantageous Janet and from all the other feedback I have read, most people like to see the widget and I can understand why.
I want this blog to be an interactive experience so I am totally honoring what my readers would prefer. I would have gone either way but there is no point in asking for feedback like this and then not acting on it.
Thank you too for the feedback on the revised format. It felt right as I was writing it so I will keep it this way with a little tweak here and there when necessary.
I always appreciate your visits here Janet. Thank you again.
~Marcus
[Reply]
Congratulations for those who make it to the top3!!This is a nice post anyway…Great job!!
Clark Minn recently posted..Top Healthy Ways to Lose Weight
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
August 8th, 2011 at 10:14 pm
Hi Clark,
Thank you for expressing appreciation.
Take care
~Marcud
[Reply]
Hi Marcus,
I feel honored to make your top 10. Thanks buddy
Super breakdown with wonderful leaders, as always. Janet, Oliver and Ilka bring super value with each post. Definite people to follow in the network marketing and personal development fronts.
As for the type of plug-in, either works for me. Getting recognition is nice but a behind the scenes type approach works too, for we are dealing with the Universe and no good act or comment goes unnoticed
Thanks for sharing with us.
RB
Ryan Biddulph recently posted..How Badly Do You Want It?
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
August 8th, 2011 at 10:12 pm
Hi Ryan,
You are most welcome Ryan and thank you for your continued support. It is much appreciated.
I like your add in there about no good act or commenting going unnoticed by the Universe. So true. We don’t really need any recognition from others but then there’s that human being side to use eh??? LOL
~Marcus
[Reply]
congratulations not only to the top 3, but to the top 10. I know its hard to make it up on the ranking
Tristan recently posted..tactical gear
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
August 8th, 2011 at 10:05 pm
Hi Tristan,
Thank you for adding your wishes here. They are all a great a bunch and I appreciate everybody who visits here and there is always another month.
~Marcus
[Reply]
Hello There..
Hmm.. I must say that you have a really great style in blogging here.. it always gives you the better end when you share the glory.. expressing gratitude will give you back more..
briant recently posted..How to Get your Products in Google Product Search updated Thu Dec 30 2010 11:12 pm CST
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
August 8th, 2011 at 10:04 pm
Hi Briant,
As we give so we receive but regardless of which it just feels great to acknowledge people who support us.
Thank you for your comment.
~Marcus
[Reply]
Excellent idea to Recognize your top followers. I prefer the “End of Month Method.” It’s more personal, will create a loyal following, backlinks and more traffic back to their sites as people will seek to find out more about them.
Do you let your top commenters write guest blogs?
John Robberson recently posted..Blog Commenting Strategies – How to Use Blog Commenting on High PR Blogs
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
August 8th, 2011 at 10:02 pm
Hi John,
Welcome and thanks for for taking the time to leave a comment with your feedback.
I have not opened my blog to any guest posting yet John but have been thinking of doing this so thanks for nudging me towards taking the action.
~Marcus
[Reply]
Yey, I also made your top 10. That’s so nice to hear. I enjoy visiting your place Marcus because you always have such good content you’re sharing with us.
I personally like the top commenter widget in the sidebar because it’s kind of nice to see the smiling faces of the people who have visited and commented the most. Kind of makes them feel special as they should. That’s just my personal take on that.
I also like your layout of this post too and seeing who else made it behind the scenes, like me!
Thanks for including these wonderful bloggers on your list. I visit the majority of these fabulous bloggers as well.
Enjoy your weekend my friend.
Adrienne
Adrienne recently posted..If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
August 8th, 2011 at 9:59 pm
Hi Adrienne,
I’m not surprised since you are around here often Adrienne. Thank you do much for the compliment and your support.
From what I am reading most people like the widget in the sidebar and I can understand why so it will be back really soon.
~Marcus
[Reply]
Hi Marcus,
I actually noticed that you removed your top commentator widget last month and I did the same thing.
It cleaned up my sidebar to say the least. I would keep it the way that it is, without a top commentator widget.
Justin recently posted..How To Be Perfectly You
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
August 8th, 2011 at 9:55 pm
Hi Justin,
Thanks for your feedback Justin. The funny thing is most people like to see the widget judging form the responses here. Maybe it’s worth you checking with all your readers too and then again you could juts do what feels best to you.:)
~Marcus
[Reply]
Awesome! I think that it is awesome you recognize your blog commentators.
To give my feedback on your question: I feel that it would be more beneficial to have the first plugin you listed. This gives a backlink to the top-commentators blog. This motivates people to participate with your blog, and plus it rewards the people who work the hardest to achieve it. It’s a win-win for everybody!
Keep it up Marcus!
Brock Blohm recently posted..How To Be Rich By Making Money Online
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
August 8th, 2011 at 9:32 am
Hi Brock,
Thank you. I do think it’s a great way to show gratitude to those who support us since without them out blogs would really be useless.
Thanks for the feedback re the plugin. It seems having the widget showing is the most popular option so I will go back to this shortly.
~Marcus
[Reply]
I too have been combating ways of stopping spam. I now have to approve all the comments but with a large number of blogs that is getting harder to keep up with. Think that I finally forund a captcha that is almost bot proof.
Jaime Erickson recently posted..Deck Staning For The Longevity of Your Deck
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
August 8th, 2011 at 9:29 am
Hi Jaime,
Welcome and thanks for leaving a comment.
I don’t like captchas to be honest. I have use the G.A.S.P plugin since it was released and for a long time I had no spam but I think the spam bots may have it figured. I think it’s challenge without end.
What captcha are you using now Jaime?
~Marcus
[Reply]
Hi Marcus,
I haven’t meet Ilka so I will head over there soon to check her blog. The rest I know well and completely agree with you that Janet and Oliver are outstanding people in every sense of the word.
I always enjoy your posts and sorry for not dropping by often enough in July to make it to your top commenters.
Regarding the plugin, I use Top Contributors plugin which you see on the right side of my blog. I really like it because it gives so love to my top commenters. I haven’t experienced that much spam and things are under control
Hope that helps!
Diana
Diana Simon recently posted..My Blogging Community Features Melanie Kissell
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
August 8th, 2011 at 9:02 pm
Hi Diana,
No need for apologies. I know how crazy it can get and I myself find it difficult to get around to all the blogs I would like to. In fact I would be quiet happy if someone paid me to read blogs and comment. Now wouldn’t that be a fantastic job??
Thanks too for leaving me your input re the plugin. Much appreciated.
~Marcus
[Reply]
[...] me delusional, and suggested I get help before I slipped into another possible depression.” Marcus Baker [...]
The widget being visible on the main page has a definite effect on the number of comments you’ll receive, and i haven’t seen any move on the normal/spam ratio on my few blogs i use it on.
Maybe it’s variable depending on the niche you’re writing on?
Lynn Sanders recently posted..What Is A Medical Assistant?
[Reply]
Thanks for the great resource. I will have to check these blogs out that you have listed. I’ll be back to read up on some more stuff.
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
August 29th, 2011 at 8:56 am
Hi Josh,
Thanks for stopping by.
~Marcus
[Reply]