WordPress plugin recommendation: Thank Me Later
Best WordPress Plugins: This week’s WordPress plugin recommendation
Say it with flowers!
Any tool that allows me to automate an opportunity to reach out to someone gets the thumb ups from me. But the trick to many automated tools is being able to customize them so that they feel as if you have personally written them.
This is why I love the thank me later WordPress plugin.
What this plugin does is automatically send a “thank you” email to someone when they comment on your blog. I used to do this manually and, although it was time well spent, it easily became something to drop when the week got too busy.
And, as mentioned above, the trick to using this plugin is to make full use of the custom settings. There is nothing worse than getting a bulk standard “Thank you for stopping by … you are awesome”. It makes one feel so special!
First thing to do is to edit the thank you message. Write it as if you are sending it to someone right there and then. Be you – show your personality. If you sign off your emails with “catch ya later” then put that. If you are more corporate, stick to “yours sincerely”. Make sure it feels as if you wrote it.
Second thing to do is to click through to Additional Options.
Set the maximum number of messages to 1. The last thing you want is someone getting repeat messages when they stop by for another comment. How to turn sincerity in to robotic.
Something that I don’t do (but probably should now I come to think about it!) is setting up further follow up messages. Perhaps you want them to check back in over the next week. Perhaps you’ve a free report you want to offer them so they sign up to your email newsletter list.
You can add these further messages to be sent out on fixed day intervals. A great way of using autoresponders to email out more valuable information or article links to them.
Here’s the link to the plugin:
http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/thank-me-later/
And leave a comment below with your thoughts and ideas on using this WordPress plugin
10 Responses to “WordPress plugin recommendation: Thank Me Later”
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I really like the idea but just wonder if some people would view it as spam?
Hi Liz. I feel this will depend on the way you write it. Most people like to be thanked and, yes, writing a personal note to everyone is much more … well, personal – it is unrealistic to keep up with as a busy business owner. Make sure you take the time to really think about the phrases and words that mean something to the people who comment on your blog.
You could even be tongue in cheek and tell them that it is an automated message ;o) Having a sense of humour about it could work for some people.
Hi Karen,
I am still getting a lot of spam replys on my blog, and I have to go in and approve all comments on my posts so surely this would not work as I wouldn’t want a thank you going out to a spammer.
Regards
Jade
What sort of spam plugin are you using Jade? Askimet is the best one out there and it should be blocking almost all your spam comments so this should stop the need for having to approve comments before posting.
Hi Karen,
I am using Antivirus it says it protects my blog against spam injections, I think I will change and use the one you suggest.
Thank you Karen
I’ve just installed this on my blog. I always thought it was a nice touch when people sent me a thanks for my comment. I have found that some ended up in my junk mail and that is the one of the problems. As Liz says it can be viewed as Spam and some of your commenters may never see it.
But it can help prompt your commenter to return to your blog or you can suggest they sign up to it. I like the idea of sending out a link to a free gift too.
In fact there is a whole lot of things you can do with it but I would draw the line at trying to sell something although I know some marketers do that.
Sandy
Yes, there are plenty of opportunities open to you on this one Sandy. But remember, although you don’t want to direct sell, you can take your potential customers on a journey to explore what you offer. The end results are the same … it’s just the way you write and deliver the messages.
Hi Karen,
A blog I commented on earlier in the year sent me a message and I thought it was a gret idea, but I forgot to look into it.
I’ve just commented again and got another follow up message and found out that Thank Me Later is what they use. This is so amazing!
I can’t wait to add it to my blog so that I can create a further touch point with my valuable visitors and offer them a follow up goodie at no charge just as a thank you for stopping by.
Thanks for a great post.
Wendy
Hi
This didnt work for me. To test it, I had a friend comment. They got the email, and the customized message I inserted was there too, but it still said “Hi NAME” and then “SAMPLE comment” at the bottom
How can I fix this?!
Thanks!
It may be that you have another plugin that is not compatible with this one. It often happens … especially if you get rather addicted and end up with 30+ plugins installed ;o) I would make sure you have the latest WordPress installed, then check that all your plugins are up to date and then then systematically deactivate activate plugins until you find the one that is clashing. It sounds a painful job but it’s worth doing. If you are still having problems after doing this, then I would recommend you get in touch with the plugin developer. There is often a place where you can post comments on the plugin download page.