I’ve recently run across a few blogs where, for one reason or another, I would have liked to contact the writer. I looked for a ‘contact’ page. I looked on their ‘about’ page (if they had one). I looked all around their homepage. Alas, if the information was there, I couldn’t find it. Perhaps I gave up too soon. Regardless, I did give up. That’s the point of this post.
I found something on Sue Vincent’s blog a few months ago talking about the various reasons why it’s probably a good thing for your readers to be able to contact you. It also gives step-by-step instructions on how to create a contact form if you’re a bit wary of sharing your email address on your blog.
Click on ‘my sites’ top left of the screen, scroll down to WP Admin on the blue drop-down menu and click.
Hover over ‘pages’ (or ‘posts’ if you prefer, but it will get lost unless you pin it) and click ‘add new’.
There, at the top of the screen, is a button to ‘add contact form’. Click this and it opens a drop down box.
Click ‘add this’ and it inserts a whole bunch of bracketed code. It will show up with your details in it on the preview, but they are not visible to others.
And there you have a working contact form.
Just so I’m not accused of being a hypocrite, I’ll come right out here and say, if you look at my menu, there is no ‘contact’ page. I’m thinking of adding the form Sue mentions but, in the meantime, there’s my ‘about’ page. I’ve had a way to contact me on there since the beginning of this blog.
That said, perhaps I’ll make it a bit more obvious…
Anyway, do check out Sue’s post:
Do you have a ‘contact’ page? Or a way to contact you on your ‘about’ page or main blog? If not, is it an oversight or something you’ve chosen not to do?
So what if silly ignorant me STILL has blogger and doesn’t know how to put the contact….. ? 🙂
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You certainly don’t have to (despite my title). It’s your blog. If you want to, just add a page. I don’t know if you can add that form on Blogger or not but…just a page with some info would be good. 🙂
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I’ve included a blogpost on it and it’s not fully kept secret…. but every day I’m a step closer to leaving the comfort and limitations of blogger lol
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The lure of WordPress… Bwahaha!
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Hi Sarah, I had never dared put my email address onto my blog but after reading this and Sue’s post I might add a contact form. Do you get a lot of unwanted emails? Juliet
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Ack! I don’t…but I might now! 😀 Kidding. I always get unwanted emails but not anything awful or personal. Mostly the stuff you’d get even if you kept your email private (spam, ads…) I completely understand why you wouldn’t want to do that. You could put just your social media on your blog or ‘about’ or ‘contact’, if you’d prefer. It’s still a way to connect with you. Or add that form. I’ve been seeing more and more bloggers with that form. It’s wonderful because you can contact them but you never actually see their email.
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Thanks for your mega quick reply. I’ll think I’ll add the form. And see what happens… if anything.
Have a lovely day.
J
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I just tried it. It works beautifully. Very quick and easy. (It’s up in my menu – for now…) 🙂 Good luck. You can always delete it if you don’t like it. A lovely day to you as well, Juliet. Cheers!
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I have never had an unwanted email via the contact page… but they may find you if you add an online email address. The ‘spam’ button in your email works a treat on those 😉
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Yes, I have a contact form. Hardly anyone uses it, except the occasional spammer. Same for my business site. Nifty contact form that nobody uses. Hmm.
I get frustrated when a blogger doesn’t have an option for leaving comments. Or if they do, it’s so hidden I can’t find it. Hmm again.
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Things that make you go, “Hmm…” 😉 I think we all get spam even in “private” email accounts, in blog comments, etc. But if the form is not working for you, maybe get rid of it and just leave your social media info somewhere easily seen. ? It IS a nifty little form, though. It looks so cool and I never knew how to do it. Just tried it and, wow, it’s easy.
As for the comments. Don’t get me started! I’ve seen so many people arguing about comments. I turn mine off when I know I won’t be there to reply but also when I’m reblogging or something.
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I do have a contact page and people use it about once a week. I also was recently on a site and couldn’t find a place to leave a message that the author of the blog asked me to leave. It was a little frustrating and I eventually left it on a random post. Awkward! These reminders are helpful, Sarah, especially for new bloggers. 🙂
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Eek… Awkward. It’s great for new bloggers but you’d be surprised at the not-so-new bloggers. I think there’s a certain amount of… Uncomfortability? Vulnerability? But I didn’t know how easy it was to set up that contact form. It’s SO easy. It’s RIGHT THERE in the post. Hello…? I can’t believe I never noticed it. And doesn’t have your email out for display if that makes people feel queasy. 😉
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Super easy to set up and worth it.
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Thanks for the mention, Sarah 🙂
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Thanks so much for the post! 🙂
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Sarah, thank you! This had never occurred to me, and it’s great idea. So I just took a second and added a contact page with a contact form to my blog. I guess I always assumed that if someone wanted to contact me they would use the comments section on my About page, which has been the case, but it makes sense to have a more private way for people to contact me. In fact an old friend got in touch with me this way and probably have preferred to not have her comment visible to the world. And since I’m not on Facebook, that’s even more reason to have a way for people to write to me! Duh! *forehead smack* Sometimes I just don’t think of obvious things. 🙂
Anyway, thanks again. Plus it’s fun to have a reason to do something to my blog that doesn’t require the time and mental capacity for writing a post, because I am low on those resources at the moment. 🙂
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Your comment made me laugh out loud. 😀 That’s awesome. “it’s fun to have a reason to do something to my blog that doesn’t require the time and mental capacity for writing a post, because I am low on those resources at the moment.” I SO hear that, my friend. I tried the contact form and it did take a second. It’s quick and easy. I love those two words right now.
Exactly. There are some things we don’t want to put out in a comment publicly. I find myself constantly surprised at the obvious things that I don’t think of. You’re in good company. ❤
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I totally agree. I have my email address on my contact page, and so far I’ve got almost no spam. Why wouldn’t you make yourself reachable?
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Some people are wicked uncomfortable with the thought of it so… Or maybe they’re blogging for personal reasons. ? I think writers should probably have at least something (social media, contact form…) that allows people to reach out to them, connect with them, etc.
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I didn’t have a contact form on my old blog. I never felt the need for one. But I’m going to put one on my new one. Just in case. 🙂 There are times when I’ve wanted to send someone a private message, but struggled to find a way on wordpress, so I’m taking this lesson and running with it.
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I agree. If you don’t feel the need to have one, don’t. No “have to” or “must do” in the blogosphere. 😉 But, sure, if you want to put a form (just in case) why not? You can always take it down if you want. It is nice to be able to connect with people and/or send something and have it not be public. 🙂
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Lol to you not having one. I dont either but my email address is on my about page and it definitely gets used!
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I’ll bet it does. 😀 Maybe I will leave it on my “about” page. I’ll think on it. I do like the pretty form though…
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Just the other day I was wondering if my site needed contact info. Sounds like a yes.
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Honestly, I think it’s what you’re comfortable with. I know I wrote that you need one but, really, it’s your blog and your level of comfort. Perhaps something that helps others connect with you… So if you want to put up just your social media, that’s great. Or one of the above forms instead of your email, that’s great, too. 🙂
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Important mention Sarah. And I remember Sue’s post about creating that contact page. I too have found frustration occasionally when trying to get in touch with a writer and there’s no way to do so on their blog. I’m surprised when I go to a published author’s blog and they have no contact info. I mean, what if an agent discovers them? LOL 🙂 xx
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Well, there are some bloggers who post to vent or for other personal reasons and/or feel uncomfortable putting their contact info online. I really do understand. That said, I have to agree with you. I’m surprised when a published author doesn’t have contact info or, at least, one of these forms. Unless, of course, they are JK Rowling or Stephen King. Because…no. 😉
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Lol, well when we reach the JK or King stage, we won’t have to worry. 🙂 🙂
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No, we definitely will not. 😉
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🙂 P.S. your book is on review today at my blog. 🙂
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I saw! I read! Thank you, Debby! ❤ It’s lovely and I’m so happy to be featured in your Sunday series.
🙂 🙂 🙂
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I have a contact page! I also get spam messages telling me how I could get a whole bunch more traffic if I just employed this such-and-such SEO service… Hmmm. 🙂
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Ack! Really? That sounds fun. I would have figured that would go straight into a spam folder.
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Sarah, you really do look after us bloggers. Tips on Twitter, on editing comments, and now a Contact Form. I’ve never thought about making it easy for readers to contact me other than comments on the blog, but an email contact form is an excellent idea. I’m going to investigate this. Thanks for the mini tutorial! 🙂
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Aw, thanks. 🙂 I do like to help when/where I can. Share my mishaps, mistakes, or finds. Sue’s post was great (and she’s always looking for guest posters..nudge, nudge, wink, wink). I tried the contact form and it was so easy. It’s RIGHT THERE when you write a post (or, in this case, a page). I can’t believe I’ve never noticed it before. Perhaps I have but just overlooked it and went on my merry way. It’s ridiculously quick and easy and you can always get rid of it if you don’t like it. Just a thought. Have a lovely weekend!
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Good topic, Sarah! I used to list my full business address and contact information, but that got set aside with wandering. I do list email, but it is a good idea to have a contact page at the Ranch. Thanks!
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That really would be nice on a site like yours. I know you have your email info but a “CONTACT PAGE” is so…I don’t know…visible? Welcoming? Something.
Saw your page. Looks good! 🙂
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Yes, I agree! Something I hadn’t thought of, so I’m pleased you bright it up. And thanks for contacting me! 😁
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Yes, I have a ‘contact Hugh’ page on my blog, and lots of people have used it. I’ve never had any spam through it. Spam tends to be left in the comments section of my posts but usually, goes straight to the WordPress Spam Folder. 😀
I’ve been recommended by a number of bloggers to never leave an email address on my blog as it can attract spammers, who will know it’s a genuine email address and will sell it on to other spammers. However, if you really want to leave an email address on your blog where everyone can see it then, to get around the spambots being able to pick it up, split the email address up so it does not look correct – e.g sarahbrentyn(at)@gmail(dot).com. Yes, just as in looking for illegal copyright images, there are robots that scan the web 24 hours a day looking for email address they can send spam to and sell on.
A contact page is a great idea. I’ve even had the BBC and various radio stations contact me through it.
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I agree. Most spam arrives in the form of comments which WP generously moves out of my sight. 🙂 You know, I’ve seen the broken up email addresses for years. I’ve never thought of doing that but it can’t hurt. It’s a good idea. (And, yay, you! Getting contacted by BBC and others… A great reason to have a contact page!) Thanks, Hugh.
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I’ll confess–I have comment blocks everywhere, but an actual contact form on only one of three WordPress sites, the Eagle Peak Press site. So I guess I should consider one on the others as well. What goes well with a contact form, is the click box to subscribe to the blog–just one more place for people to do that!
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Ack! That’s brilliant. I hadn’t thought of that (and not sure I’ve seen it). How would one do that? Through dashboard > widgets? Thanks, John. 🙂
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Thank you so much for posting this useful article. I was scratching my head over creating a contact page so I did a quick search and up you came! 🙂
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Ah. Music to my ears. (Or eyes?) So glad you found this and it was helpful. Love sharing bits of info because you never know who’ll be scratching her head wondering how to do something. (I often am.) 🙂 Thanks, Paula.
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