How do I set my blog page to allow reader contributions to the blog?

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  kreslconsulting · Member · Apr 5, 2015 at 11:26 pm

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  I am trying to create a blog page that allows readers to contribute to the blog (albeit moderated). The way I have it set up right now is to just have them make the contributions through comments, but that’s not ideal for a variety of reasons. How can I make my blog page (http://raisonliving.com/write-your-raison/share-your-raison/) open for reader contribution?

  The blog I need help with is: (visible only to logged in users)

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  thatrobyn · Member · Apr 5, 2015 at 11:47 pm

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  Hey there,

  You can invite people to contribute to your blog, and make them Contributors on your site.

  Here is the information about adding users/contributors to WordPress.com blogs:
  https://en.support.wordpress.com/adding-users/

  Once they are added to your site, Contributors can publish posts in the same way you do, in the WordPress.com editor, or they can Post by Email:
  https://en.support.wordpress.com/post-by-email/

  Both methods will require you to accept their posts before they go live on your site.

  Let me know if you have any questions about this at all!

  Many thanks :)

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  kreslconsulting · Member · Apr 6, 2015 at 12:31 am

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  Thank you for the quick response. This isn’t an ideal option because it would require readers to go through a process they may not be willing to do and divulge information when they may want to remain anonymous. I want them to feel free to submit easily and spontaneously. It sounds like the comment might be the better route, but if that’s the case, is there a way to move the comment widget to the top of the page, so readers won’t have to scroll through a potentially very long page before they can contribute their thoughts. Here’s the link again to help you get a better idea of what the subject matter is: http://raisonliving.com/write-your-raison/share-your-raison/ .

  Thanks again,
  Emil

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  thatrobyn · Member · Apr 6, 2015 at 12:49 am

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  Hello there!

  I understand — it could also get muddy when you start to get thousands of followers on your site, to make them all contributors! :)

  If the main intent of your site is to attain reader contribution, you may want to switch to a theme like P2, which gets straight to the heart of the matter:
  https://theme.wordpress.com/themes/p2/

  You might also consider a theme like Chalk that is built for teachers, but has a built in Discussion setting:
  https://theme.wordpress.com/themes/chalk/

  I also thought, depending of the level of moderation you want to do on your site, you could add a contact form that allows your readers to submit, and you can pick/choose/publish whatever content you want.

  Here is a contact form instruction page:
  http://en.support.wordpress.com/contact-form/

  Otherwise, there isn’t a way to move your Reply box. If you’re worried your readers might miss it, you might come up with a boilerplate you add to the end of each of your posts about scrolling to the bottom of the page to comment.

  You can also peruse the themes showcase to see if any other demos might display comments in a way you like even more:
  https://wordpress.com/themes

  I hope this helps! If you have any other concerns, drop me a note. Thanks much!

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  kreslconsulting · Member · Apr 6, 2015 at 12:51 am

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  Excellent suggestions. Many thanks for all your help.

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  thatrobyn · Member · Apr 6, 2015 at 12:51 am

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  My pleasure…if I can help in ANY other way at all, just drop me a note.

  Wishing you the best!