[...] Reader Appreciation Project mentioned the Birthday Celebration in its Reader appreciation Initiatives. Thank you! I appreciate [...]

I believe these are not the only ways to show reader appreciation, Dominik. As a reader myself, I feel appreciated when I encounter a well-organized, easy to navigate blog, for example. I’ve just chosen some examples here to show that, as Inspirationbit said, reader appreciation is not an isolated phenomenon out there.

As of Chris’ forum, I landed there following an invitation he sent me. Usually I don’t follow such letters and I don’t frequent forums, but his message was so warm and friendly that made me subscribe in no time. I just felt that he really wanted me to be part of his community.

huh, so many sites to visit. But I’m really glad to see that movements like those ones are happening in blogiverse.

I thoroughly agree with your assessment of Chris’ strengths and what he has initiated at the Authority Blogger Forum. His work is a great example of the competencies required to build and sustain a community.

Nice list of examples. By clicking throuh I felt the following question: are there only two ways – say a well formulated “thank you” or preparing a gift for those who comment – to appreciate our readers?
I’m still thinking.