15 Traits of the Best Commentators
[Image Source: Digitally Refreshing]
Commenting on blogs serves many purposes whether you’re replying to comments on your own blog or commenting elsewhere. Many times it’s the comments that help build a blogging community, add value to the blog posts, and keeps readers coming back around. In addition, it’s great exposure for the commentator if they leave quality comments that are worth reading, stay on topic, and provide value to the conversation.
Having recently thought about some of my own commentators, what I enjoy seeing on my own blog, and the type of comments I leave on other blogs, I’ve decided to put together a list of 15 traits of the best commentators. While it could be incomplete, understand that the majority of us won’t have all the traits listed. However, this may give you the jump start to harnessing the power that commenting has.
1. Add Value
You know this, I’m sure you do. “Nice post” is not really something that is going to add value to any post. Say just one thing that adds to what the blogger has written for your enjoyment and use. Provide something that is insightful that other commentators want to read.
2. Be Brief
If you have a lot to say about the post you’ve just read, proper etiquette is not to leave a novel for a comment but write your own post sharing all of your thoughts and then go for a link back to the blogger who sparked the idea for your post.
3. Personality
Leaving comments is the best way to show your real self. Especially if you write your posts with a more serious tone. Be fun, be enjoyable, be funny — all those things are great.
4. Build Reputation
Don’t say something you don’t want associated with your name. Don’t be a jerk unless that’s exactly how you want the blogosphere to see you. Remember, people may find your comment by heading to a search engine and typing your name or blog name in. Make sure you say something you want associated with yourself.
5. Be Polite
Most bloggers are fine with the idea that their commentators won’t agree with everything that they have to say. You’re welcome to voice your opinion because that’s what commenting is all about. But remember that when you don’t agree the best way to keep your good name is to be respectful with your disagreement.
6. Motives
Yes commenting has a lot of value including bringing traffic to your own blog and sometimes link love if you have found a do follow blogger. But don’t make that link back or traffic your motive, if that’s all you’re thinking about you won’t be adding value.
7. Keep It Going
Don’t say something that’ll stop the conversation. Most bloggers look forward to their commentators keeping the conversation going without them. So it’s your job to make sure that you’re not so off that you halt the conversation the original blog post created.
8. Links
Typically blogs have the right place for you to enter your own blog URL to link up to your name. This is the best spot to ensure you’re going to get a link back. Unless you have a link that provides incredible value to the blog post, don’t add additional links into your comment. It’s not needed and often times, even when you’re attempting to be helpful you’ll find that you’re caught by SPAM protection plug-ins.
9. Consistent
Commentators are rewarded the most by leaving comments on the same blogs often. If you enjoy reading a blog, add value to the conversation as often as you can. However, know that fine line between having something to say and nothing to say. There’s no need to comment just for the sake of leaving a comment.
10. Proof Read
NOT for the sake of typos though that’s not a bad idea. But proof read for the sake of having what you have just written sink in before you hit publish. Is what you just wrote how you would like to be perceived by the blogger and other commentators? We all run into a topic that gets us on the edge of our seats so if you’re feeling a little tense, wait to add to the conversation.
11. Follow-Up
When people talk to you, talk back. The best way to do this is to keep track of comments by subscribing to follow-up comments or using CommentedOn. Doing this will ensure that if someone speaks to you directly you’re back to answer a question or leave another comment.
12. Moderation
Understand that not all bloggers are going to moderate and approve comments the same way that you do. Each blogger has something different in mind for what they do and do not want said on their blog. So should you get moderated, your comment gets edited, or simply not approved at all, don’t take offense. Understand that the blogger does have the right to censor what is said on their own blog.
13. Be Helpful
If another commentator has asked a question that you’d like to answer, go for it! Most bloggers find no issue with their community building and helping each other.
14. Policies
A lot of bloggers have comment policies. Ensure that you have read and understand the policy of each blogger before you comment on their blog.
15. Stay on Topic
Your comment should have everything to do with the post that was written. If you have off-topic questions you’d like to address the blogger with, hit up their contact form. Rambling and heading off topic goes back to point #7 and will often stop future comments on the post.
Your Thoughts
What makes a great commentator? When you’re commenting on other blogs, what kind of comments motivate you to click through to the commentators blog? What kind of comments turn you off from commenting or even coming back?
| 2.5 |
June 16th, 2008 at 4:01 am
Hi Katy! Posting comments on other people blogs is also a very effective way to market your own blog.This is the reason why so many people just try to get their url in so many places as possible.
Luckily, we get to moderate every comment and without wordpress akismet plugin I would be in trouble (over 200,000 spams catched).
I go by this strategy: I comment only on related blogs to mine, if I can contribute to the discussion in a way that is helpful.
[stumbled and mixxed]
June 16th, 2008 at 5:28 am
Wow! Good stuff this! I hope to use this when I am out commenting!
Hmm.. Am I first here because nobody dares comment when given these rules?
Anyway, keep up the good writing! very interesting.
June 16th, 2008 at 7:29 am
WOW! This is very informative and really interesting! Actually, it made me think twice before posting my own comment here. I admit at times when I’m at the peak of hopping from one blog to another, I drop comments like “Nice post”, just to make my presence felt with less time spent in hopping. But then again, you’re right. This comment doesn’t have any value at all nor does it make any sense, and it does not even get the attention that other bloggers crave.
Now I will have to bear in mind all these tips. Happy blogging!
June 16th, 2008 at 7:40 am
Tom: I agree with you, very much.
Interesting but I’m sure affective strategy to comment on blogs related to your own. I’m sure that provides a great deal of exposure for yourself. While I can’t say I follow the same practice, for traffic purposes it sure seems like a smart idea.
Thank you for the social love.
Daniel: Thank you. And you weren’t the first, more to moderate. :o)
Scotty’s Princess: Thank you!
You may find that a lot of what I have said becomes second nature. And I’d like to point out that there’s nothing terribly wrong with “nice post,” especially when used in the context you’ve mentioned. But the lack of value in such comment doesn’t maximize your exposure.
June 16th, 2008 at 9:05 am
I never thought of commenting in that way, except for #5 and #10 (#10 got a post all it’s own on one of my blogs, LOL).
June 17th, 2008 at 11:20 am
Well thought out Katy, though I must admit that now I am a bit apprehensive about commenting :)
I especially like the section on being brief. I have had people on my blog about the island of Nevis leave their entire trip diary from leaving their house and driving to the airport, to coming home from the airport.
While I am glad they enjoyed the island, how many bathroom stops you made on the way to JFK airport is not exactly my cup of tea!
Just stumbled this for all to read
June 17th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
I have to admit that I wasn’t really interested in commenting on people’s blogs for a long time. I thought that no one would care to read my comments. But, once I’ve started, I find it fairly addictive, especially when the blog owner writes back or another commenter keeps the conversation started. While I agree with most of the things you’ve listed, I don’t agree that you should always be brief. I’ve seen people leave quite lengthy comments that are extremely informative and fun to read.
June 17th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
I enjoy constructive criticism and customer’s needs in my comments. I want opinions and participation and I also want to find new blogs to explore. Why write if no one feels compelled to interact. Also, regarding lengthy comments, I think it’s okay with some bloggers if you know them well, otherwise I agree that a follow up post to their post is worthwhile.
June 17th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
I usually give comments on art works in depth to help the artist grow, or to share my appreciation for it, or both. Recently, I have been commenting on blog posts as I surf around for inspirations.
Thank you for sharing your tips with us.
June 18th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
Sarah: A fresh perspective is always fun! :D Good to see you back around.
Nevis1: Ah, sorry to make you apprehensive, I wrote this list but I promise I don’t tend to bite. ;) And oh my to your blog comments! Are the commentators that post their full agenda new to blogs? Do you know? Thank you for the social love!
Jamie: I felt the same way for a long time, especially before my blog became a defined niche. My feeling was that because I read blogs that weren’t my niche I didn’t have anything of value to add. I know differently now and while I still spend a lot of my time reading blogs as a lurker, I do comment when the post compels me. In theory this isn’t a good idea for promotion. So if you ever see a comment from me that’s not on my blog… you’ll know I really enjoyed the article! :D
Tuan: What type of art do you comment on? Photography or web design? Just curious! I think your idea of comments is great, especially when you’re able to comment in ways that are useful and helpful in regards to the blog’s niche.
June 19th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
2 & 7 were a labor of love meant for me, no? ;) kidding of course, I know I have issues to work through LOL.
I thank you much for pointing towards CommentedOn, I’ll have to check that out. For better or worse, I may pass on a blog altogether if they do not enable someway for follow-up comments.
June 27th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Katy,
In all honesty, when I see you have a new blog post, I stop everything else I’m doing to soak it up. I am not kidding! It’s not that we are in the same industry, as I am a Virtual Assistant. However, I am always working on my blog and SEO skills and whatever you write is 110% relevant to what I am seeking. Like some kind of cyber karma.
So I hope this qualifies as a good comment as it’s from my heart :-)
June 28th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Taryn: Thank you, I really appreciate the nice comment and am happy to hear that I’m able to provide content that is relevant and useful to you and the time of delivery. Glad you found me and are becoming part of the community here!
June 29th, 2008 at 9:19 am
Katy, you are actually the inspiration to me to write spot on and relevant material in my own blog. I was taught to always think “How Can I Help My Readers” but admit that I sometimes sway from this a bit. You’ve got some kind of magic going on with your blog so please keep the posts coming :-)
June 29th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
[...] I posted 15 Traits of the Best Commentators, I mentioned that those who continue to comment on the same blogs often are more heavily rewarded. [...]
June 29th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
@Taryn Merrick: Awww thank you! I’m glad that I could be inspiring for you to boost your own blog.
July 31st, 2008 at 1:06 am
[...] have found a few posts to valuable here,” type of comment. The key however to keeping this type of comment and conversation legit is to actually read a few posts and make further [...]