Blog "Comments" are your "secret weapon" for blogging success. If you're new to the blogosphere, don't focus only on the articles each blog owner posts. Much of the entertaining action and helpful community in any topic can be found in blog "Comments" after each post. The Comments section is where you can find other experts sharing their opinions, and where you can contribute, too.
Reading the comments on your blog and other blogs can:
- help you discover new sources of information
- help you find new friends.
Be sure to encourage comments on your blog, too. Accepting comments on your blog can:
- help encourage reader engagement and community
- help develop an argument, issue, or discussion that your blog post begins
- create a virtuous cycle by rewarding your most clever commenters with publicity, so they keep coming back to read and comment again
Commenting on other blogs can:
- help you attract traffic to your blog (even if you don't have time to blog regularly yourself)
- help smart people who don't have time to blog share "drive-by" insights with the rest of us.
What else? Do you "comment" on blogs much? Why or why not? Please comment!
This post inspired by Mitch Joel's post The Comment Economy.
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I find that reading and commenting on other blogs triggers new writing ideas for my own site. I can learn what topics get attention by reading previous comments or subscribing if I am the first commentator. I can also spot opportunities to expand upon a topic when it looks like other commentators have unanswered questions.
Posted by: Kristi | September 25, 2008 at 06:42 PM
I comment on blogs when what the author has said sparks something in me or when I'm called to action.
Commenting on other blogs is definitely one of the best ways to get your name out, especially if you're not engaging any other type of marketing.
I get quite a few curious people clicking on my url when I comment.
Posted by: Ms Constantine | September 25, 2008 at 07:26 PM
I totally agree with you. I think that people who have something to say and give their own statement, are the ones been followed.
Followed by Readers and Robots ;-)
Posted by: Bernhard Kanduth | September 25, 2008 at 11:10 PM
I find it difficult now and then not to get caught up in reading a blog and then thinking, "Oh, I should blog myself about something like this." When, it is often better to add your commentary to someone else's blog and not just duplicate their material on your own.
Posted by: Eric S Pratum | September 26, 2008 at 10:15 AM
Excellent points, everyone. Thanks for contributing.
Good advice in here for newbies and experienced bloggers alike.
Comments are where blogs come alive - as this post demonstrates!
Scott
Posted by: Scott Fox | September 26, 2008 at 02:09 PM
Hey Scott,
One point could be to Auto-Approve comments.A blog which has comments to be approved by the owner might not be considered a blog open to criticism.
So,Auto-Approval is a must for any blog :)
-Himanshu Sheth
Posted by: Himanshu Sheth | October 04, 2008 at 12:03 AM
Hi Himanshu,
Nice to hear from you.
Do you really think Comments must be unmoderated to create a "real" blog?
That surprises me. I'm open to criticism but I do moderate comments because a) I want to keep out spammers, and b) because I want to ensure the conversation is civil and friendly.
Most big blogs where I comment do the same.
What do others think? Should I turn off the moderation and see what happens?
Posted by: Scott Fox | October 09, 2008 at 05:05 PM