6 Tips On How To Write Killer Blog Comments
December 10, 2008 by BloggerNewbie
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“How To Write Killer Blog Comments”
Comments are great. The advent of comments to a website is revolutionary. Enter – The Weblog or as we bloggers like to say – The Blog! The reader gets to add his or her opinion and the writer knows someone is finally reading their “stuff”!
Comments create community. It is favorable all the way around for the blog to get a core group of “the usuals” to always contribute.
You’ve just read a great post that somehow moved you and you want to leave a comment. Early on, when you are new to the blogosphere, you are not sure what to say. “I don’t want to sound like I don’t know what I am doing”. I have read some of the other comments and they don’t really say anything? Are there guidelines for the rest of us who actually want to add value?
- Contribute to the conversation. You already know the number one rule breaker. Don’t leave words that say “great post”; that is not a comment. If you don’t have anything to say, don’t say anything. If you don’t have any opinion or knowledge on the subject, again, don’t leave a comment. If you’re not sure about the subject matter, ask a question, that is great.
- The comment section is not the your advertising opportunity section. Don’t leave a comment just to get the link back to your blog. And leaving links in the actual comment will probably get you moderated and/or deleted. Unless, of course, the link adds to the post. If the link is not relevant, your comment won’t be either. Don’t you have too many things to do without wasting your time?
- The comment section is not your blog. If your comment is extensive, (hint-as long or longer than the post you are commenting on) maybe you should write your own post and link back to the original post and carry on the conversation.
- Ask a question. The whole idea behind the comment section is to offer your opinion and continue the conversation. Even if you are the author of the post, when someone makes a great point and you can elaborate on the new point, ask a question, keep the conversation going.
- Comment on other comments. Add to the other readers comment by extending the idea with further conversation. Interact with other readers as well. That is fully encouraged. I have written posts where readers have had their own little conversation with each other – and “hello” what about me?
- Do not be afraid! If you have a different opinion then that expressed by the blogger, by all means, please contribute your opinion. That is the core of blogging. The exchange of thoughts and ideas.
What do you do to encourage comments on your blog? What do you do to contribute to the conversation? Do you add to the post? Do you have any other thoughts or views for or against this conversation?
Join the discussion! What do you think?
Toodles – Blog Happy!
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“When we have the courage to speak out – to break our silence –
we inspire the rest of the “moderates” in our communities
to speak up and voice their views…”
- Sharon Schuster
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What great tips for new bloggers! (and good reminders for more seasoned bloggers as well). I remember when I first started blogging, commenting on other blogs was very intimidating. I didn’t want to sound too fresh or uneducated. But you’re right; asking a question only adds more to the content.
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Hi Dee,
Oh yeah. I great reminder about comments. Have you really had a comment longer than your post? Yikes.
I try to respond to every person that leaves a comment on one of my posts (I notice you do the same)
I get kinda bummed when I leave what I think is a great conversation starter or something particularly witty and fun and then never hear back from the blogger. I’m a very sensitive blogger Read-”writer 
and my little ego is easily crushed. Hehe.
So there.
George
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Hey, where’s the comment I posted?
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Very useful tips. I remember when I was afraid to comment – actually, sometimes I still am
I’ve had times when I started writing a comment that got really long and I did just what you recommended – I made a blog post out of it.
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Rachel;
I was very intimidated to leave comments at first too for the same reasons you list. Especially about topics that I was unfamiliar with. How did you finally get brave enough to leave comments?
George, George, George. You were in trouble on a frequent basis in school weren’t you?
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I just recently in the last couple of month started replying to all or most of the comments left on my blog. I have found that that increases the number of comments left by other readers. I find that if there are little to no comments on a post getting the first person to leave one is very difficult.
I try, like you did, to end the post with a question or requested action, this also encourages comment.
Have you noticed a drop in the quality or length of comments since the onset or Twitter. I have found that I limit my text to 140 character even when commenting on blogs-very bad habit?
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George,
I thought your second post was your unique sense of humor! I didn’t realize your comment went to moderation for some reason? I haven’t actually had a comment longer than my post but I’ve seen them on other blogs…I like to visit with bloggers who like to visit. If they can’t be bothered with my blog then my attention to their blog will probably dwindle. Me too, George, I can be sooo sensitive.
Kim,
For some reason your comment went to moderation too? Yeah, actually I can still be intimidated! Doesn’t take much sometimes. I have done the same thing with comments. I had so many ideas stumbling out that I thought I had better just write my own post. That is a great article that can encourage a whole other discussion. I’ve actually written a post from a discussion on your blog and of course linked back. I read so much I can’t remember the subject but I am sure it was a good conversation.
Debo:
That is funny about your twitter habit, sounds like an addiction symptom? I think Twitter was around before me so I didn’t notice any difference. What about anyone else? Any thoughts on that?
Hi Dee! I have to say I am guilty of No. 1. I try to leave valuable comments, in fact I’m getting better at it, but sometimes I just like to say hello, I’ve read your post and I liked it, thanks for sharing
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Hi Ciara,
I like to let my favorite authors know I was there by leaving the same type of comment and sometimes comments are hard to come by so “thanks for sharing” is actually a nice compliment. Keep them coming..
Hi Dee. I enjoyed this post … I’ve found commenting (on my own blog and on others) to be one of the most rewarding parts of blogging. This was a surprise – I don’t consider myself someone depending on appreciation of others but I hated it when I first started blogging and a post got no comments. Fortunately that doesn’t happen these days!
For me a comment shows that someone read my post and had a reaction to it. I even enjoy hearing from people who disagree with me or don’t like what I write. All feedback is helpful – but especially hearing something personal .. what reaction did my post inspire? That’s one thing, Dee, I always appreciate about your comments! Ian
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Ian,
I like the interaction of blogging, that’s the whole point to me. So when I write something and I don’t get comments (like within 5 minutes), I panic.
When people disagree with you the conversation really gets going, I like when people add to and continue the conversation. I also like to be helpful. This whole internet gig is overwhelming! There is such a thing as too much information and it’s not really a good thing.
And your posts? They always get a reaction out of me! Keep up the good work..
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Thank you Ciara, I will certainly be over to sign up as well.
i had to laugh about the comment section not being your blog. sometimes i forget that…not that i leave long comments, but i talk about personal experience too much instead of focusing on their post…yes leave your feelings, but sometimes if not necessary, the personal experience can be posted on your own blog
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Natural:
I’ve left comments with my personal story or experience before. Sometimes that is what the post is calling for. I don’t think that’s a bad thing!
OK. I am guilty of #3. I have left some pretty long comments in the past. Its good to know that’s not very Kosher! As a new blogger with a new blog, I don’t yet mind if someone only says “great post”. I guess when I start getting 20+ comments, I might.
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Hi Carla,
I guess it depends on what your idea of long is?! If it’s longer than the original post then…
I like to respond to every comment and it’s difficult to know what to say to “great post” other than I guess – Thank you.
Sometimes people just want you to know they read the post and that is okay too.