Guest post by James Adams
“Write comments on other blogs” repeatedly comes up as one of the tips to drive traffic to your own blog.
While there are some authors who merely approve all comments, others are quick to weed out the spam comments which are designed solely for building backlinks.
Here are some DO’s and DON’Ts for getting your blog comments approved.
Here are some things that you should do when leaving a blog comment:
1. Show respect
The blog author was respectful in creating the post, you should be respectful in commenting about it. When you begin your comment with ‘you’re wrong,’ profanity or threats, you are not making any headway with the blog’s owner. You would not want a new visitor to your house to start the conversation with cursing, would you?
2. Read the blog post you’re commenting on
Reading the blog post is essential to forming the ideas necessary to create a comment. There are quite a number of individuals who are solely interested in gaining their own link that they do not say something that is relevant to the conversation. If you post something about fish and chips when the post talks about grammatical issues, you do not look like an expert.
3. Keep it simple and concise
A comment is intended to offer your personal insight on the matter, not a personal dissertation. If you find that you are overly passionate about a subject, bring that discussion over to your personal blog. Give the original blogger the link back to their site as well as sending them an email which tells them that you have backlinked. This is a courtesy which will set you apart from other bloggers.
4. Proofread your comment
Proofreading your comments is very important if you want to convey any sort of authority. Make sure that you have attended to any grammar issues. Read over your work to make sure that you do not have typos that would not be caught by spellchecker. Once you release that comment ‘into the wild,’ you cannot retrieve it again.
Here are things that you should avoid when commenting on a blog:
5. Don’t advertise your services
When your comment is written, you are asked for your URL and email address. That is enough advertisement for your post. If you are screaming about your product at every available opportunity, your post will most likely be deleted. It is hard to enhance the conversation if the only words out of your mouth are ‘eat at Joe’s.’ Do not leave five or six lines of irrelevant links in your comment.
6. Avoid being ambiguous
Comments like ‘thanks’ and ‘great’ are useless platitudes that add nothing to the conversation. It immediately becomes obvious to everyone who is reading that you are only interested in generating a link. If you are going to say ‘great’ or ‘nice post,’ back it up with reasons. If you have nothing to say other than ‘nice post,’ then don’t comment.
7. Comments should be unique, don’t reuse the same comment
Be original with your blog comment just as you would be original with your post. The authors of the commented blogs read other blogs. If you are always writing ‘save the trees,’ then you will perpetually be known as the ‘save the trees’ person and consistently have your comments deleted. Take the time to think about what you are writing, and you will likely be approved.
8. Don’t use your URL as your name
Blog authors want something interesting to read that encourages dialogue. If you have ‘sunscreen products’ listed as your name while commenting about better blogging, your posts are very likely to be erased. The best blog commentators have information that is relevant to the discussion, and through those comments they are able to raise their reputation and curiosity.
When you want to get your blog comments approved, follow some rules of common sense. Do not suspend your own ideas into believing that spammy and unrelated comments work with other people. Good luck, and may you get a lot of backlinks!
James Adams, who works as a blogger at an ink cartridges shop, writes reviews of newly released hardware like the HP 350XL and contributes to their blog about advertising, art and design.
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Hey Hector, thanks for sharing this guest post.
That’s an awesome list James. This should get passed around. You’re right, it’s talked about a lot because it’s such an effective method.
I really like your bit about not reusing comments. Wow, that would be lame!
Thanks for the great tips!
Susanna
Susanna Hess´s last post ..Online Marketing Inspiration- Do Thoughts Really Matter
Hi Susanna glad you liked it! Yeah, reusing your comments is just a clear sign that you aren’t reading the material…which is incredibly impolite.
Great post man! You’ve just preached the word “Branding”. I agree with all your points. Thanks for sharing and keep the good work up.
I do lots of blog commenting in some blogs which is related to my niche.
But as I noticed, most bloggers do make comments even they haven’t read the main idea of the post. And what they do is they only get those ideas which was in bold letters.
Thanks for sharing this ideas. I really benefited from it.
Felix Albutra´s last post ..Amazon Twitter LinkedIn Facebook
Hi Felix. You’re absolutely right. A lot of people skim read these days…it’s become a real problem with internet readers! The only thing you can really do is make your main points as eye catching and visible as possible.
That’s right James.
By the way, I would recommend you to read viperchill.com as most of his blog posts are long but it seems that its content will grab your thoughts and eyes down till the end word of the post.
That’s why I like reading Glen’s blog. Thanks for the reply my friend.
- Felix Albutra
Felix Albutra´s last post ..Amazon Twitter LinkedIn Facebook
Very nice list James. I do a lot of blog commenting, that I agree with all the points you have mentioned. In the Do’s section, I would also like to add that using a real picture as gravatar makes it easier to get approved and also spreads our brand. And we must always use our real names (you have said that in the don’t section).
Sourav´s last post ..How To Get 30 Comments On A New Blog
Hi Sourav, thanks for the extra point! Personalizing your comments does make it seem more real, doesn’t it? If you look like a person with comments and contributions to make then you’ll definitely get approved.
Really awesome Post James.
You’ve made some great points. I really like your #6 “Avoid being ambiguous” – Great Point.
Thanks for the awesome tips James and thanks Hector for sharing this great guest Post:).
Devesh´s last post ..How To Increase Your Incoming Guest Posts
advertising something is not good, I agree and comments should unique enough to let owner should reply to your comment. thanks for quality article.
Viral´s last post ..24 Significant Multi Author WordPress Plugins
Hi James,
I have a commenting goal in mind: add value to the article while building a relationship with the blogger. Purpose breeds effectiveness, meaning that your message will be short, to the point and benefit both parties.
Thanks for sharing the helpful commenting tips.
Ryan Biddulph
Ryan Biddulph´s last post ..Follow These 5 Proven Steps to Become Rich with a Home Based Business
Hi Ryan, nice idea
Having a goal in mind ensures you’ll be more effective!
Hector, Thanks for the valuable input about writing blogs that get approved. I will follow these tips. Your expertise will help me tremendously.
Very Valid points!. Blogging is a great platform to increase viewer interaction and build rapport with your readers/blogger. It is a win-win situation for both. So if a reader puts in quality comments he will make his presence felt along with the blogger. Thanks for the Post.
All very good points, James.
I’d also like to add that it’s very important to avoid going to the spam folder right off the bat, since many bloggers don’t take their time to sift through them to find the ones that actually not spam.
One thing that helps avoid it is using your home page URL instead of deep link to an inner page in “your website” field. However, it’s not the greatest for SEO, so you’ll have to choose the one that matters the most.
Ana Hoffman
Ana @ Targeted Website Traffic´s last post ..Mistery of Google PageRank Solved
Hi Ana, thanks for the additional information! That’s pretty useful…I guess you just need to know when the time is right for your deep link
Hi James
Blog commenting is crucial for building community and relationships and establishing your personal brand. I absolutely agree that it should therefore be done professionally and with purpose. I also agree that you should proofread before submitting.
Thanks for sharing.
Michael
Michael´s last post ..Problogger 7 Link Challenge
hey, nice blog…really like it and added to bookmarks. keep up with good work
Hey James
Good points, however
I invite people to comment and I do not mind if they have a different viewpoint. As long as they are respectful and their viewpoint is to encourage more discussion I am all for it.
Peter
Peter R Fuller´s last post ..Are You Making This Mistake When Setting Your Goals
Excellent post I must say.. Simple but yet interesting and engaging.. Keep up the awesome work!
Commenting on a post and giving more then just a thank you or gesture is key! When you comment with respect and checking to make sure your comment is more then just a small comment, your comment will go far, it may even spark someone to click on it and go to your site
Dan Lew´s last post ..How I Made The First Page Of Technorati
This is perhaps the most thoughtful, useful article of this type I’ve seen. It goes beyond a lot of the surface-level ideas I’ve seen repeated over and over in other places. Nicely said
anuj@webtricksblog´s last post ..How To Add Custom 404 Error Page In Thesis Theme
You’re wrong, James.
I couldn’t resist. Although, I do think think it’s fine to tell someone why you disagree with them in a respectful manner. These are often the greatest comments.
Isn’t it sad that you have to tell people to actually read the post on which they’re commenting? I’m amazed at the comments that are left on my blog posts that have nothing to do with anything that I’ve ever written – let alone that blog post. What do they even hope to accomplish with this approach?
Commenting on other blogs are a great source of traffic, but not if you don’t use a little common sense and manners a first grader should know. Thanks for the tips, James.
Oh, yeah. I almost forgot …. Save the Trees!!
Brad Harmon @ Big Feet Marketing´s last post ..When People Don’t Respond to Your Blog
Howdy! Someone in my Facebook group shared this website with us so I came to give it a look. I’m definitely enjoying the information. I’m bookmarking and will be tweeting this to my followers! Exceptional blog and excellent style and design.