How to Leave a Comment on a Blog

Leaving a comment on a blog goes beyond just saying, "Nice post." It's like being at a party, joining a group of people and being part of a conversation. Often times at the beginning you may just listen, but the more you feel comfortable you begin to interject your thoughts and ideas. You listen, you share, you listen, you share, it's the circle of conversation.

Here are just a few of my thoughts on how to leave a comment on a blog.

1. Begin by Reading the Other Comments First
Nothing can be more rewarding than reading what others have already added to the conversation. A good comment will build on what the author has written and can be a springboard to your comment. It also can help with not duplicating what someone has already said.

2. Leave Your Details
Leave your name, your email and web address if you have one. The purpose of leaving your information is not so someone can harass you, but so that the author of the blog knows who you are. It's also a great way for others to read what you've posted at your site. I can't count the people I've met and blogs I've discovered via comments on a blog.

3. Give Something to the Conversation
It's your turn now! Your going to write your own comment. Remember, this is your opportunity to add value to the article. Your insight, your experiences, maybe even your ideas, it's the core of your comment. This is not the time to promote yourself, but give something back. In giving I guarantee you'll receive value in return.

4. Show Appreciation
There's nothing wrong with showing appreciation to the author as you end your comment. I'm always grateful to those that have taken the time to write and share their knowledge, ideas and thoughts.

5. Follow the Conversation
Do not fall in the trap of leaving a comment and disappearing. Track the blog you commented on and add follow-up if the opportunity becomes available. I'm currently using Co-Comment, a Firefox extension to track comments. It's simple and a great way to keep all your comments in place.

Alright, let's go join the conversation. Feel free to leave your thoughts, tips and ideas on how you add to the conversation.

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Technorati Tags: blogging, how to comment on a blog, howto

Comments

[mdy]

Hi David!

Thanks for sharing these tips and thanks for 'living out' these tips when you recently left a comment on my blog. 8-)

I hope you'll do a follow-up post on how to RESPOND to comments because that's one thing I haven't quite figured out yet, especially in times when I have nothing to say beyond "Thanks for commenting" -- which unfortunately feels too much like "Nice post"

I DO make a point of visiting the site or blog of the person who left the comment, and if they happen to use Twitter, I typically add them (as I did in your case).

Anyway, just wanted to say 'Hi' and thanks again for the comment you left on my blog. Cheers!

[mdy]

Additional note -- thanks for recommending Co-Comment. I had not heard of them before, but I've now signed up. 8-)

[Bryan Person, social media evangelist]

mdy:

Responding to blog comments is something I grapple with, too. And my approach is to *not* to respond to every single comment. Sometimes, as you hint at, one isn't necessary.

But when I do answer comments, I often start by thanking the commenters for their messages, and then addressing and building on what they wrote. I find that the best way to keep the comment thread lively!

Excellent post, David.

[Doug Haslam]

David, got to your post via www.bryper.com and actually anticipated "rrdy's" question about how to respond to comments--I'll repost what I put in my comment to Bryan's post:

1. Read your comments, don’t abandon your posts, even old ones that get new comments.
2. Don’t just say “Thanks” and “Great point,” but push the conversation along. I’m sure I have violated that one, but no more, I promise.
3. Visit the commenter’s’ blogs and return the favor. Link love and traffic is are currency, conversation is the payoff.
4. Think twice before responding to trolls and haters. Think twice before banning them or deleting their posts also. Be the grown-up.

anyone-- Feel free to disagree, add, expand

[David Finch]

Doug,I think often times the biggest challenge is to "push" the conversation along. It's so much easier to say "Nice post" etc. than it is to commit to an idea or thought.

However, I do believe there are those that are truly appreciative of your content, but feel inadequate to leave a comment.

[Miminolla Mimonno1]

hallo, nice to find your website. lots of usefull information!
garry

[Amr]

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[xocai]

thanks for info

[xocai]

thanks for info

[Pink Cook]

I’m not talking here about leaving comments but its just about this finding purpose in life and has a free purpose test too, the content of your article goes lively and you deliver it well.

[ssk bilgi]

Thanks for share.

[Japanese words]

Great list on leaving a comment. I wish that more people would use this information. I end up with so much spam of people who don't even try to post interesting or related comments.

[Girisha]

Its always good to learn tips like you share for blog posting. As I just started posting comments for blog and facing problem of lots of rejections. I think your suggestion would be helpful for me. I will let you know if its work for me too.
Thanks and keep post such a informative blogs.