Comments on: How to Leave a Positive Impression on Other Bloggers Through Comments

By: Simon

Simon — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 09:31:42 +0000

I see all the post of this page is all 2006 are things diffrent now that we are in 2009 what i’m trying to say are the rules the same as back in 2006

By: TLB

TLB — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 08:06:25 +0000

Leaving the nicey-nice behind, I almost exclusively comment on political sites, and most of my comments are antagonistic. In some cases they’re designed to discredit the blogger. Needless to say, that doesn’t sit well with some. I’ve had comments deleted or been “banned” from: ThinkProgress, QAndO, BlogsForBush, Media Matters For America, RedState, Brothers Judd, DailyKos, and others. Perhaps one day this site can discuss the world of political blogs, which are quite a bit different from commerce/marketing types of sites.

By: wilson ng

wilson ng — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 14:35:36 +0000

To add to Halfdeck, I think it is good to follow the dictum:

when you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t .

I find many people who abuse the host by saying something nasty without even common courtesy. They don’t change anybody’s opinion except cement the people’s negative feelings for what they are doing.

By: Halfdeck

Halfdeck — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 19:18:12 +0000

1. Avoid mouthing the obvious.
2. Be witty.
3. Differenciate between opinions and facts.
4. When emotions run high, attack ideas, not people.
5. Keep it short.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 14:43:19 +0000

I was just leaving a comment ;) at Liz’s site about this topic. On a well-written, thoughtful post, I will often be writing a comment, and thoughts are running around in my head, and I either keep writing forever or turn it into my own post. I think good posts do that oftentimes, inspire creative thought and ideas.

I said over there that oftentimes good posts that I do not comment on are about very personal things or areas that I don’t know much about as well. If someone has a long funny story about their cat destroying their couch, I may laugh but as I don’t have a cat (ha just a toddler destroying mine), I might not have anything to say about it other than a LOL which is rather silly to post.

I find by responding to all my comments and making it easy for people to comment, I get a lot of comments – it all depends on what you want to get out of it and where you want to spend your time.

By: Liz Strauss

Liz Strauss — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 12:13:42 +0000

A well-written comment moves the discussion forward. I find myself often saying to commenters on my blog that their comments are a great start on a new blog post, because the idea that they have put forth is well-thought and well presented in a compelling fashion.

This thread is a great example of where good commenting can take a discussion. You can’t keep me from commenting when the discussion is focused as this one is. But you can’t get me to comment when folks are just dropping a note and leaving.

Thanks, Darren, for the mention. We had a good discussion on why people don’t comment over there too. :)

By: jhay

jhay — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 10:06:36 +0000

I’ve always enjoyed making comments but never just for the heck of them. That’s why some of my blogging friends thought that I never go on bloghopping sprees. I use the blogger’s shoutbox for that. Even if I read an entire post and feel like not commenting on it, I don’t make a comment, but it seldom happens anyways.

Truth is, most of my posts were inspired or expanded versions of comments I’ve made in the blogs I visit.

By: Barry Welford

Barry Welford — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 09:46:20 +0000

I do comment on blogs when something is just bursting to be said on the topic. Now this comment is something different. Given the topic, it’s almost like seeing a Wet Paint – Do Not Touch sign. It almost dares you to check it out. So Darren I just had to comment. That really is a key indicator of a good topic. I’m sure even non-commenters would be intrigued and want to get in on the action. You have a must-read blog. Keep ‘em coming.

By: Matt Ambrose

Matt Ambrose — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 09:03:32 +0000

I often use comments as a way of testing my theories and asking questions. If there is a point that I think hasnt been raised in the main article then I’ll question it in the comments. That way I can gain an insight into what other people think before I use it in one of my own posts. I’m teaching myself blog marketing from scratch so gaining advice from worldwide seasoned professionals through comments has been an excellent way of learning.

By: 9+2 Tips on How to Waste Your Blogging Workday | blogHelper

9+2 Tips on How to Waste Your Blogging Workday | blogHelper — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 07:21:17 +0000

[...] Comment too much. Returning comments on your own blogs is uber-important, that’s for sure. But when there are more comments than you can count, or if you can’t add to the conversation, forging on with your own comment is suicidal (both time-wise and reputation-wise). The same goes for commenting on other blogs. [...]

By: Josh

Josh — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 06:22:00 +0000

What do you recommend doing, then with people who leave useless comments. I can usually smell out the SPAM comments, but some are just lame and contribute nothing to the conversation? Do you get rid of them?

On a blog with limited traffic, wouldn’t a blogger want to keep comments to show that there is interest in the blog?

By: Michael Hampton

Michael Hampton — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 04:57:57 +0000

That depends. If you’re truly interested in the topic and motivated to follow an engaging discussion, you might be willing to read 200 good comments. I’ve had a very few posts get 100 or more comments full of interesting and useful discussion, usually after being posted to slashdot or digg.

By: philleto

philleto — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 04:08:55 +0000

I’m drawn to sites that don’t have the comments activated or have a limited number of comments. Seeing 70+ comments to a post is absurd. No one has the time to read that many comments.

By: Kvetch

Kvetch — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 03:52:08 +0000

I read mostly personal blogs and writer’s blogs, so I focus my comments on what that blogger might want. If it’s a blogger who talks about work, I comment about his or her work and perhaps an experience of mine that relates. If it’s a blogger who talks about children, I do the same. If it’s a blogger who writes for the sake of writing, I try to not only comment on the content but the actual writing. Good list. I enjoy short lists and this one is a keeper.

By: Darren Rowse

Darren Rowse — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 03:42:13 +0000

that one seemed to get through ok…..

I’ve just made a change or two – hopefully that will help.

By: Martin

Martin — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 03:16:19 +0000

BTW Darren, most of my comments lately are being kept in moderation.

Why? It’s an insult. :-) I’ve commented dozens upon dozens of times over the years.

You must have some strong anti-spam stuff going on there – any way to get me off it? Pretty Please ;-)

By: Martin

Martin — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 02:59:35 +0000

Darren,
Good post – aka a “Me Too” comment ;-)

But seriously, commenting is a powerful tool. It does raise your profile and if done correctly can bring in the readers. I know from personal experience.

Bloggers (especially newer ones or those that just seem to can’t get any) love recieving comments as it gives them a boost that they’re being heard.

The tip is to engage in the conversation with some thought, make other readers say “this commenter is cool or knows what he’s saying” – I better check out his blog.

I’ve had the odd instance where I’ve regretted some comments I’ve made – and once you press the submit button that’s it folks – you have no control over it.

Also, one of my pet hates with comments: “Great post, Darren” – woah, tone it down a little. :-)