When it comes to blogging, you must give to receive.
One of the best ways to encourage comments on your blog site is to post comments on other blogs.
However, not all comments are good comments, which means not all comments will garner the same types of response. Here are 12 tips for leaving good blog comments:
1. Read the entire post. You don’t want to point out something you think is missing only to find that it’s there or to just repeat what’s already been written. The idea is to add to the conversation, not recite it.
2. Don’t comment just to comment. Only post a comment if you actually have something to say. This means reading more posts than you actually comment on.
3. Link to yourself. If you’ve written about something that you’re discussing in your comment, link back to your blog. However, only do this if it benefits other commenters. Don’t become a constant self-promoter. This practice will run people away from your blog, not toward it.
4. Compliment the blogger. Always say something nice about the blog post or the blogger when leaving a comment. Even if you disagree with the post’s content, you always can find some benefit to having read it.
5. Reply to other comments. This is another way to continue the conversation. If what you wanted to say in your comment already has been posted, respond to that comment as a way to create a dialogue.
6. Use your manners. You should be yourself when commenting, which means using the manners your Momma taught you. Think before you post a comment, just as you would before you published a blog post.
7. It’s ok to disagree. Remember that commenting is about creating a dialogue. Not everyone agrees. Just remember to challenge statements, not people.
8. Refer to the blogger by first name. This creates a relationship and provides a conversational tone.
9. Ask a question. Making an inquiry at the end of your comment allows others to respond in kind and advances the conversation going.
10. Note something you learned. Everyone wants to be a resource. Tell the blogger how he/she helped you.
11. Don’t wait. It’s good to be one of the first people to comment on a blog post because it encourages others to read your comments and engage with you. If you have something to say, write it immediately. However, don’t avoid commenting just because you’re not one of the first. If you have something to say, say it.
12. Write well. You don’t want your comment to reflect poorly on your abilities. Don’t write too long or too short. Complete your thoughts. Use correct grammar and spelling.
Do you know other best practices that I missed?
