The Very Real Value Of Proper Commenting
- March 29th, 2008
- COMMENTS 7
Guest post written by Graham Smith from ImJustCreative.com
I really enjoy reading my favorite blogs and discovering new sites and leaving, what I would consider, relatively decent comments. I really enjoy getting deep into conversations, the sort of discussions that a really well thought out blog post can generate.
So what are the benefits of always getting the first comment in on a busy, well read blog? Scratch that, what are the benefits of getting a first comment in on ‘any’ blog, whether well read or not?
Simply, the first few comments will get the most notice from new readers, thus improving your ‘brand awareness’ in many ways. It shows the blog owner that you follow their posts closely and that you took the time to respond quickly. This is all very positive for the author and it can generate a snowball effect for forthcoming comments. Getting that first comment can often be the catalyst for further comments.
But does getting in first really help you promote your own blog? I talk about leaving obvious text signatures on each comment, which in my opinion can only help enhance your brand awareness, but many “top” bloggers categorically swear against doing so, which I for the life of me cannot fully understand.
Constructive comments Set the tone
I always try to leave the first comment if possible, not out of the youthful “I got there first,” but more because for me, it is a valuable ranking opportunity, and can set the tone for comments to come. This in my mind creates a mutual benifit for both yourself and the author. I for one, usually leave significant comments, I really enjoy responding to an interesting article, rarely do I leave a few words comment.
I treat my written comments as though they are a mini post of my own, published on my own blog.
What you write, how you write and the obvious time you put into leaving a comment, creates a valuable impression to both to the author and forthcoming readers of that post. If you can create a valuable, interesting comment, you are doing everyone a favor. You will certainly benefit from the positive recognition from other readers as someone who takes time to leave worthwhile comments, increasing the likelihood that they may visit your own blog. Simply, if you make efforts with comments then you will be rewarded.
This is not a one sided “point scoring” initiative. It helps you and the author.
Spin off “plus points” are the accumulation of comments if the blog has a ‘Top Commenter‘ plugin, or makes their ‘Recent Comments‘ visible. It’s all about recognition. Don’t abuse this by leaving 3 word comments in order to ride the wave and gain higher placement in Top Commentator status. It’s not cool.
Comments turn into posts.
As Brian will offer, some of my comments left here actually develop into a full blown blog posts without me even realising it. This is one recent advantage I have discovered of actually spending time writing a decent length comment on an article you find interesting. I adapt my comment and create a post of it myself for my own blog. This is a excellent way of furthering the conversation, linking back to the original article, and even your own comment. Some of my own posts started as some comments on another blog, as it really gets the creative and imaginative juices flowing.
To End
I know we are all driven to leave comments everywhere possible, but it’s usually at the expense of value. Comments are abused in my mind, because we become lazy. We don’t fully extend our thanks to the post author. Leaving a “Hi, great post“, really is not helpful or useful to anyone, other than you get to leave your mark, all be it a lacklustre mark at that. You can get pigeon holed as a lazy commentator very quickly if you are not careful.
It’s one mighty internet turn-off.
Just as there are very real benfits of leaving constructive comments, there is a very real downside of only leaving short worthless comments. It becomes obvious to everyone that you can’t really be bothered to say a real sentence, and that in all likelihood your main motivation is just to sow your seeds far and wide and as thinly as possible.
Try this: concentrate on some of your more interesting blogs, and make a small effort to leave more lengthy comments, and participate in the conversation. If you come across a blog post that really does nothing for you then don’t leave a comment. There is really no point. It’s a form of insincere flattery to just leave a short three word comment.
If you can get the first comment in as well then all the better.
Participating in one post, especially if it generates further comments will do more for your ranking, your brand awareness, and Technorati ranking than these few pithy infamous words…
“Hi, great post.”
And the blog owner will really love you. This is a case in point. Brian approached me to ask if I would consider writing a guest post for him whilst he attended important business. I can only assume he asked me because I have participated in his blog’s comments a number of times, and not because I left one hundred “Hi, great post.” comments.
The proof is in the pudding as they say.
Hi, great post.
Oh wait, I need to leave something useful or I’d defeat the entire purpose of this post.
You’ve really got me thinking on how I used to sign posts. I’m racking my brain wondering if I’m guilty of such dastardly deeds. So far, I think I’m in the clear but your post will keep my eyes open moving forward and I will definitely make sure I never do the three word comment.
Actually, I have no idea if this comment is even any good but at least it’s better than what I started with.
As for the signature issue; I just feel like a slimy blog spammer leaving my signature as if I’m just posting to have people read more about my company. I always assume if they liked what I wrote, they can click my name for the link to my website.
Tony Chester
OnWired Web Design
TONY> Lol. LIke I am a perfect commentor, not!
I think the best way you can gauge if the comment is worth leaving or writing is simply asking yourself, ‘does it add value to the post, or previous comments’. That’s what I usually do. I try not to leave a comment for the sake of it.
Im not talking ‘for’ all bloggers. As I am sure many Bloggers welcome any type of comment be it 3 words or 100. Especially new sites, any comments are generally useful in that they show some ‘life’. But you see some sites, where they have literally 100’s of comments, MOST of which are just the short 3 word variety, and that does no good for the value of the post or the blog. Generally saying that is.
But it’s worth just having that thought about comments in general. I think it also depends on circumstances, time etc.
If I know I am likely to return to a site more than once, then I will make an effort. If I come across a site that I like the post, but unlikely to ever see it again, I will probably be more inclined to leave a shorter message, saying something like ‘great post’, but maybe a bit more too it.
At the end of the day, this was down to what I feel about it.
If you agree then great, if not, then great as well. 
The signature aspect is, depending on who you ask, either tolerated, welcomed, or banned. The signature you left, in my mind, is perfect. It does not say ’spammer’. And again, if your comments are of worth, then it is clear you are not a spammer, thus making leaving a signature not an issue and not something you should feel guilty about. If you left the 3 word comment, then a lengthy signature, I can imagine that would really get peoples backs up. Mine included.
When we leave comments, it is usually only our names that are shown. Yes, as you said, if you like someones comment you can click their name and see what their own site is like. But if you are looking at a number of comments, most of which are good, I am m ore likely to check out the links if I know where I am going in advance, rather than clicking blindly. Hence leaving a signature, with your company name or website name on it just helps people decide if they should give you a shout.
Thanks for your comment. See, I just waffle in mine. Im sure I tip the OTHER end of the spectrum and bore people silly…
Just to say. If seeing ‘Tony Chester’ or ‘OnWired WebDesign’ I know what would make me want to check you out more. Just relying on the name really doesn’t do much.
I think the whole form process of comments could be altered to allow for a ‘Company Name’ or ‘Website Name’ field. Which would show alongside your name. Then it’s a choice thing and is controlled by the website owner, thus negating the need to leave a signature and stop all that guilty feelings of thinking people are laughing at you…
@Graham - You mean you’ve never heard of me?!? I really need to get into this “personal branding” thing more
I think I’ll take your advice and start using the short sig for a while.
What are your thoughts on linking the name back to a bio page and the signature linking to the main company page?
Hmmm… Actually, I’d have to say that I’m from the opposite side of this thought.
I would actually be less likely to click on Tony’s signature link above, because I have no need, nor desire for, web design services.
On the other hand, I may have clicked on “Tony Chester”, if I didn’t know where the click was going to lead me.
Now, if someone were actually in need of web design services or information, I can see that this signature would be beneficial.
I wouldn’t have a problem with a signature like this on any of my blogs, however. I don’t see a problem with a bit of self-promotion in the comments, as long as the comment is relevant to the post.
Just came across this interesting post “Blog Comments Still Matter”. It’s a nice little supplement to your post here.
One point I would like to make is that the length of comments is important - at least to me. Mileage will obviously vary depending on what site/blog you are viewing, how much traffic and other commenting there is, and of course, what your time constraints are as well as your interest is in the subject. Personally, I am sometimes turned off by a rather winded comment that really ought to be its own post - on the contrary, if it’s among dozens of other 3-worders, This may be one of the few that actually get consumed.
Consumed - that in itself kind of sums up the way that I look at the viewing of comments. The general idea of someone else’s words adding to or detracting from a post itself seems to be intertwined with each individual’s ‘need’ of a comment - or lack thereof.
Anyway - great post! ;p I really did find it interesting. I am just starting to comment occasionally on a few blogs that I’ve been following for a while now, so I’ll definitely have to keep your points in mind. On the flip-side, I hope to get some constructive comments on my brand new blog, which I have actually yet to tell anyone about…