My last post on using comments to get noticed by bloggers was quite a hit! [thank you!]
But many many of you noted that sometimes it’s hard to come up with something more than just “that’s gorgeous!” or “great find!” And I know. I understand. I feel ya!
It’s hard. And it should be – because growing your network & marketing your business isn’t all roses & puppy dogs – but I think in the craft & design niches it is even harder to write great comments sometimes because we bloggers rely so heavily on images and less on storytelling or solid information. So here are a few questions to ask yourself the next time you want to comment & you don’t know what to say:
- What is the one thing in the post that caught your attention?
- How will the post change your outlook on something?
- Do you have a similar life experience?
- Is there a similar or related post on your own blog?
- What do you disagree with in the post? it’s okay to disagree…
- Does a friend or contact have a similar style or or related product? Recommend them!
- How will you incorporate what was shared into your own work?
Those are just a few questions you might use to get your gears turning. If that doesn’t work: ask the blogger a question about the post!
Have you noticed how formspring.me (the ask me anything people) caught on overnight? And people who were crazy busy before now have endless amounts of time to write answers to random strangers’ questions? Yeah, it’s cause it’s fun! btw, you can totally ask me anything right here: formspring.me/scoutiegirl
If your question inspires another post from the blogger, you’ll almost certainly get a mention in that post, too. Bonus!
Regardless, write comments that are relevant. Write comments that are thought-provoking. Write comments that build people up. Write comments that drive discussion. Write comments that question convention – positively, of course. But above all, write comments!
{image credit: empapers – download these happiness bookmarks!}
I’m Tara Gentile. I think big. I set lofty goals, execute ambitious projects, and get sizable returns. I'm not satisfied to stop at good-enough or moderately successful. I’m in the process of building a web empire. True tale. I can help you build yours too.
I never thought about asking the author a question!! Great Great Great Advice!!
Commenting on blogs makes my stomach twist in nerves, like joining a stranger’s family reunion and then (gasp) drawing attention to yourself. I appreciate this and your first post on the subject because I didn’t realize how appreciated comments are by the blog author and why. Thanks!
hi kimber! oh please oh please oh please don’t be nervous about commenting on blogs!
we’re all nice – ok, most of us 
and we do so love getting comments. and the whole reason we blog is to put ourselves out there – so when you comment, it’s a great return gesture. i hope to see many more great comments from you soon!
I’ve always had reservations about commenting on blogs out of fear my comments might be seen as a cheeky way of self marketing. However it is only recently that I set up my own blog and realised just how appreciated comments are.
So I’ll ask the question. As a blogger do you ever see comments on your posts that annoy you or make you think the person is simply using your post to get attention/link to their site etc? Or are all comments welcome additions regardless of tactics…
@irishwoolen
sure, i see plenty of those kind of comments. and yes, they are totally annoying! but ANY comment that seeks to add to the conversation or even just let me know they appreciated the post is great! it used to be that just getting your link out there – linkbaiting – was an effective means of promoting your business.
but we’re all savvier than that now, even google! to truly promote your business & market your brand, you really need to leave comments that are going to make the blogger (and other readers!) connect with you on a deeper level. for more on that, check out a popular post i wrote at sg: http://www.scoutiegirl.com/2010/02/the-art-business-of-crafting-your-online-self.html
thanks for stopping by! and for following my advice!
great advice. I love how you’re helping to make “cyber world” more tangible- more personable. I know I get a little lost swimming around it all. It’s so wonderful to have your reminders that we are real people sitting here typing- with genuine thoughts, ideas and inspirations. Thank you Tara. It is really refreshing.
what great advice. i’m glad i clicked on your twitter link to this post! i must say it really has me thinking about my comments. i am going to make a genuine effort to add value + substance with my comments rather than just fluff. it’s not always easy + takes a little more time, but i’m going to work on it! again, great post. thank you.
hi julie! thanks for your positive feedback! yep, it takes a bit more time. but hopefully it will save you a bit of time & stress in the future. have a great weekend!
“You must be really smart !?!” Remember when you used to get that question all the time from your peers when you were little? Well, of course, you are ~ but even better, you know how to think things through and come to conclusions that just make sense! In other words, you know how to see through the forest to see how to grow a healthy tree!
hehe – thanks, mom
beautiful! again! can you elaborate on blogger etiquette? like when is it okay to disagree and when is it not? i have definitely put my foot in my mouth unintentionally.
hey kendra! i’ll definitely consider that for a longer post. but what i can say about blogger etiquette is that if you disagree with someone, keep it respectful & relevant. really, relevancy is the key. just like in discussion or debate in real life, there’s no room for personal attacks or negative comments out of left field. if your comment is phrased with relevance, you’re comment will probably be appreciated even if the blogger disagrees! thanks for the question!
Yup, these are great hints on what to say beyond “wow!” or whatever (although I am guilty of that). As I get more blogging under my belt I’m learning so much about WHY I like what I see when I write about things that inspire me. I am newly committed to doing that in comments as well!
yay, candy! glad you’re inspired
I am putting a smile on my face,open arms & happyfeet, Can’t you see it now??:) MJ
This is a great topic for a blog post! Very helpful and engaging points to consider… glad I’m not the only one who get stuck
hi jenn!
i have to say i was a bit surprised how much feedback i got saying that they got stuck while commenting. i suppose i do as well, i’d just never really thought about it!
which, of course, is why comments are so great. i had a great idea for a new post!
thanks for stopping by today!
Very thought provoking ideas. I appreciate your teaching me something new!
Thanks
Firstly let me say – I love your attitude – the “be yourself”, be direct, be honest, be “simple”.
And regarding this post:
I think that in order to write a good post and a good comment, one needs to close their eyes and “get connected” with their feelings and thoughts.
It’s like trying to write a card for one of your dearest – you can write the usual Happy Birthday, but once you close your eyes and think about that person and what they mean to you – all the good things and wishes will come to your mind.
I’m sure – it’s just a matter of practice…
hi! that’s a great analogy for the commenting process. thanks so much for sharing your idea!
I agree that sometimes the empty comment doesn’t get much recognition. I have been told that I am very thoughtful in my comments and that they are much appreciated.
Looking at your list, I find that I tend to do a lot of those. So often I relate commenting to telling jokes– you hear a joke and it reminds you of one, so you tell it. If I find the post relates to one of my own, I usually include a link. Also, if a post inspires me, I try to tell them that I am inspired to write a post of my own.
Only recently I have thought of reading the comments that others make. Sometimes that is a double edged sword in that I may get discouraged to comment because it was already said, or get lost in the comments others wrote and comment on the comments rather than the original post.
I do not write for a blog that sells things. I write in order to share of myself in the hopes that whoever reads will find my words either helpful, or thought provoking. The sharing of knowledge is important to me and I truly appreciate that you have shared these tidbits of advice to others.
Thank you,
hey christopher! i really like your point about telling jokes. a great comment definitely inspires more great comments! in regards to reading others’ comments, i think it helps to not just think of blogs as an opportunity for back & forth but an opportunity for real discussion. you can now “reply” to comments on many good blogs and develop a conversation with other readers in addition to the blogger. thanks so much for stopping by today!
I agree with what Christopher says , I often am inspired by peoples comments that then go on to become a post of there own. I think sometimes its OK to write just that something is nice and leave it at that but I generally try to say a bit more.
I think the comments and the amount people write actually say a lot about the amount of thought that went into the post. A while ago I wrote a post about my childs sleep I was amazed at the amount people wrote in the comments- they were practically blogposts in themselves. I think to respond to those comments like you have, and I do, via email makes a huge difference and does help to actually build a relationship with the person reading the blog.