Your Comments Matter…
When we take the time to comment on blogs and commentary of others, we are expressing our desire to acknowledge and validate the writer with our presence and design as well to expand the conversation. Within many blogs there is a sense of community – there are many who are loyal to bloggers and will take part in the conversations that are happening on these sites. It seems that too many view commenting as an avenue for self promotion. Yes, it’s true; you can get link juice by comments on blogs. Are you interested in pursuing numbers or real connection with people? Keep in mind that when we take the time to comment, we do so because we are compelled by the writing, the subject and our intentions must come from a place where we feel that we can add to the conversation and not distract from the writer. Comments are way to create a community on your blog, not just for those who wish to link to your success.
Our comments matter to others; in fact, it’s the highest form of gratitude you can pay another for their ideas. We need to keep in mind that comments are not just for self promotion, rather, an ability to connect on the space with writers and expand the conversation of the blogs we read. It’s not a time to just comment for the sake of commenting, rather, a time to truly connect.
I know this will fly into the thoughts of those who feel that comments draw traffic for their own blogs. It’s a great way to get link juice as well, but when you only comment because you want to promote yourself, you are doing yourself a disservice in the process. No one will take your comments seriously and others will merely see through the veneer of the false intentions behind your acts. Do yourself a favor; make a point to comment when you are compelled by the ideas and thoughts. Do not feel obligated to comment on some blogs due to their high traffic. In the trenches where there is real knowledge being shared, make the time to add to the conversation. Expand your reach by extending your knowledge on the subject. Give your audience an idea that you are more than just words behind a keyboard.
Comments are gold to writers and they give validation to our thoughts, it’s not a time to promote one’s self and try to steal the thunder of the writer. Consider that your audience will see you actions in these comments, they will be lead by your example and it’s paramount that we are more mindful with our work online, the internet is written in pen and what you do today will be with you forever within the online world.
I couldn’t agree with you more, however, I am guilty of NOT giving my fellow bloggers the recognition they deserve & I do feel guilty.
Thank you for bringing this into the light of day and I do appreciate the “virtual kick-in-the-ass” post – Write On!
I will in the future try to be more courteous and participial – thank you!
Thanks, James. You are not alone. I know many who feel guilt in their commenting habits. Thanks for commenting and being a part of the conversation here. I appreciate it greatly
As we’ve chatted about Jen, I find that the more entrenched I become in connections and communities, the less time I can devote to commenting. I like to make sure that when I comment, it adds value: is informational, inspirational, educational or just plain fun. I like to think I put thought into each and every comment I make. The dilemma becomes: where are my priorities today? Can I fly by and share a post? Can I leave a brief comment? Or will I take the time to cultivate a comment, and be prepared to return to engage in dialogue. A never-ending juggling act. Cheers! Kaarina
Hi Jen, I agree with your sentiments on comments. Encouraging visitors to send feedback via e-mail has also proven to be very effective. Some include suggestions for future posts, a simple thank you, or a request for more information.
Feedback is the breakfast of champions. Cheers!
Hey Redge! Yes, all feedback is good – and it gives you food for thought for future conversation and blogs. Email is great as well – and I think any time you can extend the conversation via different platforms is a good thing.
It is a juggling act. When you comment, you are taking the time out of your schedule to engage another connection. We have to guard our time and make sure we are making an impact not just a promotion of self. Good point, Kaarina – as always.
I just want to thank you got addressing this particular area, I am grateful. I don’t comment all that often, but it’s nice to know that our “real” comments are appreciated & seen <3. Very cool, if ya ask me, anyway.
Thanks, BTW, for every other post I've read & not commented on ;p
Thanks, Brandi. I appreciate your time and comment very much
Comments are about building relationships. Link juice and SEO benefits are a side effect, but the real benefit is getting to meet likeminded people. I am making more of an effort to comment on blogs and show my appreciation for a post that moves me.
It is about building relationship, making the connection that is one of the best by products of comments. I’ve met some amazing people through the comments made here and on others blogs as well. Thanks, Michelle
Great post! I agree comments do matter because the act of engaging in a two-way conversation with someone is priceless. It’s personal, relevant, and anticipated.
Thanks, Patrick. It is more intimate way of engaging as well. Comments are a way to create community as well – everyone is participating in the conversation and adding their wisdom as well. Thanks so much
Jen,
Commenting is about building relationships. As you read on my post earlier I have many reasons I won’t leave a comment but I have an equal number of reasons that I will leave a comment (that I was actually planning for a later post)!
Commenting to me is one of my favorite things to do! I love to let other bloggers know I respect their thoughts and have enjoyed their work. The only way they will ever know that is by me leaving a comment. I know a lot of people will send me a tweet saying “great post” but a comment means so much more to me. It means you valued my opinion enough to write something to me.
Aaron Brinker aka DadBlunders
Totally agree. Comments at the source are meaningful, and validate your work. It’s a great way to develop relationships with others in the same niche. Good post!
Thanks, Matt. I agree with you
Yes, Aaron. I read your post after I posted this one and I believe those who make it hard to comment on their blogs are missing out on great connections. Agree with your points as well
I also think that those people that just comment to get views don’t actually write because they like what they write about, but because they want to attract traffic and, maybe, do business out of it. And I believe that, at the end, those who truly enjoy what they do will be the ones to get a reward out of it.
You make a sound case. I’ve struggled on this point: so much time to find the blogs out there, follow them , read them, comment, AND do your own blog-work, all on the side. Phew! YOu gave me some needed incentive/motivation in this area, thanks!
Commenting opens the door to conversation. As much as I don’t enjoy the self-promotion comments at all, I LOVE the comments that invite discussion. I know that I can put myself out there more too. Sometimes I find myself commenting on the blog post on another platform (like G+) and need to balance that with commenting directly on the post. Thanks, Jen!
Comments matter quite a lot, and now they come through different channels – the blog, Twitter, Google +, Facebook, etc. All are valuable as they extend thoughts and make points. It is about balance because it takes time. I try to carve out time to comment and mix it up with different writers.
Thanks, Jen.
You may have a point. For those who comment for views may just be commenting for the sake of numbers, which is not helping themselves.
I agree, one of the greatest gifts we can offer a blogger is a comment. It adds new life and purpose to blogging. I LOVE when I get an alert that someone has left a comment on my blog post. And when I don’t get comments, I feel deflated.
Thanks, Greg. I think we should comment when the post speaks to us. The comment is our way to show validation to the writer and its a win win for both parties. Thank you so much
Thanks, Alli. The comments in G+ etc are great but the true community reach is with the sites for the company/individual – the point of SM is to drive folks to reside within your own home.
Thanks, Suzie. When you are a writer, the best feedback you can get is a comment that validates your thoughts – comments do that for bloggers. I’m with you, I get excited about the alerts for comments – it’s chance to connect and it exciting to know your thoughts resonated with another. Thank you
Excellent points all around. Conversation is critical to growth AND it makes for some collaborative work, as often the outcome to one blog post and its comments is another blog post that takes the original one step further.
Peg
Agreed. So much good, useful information is found the comments and creates more ripples in the conversation.
This message can’t be repeated enough. Even a simple “thank you” is so appreciated. I’ve made it a point to do that myself. We don’t have to think up something profound. Just let it be known that you stopped by and found something interesting.
Personally, I’d prefer a “thanks” just as a token gesture from someone who dropped by and found value. I realize that people have other things going on in their lives and can’t be profound with everything they engage. It’s just nice to know that the traffic that Google Analytics says passed thru my site were real people.
It’s one thing I’m practicing myself. Don’t take 10 minutes trying to think of something smart. Just say thanks if there was something a post added in knowledge, new perspective or entertainment.
I think you need to join the conversation a bit when you comment. No one is expecting anyone to write War and Peace length comments, but if the point for the comment is just for google analytics, I’d rather not just pursue numbers. I appreciate your thoughts and I feel that if you make the time to comment, it has to be worth your while. Thanks.
I have a good spam filter to keep out those who are not genuine folks – so that I know the comments are real people. Again, I don’t think it takes a lot to read and comment when you have truly read the post and decided to comment on the piece.
It takes a lot of time to comment, but I love receiving them. I try to remember this feeling when I read something that makes me want to respond. It’s impossible to comment on everything I read, but spreading a little love never hurts.
Agreed, Kenna. I put myself in the shoes of other writers – how would I like to receive a comment and that’s the basis for which I comment on other blogs as well. Thank you for your comment
So true!!! I am continually looking to bring people’s thoughts into what I write as for me it validates what I have to say and lets me know that people care about what I have to share too.