25
2008
Are You a Blog Comment Pussy?
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The How’s and Why’s of Commenting on Blogs
I’m going to cover some tips on the best way to leave blog comments, as well as, the importance … the “why” … you should be commenting on other people’s blogs.
Why You Should Comment on Blogs
Let’s start with why it’s such a good idea to leave your comments when you visit someone’s blog. This is a very simple habit to form and it can be a great thing for you and for the blog author.
1. Say Thank You. It’s a great way to thank the blogger for sharing their thoughts, insight, expertise, or whatever type of content they’re sharing.
2. Mention What You’ve Learned. You can use the comments section to tell the author what you’ve learned from the post and how you will apply it personally. Most blogs offer free information that’s there to help others so this is always great feedback.
3. Expand On the Topic. This is also a great way to share what you know about the topic with others who will be reading the blog. You can expand on what’s already been said or give a different perspective.
4. Links Back To Your Site. Most comment forms give you an opportunity to link your name to your own website URL.
5. Free Traffic To Your Site. Many blog readers are naturally curious and they will often visit your site after reading your comments.
6. Name Recognition. Commenting on blogs is a great way to start building name recognition for you and/or for your website.
How You Should Comment on Blogs
Now that you see how many benefits there are to commenting on blogs let’s look at how to post your comments.
1. Comment on the Correct Post. Before you post your comment make sure that you are commenting on the post your comment pertains to. It’s annoying to other readers if you post a comment about a different post.
2. Reference Something That’s In the Post. It’s always a good idea to mention something that’s actually in the post so the author and other visitors know you’ve read the post. You don’t want to be accused of being a “comment pussy.” (See #5 below).
3. Add Helpful Information. After reading the post it’s great to offer additional information and/or your point of view or opinion. Try not to steal the author’s thunder since it’s their site … but this is also a great way to help countless others who visit the blog.
4. Use Your Manners. My mom always said, “If you can’t say something nice don’t say anything at all.” Remember your comments are a reflection of you and of your business (if you link to your site). There is just no reason to be ugly. I would also remind you that the internet is like writing with indelible ink and your comment could be there for years to come. It’s fine to share your differences of opinion but find a nice way to do so.
5. Don’t Be a Comment Pussy. I sure wish I could remember where I first heard this term so I could give credit where it’s due. From what I read a “comment pussy” is someone who comments on a post JUST for sake of getting links back to their site. I get comments all the time with something like, “Great post. I like your writing style. Keep up the good work.” I’ve even seen some automating software that posts these types of comments for the backlinks. Yuck! Don’t even go there!
6. Ask Questions About the Topic. As a blogger I love it when my readers ask me questions about the post. Blogs are Web 2.0 and should encourage reader participation.
7. Subscribe To the Comment. If the blog offers the “Subscribe To This Comment” you should do so. Anytime someone else comments on the post you will get an email alert. Often the author or another commenter will comment back to you or ask you a question and if you’re not subscribed you might not ever know about it.
8. Do Link Back To Your Site. There is usually a place in the comment form for you to enter your website URL. Some blogs allow the search engine spiders to “follow” the links in their comments and that is a great way to get links to your site. You might also be surprised at the amount of traffic you will get from leaving comments on the blogs you read. Most authors will stop by your site, as well as, many of the other readers.
9. Use Good Anchor Text. If you are going to be linking to one of your websites I suggest you use good keyword anchor text where the comment form asks for your name. This is in case the blog allows the spiders to “follow” the links in the comments to your site. Most people do like to know “who” is commenting … the person not the site … so you should also put your actual name either in that field (i.e. Money Making Ideas ~ Suzanne) or at the very least by signing your name to your comment.
So, as you can see there are some great reasons to leave comments on the blogs you read and hopefully I’ve given you some ideas on how to comment as well. With that said … I look forward to your comments!
*SmiLes* Suzanne
Suzanne,
This was an excellent post. I absolutely hate number 5, they’re kind of flaky. (Hopefully, I didn’t violate rule #4 LOL.) It’s nice when ppl comment, subscribe, comment back…it creates a conversation.
And I can’t believe I’m the first to comment. LOL.
Hey Erika ~ That’s funny! And feel free to bash the CPs here all you want! LOL. Great to have you here *hugs* Suzanne
From what I read a “comment pussy” is someone who comments on a post JUST for sake of getting links back to their site. I get comments all the time with something like, “Great post. I like your writing style. Keep up the good work.” I’ve even seen some automating software that posts these types of comments for the backlinks. Yuck! Don’t even go there!”
Sue…I often make comments like that and it is not just to get my site noted. If I say that, I truly mean it. I think that we should be encouraging to others and it does not always mean that those comments are there simply to get a site noticed. I believe in being truthful. And if the Blog commentary does not move me, the above comments won’t be added.
Suzanne, these tips are great for novice bloggers like myself who are shy about leaving comments because we don’t know the rules of commenting which may make us appear to be, eeerr #5.
I’d also like to add that the better quality the comment the more traffic you direct back to your own blog.
You can also go to coComment and see all of the places where you’ve commented and read recent comments to those posts.
Thanks Suzanne, this was enlightening in so many ways.
As a student of communication for over 20 years, I really appreciate this post. You make excellent points.
I especially want to speak to the one about manners. One of my pet peeves is that in the information age, people tend to think manners are only for when you are face to face. People will say things over email or even on the phone that they would never dare say in person.
Everything we say and do communicates something about your and your business to others.
“Let your conversation always be full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” -Colossians 4:6
[...] time…just as it does for these folks…none of whom would ever be mistaken for being blog comment pussies. (Many thanks to Suzanne Franco for adding that term to my lexicon. [...]
Suzanne,
OMG! That title was hilarious! I’ve written about commenting and the why’s behind it but your article definitely goes into detail.
I’m going to add this to my weekly roundup on good/interesting articles that I stsrted doing once a week.
Oh, and I also delete all those “Good post!” comments because 99% of the time, they’re spam and I make sure to put names out there when I catch someone doing so.
Jay
[...] you a “Comment Pussy?” LOL! Hey, it’s not my title. Article was written by Suzanne [...]
Erika ~ Thanks again for daring to be the first to comment on this touchy subject! LOL Stop by anytime! *hugs*
Donald ~ I totally agree with you that we need to encourage each other. I’m sorry if this post seemed negative or cynical but I get inundated with spam-type comments and it’s frustrating! Now that I’ve started to really study the blogging world I can usually spot the spam a mile away … but unfortunately someone like you who’s giving a sincere, yet brief, comment might be mistaken for one of these time-wasters. My only advice is to maybe add something (even if it’s very brief) that conveys that you’ve read the post … it means the world to the author and will probably fair better for you too in the long run.
Lukeither ~ Ditto! LOL I fear I too was guilty of leaving many “spam-looking” comments without knowing it … live and learn.
JoJo ~ This one really strikes a chord with me too. I can’t believe some of the language and attitude I come across daily on forums and blogs. Actually makes me pretty sad. Just like you said, I highly doubt most of these people would dare communicate in this manner in person. I for one will strive to continue to treat others as I’d like to be treated … you can hold me to that too.
Jay ~ It’s so nice to see you here and thanks for the great comment! For my other readers, if you haven’t visited Jay’s blog please check out his http://www.datmoney.com blog where he gives great blogging tips and does custom banner design.
Great post. I like your writing style. Keep up the good work.
Just kidding. I think the Anchor text comment is a big one… If you do visit a few blogs, you will notice that this is something many people do not take advantage of.
I will definitely be directing my mom to this article in her ItyBite challenge. It’s succinct and says everything about commenting I would tell her and now I can just say remember what Suzanne said about commenting and funny enough she’ll remember. Where as if I say it…
Rhonda “ItyBites Consumes Big Elephant” LaShae
Many blogs make you create and account and log in to comment. Those most often do not have the option to subscribe to comments.
When people ask me how to start getting traffic to their new blogs, one of the things I tell them is to comment on relate blogs.
Your article goes in much more depth than that and I will send others here to get the great tips you offered.
Hi Suzanne - you got me
I was reading your blog post after being sent forth from datmoney and enjoyed your blog a lot. But I was in a rush and never had time to post.
I’d just like to say that your posts are wonderful - I’ve been in affiliate marketing for a while but I’m still new to promoting/writing a blog so all of this information is so refreshing!
About the comment pussy, I’ve had a few people post and I was debating with myself whether or not I should delete them - Jay at datmoney convinced me to
I was just wondering, I can’t find your RSS feed - if you have that or an email subscription, could you let me know? Thanks a mil!
This has got to be one title I’d remember for a long time. You have covered the “Whys” and “Hows” of commenting in great details.
How I deal with, errh comment pussy? I’ll just let it stay on the askimet folder *forever*..
Interesting read, Suzanne.
Yan
Suzanne - Thanks for the shout out and compliments! Also, you should definitely set up an RSS Feeds if you haven’t already done so.
Jovana - Nice to see you here and if you need help with blogs or whatever, you know where to find me!
Jay
[...] you already follow my blog then you know that I believe in the importance of leaving solid, meaningful comments on the blogs you visit and [...]
[...] any lurkers reading this, do you have any suggestions, questions, concerns, tips? Seriously, Are you being a blog comment pussy?, Speak up, let me know what you’ve got to say. Heck I’m learning [...]
very informative posts and at least it’s clear out some good points which is helpful for me. thanks
Hehe, funny stuff, which I try to remember now
very nice and informative post specially your title of your blog amazing haha
The title has blown me away! Excellent post, I hope it will help slow down the “comment pussies”.
Nice Site. I am new here but will be visiting more often as you have done a good job.
Thanks
Great tips!! Very objective text. Some of it may sound obvious but most people don´t have a clue about certain things. Thank you so much!
nice document
lol, comment pussy. What a great term, i havent heard that one before. Ive always believed in a fair trade and a good solid comment about post with a few relevant keywords in the post is a fair exchange for an anchored link back to your site. I think it all comes down to the quality of the comment, if someone isnt willing to add constructively to the text of the page then they dont deserve the link, but if they do then its free content for the blog so the link is justified.
Great tips, i like to comment blogs with dofollow like yours, the only price for a good backlink is to read post and write something cleverly
So … I’m guessing that reading this post has made some of you stop and wonder … “Am I adding to this conversation … or am I going to be accused of …” Hee hee LOL.
I stopped a lot of spam headed for this very post … and you can see there are even a few questionable replies here … can’t really tell if they’ve read the post or if they are … urr … well … just a puss!
What do you think?
I love blogging … and visiting other people’s blogs for both entertainment and as a great learning source. I comment for many reasons … to thank the blogger, to engage them or their visitors socially, to add to the content when I think I can help, and as part of my marketing strategy.
@ spirulina ~ I appreciate your candor! As part of your marketing efforts to find dofollow blogs and comment … so feel free to stop by and leave a “cleverly” written comment any time … just make sure you aren’t mistaken for “one of those” LOL
I like this post but what do you need an ‘anchor text’ for? If bloggers are naturally curious wont they follow your link no matter what it says? I always just leave my name because what else are you supposed to leave? The title of the blog?
Jim
@ jim ~ the reasons for using anchor text to link back to your site are twofold … it is to tell others what type of blog or site you have … and if it’s a do follow site … it’s to tell Google what that url is “about.” Whenever you are building backlinks (which is what you are doing in this instance) you want to tell the search engines what terms to associate with that url. If I use “Suzanne” as my anchor text … I will get “credit” from the search engines for the term “Suzanne” … but if I use “Money Making Ideas ~ Suzanne” it will tell Google that the url is associated with all of those words … it will tell the other readers what my blog is about … and they will know my name. Some bloggers and blog visitors get annoyed when commenters use ONLY their anchor text as they think that takes the “personal” part out of the equation … they want to know who they are hearing from and communicating with (by name) … so I try to use both. Thanks for reading … and thanks for the question. I hope you subscribed so you’ll know that I’ve responded. LOL *SmiLes* Suzanne
nice done.
Great title lol . Some great tips esp for the newbies to blog posting. Do follow blog posting is surely becoming a much more used process.
@ coolbudy ~ sooooooo … are you? Ya know … a … CP?
@ monsters and myths ~ Youre site is great! My son, Austin (13 yr), gives it two thumbs up too.
LOL *SmiLes* Suzanne
Thanks for this information.
To give comment on the blog give us an opportunity to appreciate the writer’s work. So, but i have heard the term do follow and no follow many a times. What does it exactly mean ?
All sugar and honey
@ play backgammon ~ nofollow is an HTML attribute that instructs search engines to not “follow” the link … to not pass on the “credit” for the link. Conversely, dofollow just means that the nofollow attribute is not present … which means that the “credit” for the link is passed on. Make sense?
@ exiseefaire ~ are you spamming me? are you a CP? If not, what the heck does that mean! LOL
Suzanne’s last blog post..Guru Roundup ~ Let’s See Which Gurus Support Suzanne Franco as the Next Blogging Idol
Posting comments is an interactive feature and perhaps that’s why people love it so much. Man being social loves to interact, be it face to face or via the online medium. Apart from voicing your opinions via comments, you can also get to hear what the views of others are. Sometimes controversial posts or comments give rise to a lot of discussion and counter discussion. Some analytical comments, on the other hand, may help us to view the same issue from a different or fresh perspective. In other words, posting comments, reading others’ views etc is an enriching experience.
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The remote control is yours and yours alone. It was joke
I am following your advice and comment on your blog.
You are welcome to visit our blog and read psychic and tarot stories people are ready to share.
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Hi Suzanne
Thanks for another useful blog. I did not really get the idea of anchor text till you explained what and why. I knew lots of people made comments on others blogs but neither knew why apart from maybe saying thanks. I agree with the idea that other people sometimes have good insight for something perhaps overlooked in the original text.
Thanks again.
Paul
Hi Suzanne,
I saw the title of this post “Are you a comment pussy” on your random posts list and HAD to click through. Great title, and good example of how a great title gets people to click through. Anyway, a great list on WHY to comment. And now I know what a “comment pussy” is, though I use slightly stronger language to describe those commenters.
~ Steve, aka the commenting trade show guru
Steve | Trade Show Guru’s last blog post..When Free Ain’t Free
Excellent web pages Successes and prosperity to you!
Hi Suzanne,
Thanks for sharing stunned insights, and I totally agree with you that there should be some manner of leaving comment as earlier you mentioned in post that ” thanks for sharing their insights and add some stuff that would be useful for other blog readers.” i followed manner which you mentioned in blog. keep it up, will hope for such a nice article in future.
No doubt, we do commenting on blogs and share some link juice as well. I do that several times a day but what if we have nothing to contribute in the post and just say thanks, I think that should be penalized and it is penalized by Akismet. I myself own more than 5 blogs, all of them are do follow and I have a lot of traffic. More than 50 comments go in Akismet queue and that is just horrible. May be we need to change our policies and strategies.
OK, I give up, Suzanne looks all greek to me, yep I know it is Russian however I still have no idea what it means even after google translation.
Hello,
Commenting on other people is blogs is a great way to network with other blogger, form long term blogging relationships and in the long run, rally help your traffic.
Excellent tips, I can’t wait to go find some new blogs today.
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Hi,
Great insights. I was not aware of this. You have nicely described.
Thanks for sharing….
Thanks for this usefull information. I hope to read more in future.
Hola amigos, me gusta vuestra web y como escribis los articulos, enhorabuena.
Commenting to other peoples blogs is a great way to network with other bloggers, for long term blogging relationships and in the long run, rally help my traffic.
Great post. I like your writing style. Keep up the good work. Er, wait. Uh, now I have nothing to say…
Jesse’s last blog post..Do You Really Need A .com Address?
You are right in all points. But I see blogs always as conversation. Comments is one of the best things to start a dialog. What do you think?
I really liked your blog! Definely I Stumble UP the blog post ! Great Blog indeed
Nice catchy blog title there. Just perfect to pull people in
as far as automated software goes, I think it is a bad idea & cheap. I am sure that most can be spotted miles away.
-Josh Hackson
I agree with manue, it’s a way of interaction between the blog author and the readers. Usually when I post comments on blogs, I make it a point that my comments will be relevant to the post and that it makes sense, because that’s how I want people to comment on my personal blog.
I agree with manue
Hello!
Very Interesting post! Thank you for such interesting resource!
PS: Sorry for my bad english, I’v just started to learn this language
See you!
Your, Raiul Baztepo
Hello !!!
I am Piter Kokoniz. oOnly want to tell, that I’v found your blog very interesting
And want to ask you: is this blog your hobby?
Sorry for my bad english:)
Thank you:)
Your Piter Kokoniz, from Latvia
Nice Done
thanks
Great post Suzanne. Nowadays you see more and more blogs on the internet so this is a nice guide for a newbie!
Hahaha that was definitely a catchy title - it caught my attention immediately! You’re very right about people simply saying “Great post!” and moving on, I think it happens quite often that people don’t actually say anything of value that will further the discussion or provide useful feedback for the writer. You bring up several key points here and I think it’s obvious why so many people have left you good comments as a result
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