Most people in the SEO game know that commenting on blogs and websites can be a great way of gaining attention . Major advantages include:
- First and foremost, it can drive traffic to your own blog/website
- You build relationships with an online community/target audience
- Other bloggers will visit your blog and comment on it
- Because you need to read the post and other comments before making your comment, you expand your knowledge base
- You get quality backlinks for your blog/site which will help push your website up the search engine rankings.
Commenting really can be a useful tool in building online relationships - both with your target audience and as a way of connecting with other professionals in the same field. Your comments can lead to all manner of advantageous connections. After all, it was my comments on search engine people that led to me being invited to write this guest blog post - a welcome opportunity for me!
However, there is an art to commenting effectively and you'll need to make sure that you follow some basic guidelines so that you're seen as an informed contributor to any discussions you take part in.
- If you're considering making a comment, make sure that you read the blog post carefully so that you fully understand what the writer has said. You'll also need to read the comments that have already been made to ensure that you're not just repeating what other commenters have already said.
- Make sure that the blog you are contributing a comment to is relevant to your own blog/website - it's no use commenting on a fishing blog if you're in the furniture trade - doing so will just make you look like a spammer.
- However, it's fine to think outside the box a little and comment on a blog that is of interest to your peripheral audience, rather than your core readership. A little diversification can be a good thing and commenting on a blog that is in a related field to your own will add interest.
- Don't comment too frequently - it will just be annoying both for the blog writer and the blog readers. You will look as if you may be commenting merely to get the links. To avoid doing this, make a list of comments that you've made and which blogs you added these comments to. This will serve the dual purpose of building a list of blogs where you can become a welcome regular contributor to the comments section.
- Make sure that the comments you add contribute to the discussion in a meaningful way. Don't just post comments like "This is a great idea" or "Nice blog post" - this could get you flagged as a spammer. You need to think carefully about what to say so that you are adding value to the discussion taking place. Your comment will need to be well-thought out and well written. Make sure that the comment is at least three or four sentences long and check the accuracy of any information you provide.
- It's fine to post links to your own blog, but try to make sure that you also post links to other blogs/websites that will be of interest to readers and other commenters. This will serve to prolong and extend the discussion.
- Above all, avoid getting involved in a flame war with other commenters. If you do disagree with somebody's point of view, then it's fine to point that out in a polite manner, offering an alternative viewpoint. Never use derogatory or insulting language - this will reflect badly on you. If other commenters respond to your comments in a disrespectful manner, either ignore the comment or respond firmly but politely reiterating your point of view.
Read More About Commenting:
Ahh it’s always so tempting to say “nice post!” when that’s cautioned against in an article like this. 😉 Seriously though, this is a great checklist for people who are just getting started in SEO and blogging.
I find that the best comments are the sincere ones, the ones where someone asks a follow-up question (which shows that they read the post and want clarification), and also comments that add more valuable information to the main post.
Nathalie,
Glad you like it! And fab you avoided “nice post” haha!
I would agree sincere with questions is definately a way forward!
Thanks for dropping by!
Jonny
Great post! Ive done a lot of posts on how to get blog comments and the like, but never done one (or read one, for that matter) on how to be effective with one’s own comments and do interesting comments. One point that I would like to add (an extension of the last point in your post) is that being a bit controversial with your comments sometimes helps. A lot. But obviously, a line should be drawn between being controversial and being downright rude and/or inflammatory.
Leo,
You are absolutely right, a bit of controversy is a great way to comment, but as you say without being rude!
It’s so true, it’s also a great way to blog!
Jonny
This is a fantastic post, but it’s made me a little nervous to comment on it! haha.
I’ve been trying to reach out more lately. I have a “phobia” of forums, but I’ve been doing my best to comment more on Blog posts that I’ve really enjoyed (like this one!). I’m going to bookmark this post so that I can refer to your tips in the future–I definitely don’t want to come off as a pest; and this will also serve to remind me to be a bit more constructive with my comments (I’m guilty of saying little more than “I loved this!” on articles I’ve read).
Keep up the great work! 🙂
Lauren
I am loving the nervousness! I’d have been the same!
Thanks for bookmarking for a later day!
Jonny
Have I got your attention? No, sometime it is difficult to get writers attention. Commenting for only backlink purpose is an old idea, but I would have to agree that I do follow the same.
Like an Apple a day keep doctors away. I follow ‘Like 5 comments a day keep Panda away’…Just kidding 😉
You have made some great points here Jonny. Though I’d beg to differ slightly on the point about commenting on blogs that are not in your own niche. Such comments are also quite valuable. And if you have anything good to add to the discussion, you should not sound like a spammer even if it’s a completely different niche from your own blog/website.
Samaira,
You make a fair point!! thanks!
I agree to what you are saying. Commenting just for the sake of increasing traffic to your website is really bad. In turn blog commenting will help you build new social relationships. Every blog is an idea and invention of a creative writer. I take my time to read and enjoy the blog. It helps me to improve my writing skills.
Thanks for your thoughts Felicia!
Jonny, agreed.
I also find that sometimes, disagreeing with the OP (original poster) garners a lot of response and attention. But that’s not to say that we should start disagreeing just for the sake of it, rather disagree when you think you have solid points/facts to back up your argument.
Its all psychology 101 really!
Leo,
agree – there is a fine line! it’s good to find it though!