Habits to Better Blogging ’07 – Make More Comments

By on December 30, 2006 in Blog Coach with 9 Comments

Over these last few days of 2006, let’s cover a few ways to lift your blogging efforts to a new level in 2007.

Comments

One of my goals in the coming year is to make more comments on other sites, especially on new blogs or those that deserve more attention. Several reasons why this is a great habit:

  • Encourages the blog author. Think about how you feel when you get a comment. Same thing.
  • Builds relationships and community. Few people like to be first on the dance floor. Those who dance more often, become better dancers.
  • Improve your comment skills. Many business people are scared of comments on their own site. They shouldn’t be. And by commenting more elsewhere, they’ll get better at responding to comments on their own site.
  • Greater awareness. If your comment adds value, you will find other visitors clicking through to see your work

I still think it’s better to write longer comments as posts on your blog.

Habit 4 for Better Business Blogging in ’07: Make More Comments

Previously:
- Habit # 1: Recognize and Record
- Habit # 2: Trading Cards
- Habit # 3: Listening

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  • john

    Mike it sometimes seems like shouting under water until you feel heard. I’m interested in blogging/writing. I guess it’s practice, practice. I linked to your site through Seth Godin Who was recommended by Debbie Weil in “The Corporate Blogging Book”

  • http://www.drewsmarketingminute.com Drew McLellan

    Mike,
    May I respectfully disagree with something you’ve said? (I guess I can…because by the time you read this, I will have already finished my comment…)
    I think there are times when, regardless of the length of your comment, it is better as a comment than a new post on a different blog.
    A couple examples:
    My comment builds off of several others within the comments section and adds to the context of the entire conversation and/or wouldn’t make sense as a stand alone to a whole different audience.
    Your blog is about something very specific or mine is…and the topic we’re covering in your blog’s comments would not be a good fit for my readers/audience.
    But, I sure agree with the rest of what you said. Commenting is a surefire way to add value. And that’s how you gain value to boot!
    best,
    Drew

  • http://www.converstations.com Mike Sansone

    >John, welcome to the conversation:-) I look forward to your blog. If I was still in Harford County, I’d hop over and talk blogging with you in person…but until we can…
    At the outset, it does feel like your voice/blog isn’t traveling far, but forge ahead. In six months, every post you made at the outset will benefit. As you build depth, each post becomes more relevant and findable in search engines.
    Commenting, as you have here – especially if you can link back to your blog, will go a long way to making folks aware of you voice. I am now:-)
    >Drew: Two good examples, however…
    On the buildout of a current conversation. Why not post a shorter comment on one blog, then the longer comment on your own? This would extend the conversation outward and invite others to partake.
    On the niche and specific, of course you’re right. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to post here about the Pittsburgh Pirates lack of success…unless I could find a way to use it as a metaphor and bring it back around to have value for readers here.
    Thanks for the respectful disagreement. Together we are smarter than I am alone.

  • http://brandandmarket.blogspot.com Chris Brown

    Mike:
    I like the idea of longer comments being on my blog, rather than just in the comment area. But…
    I struggle with trying to keep my blog about branding and marketing. When I first started blogging (in Feb of ’06… that was my ’06′s new year resolution) I found I just blogged about random thoughts — my business, my garden, my family activities, my work, new topics, etc.
    In fact the 2nd or 3rd post on what has turned into my gardening blog was about this very topic. http://cmcbrown.blogspot.com/2006/02/random-thoughts-on-blogging.html
    As a professional blog trainer, what do you recommend about sticking on a topic? Do you suggest people keep starting new blogs? Do you write for the reader or do you write for the writer?
    So, back to the topic of commenting on your blog on my blog… is it because it helps to build the wider community because people don’t read comments as much as they do posts? (does google even spider comments?) or is it because they get lost in the ramblings? or because it helps with the number of links in technorati?
    Still learning this whole blog thing and trying to clear the blog fog thing.
    Chris Brown

  • http://www.converstations.com Mike Sansone

    Chris, I love the term “blog fog” and once again, you’ve posted a comment here that compels me to “take it up top” if you will. I think we’ll see a more elaborate answer as a post soon.
    I think a good mix of personal and professional is important on a business blog, otherwise the blog can start to sound like a brochure. I’d suggest one of two things:
    1. Create a category for Ramblings or Musings where your readership can look forward to things about Chris, but not necessarily her business.
    2. Take things back to branding and marketing, like we find on the Management by Baseball blog.
    Look for metaphors and stories to bring it back around to your business expertise.
    Connectivity in the blogosphere is important, and who knows – that gardening blog you’re linking back to might also be a future customer…or know someone who could use your service.
    Yes, Google does spider the individual archive, so comments are part of the text it indexes.
    Great question!

  • http://www.davidairey.com/blog David Airey

    Hello Mike,
    Firstly, all the best for 2007. I came across your blog whilst reading other blogs about copywriting.
    I’m relatively new to blogging (since Oct 06) but realise how effective it can be in business. My only concern is that I get too addicted.
    You’ve some valuable info here. Keep up the good writing.

  • http://www.converstations.com Mike Sansone

    Hi David, welcome:-) You’ve got a fantastic site, so I appreciate you alerting us to it with your comment. One thought on the blogging addiction – set a timer:-)
    Stay contagious!

  • http://www.goldyworld.com Goldy

    I am confused and relatively new to blogging… does this mean that before if I left a link in this comment it wouldn’t be picked up by search engines but using your hack it would?

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