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| Photo by Ped-X-Ing via Creative Commons |
The art of writing blog comments may at first blush seem like a frivolous and unimportant one, but that is not actually the case!
Writing excellent blog comments is perhaps the very best way to build your own blog and/or social media presence. Consider a blog comment an audition to show off your own personal awesomeness.
Not all blog comments are created equal. Here are some good rules of thumb as you work your way up to becoming a blog comment ninja.
Read the Post You’re Commenting On, Then At Least Scan it Again
Yes, this takes time and the careful suppression of twitchy fingers. But there is no quicker way to leave an ineffective blog comment than to miss something in the actual post or to accuse the poster of saying something they didn’t actually say.
Accuracy is important. Good blog comments take into account the entire post and then come up with a good and original response. So not only take the time to actually really read the post, keep the comment on topic rather than bringing in an outside and unrelated agenda.
That said……
Get There Early
The most effective and influential comments are near the top of the comments section. Don’t work so fast writing your comment that you don’t leave a good one, but don’t dillydally either. Having a great comment in the first five to ten comments will get you noticed and will also probably result in a better discussion after your comment, which will please your host.
Scan the Other Comments First
Some might say that you should read every comment before yours. But people, it’s a busy world out there. It’s probably not strictly necessary.
But! At least go through and scan to see if someone else has said what you’re about to say. The first commenter who makes the Lady Gaga comparison is savvy. The tenth person who does it is annoying.
Give the Blogger the Benefit of the Doubt
While it is oh-so-tempting to spout off when someone says something inaccurate or that you don’t agree with, you don’t look better for stooping to that blogger’s level and engaging in a rant. Even if they deserve it.
Try and at least give the blogger the benefit of the doubt. They might not have meant for things to come out the way they did, and even if they did mean it, you look like the bigger person for treating them with patience and respect and staying above the fray.
Be Interesting and/or Funny
Have an interesting perspective. Bring interesting and/or rare pieces of knowledge. But most of all, be funny.
When it comes to good blog comments, funny wins every time.
Become a Regular
The very best way to be noticed isn’t with one really great comment, but rather with consistently good comments in the same place(s) over time. If you become a regular and valued commenter on a blog or site, the other readers of that site will take notice and are more likely to come your way.
Much like Cheers, you want to go where everybody knows your name.
ooooo, am I first??
The pressure is on to say something witty now.
No seriously, glad to hear someone finally address the art of blog commenting.
Thank you! I had more to say, but deleted it, then thought at least say thanks. As a newbie blogger I am now finding myself over thinking, not thinking enough, worrying, pondering, when, really, I genuinely just want to comment, contribute to conversations-yeah, it gets ugly in my head-this gives me a framework.
You know what Nathan? I just love you! You are always so informative, and every one of your posts seems to address something that I have been thinking about in the days that have passed.
Please, whatever you do…don't stop blogging. You're like my own personal thought processor!!!
And you can always tell when someone is commenting just to get noticed and they haven't actually read your post properly. "Great post", "LOL!"
Stop it. Stop it now, LOLlers. you're not really LOLling, are you. You're smirking at best.
The comments that annoy me are the ones that have nothing to do with the post and everything to do with promoting the commenter's book, etc.
(and how could I not leave a comment when the spam word is cakeo — sounds yummy)
Terry
Terry's Place
Romance with a Twist–of Mystery
So tempting to just post "LOL" now….
Bet everyone is nervous to comment on this one. 😉
Great points. Tweeted it.
~ Wendy
A woman got on a bus holding a baby. The bus driver said, "That's the ugliest baby I've ever seen!"
In a huff, the woman slammed her fare into the box and took a seat. The man sat next to her sensed that she was agitated and asked her what was wrong. "The bus driver insulted me," she fumed.
The man sympathized with her and said, "He's a public servant, he shouldn't say things to insult passengers."
"You're right," she said. "I think I'll go back up there and give him a piece of my mind."
"That's a good idea," the man said. "Here, let me hold your monkey."
(commenting on comments about commenting is a little too post-post modern for me.)
Hmm..should probably add that I meant 'love' in the non-threatening-stalker kind of way.
There really is an art to the great comment. I have found all of my blogging friends from one or the other of us making a comment somewhere that attracted attention.
If I were to offer an example of an excellent commenter, the award would go to Josin McQuein. Always insightful and humorous. If you want to know how to do it, watch for something she says.
Good tips! I'd add one more:
It's kind of uncool to copyedit the blogger in the comment thread. Typos happen. Move along. I don't see this much but every now and then there is a grammar nazi who has to say something.
If a blogger has made a serious factual error that you think they should know about, send an email so they can fix it on the down low if they like.
It's like I said to a blog buddy last year: I would not use a microphone to tell you that there is toilet paper on your shoe.
Ha ha…non threatening–non stalker way. Thanks for pointing that out nice blog person who e-mailed me.
I have to admit, I scanned this post, but that's just the way I do it. I do hate it when the commenter clearly hasn't even glanced at the post.
But what if you are not particularly interesting or funny?! I'd love to be a blog comment ninja, but fall short on the necessary blogfu skills. :/
But thanks for the tips. Glad I found this post through a Ellen Hopkins RT. 😀
There's a balance between shouting:
"NOTICE ME! NOTICE ME! NOTICE ME!"
in your comment and adding to the conversation.
For example, by repeating NOTICE ME several times in all caps, there is a good chance this comment will get noticed (which is my goal). Especially because I put it on its own line.
My point to add to the conversation is that formatting is important, too. Beware the large block o' text. You want your comment to be easy to read.
Great post Nathan – good blog commenting also encourages conversation between the commenters (and the blogger) and can greatly expand the message of the original blog to include a more in-depth conversation about the topic or look at it in a novel way.
I've read this blog for several years and don't think I've ever it into the first 5-10 comments. This might be the first time I broke the first 20…yay for progress! 🙂
Nathan, so glad to see a post on this topic. If I may be so forward, I'd like to also suggest that folks be welcoming, supportive, and patient with newcomers. Blogs such as this one, with a large group of commenters who are familiar with one another can be somewhat intimidating to less familiar folk.
It's like showing up at a party and not only not knowing anyone there, but one does in fact have toilet paper on one's shoes, and one has worn one's best glittery dress and tiara, not realizing it's a backyard barbecue.
Although, I do in fact wear my tiara to backyard barbecues. I'd wear it to the grocery store if I could, but hubs put the kibosh on that after he grew weary of the sympathetic looks from passersby, and one too many persons stopping him in the produce section suggesting a medication I might try or a charming, nearby nursing facility.
So please be nice to newcomers. We may be eccentric, but you never know what we might add to the conversation (once you stop being blinded by the dangly earrings. And tiara).
You forgot one last rule:
When in doubt, add monkeys to your comment. Or zombies.
But what if you aren't funny at all. Like even a little bit. Can I just copy/paste whatever the 4th commenter said?
And please, for the love of dog, don't say "FIRST!" and then bolt, as this creates a cascade of douchery that infects the first dozen of so comments with, "You're such an immature jerk!" or "SECOND! THIRD!" and so on.
Monkeys. Zombies. NOTICE ME!
I think that covers it, so now that I have your attention…. *smirk* (as oppose to lol).
I had someone I didn't know on my blog the other day shamelessly post a link to his own blog. He basically said, "I like your blog, you should see mine," so I don't know if he even reads it. Needless to say, I'm not going to read his blog, and I doubt anyone else will either.
One more thing: know in advance what a "good comment" means to you, as both blogger and commenter.
I'm not sure I'd agree that its potential for getting its author noticed is what makes a comment better or worse. Just about every blogger loves getting comments, so just about every blogger comments elsewhere; in that sense, "getting noticed" is, yes, the point. But I'd no more want commenters competing for attention than I'd want people around a dinner table shouting over one another. Maybe attention is the first thing they were seeking, but my favorite commenters seem completely oblivious to that as a reason for speaking up, replying, replying to replies, and so on.
I'm almost too scared to post because my posts are never funny. I don't do funny. I'm serious. Pout. But, I do agree that the comments should contribute to the topic of the day. Otherwise it becomes an arena for posing, posturing, and pandering. Well, something like that.
But what about those of us who aren't happy with just being good? Like so many others in this trade, I strive to write the Great American Comment.
(This isn't it.)
I straightened my collar, fixed my hair, and checked my breath before I left this comment. Can you tell?
Seriously, though, a friend of mine once said he liked that I left the funniest comments on his blog. I figure if I can make someone chuckle, I've at least given them a lift.
(That does not mean they should post "LOL" after my comment, however.)
Like everything else, it pays just to be yourself.
Okay, I am back to comment on the comments, too fun (and helpful. And yeah, it's time to get off the internet and to work!).
And–Kat. Where is your blog? I went to see it (and your bling!!).
I'm slowly realizing that if my commenting is genuine, and I don't over worry about just saying thanks for the post (at this point), it will all eventually work out. I'm shy (really shy, even though I'm a storyteller) in person and am realizing I'm shy in cyber-space.
Well, I'm too far down to be noticed now, but I did want to comment on this timely post. I started a new writing-related blog this week, and I've made it a point to begin commenting more regularly on the industry blogs I've enjoyed for so long. So thanks for the tips!
love, love, love the "blogfu" skills comment. this is my new objective for 2011 … develop mad blogfu skills
yes, i'm commenting on a comment rather than the blog – hope this doesn't break a rule nathan
I may be no where near the top, but I'm still going to comment. First off, this was a timely post for me as one of my resolutions was to comment on the blogs I read. So yay me!
2nd, when commenting on blogs, is it a faux pas to put in your blog? For instance if the blog your reading ties into a post you've done?
And thanks again for the post 🙂
I have to admit some of this I had not even thought of. I don't have a ton of followers on my writing blog or anything crazy like that, but I do have two people that comment and contribute pretty regularly. I do notice them, and generally take time to respond as a result.
And yet, I sprinkle my comments around on whatever blog article strikes me of the day, not necessarily "building the relationship" with any particular bloggers out there.
Thanks for the suggestions, guess I will start here.
I can't do funny so will sincere do? I enjoy it more when someone takes the time to give me more than one word.
Super post. I've been thinking about this very topic my guruish friend. Congratulations on being so consistently interesting. You Rock the Casbah everytime!
Nathan – I don't know if I've ever read a blog addressing this – right on. I feel impressed, actually.
I have SO MUCH to say about this, and I don't have much time now, but I wanted to quickly post two things.
First, I always, always, always, always read your post before posting. Except once. And that ONE time, I got caught, and I felt totally mortified, because frankly, I consider posting without reading the post to border on rude. I'm sorry, and please know it's not a habit of mine.
Second, you make some good points here that I want to talk about later, but I do want to say I slightly disagree with you about the 'funny' thing. It really depends. Trying to be funny when you're not in a 'funny' place can backfire – and I say that from experience. I think it's more about letting your personality come through the blog comments.
A commmentor who is quietly sincere and honest post after post will be as noticable as someone more flashy. I think it really is about letting your real personality and voice come through.
Not to say funny isn't good – but humor is hard to do 'to order'. I'm only 'funny' in blog posts when I feel playful. Otherwise, I've found it falls flat.
Okay, more to say. I absolutely love that you are posting daily, Nathan. Thank you.
Cool post.
I always read a blog post at least twice and then I tell myself this:
'Do I have something to comment regarding this post?'
If I can't answer that, I simply don't comment/just read the other comments.
It's like what old people use to say: If you don't have anything to say, don't say anything.
Or was that a quote? hmmm…
Ah, to reach the level of stealth and accuracy of a ninja. Hi Ya! Stealth is a quality best left behind when commenting. Wham! Patience and frequency are key to distinguishing yourself from the crowd. Shazam! Humor? Draw on what makes you laugh. May not always work, but it's worth a try. Thank you, Sensei.
Since you mentioned this I'd like to add one thing about blog posts, which may or may not coincide with comments 🙂
The best bloggers keep it short. Most people click onto blogs and read fast. They don't have time to spend reading paragraph after paragraph. If it's going to take longer than a few minutes, I just skim. Personally, I think Janet Reid has nailed the length of the perfect blog post. Though some are a little too short, most are the perfect length.
This way if people are going to comment, they can comment on details, not just what they skimmed over because a post was too long.
Deb, you charming dear, I don't have a blog (thus, it's impossible for me to commit the "come read my blog" faux pas. However, if OtherLis shows up (she's the friend who led me here), she'll tell you she's been positively hounding me to start a blog for ages. Le sigh. I suppose one day I should do so.
And Jeffrey Ricker, one does SO appreciate good hygiene in cyberspace, where one suspects it's so often lacking.
And Rick Daley, I couldn't help noticing you, not because of the capitals (least said, soonest mended), but because I have a friend with such a similiar name, I thought for a moment it was he (although he's probably never used a capital letter outlandishly in his life.)
Well, I hope there are no 10 comments already about what I'm going to say, but if there are – I'll take that "it's a busy world" excuse and admit that I rarely read all comments before mine. I just wanted to add one more suggestion to your list – Do not comment for the sake of commenting. Because, let's face it, if there is nothing of value to say, it's best to remain silent. Or so I think 🙂
I've had a lot of people follow my comments on others' blogs back to my own blog. I'm not sure if it's the witty things I say, though. It may be the money I promise in every comment. Or the profile picture I used to have of Kate Beckinsale.
P.S. I'm really hoping no one has just said the same thing in previous comments. You have way too many for me to read them. Just sayin.
P.P.S. Just kidding. I scanned them. You have brilliant commenters.
P.P.S. I do believe all influence is out the window now that I am, what, 36th commenter? And it's not even noon. Dang it. I'll never get in first. #notanearlyriser
Read Post — check
Get There Early — it's not tomorrow yet, this still counts even it's the thirty-whatever-th comment.
Scan Other Comments — tried, they wouldn't fit on my scanner, nor could I figure out how to use my scanner while my computer was face down on top of it.
Give Benefit of Doubt — easy peesey.
Be interesting / funny — do I get half-credit for weird and/or random? Fahrvergnügen!
Become Regular — (I'll spare you the squick-worthy, and horribly bad joke, that popped into my head on that one.
Or, if you really want to be noticed, you can just do your whole post in BOLD!
Great points today Nathan! I agree with you one hundred percent. There will always be a demand for actual books.
Oops, wait a minute…
This is perfectly timed, since MotherReader.com just began her 2011 Comment Challenge. I didn't see anyone else mention it (though I did scan the comments), so think it's worthy of note. We're eager to comment, thanks to the Comment Challenge. And now you've given us tips about doing so.
This is great!
It just so happens that one of my new year's resolutions is to be a more active part of the blogging world. I read a lot of blogs but never had the time to comment. This year I hope to be better about participating.
Thanks for this very helpful post!
Nutschell
Guess I'd better set my alarm clock back an hour or two to beat the earlybirds (and those West Coasters) to that coveted "First Ten" slot.
Comments that engage my interest contribute additional insight about the host's topic. Of course, it's a popularity pageant anyway, so some praise and flattery of the host is proper form. On the other hand, criticism is also proper form when it courteously proposes other opinions deserving consideration.
Artful praise and flattery and criticism make it all easier to digest and more engaging.
Blog rule the first, rule the Nth, rule the last, do not steal thy host's thunder, nor steal all thy fellow's thunder. Thou must share thy space.
I note Mr. Bransford didn't exhaustively cover all the bases of writing a good blog comment. Nice that he leaves room for commentors to build upon his points.
I had a lizard just like the one in the picture when I was nine. Her name was Rosa and I loved her, but she was eaten by a cat.
How was that?
I only leave comments on posts I'm genuinely interested in. It's not worth reading c&*p just to get more hits on my website.
Okay, I'm back, and I have a few more quick things to add in what will undoubtedly be another long post.
I love your list, Nathan, and in my humble opinion the most essential point is the last one – being a regular. At least for me. I notice people who post routinely – it doesn't matter what they say, their name becomes familiar to me, and I feel like they are a part of the community of the blog, and over time, I start feeling connected and close to them.
In terms of not diving into the fray – oh boy, that is a hard one for me. I LOVE drama. Fun, fun, fun. However, I have learned, on your blog, Nathan, to restrain myself, and I think you're right. The only time I have trouble with this is when I feel protective because someone is being mean to you. Then, I want to say something so you feel supported. I have yet to figure that one out completely.
Okay, last point, sorry I'm so long-winded today. John Jake, you are absolutely right about not stealing people's thunder. That is so true, and it's a real concern for me that I also haven't figured out completely, but something I am highly aware of.
One last point – if you want to be noticed, there is a difference between being noticed by the blog host and by your other commentors. What's your primary goal?
Mine, nowadays, is mostly just to have fun and debate interesting topics. But if you're using it for networking, something to think about.
Okay. I think I'm done. Thanks for the interesting topic, Nathan. 🙂
I guess I failed here. I'm not in the top ten and, also, this comment is not very interesting. Or funny. But I can be. Sometimes. Really.
I'm not in the top ten, because I was writing. How's that for an excuse?
Seriously, though, this was a great post. Am just starting to break out of lurkdom and start commenting on literary blogs, so the primer is handy.