Until recently, I’ve never been the type of guy that left comments on any blog, even the ones I read every morning. In fact, it wasn’t until right up before launching Search Engine Viking that I wrote a single comment on a website that wasn’t either a real-life friend’s blog or a sly SEO backlink trick.
But like Tiger Woods under interrogation, I’ve changed my tune.
Now I love writing blog comments. And you should, too. Here’s why:
Ride the wave of Internet awesomeness
It Keeps Bloggers Motivated
Regardless of if the blog you’re reading gets 10,000 hits per second or two hits per month, the guy (or gal) writing it loves knowing people care. No, I’m not going to get all touchy-feely here and suggest we should all go out of our way to hug each other and offer the kind of encouragement you’d give a kindergartner who finally smeared something resembling an upper-case “G” on his lunchbox. But pouring hundreds (if not thousands) or words onto the Internet on a regular basis can get awful tedious unless you know people are actually reading it.
Would you keep working on something if nobody showed any interest? Not unless you’re a congressman. If you’ve found a blog post that provides information you are looking for, or have a couple that you read on a regular basis, drop the writer a note in the comment section. Believe me, it’ll make his or her day, and will likely help keep the blog growing for years (or days) to come.
Drive Traffic To Your Site
When most people read a blog post, they’ll scroll down into the comment section and see what other people added. If you say something that resonates with them, there’s a very good chance they’ll says to themselves “If this person’s comment is this cool, I can only imagine the awesomeness that awaits me at their website… must… click… now…”
Almost every blog that allows comments has a way to add a link back to your site. Chances are you already knew this, but for those of you who didn’t – you’re welcome!
Backlinks
This is a point of contention and sure to make me look like a hero (to the SEO crowd) or a villain (to the blogging community), but it is sometimes possible to build backlinks to your website for SEO purposes by commenting on blogs.
I say “sometimes” because, well, I’m trying to avoid a 2,500-word rant about NoFollow, DoFollow and a whole host of other topics that some people say – Whoa! Almost fell into that rant anyway. Not this time (but probably later).
Know this: I honestly believe that blog commenting can help your Search Engine Optimization efforts, even if some of the gurus say otherwise. I know this because I’ve tested it.
Make Friends
That’s right, by commenting on blogs, people will like you. Simple as that.
I’m quickly realizing how friendly the blogging community is. It’s like the group of school kids who talk to you even when nobody else will. They’ll spot you 60 cents for a Diet Mountain Dew when you’re short, notice your new hair cut and bring you soup when you’re ill.
Yes, the blog community is pretty darn cool. And all you have to do to “get in” is leave a few comments. You don’t even need your own blog or website, just a smile and the willingness to get out there and say “hi.”
Glad you are seeing the value in commenting Lee! while it does really help with SEO (if you do it right), the major bonus for me is the relationships that I have formed with other bloggers – that is priceless.
.-= Tom@Education As An Investment´s last blog ..Finding the Perfect Temperature For Your Mailing List =-.
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Lee Reply:
March 16th, 2010 at 12:40 am
I absolutely agree, Tom. The big benefit of commenting is creating that relationship with other bloggers and readers – like getting to know you, for instance
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What are your thoughts about leaving backlinks to an article you wrote while commenting on someone else’s blog post? Is that stealing their thunder? I’m also afraid of hijacking a post. Is there social etiquette to commenting on others blog pages?
.-= Scott Barron´s last blog ..ONE campaign =-.
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Lee Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 2:53 am
Scott, that’s a tricky one, as most bloggers patrol their comment sections in their own unique ways. Some folks don’t like any self-serving links in comments at all, others allow darn near anything (one of my favorite blogs has a frequent commenter who often puts porn links…). And no, that’s not why it’s one of my favorite blogs… okay, not the BIGGEST reason at least
I’d start by making sure your comments are of high quality – that is, they directly focus on the post or add to the conversation. If you do that, and then provide a link to your post that makes sense, I recon most bloggers wouldn’t mind.
Sorry for the long response!
.-= Lee´s last blog ..Anchors Away: What Is Anchor Text? =-.
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Scott Barron Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 4:23 am
I accidentally hijacked a post. I like to think I thought of something new.
I’ll keep my eyes out for the porn backlinks here
.-= Scott Barron´s last blog ..ONE campaign =-.
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[...] Building backlinks is a great strategy, but it’s only one aspect of leaving comments on other people’s blogs. There are a whole crap-ton of good reasons, but instead of going into them all, I’ll just suggest you check out my post Why Blog Commenting Rocks. [...]
Awesome Lee, can’t believe I just found this post! Great points and you have it spot on. Also see you are walking the walk in the blog comment world and building relationships like they’re going out of fashion.
I’ll happily ride the wave of awesomeness with you any day dude!
ROCK ON!
.-= Alex´s last blog ..The Metamorphosis of an Entrepreneur =-.
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Lee Reply:
May 31st, 2010 at 4:21 pm
Thanks man! Let’s ride that wave for everything it’s got!
Rock On Yourself
Lee
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I absolutely love reading comments and making them as well. I was about to leave one for you on your ‘about me’ page but realized I couldn’t so here is my comment that I would’ve left on your ‘about me’ page if you allowed comments on it:
Lee you are a funny dude! You’ve made me laugh more than five times, more than anyone has when I’ve visited other blogs. You even made me laugh when you made a comment on my own blog so I definitely had to come and check you out on your blog.
You’ve definitely got it going on here! You’re one rocking viking!
Anna
Anna Haller´s last [type] ..Traffic Results For Alex Jeffreys Contest
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Lee Reply:
June 15th, 2010 at 4:40 am
Thanks for the kind words, Anna – it’s not often that I make anyone laugh more than five times… people usually grow weary of me somewhere between the second and third chuckle. By the fourth it’s just a lower cases “aha” and fifth, well that just never happens – so thanks! My head is now officially too big to fit through my door – looks like I’m trapped.
Rock On!
Lee
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