Like the principles of entrepreneurship… what worked in the 1800s for Andrew Carnegie, Henry Ford, James J. Hill and the Rockefeller are still the fundamentals principles of today’s entrepreneur.
Blog commenting may also be seen as an old school way of promoting a blog, especially in today’s world where most of the conversation has moved beyond regular blog onto the social media sites – Twitter, Google Plus and Facebook. But it effectiveness has a blog marketing tool is as relevant as ever to the success of a blog popularity as it was in the 2000s.
That’s why I wanted to share with you some of what I have learned and discover over the years about using blog commenting to drive effective targeted traffic to your blog.
More than ever, effective regular blog commenting is a very good strategy to build relationship with other bloggers, expand your knowledge, drive traffic, seek guest post opportunity, building links, attain expert status etc.
So without wasting much of your precious time, let’s go along together while I deliver my 16 blog commenting best practices.
#1. Don’t comments for links (SEO benefits)
I see many bloggers making this very mistakes of thinking blog commenting is all about building links for SEO purpose. You’re dead wrong if you’re still thinking this way.
First, take away such mindset and frame your mind in the right direction of what blog commenting is all about. The quicker you understand and agree to this simple but complex rule, the better you’ll make the most out of your commenting efforts.
Blog commenting is an easy way to fall into Google’s link building scheme penalty if you’re mainly doing it for SEO purposes. If your primary aim is to run a marathon of leaving xxx numbers of comments a day on blog posts, then you will probably fall under the hammer.
When a huge number of links pointing towards your site are from blog commenting other than editorial votes then you’re automatically inviting one of the animals (Panda, Hummingbird, and Penguin) in the Google zoo to come dine with you.
Do your blog commenting naturally and don’t make it a mandatory task to leave certain amount of comment every xxx days, weeks or month.
Blog commenting shouldn’t be part of your SEO strategy!
#2. Don’t comment “only” on ComLuv enabled blogs
Like you, I was completely wrong when I made that decision of only leaving comments on comluv enable blogs. I know many bloggers get frown when after reading, scroll down to the comment section only to see that comluv is not there as the commenting system.
The harsh truth is, if you’re looking for other blog readers to convert into your own blog loyal readers…..you won’t find them on comluv enable blogs. My finding shows that most traffic that comes from comluv enables blogs are one time visitors that are looking for link juice.
They are not genuine blog readers; these people are only on the look for blogs to promote their latest blog post and are not really interested in your blog topics.
If you’re aiming to convert other blog readers, then make it an exercise to always leave comments on other commenting systems as well, there you will find genuine blog readers. These type of readers are not there for links but to read and associate with the author.
#3. Be early
Being first or at least among the first five to drop comments on post matters a lot. This help other blog readers that visit later to see what others have said about the post and if yours happens to be an awesome thought, they might as well check you out.
I have had a couple of success with this strategy on problogger.net – but be careful how you utilize this strategy; don’t abuse it by making it as often as possible to always be the first one to comment – especially on a particular blog.
It could easily become annoying on the part of the blog author and other blog readers, also may result into making some horrible nasty comment or irrelevant statements. Don’t be in a rush to read and leave comments, take your time to read and understand what the post is all about.
#4. Be consistent
Nothing in online marketing that help most to be successful at what you’re doing than to be consistent.
Just like your blog posts need to be regularly updated, to get the best out of your blog commenting effort you must be consistent with it and make it an art to always do it regularly and natural.
#5. Read first, comment later
Recently, my very good friend Enstine publish a post on his blog that not until you read to the end of it, the headline will certainly makes you jump into making a quick comments.
Many who left comment on the post didn’t read to the last sentence therefore, they left irrelevant comment on the post. This proves they’re out there to get link back to their latest post.
Don’t follow this route; not saying a word is far better than hundreds of Jargon.
If you don’t have time to read the post, you can as well share it on twitter for at least the author will notice that on the social networking platform and may reward you for sharing his post.
#6. Relevancy matters
It doesn’t matter how popular or engaged the blog you’re commenting on is, if it not targeted to your blog niche the traffic may not be as useful as you had anticipated. Don’t just aim at popular blogs like Huffingtonpost, Marshables,Techcrunch etc.
All these blogs might not get you blog readers, their blog topics is diverse and they at least might get you blog tourist. Focus on commenting on blogs that write on similar topics as yours and with good signs of engagements on their blogs post.
#7. Look out for engagement
Like I said above, focus on commenting on blogs that has a good and healthy community around their content. This will ensure your valuable comments will be seen by many other blog readers.
It’s like the search engines competition, lots of users like to use and prefer Google over all other search engines out there. So why not optimize your content for Google and take advantage of its universal acceptance?
Same goes for blog commenting, leave comment on blogs that have large community of blog readers. For instance, I would prefer commenting on quicksprout over CNN or HuffngtonPost despite their massive Alexa traffic rank and popularity.
#8. Reply to comment
While you’re doing most of your commenting strategies outside your blog, don’t forget to keep it going too on your blog post.
A good way to show your readers you appreciate and value their visit is to always respond to comment left on your blog post.
You’re building relationship and keeping the sense of community in their heart by replying to their comments and this will ensure their return visit which will continue to boost your traffic level.
#9. Look out for opportunity
Sometimes, and many of it…..you will come across other blog readers who left questions on the blog that has not being answered either by the blog owner or other commenters. Use this opportunity to show how good you’re in your topic and build up your portfolio as an expert.
This is an advantage of gaining the trust, building authority and credibility in your field. All these qualities you’ll need in increasing the amount of quality targeted traffic that drive your way and build brand awareness.
#10. Build Relationship
Building long lasting relationship should be one of the main priority you’re commenting on posts; in this business, no one survive alone and you will certainly needs the help of other professional bloggers to build a successful profitable blog.
By building quality targeted relationship, you’re opening the door to many opportunities that will accelerate the progress of your blog like “Guest Posting” and “referencing”.
Bloggers links mostly to bloggers they know and those in their circles.
#11. Be different
If everyone that comments on the post are leaving such a lengthy comments, try crafting out a short but well meaningful comment.
And if reverse is the case, try a captivating lengthy comment. Whichever way it goes….it makes your comment stands out.
12. Prove you’re Human
One of the very things you’ll need to master in online marketing is identity. Always be ready to attach your true self to whatever you’re doing online.
In the beginning of your internet business career, you may feel tempted to hide your face because of the fear of rejection or amateur. But don’t worry, be yourself and prove that you’re human and there is a very handsome guy behind your comment.
Use a picture of yourself as your avatar that follows you everywhere you go online. Avoid using images of animals, cartoons or any other pictures of celebrities.
Here is a link that you can use to set up your very own online avatar in case you don’t already have one.
#13 Read other Comments
I know this is a bit difficult and maybe time consuming, but it helps a lot to find opportunity among other commenters.
If you’re not reading through other people’s comments, how do you know when someone has asked a question that hasn’t begin answered yet?
The first time I had a conversation with Kingsley of kingged.com was through the comment left by one other reader on Enstine Muki’s blog. I was about leaving a comment when I glance through other comments and there was a particular comment that caught my attention.
I responded to the comment and instantly it sparks up an intensive conversation between us. From that time, we have come to know each other better and even now shared valuable helping hands together.
#14. Ask Questions
Asking questions or wanting to know more about the topic makes you stand out among other commenters. Also, this get you notice instantly and bring you into spotlight.
Those who are interested in answering your question might as well be interested in building up relationship with you. This is really good for building up portfolio of people like minded and bloggers alike.
And most especially, if you feel you don’t understand what the author is saying instead of leaving one liner comments like “nice post”, “great tips”, – ask question.
#15. Use Your Real Name
If you ever run a blog, you will know how frustrating this one could be when you see things like, “John SEO Traffic”, “Five star hotel In Canada”, etc as the name of comment authors.
No matter how relevant or remarkable your comments may appear to the blog owner, it will surely ended up mark as spam or possibly in the trash folder.
#16. No Anchor text in comment
Except that you’re very sure of your relationship with the blog owner and the anchor text in question is for educational purpose only; no other reason for including a link to other sites in your comment.
You will be perceive as spammer and this could lead to Akismet and other spam fighters tools to always mark your comments as spam.
These 16 blog commenting best practices will help you mostly get the best out of your effective regular blog commenting efforts if you take them seriously, and some of the points listed on this list needs to be work on long enough to see the required results you want – targeted website traffic that engage with your content, relationship building, networking etc.
There are many more commenting best practice that are not included in the list, I urge you to help share your positive experience with us in the comment box below.
Shamsudeen is a passionate blogger, internet marketer and the author of several E books including “How to Build a Successful Blogging Career In Nigeria”. CyberNaira is the blog where he writes about his day to day experience as a professional blogger.
Great information, man. I use tons of blog commenting websites, and most of the time my comments get unapproved or put under review. So, I think most off-page practitioners can relate to your post.
Thank you for compiling this list. We all comment on blogs, but sometimes we forget that there’s a person behind the post, who actually took the time to, both; research and write it.
These hints will come in very handy to most of us, so thank you for sharing it.
Well, I must say this is a most genuine and complete post for blog commenting strategies. Most of them are familiar for me but many are new and informative for approving our comment in High PR sites. Thanks for sharing this article. Appreciated! 🙂
Hey,
As rightly said, in the present world Blog commenting is as an old school way of promoting a blog, but the way you have explained how to comment on blogs is very effective.I was not aware of all these points which have briefly explained in this article, for sure I will keep all the tips in my mind before I comment on blog.Thank you for sharing such a informative article.
If you comment a lot, but the comments and sites are relevant to your blog/site, does it still count as a negative?
Good question Victor; yes it matters and in fact, it can turn very bad especially if you’re making these lots of comments on a particular blog and commenting on every piece of posts the author published.
It won’t look natural anymore and the blog administrator may eventually labeled your comments as spam.
The best way is to keep everything natural, keep all things moderate.
Hope this answer your question.
Your tips on how do make comments are very helpful. Comment was actually the same as the discussion. The comments should address a topic that is discussed in the article, not the other. It will make comments can add value to the topic in the article. Thank you.
Thanks Sudarto, you added some great points there.
Relevancy is the keyword here and should be followed to the latter.
Thank you Sudarto.
Good to know that some bloggers actually go extra miles to help others to gain useful tips to go on with their own careers.
I appreciate you my guy!!!
Thanks Amaechi, you’re very welcome.
Thanks for this advice! SEO is SOOO valuable and your tips are great for branding managers, like myself! We are really starting to brand more at Hartman Media Company (with Jason Hartman podcasts’ Creating Wealth and Speaking of Wealth) and if you’re interested in guest blogging let us know or if we are licensed to use some of your material on our blogs? Thanks 🙂
When in doubt, use the Golden Rule!
Great post.
You have listed some great tips for doing blog commenting and to make sure it looks like natural to search engines and they do not devalue your efforts.
Thanks Mike, you’re right on that.
Adding value and making sure your efforts are not diluted are one key areas to watch out for in any of our activities online; being it in comments, blog post, forum discussion etc.
Thhanks Mike.
Hi Shamsudeen,
You’ve got blog commenting down cold my friend. I’ve released a new eBook today which explains how to build an online empire through blog commenting. Your tips are dead on, as I covered many in my eBook as well.
I was featured on 30 plus blogs in 2 and a half weeks by being mindful, by posting in-depth comments and by simply being authentic. Personalize. Make friends with your fellow bloggers….make that your intent, and commenting will take you far.
Example; I regularly don’t comment on Adrienne Smith’s blog until I’m comment number 80, 90 or 100. Way down the stream, but since my goal is to power up our friendship, I write an in-depth, genuine comment.
When my first eBook went live 2 months ago she wrote a glowing review of it on her blog. I never asked her. She also proof read the eBook – without me asking her, again – before she offered a testimonial.
Being authentic, and helping friends, and adding value to pots, well, holding those intents will inspire others to make your star shine.
Thanks so much.
Tweeting soon.
BTW, Daniel if you’re reading your new layout looks awesome! So clean.
Ryan
Hi Ryan,
You’re a genius when talking about building relationship using comments as one strategy. we come to know each other through a comment you left on my blog way back some five months ago, don’t know if you remember that.
I look up to you in this regard and consider you an expert in this area, you know your stuff well. So, am not surprise you’ve build yourself a good name.
Thanks Ryan, I wish to blog from paradise soon.
These are great tips Shamsudeen. I like to think of the commenting section on blogs as a place where we can all interact and discuss things. It’s like the water cooler of the internet!
Thanks Kostas,
Still confused on reasons some “A” bloggers shut comment off on their blog and move on to social media.
Though, their argument to some lager degree, have basis.
Thanks for reading through.
You mentioned at the end of point 12 that you are providing a link to build your own avatar. I couldn’t find the link. Would you still be able to provide the link please?
Thanks for sharing some good ideas on commenting. There are some good tips here and I agree that the comment should be relevant to the article and that you should read the article! Often people just skim through and leave a random comment just to build a footprint.
Hello The Guy,
I have left the url above in the first comment, you can check it out. thanks for reading through.
Wow, I’m guilty of one of these. I was actually told that I should comment on blogs in order to start ranking in Google. Big mistake come to find out, you make a lot of good points here, thank you for sharing.
Am glad you agree that advice is bad; commenting for SEO purposes is absolute wrong and won’t benefit you in long run.
Thanks Marvin, hope your commenting stategies would change for better from now.
Am glad you agree that advice is bad; commenting for SEO purposes is absolute wrong and won’t benefit you in long run.
Thanks Marvin, hope your commenting strategies would change for better from now.
Thank you for the suggestions… some of them I already follow and some were great new ideas.
I just wanted to point out that there is no link in item #12 as mentioned “here is a link…” ??
Could you provide that link?
Thank you,
Ali Jayne
Well said. I’d like to think I’m already doing all of this, but it’s a good reminder. I’ve been using CommentLuv and recently came to the same conclusion about it’s ever shrinking value. In fact I’ve been closely watching the blogs that have shut comments off entirely. Obviously it helps to have a mega following like Copyblogger or Chris Brogan, but what I like about the strategy is driving conversation to social media channels which has a much more dynamic feel to it than a blog comment and further exposes the conversation thread to other users. Of course I’ve got a way to go to get to the point I could experiment with that but I admit it’s a goal I aspire to. 🙂
Honestly Marquita,
I agree with you on that; the first time I read copyblogger shutting down comment on their blog I was a bit negative about the move, but later when faced with some reality about dealing with comment moderation and fighting spams in a very large quantity, I have rethink about the move.
Like you, I might consider following their lead in the very near future.
Thanks Marquita, nice meeting you on Daniel’s blog.
[ Smiles ] Unfortunately, there are those who comment without reading the entire article; this practice can make them look like fools and it can cause them to lose their credibility.
Thank you for sharing this commenting tips.
Thanks Renard,
These set of commenters never understand the real reason they’re doing it; and only if they could discover this in time so as not to be wasting their time thinking they’re marketing their blog.
And in most cases, the blog author might just decide to delete such comment out right.
Thanks, and do have a nice day.
I totally agree that comment luv comments are only for links and nothing more than just fake answers, there are only few (maybe 2 out of 100) that are really willing to write real comments, and somehow they are lost between those link hungry comments.
By the way, I like your new look (theme)
Hi Raghva,
Thanks for the analysis on link hungry commenters, I feel they don’t know what exactly it mean to build relationship, networking and make good friends.
They are like hit and run, and never pay attention to where the real value is.
And thanks for comment on the new Daniel’s Daily Blog Tips look, I too was like oh! Amazing, when I first saw it. Thanks for reading through.
In reference to #5…. Let’seave it up to the intern and your company/brand will be in the right hands to compete rightfully with competitors comments or celebrity impression.
Thanks for sharing helpful information with us. These are all interesting tips . We had no idea about them. I’ll definitely follow these tips.
Hello Ali,
Glad you already follow some of these ideas; putting most of them into practices will eventually yield better result and build long lasting relationship if you work on them long enough and with better strategy.
Thanks for pointing out the link error, here is it: