Posted on June 16, 2008 by Katy

[Image Source: Digitally Refreshing]

Commenting on blogs serves many purposes whether you’re replying to comments on your own blog or commenting elsewhere. Many times it’s the comments that help build a blogging community, add value to the blog posts, and keeps readers coming back around. In addition, it’s great exposure for the commentator if they leave quality comments that are worth reading, stay on topic, and provide value to the conversation.

Having recently thought about some of my own commentators, what I enjoy seeing on my own blog, and the type of comments I leave on other blogs, I’ve decided to put together a list of 15 traits of the best commentators. While it could be incomplete, understand that the majority of us won’t have all the traits listed. However, this may give you the jump start to harnessing the power that commenting has.

1. Add Value

You know this, I’m sure you do. “Nice post” is not really something that is going to add value to any post. Say just one thing that adds to what the blogger has written for your enjoyment and use. Provide something that is insightful that other commentators want to read.

2. Be Brief

If you have a lot to say about the post you’ve just read, proper etiquette is not to leave a novel for a comment but write your own post sharing all of your thoughts and then go for a link back to the blogger who sparked the idea for your post.

3. Personality

Leaving comments is the best way to show your real self. Especially if you write your posts with a more serious tone. Be fun, be enjoyable, be funny — all those things are great.

4. Build Reputation

Don’t say something you don’t want associated with your name. Don’t be a jerk unless that’s exactly how you want the blogosphere to see you. Remember, people may find your comment by heading to a search engine and typing your name or blog name in. Make sure you say something you want associated with yourself.

5. Be Polite

Most bloggers are fine with the idea that their commentators won’t agree with everything that they have to say. You’re welcome to voice your opinion because that’s what commenting is all about. But remember that when you don’t agree the best way to keep your good name is to be respectful with your disagreement.

6. Motives

Yes commenting has a lot of value including bringing traffic to your own blog and sometimes link love if you have found a do follow blogger. But don’t make that link back or traffic your motive, if that’s all you’re thinking about you won’t be adding value.

7. Keep It Going

Don’t say something that’ll stop the conversation. Most bloggers look forward to their commentators keeping the conversation going without them. So it’s your job to make sure that you’re not so off that you halt the conversation the original blog post created.

8. Links

Typically blogs have the right place for you to enter your own blog URL to link up to your name. This is the best spot to ensure you’re going to get a link back. Unless you have a link that provides incredible value to the blog post, don’t add additional links into your comment. It’s not needed and often times, even when you’re attempting to be helpful you’ll find that you’re caught by SPAM protection plug-ins.

9. Consistent

Commentators are rewarded the most by leaving comments on the same blogs often. If you enjoy reading a blog, add value to the conversation as often as you can. However, know that fine line between having something to say and nothing to say. There’s no need to comment just for the sake of leaving a comment.

10. Proof Read

NOT for the sake of typos though that’s not a bad idea. But proof read for the sake of having what you have just written sink in before you hit publish. Is what you just wrote how you would like to be perceived by the blogger and other commentators? We all run into a topic that gets us on the edge of our seats so if you’re feeling a little tense, wait to add to the conversation.

11. Follow-Up

When people talk to you, talk back. The best way to do this is to keep track of comments by subscribing to follow-up comments or using CommentedOn. Doing this will ensure that if someone speaks to you directly you’re back to answer a question or leave another comment.

12. Moderation

Understand that not all bloggers are going to moderate and approve comments the same way that you do. Each blogger has something different in mind for what they do and do not want said on their blog. So should you get moderated, your comment gets edited, or simply not approved at all, don’t take offense. Understand that the blogger does have the right to censor what is said on their own blog.

13. Be Helpful

If another commentator has asked a question that you’d like to answer, go for it! Most bloggers find no issue with their community building and helping each other.

14. Policies

A lot of bloggers have comment policies. Ensure that you have read and understand the policy of each blogger before you comment on their blog.

15. Stay on Topic

Your comment should have everything to do with the post that was written. If you have off-topic questions you’d like to address the blogger with, hit up their contact form. Rambling and heading off topic goes back to point #7 and will often stop future comments on the post.

Your Thoughts

What makes a great commentator? When you’re commenting on other blogs, what kind of comments motivate you to click through to the commentators blog? What kind of comments turn you off from commenting or even coming back?