The Art of Leaving a Comment

{ 88 Responses }

1. Mark Stephen says:
   yes ! I am agree with you... leaving a comment on a blog could really push the ranking of a website & in result of it overall keyword will grow rank will grow to higher rank.
2. Kent says:
   The most valuable thing we can get from leaving comment and genuine relationship, which is the most important on internet. Unless we understand Internet equals to relationship, otherwise, we will not leaving a great comment and appreciate commenting on other people's blogs.
3. Matthew Stern says:
   Do not forget that comments have longevity. Here I am, commenting on this article two years after it was originally posted! They are a gift that keeps on giving. So comment on articles even if they have been up for a while. Authors will appreciate that people still read their work, and you can build more exposure for yourself by breathing new life into still valuable articles.
4. Marquita Thomas says:
   Oddly enough, I read blogs every day to gleam new insight into social networking techniques and unless I disagree strongly with what's said, I never comment. Thanks for teaching me that positive comments are needed and appreciated as well.
5. Mccullam Siman says:
   Very good blog comments expose! I appreciate the art of commenting which is the best way to building relation as the relevant community. But at the same time blog comment is to build a relationship with a fellow blogger while providing something of use. By the way I really impressed first time appointment here. Hope I mostly comeback soon. Thanks!
6. Berwyn Davies says:
   Good advice; a well thought out comment can lead to extra visitors, or even spark off a friendship between you and the original poster.
7. Codrut Turcanu says:
   hi Precilla, do you have an email where I can contact you for a potential interview about blog commenting? I'm sure you've done hundreds of them, since you've writen on the topic (yes, I need a blog commenting practitioner) :)
8. kellis says:
   i would say this is the art to connect to people to anyone and the best source to promote the business
9. Maria says:
   Fully agree with it "Great comments start with compliments. This shows respect for the author who has put lots of effort into the subject. A compliment makes it clear that this is a friendly exchange, not a hostile one. A good compliment also reflects well on the person making the compliment – giving more credibility and influence to whatever they want to say". keep updating like that.
10. Maria says:
    Leaving a comment is the best way to get healthy back link. This is my first time i visit here. I found so many interesting stuff in your blog, especially its discussion. From the tons of comments on your posts, I guess I am not the only one having all the leisure here! Keep up the good work.
11. ThomasNelson says:
    wow what a wonderful lecture and experience...
12. Martin says:
    ..a refreshingly simple but powerful article with a different tack to a popular issue
13. Eric says:
    Absolutely amazing post! Content is a means to the development and maintaining of a relationship...the relationship matters more than the content. Google may love content but people actually love relationships even with someone they have never actually met.
14. Gee says:
    You're right about how commenting shows the writer the reader's appreciation but blog authors should also realize how important it is to reply to their commenters. Ever since I joined the August Challenge Comment, I realized how hard it is to leave a well-thought of comment so I gave more value to my commenters (like placing a top commenter widget on my blog) and replying to each and everyone of them (except of course the spam commenters).
15. Peter Fuller MBA says:
    Hey Priscilla You know what, I appreciate your post. I see lots of comments these days but some look like the person never even read the article. When I post comments I like to try to answer the call to action. Otherwise I try to add some value to the overall post. And yes, I consider fashion bloggers journalists :)
16. Jason Jumat says:
    Precilla, yes. How doesn't it take time to build your website's brand and to stimulate more people to visit your site as it's as you say. You cannot just leave any comment. It should force people to click through on your comment. I am madly in love with your photo you have used together with your post. And do you know what I can tell from that picture? Well. Someone here at famousbloggers.net or yourself made a great effort to pick this image over time - and that's called planning your posts ahead, carefully making sure everything is at higher standards. Great work and thanks for the advice.
    • fashionartexpression says:
      Thank you Jason! I really appreciate your comment. I believe that if you put as much effort in something you will get it back. I picked this photo because I knew it would sent out the right message. Yes it took a while to find it, but I made the effort and I got such great respond back, like yours. It worth the hard work. And that's so great about passionate bloggers. They really want to make e difference! I respect such bloggers because they truly are passionate about what they do.
17. Dave says:
    I couldn't agree more, what I noticed from my own personal experience is that leaving comments does bring more traffic to your site from the comments, it usually isn't a large amount of traffic, but a few hits here and there really add up.
    • fashionartexpression says:
      indeed, it usually isn't a large amount , but it's still traffic. Your also letting people get to know you and your blog, so that's a plus to.
18. Kristi Hines says:
    Probably the most important part of commenting that most people seem to skip is the reading part. I can't tell you how many times I get a question or remark in my comments that proves the commenter just read the title, skimmed the introductory paragraph, and jumped right down to the comment form.
    • fashionartexpression says:
      Hi kristi, I also think that's the important part. But a lot of people seem to skip it and comment for the sake of getting a link. Their mostly comments like "great post!" or "I really like that"
19. Dr Joe says:
    Intriguing article Precilla. I've been trying to upgrade my comment-writing along with my blog writing. Here's what I've noticed about great comments... 1. Great comments start with compliments. This shows respect for the author who has put lots of effort into the subject. A compliment makes it clear that this is a friendly exchange, not a hostile one. A good compliment also reflects well on the person making the compliment - giving more credibility and influence to whatever they want to say. I love Teddy Roosevelt's quote about "Credit goes to the man (or woman) in the arena." Before I clued into comment etiquette I was missing the compliment stage and coming across like a complete jerk in my comments. I wasn't giving credit to the person in the arena. Now I'm happy to say I've upgraded my status to a regular jerk. Compliments can be overdone and underdone. It's easy to sit back and be critical and poke holes in someone's contribution. It's even easier to sit back and offer only compliments without adding anything meaningful. 2. Great comments are conversation catalysts. Now and then I see these awesome conversations happen in the comments section. The post/article is enriched by it. I really like it when the comment provides the spark and the author gets to chime back in with the juice. Otherwise it comes across as show-stealing and it just doesn't feel right... Like what I'm doing right now, so I'll stop. Those are 2 points off the top of my head. It's a great topic to explore.
    • fashionartexpression says:
      Thank you for sharing your tips Joe. I agree with you on those 2 points. Starting your comment off with a compliment is the best way to go. I always leave a compliment, because I respect that person for taking such an effort to create an article. Awesome conversations are actually the main reason why I comment. I want to feel engaged in a community and feel like I'm adding something. That's why I'm always keeping my subscribe to comments button checked.
20. Stephanie Smith says:
    I like your post. Read and edit should go without saying, but many seem to just throw a comment at you and put some ad for their blog, contest, or product in it. That is annoying. Although I have not deleted a post because of an opinion stated, I do delete this kind of post. On the other hand, not posting unless you can make your comment perfect is a way to stay frozen, so the review phase has to move to publish or you have nothing. Sometimes I just do not have an intelligent question or tidbit to add. In that case, I guess I will move on rather than leaving some insipid behind.
    • fashionartexpression says:
      I do the same. If I have nothing meaningful or useful to add, I'll just move on to the next post. I don't like it when I'm just commenting for the sake of leaving a comment. It makes me feel..I think the best way to describe it is "on useful"
21. David says:
    I see commenting from both sides of the fence - both as a blogger and as someone who comments. One thing I have learned is that the follow-up is an essential part of the commenting process. I like it when website owners reply to my comments. I do likewise with comments on my blog. The question is whether the commenter gets to hear of the reply. Obviously, the "Want to be emailed when new comments are added?" check-box is helpful but here's something I do that may be useful to others, which is the following: Every time I comment, I bookmark the page and then periodically I look through the folder of bookmarks and click the links to check what the current state of comments is for the articles.
    • fashionartexpression says:
      Most people don't subscribe to the comments, so they don't receive the replies. That's a shame because someone could have replied to you and you would never know it. Also you could engage in the conversation and expand your network. I always subscribe to comments. Thanks to that I've gotten to know some interesting people.
22. Erik says:
    Nice article! I think many people often times are hesitant to leave a comment on a blog post. I think often times it has to do with "What's in it for me?" People are more apt to leave a comment when they have something invested in the post, as you have mentioned.
23. Andrew says:
    Normally when reading an article / blog post, something springs to mind about what I want to add as a comment - which hopefully adds some value. If nothing springs to mind, then I look to see if the blog post writer has asked a question and see if that helps me think of a comment. I read the question on this post: "How do you mostly write your comments?" And I thought, "By typing away at my keyboard". Then I thought I couldn’t write that, that's sarcastic. And I nearly closed the post then thought...I could simply write exactly what I've been thinking...hence this comment! Andrew
    • fashionartexpression says:
      hahha well said Andrew. I use the same technique when I want to leave a comment.
24. Paul Tech says:
    I think it is better to leave fewer comments which are top quality than run of the mill one-liners. Without useful comments, it is hard to kick off meaningful discussions. Another aspect of commenting which most people neglect is to return to the same posts and join in the discussion again.
    • fashionartexpression says:
      Indeed most people do forget that. At first I forgot it all the time, know I have the subscribe button checked at all times. I've gotten into really interesting conversation thanks to the subscribe button.
25. doug hay says:
    Great post. I think that good commenting is all about real communication which is the basic concept of social media. The old marketing model of shoving controlled "corporate speak" communications at the public are no longer appropriate. Welcome to 2 way communication - just like we talk - quite simple and amazing when you think about it.
    • fashionartexpression says:
      Your right. The old marketing strategies won't work anymore. It's a new world, everything is rapidly changing. I try to comment like I'm talking to someone. Just a normal conversation, not a business meeting. I like to feel connecting with other people when I comment.
26. Kimi says:
    Hello Precilla, Great post there, and very useful to me as well. I have just commented to a post in a blog, and one commenter put his keyword in his name, somehow the owner of this blog removed this keyword, and added a respond as well, that he should read the article and post their own comment, and not copying comment somewhere else, then paste it in "comment" box. I was so surprised there are people doing it (copy and paste thingy). Being new to blogging community, and posting comments to some blogs, makes me learning new stuff big time! ;)
    • fashionartexpression says:
      unfortunately copy and paste is something that some bloggers do. But I've never came across one. I'm glad that my article was helpful for you! I'm also still learning new things everyday when it comes to commenting. It's a great way to express yourself and to gain knowledge.
27. James Pruitt says:
    I agree with what many people here say. Also, I like to leave a comment that is helpful to the post, then go back to my blog and elaborate on my comment. It is a great way to add more content to my own blog, and help others along at the same time.
28. Nasrul Hanis says:
    From my view a good comment not only showing appreciation to the writer for sharing but also useful to the others by various ways - adding extra points, suggestions, etc. By doing this, you can help both readers and writers. They'll notice you and your comments and might be waiting for your next comments! Be yourself and be useful when commenting and you'll find it effective for yourself :)
29. Harsh Agrawal says:
    Precilla Really nice post. Being a blogger I know the importance of good comment and when I see comments like nice post, very useful I believe this commentator is commenting just for the sake of commenting. Adding a useful comment is more like appreciating the author and thanks for coming up with such a nice post .
30. Tushar says:
    nicely compiled post...i must say you have very easily summarized what a comment can get you....90% of the commentators just leave few words for the sake of traffic not aware of the fact that this is not the right startegy
31. René Girard says:
    Hello, you are right, it is not so easy to get appreciated and notice that what you say about commentators can also be true about bloggers. They are very often as little respectfull as many spammers.
32. Melvin says:
    Well Im not really that high on using commenting as the main driving force for marketing your blog but I gotta agree with what you stated. For me the biggest thing that commenting does is build relationship with other bloggers, Most of the bloggers that I feel close with are the ones who usually comment on my site and vice versa. It's like a digg effect wherein once you get yourself into these circles, people will start to recognize you more.
33. Mike says:
    When I leave the comments, I always read the post first and I think about the post from both user and author perspective. Then I contribute ideas. If the post is a tutorial post, I will leave comment thank you if the post is useful and then return back to point out which steps can be improved and what I have struggled with.
34. Agent Deepak says:
    First of all really nicely written. You have explained the value of commenting in very simple words. I like the way you wrote it. I loved the 4 step process - Learn, Elaborate, Revise and Publish. People surely need to learn that. What more can I say except that I am a fan of Comment Marketing myself.
    • Precilla says:
      Thank you very much. The four steps are actually really easy, and most people already know them because it's common knowledge. But sometimes people need a reminder, a little something that will keep them sharp at all times.
      • Agent Deepak says:
        Ya! people surely need a reminder.
35. Dana says:
    It is true that an elaboration commenting is great but i find that it is hard to leave an elaboration commenting for some kind of blog post such as an list blog post with no opinion touch in it. For that kind of post, I usually leave a comment that tell the list is useful for me without any deep elaboration.
    • Precilla says:
      I have the same problem. I don't always know what to say and how to say it. So I usually thank the author and explain why it was useful.
36. SEO Company says:
    wow great post i appreciate your work, i like this point to much "When you satisfied, publish it. Oh and don’t forget to link back." over all good point quality comment give more click on you link.
    • Precilla says:
      Thank you very much! I'm glad you found it helpful. I see you have an seo website. What is your perspective on email marketing?
37. Colleen says:
    Could not have stated this better. Leaving a comment is a signature on a person's intention, and also a plug on the quality of the author's post.
38. Arafat Hossain Piyada says:
    I see many guy in my blog just rush on comment. They comment by reading headline and most of the time they put a point or a question which is already discuss. Hope those blogger read this article and learn something about putting comment in a blog.
    • Precilla says:
      I also see many people doing the same thing over and over again. Those people only want to gain more traffic. They may get 50 visitors, but none of them will return because they are not appreciated.
39. Gail says:
    Is anyone else as impressed with the quality of the insights and wisdom expressed by the early entries in this contest? Judging is going to be REALLY tough. As I read this post I thought YES! appreciation IS what great comments and replies express - but I don't know that I would have thought of that myself to write about it. Those who know me know there is not much I don't think about so as my Kiwi friends would say, "good on you" for this post which concisely conveys an important concept.
    • Precilla says:
      Thanks Gail! And your right, judging is going to be hard. I saw a lot of good articles. But I wish everyone the best. My soul purpose was not to "try" to win the contest, but to share my thoughts and to develop my writing style.
40. P.K.ARUN says:
    Firstly I read title and if the title sounds good then I start reading post, after reading both I try to add some points if they miss anything in that post.
41. Murlu says:
    I try my best to add into the information with each comment I give. If you've ever notice me comment on blogs, I tend to write a lot - maybe too much haha. As for the subject at hand, there is something very powerful about leaving a comment that others go "wow!". Think of the skim-ability factor on posts; many people jump around but when they go to make their own comments, if they see yours that is huge, very helpful and informative, they're probably going to stop and read it. Not only that but it helps them join in because the conversation is already kicked up and roaring. The backlinks are always a bonus but with each comment, you should try to make a lasting impression so others come visit your blog, you can network with the blog owner and eventually start working together with promotions, guest blogging and projects. Try it out next comment, leave something amazingly long. Something so deep and thoughtful that even the blogger will be stunned.
    • Precilla says:
      haha I love the way your write. Your absolutely right. When I see a comment that's extremely long, I always read it. 90% of the times I will check the person's website. Because when a person leaves such a comment behind, he or she has to be interesting.
42. AJ says:
    I think you hit it right on when you said "read". There is nothing worse then someone that comments without reading the post. And it is so easy to spot who these people are...It is funny when you see someone leave a comment with a suggestion that has already been presented in the post. Want to leave an awesome comment? Think SEO. There is nothing I like more then someone who comments and leaves me some great content that adds to the post and will help that post rank higher. :)
    • Precilla says:
      Yeah it is really easy to spot someone who hasn't read the article. Now every time I see someone leave a comment like that, I leave a remark behind.
      • AJ says:
        So you actually accept the comment but then reply to it? Or do you mean when you see comments on other people's blogs you like to highlight it and make them look bad?
        • fashionartexpression says:
          I accept all comments on my blog. When someone says: beautiful illustrations etc... I reply and ask.. what do you find most beautiful or what caught your eye. I'm not making them look bad, I'm simply asking them what they like.
          • AJ says:
            That's a good idea, especially if you have the subscribe to comment on by default. Plus, this can lead to other people answering your question as well.
          • fashionartexpression says:
            Yes exactly! When I started blogging I didn't even know there was a subscribe button. Now I have it on all the time. I've gotten into so many great and helpful conversations because of the tiny little button.
43. Asad says:
    Commenting is truly an art.It is a way to make an impression of your personality on others.I have seen many newbie bloggers commenting on other blogs without adding much to the article and simply saying "nice article".This looks more like a spam and blog owners delete those comments and they get nothing.
44. Akram Quraishi says:
    Nice post... Starting from here! ;)
45. Ryan says:
    Hi fashionartexpression, Excellent tips here. As you mentioned don't rush. It screams "I'm running on to get my next backlink", which of course will never get your more backlinks. People take interest in interested people. Take your time. Make an impression. Seek to provide value with your comment. Add to the blog post by sharing your viewpoint. The idea is to build a relationship with a fellow blogger while providing something of use. I've received virtually every one of my guest post offers by commenting on new blogs. Thanks for sharing your insight :) Ryan
46. Joe Boyle says:
    I think that you really do need to, as you said, expand on everything. I view comments almost as an advertisement. Essentially they are, since they link back to you. When you put an advertisement up, do you want it to be a teeny-tiny ad, or a gigantic ad? I don't know about you, but I want more space. Well, the more you elaborate on comments, the bigger the comment gets, furthermore giving you a bigger ad, right? Just make sure you don't make your comment spammy! :D Great post :D
    • Precilla says:
      Your absolutely right! Bigger is always better ;)
47. Nabeel says:
    Hello, Great tips. I think comments are a great way to connect with people and it is just a great system. I agree, we should really elaborate on the comment, and not hold back. there is nothing we could lose! I generally read the article and comment about whatever I think about the article. Be it adding more value, supporting the article by giving more examples or my own thoughts etc. Actually, the comment I want to make comes to my mind while I am exactly in the middle of the article/post. I just think of what I am going to say in the comments while I am reading the article/post. Nabeel
48. DiTesco says:
    Could not agree with you more. The art of commenting is something that everyone should apply. Generally, I will leave comments on blogs where I appreciate the blogger or if I really enjoyed the post. I will do this without the expectation of reciprocity. I think that commenting is a very powerful way to interact and build relationships, so it should be used wisely :)