Blog commenting is probably one of the easier things to accomplish when I’m traveling. I’m using Jeremiah Owyang‘s tip of having blog ideas created in advance.
In my first post I listed my methodology for starting or rebuilding a blog. I’ve used it twice. There’s an aspect that’s more important than that & it bears repeating:
“It’s not all about you & your blog!
There is a much bigger world out there & you are but one voice, so you need to join the collective:
1. read other people’s blogs & comment – use a blog reader
- get involved & ask questions
- provide value & insight for them based on their writing & encourage them to grow
2. respond to their post on your blog if if your response is too long for a comment
- make sure that you reference the original post & use their static link (people appreciate the link love)
- this introduces your readers to a blog that you enjoy (a form of sharing your friend’s blog)
- sometimes it’s wise to wait a day or so if it’s an emotional response – maybe pretend that you’re writing to your boss?
3. comment on blogs that reference you & your writing
- use Google alerts & Technorati to see who’s writing about you & your blog
- follow those links & respond to the conversation
- it’s a great way to build brand
- allow trackbacks & follow them
4. show appreciation for the sharing of knowledge by your network
- utilize a variety of formats – Twitter, Facebook, blogs, etc
- remember that it’s a group effort & we can do more together!
What ideas do you have for commenting on blogs? Have you gotten to know people through their blogs? Share your experiences.
Connie,
Right on. The only suggestion you post that I personally disagree with is the use of a reader. For me, using a reader is a bit too much like subscribing to more magazines that I can keep up with, so eventually I allow the subscriptions to lapse.
The way I keep up with the blogosphere is by actively using my blog roll. I am careful which blogs I place on that roll, but once there, I work through it once a week so I visit each blog weekly. That is why I am here today. You are at the top of my Typelist, which is ordered by date added not alpha. For me, this works better.
When I talk to bloggers (corporate and non-corporate) about growing their blog, the first piece of advice I always give is ‘The best way to grow your blog, is to leave it!’ And I believe it. You are contributing to the larger community, you are learning from other bloggers, and to complete the cycle, you are giving other bloggers the incentive to come back and comment on YOUR blog! It’s a win-win situation! Great post, as usual Connie!
codes…
classic scorched earth…
[…] Blogs are only as successful as the people who write, read, and comment on them. So, if you want your personal or corporate blog to be a success, then it only makes sense for you to take the time to read and comment on other people’s blogs. […]
[…] Blog Commenting Community Strategist blog. “It’s not all about you & your blog! There is a much bigger world out there & you are but one voice, so you need to join the collective.” […]
Again, got caught flatfooted. ,
Excellent post. The important thing to remember is that you don’t work in a vacuum. If you want people to read and follow what you have to say, you need to work to draw people in. That means actively participating in the outside community. Not just dropping spam, but providing insight, opinion, and value.
Good post Connie. I agree that you should “get invoilved and ask questions.” That is perhaps most important of all.
Blog commenting is perhaps the best way to get involved in your community. This will not only let you learn more about your niche. It can also help you meet new friends.
[…] 1. Connie Bensen […]