I am not going to lie. I just googled the phrase: “how to write a blog comment”.
Getting inside of your mind helps me to better serve you. Especially on the commenting front.
Because so many folks are confused about blog commenting as a marketing strategy.
I myself need to dissolve mental blocks from time to time because I under value the connecting medium. Yeah me; a guy who's garnered eBook tweet endorsements from a NY Times Best Selling Author and the like through simple blog commenting.
Why do so few bloggers get the power behind blog commenting? Most cling to these silly little limiting beliefs:
- blog commenting is a waste of time
- nobody reads comments
- nobody scrolls down beyond the first comment
- your time would be better spent guest posting or publishing posts to your own blog; blog comments are pretty much devoid of value
All the above ideas are lies. Pure and simple. Lies perpetuated to keep you struggling.
The Juicy Benefits
I noted the aforementioned blog commenting eBook endorsement from a NY Times Best Selling Author. I also landed a speaking gig at NYU, was featured on Virgin Dot Com and Forbes and built my most lucrative freelance writing bonds with folks who found me through blog commenting.
Just to show you what's possible through this amazing, undervalued marketing medium.
Increase your blog traffic. Grow your blog community. Boost your blogging profits. Increase your social proof. Good things happen to effective blog commentors.
Here's the kicker: whether you've been blogging for 1 day or 10 years you can share your opinion for free on any blog in the world (with comments open) to tap into the immense power of blog commenting.
Doesn't that sound sweet, newbie bloggers?
You can also improve your writing skills immensely through persistent, intelligent blog commenting
Here's how.
How to Write a Blog Comment
Comment to Help and Connect
You move into any action based on your intent.
I just prepared my afternoon cup of Turkish tea here in Istanbul because my intent was to enjoy a hot, sweet, delightful treat synonymous with this charming city. The action followed the intent.
Skilled blog commentors share their thoughts with the intent to help and connect. Sure you want to get some clicks and wouldn't mind landing a client or eBook customer through your comment but 80% or more of your intent should be to help readers by adding your thoughts and to connect with both the blogger and their readers.
Doing so frees you largely from the low energy, desperate drivers that result in cheap, short, pointless comments often spied on the web these days. You know; drive-by comments.
“Hey great post! Gotta go!”
Refrain from engaging in that form of blogging rubbish. Comment to help. Comment to connect. You will create a masterpiece every single time.
Personalize to Add Power to Your Comment
Start your comment with: “Hi Ryan,” and add one more mention of “Ryan” and I swear to the gods, I shall love you forever. Because my first name is the best-sounding word in the English language to me. You care about me if you address me by name. At least in most cases.
If you take 3 seconds to address a fellow blogger by name with a “Hi Thor”, or “Hi Bruce”, or “Hi Natasha” (note the strange Avengers theme developing) said bloggers will almost always remember you.
Eye-popping blog comments are memorable blog comments. Memorable blog comments almost always involve mentioning your fellow blogger by name once or twice through the post.
Go Thorough and Get Detailed
Write thorough comments to make an impact. Don't forget to add 1 specific detail to indicate you read the post.
Being comprehensive will goad you to write a mini guest post in some cases. In other cases you may publish a 3-4 paragraph comment. In either case folks note value. Especially your fellow bloggers. If fellow bloggers notice you and appreciate your comments said bloggers will generally promote you and endorse you and your blog.
Give value. Receive value. Simple formula to remember.
Check out Joy Healey‘s fabulous comment in response to one of my guest posts. It's a gem. Bonus points for asking a question, Joy.
Note 1 specific passage in the post. 1 instance, 1 example, 1 recount. Show that you care enough to recite back a point made and expound on the topic with your view points. This boosts engagement. This builds bonds with your blogging buddies.
Write 3 paragraphs' worth of comment at a minimum. If you're sticking around to comment you may as well be thorough to stand out from the crowd.
Manners Homework
Mama told me always to say “please” and “thank you.”
End each comment with a “Thank You” to seal the deal.
Thank bloggers for devoting their precious time and energy to creating something helpful, inspired and valuable, all for free.
Ponder on how long it takes one to craft a 3000 word blog post. Or even a 2000 word post. Now factor in linking, formatting and all that snazzy SEO stuff that adds a good hour or so to the initial workload. Last time I looked, no blogger charges any scratch to read their blogs (correct me if I err). Â So these generous souls are working for free to deliver valued solutions to you.
Freaking thank them!
Honest to goodness, if someone thanks me for my time – even though the pleasure/fun is in the writing of the post itself – I remember them over folks who share their thoughts and exit stage left without thanking me. If I remember ya, you will tend to grow on me, and as our bond grows we can promote each other, endorse each other and this lovely link leads to all sorts of blogging sweetness.
Who'd have thunk 2 simple words would sway me like that?
Thank you, Mama Bidds.
Get the book: Blogging from Paradise:: How to Build an Online Empire Through Blog Commenting
Comment on Relevant Blogs
I comment on top shelf sites related to blogging tips. I am a blogging tips blogger. Makes sense, no?
If I comment on any blog not related to blogging tips it's like trying to accurately shoot a pistol while blindfolded. Unless I'm Yosemite Sam I ain't hitting my target.
Comment only on blogs related to your niche. Manage your energy effectively.
Remember, this post details how to write a blog comment that wows your audience. Wowing becomes easier if the audience eagerly wants to know what you have to say.
Go Big Time
This one is open for debate.
I have received steady feedback from bloggers concerning commenting on both high and low profile blogs.
But from my experience, if you spend 80 percent of your time or more commenting on high profile, relevant blogs you'll reach the max number of interest folks in minimum time, versus spending more time commenting on lower profile blogs.
You can build a successful blog by forming bonds with bloggers sharking their way up but commenting on a blog like Pro Blogger – owner of 300,000 plus subscribers – opens doors and builds bonds you'd never dream of.
Real world example; would you rather be featured on CNN or a local cable access show?
Go big time. Comment primarily on blogs with huge audiences to both form connections with high profile bloggers and to connect with their mammoth readerships. No blogger ever hurt themselves by popping up on the radar of a Jeff Goins.
Do yourself a favor; spend significant time crafting wow-worthy comments.
Do you comment on blogs to build bonds?
What tips can you add to this list?
How do you craft eye-popping comments?
Hi Ryan, so good to see you here on Ms Ileane’s blog. I did not guess it would be you when I read the title, I should have KNOWN!
I do like reading blogs and leaving comments when I have something to say. It is not always easy to write something thoughtful or insightful on every post so I do skip many when I’m short on words. (I know you don’t have that problem 🙂
I think blogging commenting is a great way to connect with others, learn new things, ask questions and meet other like minded bloggers along the way.
I haven’t been following your rule of commenting on the higher profile blogs though, something I must work more on. Thanks for pointing that tip out to us Ryan. I’m wondering if the opposite would work though too – the newbies may be more willing to follow and comment on yours, no?
Good to see you still writing and teaching Ryan!
Hi Lisa,
I see you’ve been commenting quite a bit these days. Awesome.
I’ve scaled back my commenting campaign because I’m guest posting a bunch. But for any new bloggers I highly recommend steady blog commenting to expand your reach, especially if you’re not guest posting much.
Yep, the opposite is definitely true. New bloggers may be more open to doing that, for sure.
Thank you so much for the comment Lisa and have a fabulous day.
Ryan
Hi Ryan. Thank for all the great tips you shared in your insightful article. Though some of the tips should be quite obvious, like manners and calling by name etc. But they don’t really stay in your head unless you recall them every now and then. Good article.
Hi Raydez,
That’s the truth.
We learn these tips thru repetition in many cases because even if you have the best commenting intentions, your mind may race a bit and forget the fundamentals. It’s helpful to review what’s working for others as a type of blog commenting study session.
Thanks much for reading and commenting.
Ryan
Hello, Ryan!
Once again, excellent piece, buddy!
And that I truly understand the real juicy benefits of commenting.
I am not saying just an ordinary blog comment lingering to 2-3 lines and filled will all generic wordings.
If one goes with this way of blog commenting (adding generic wordings throughout the length of the comment), it is better to not even try to submit a comment at the first place.
And it only requires about 5 to 10 minutes depending on the length of the content and to pour in your own thoughts.
And to make a blog comment memorable by filling it with your soul. The more personal you become in the blog comment, the higher chances it can be approved and make the bond of the trust with the author, and to inspire the other commenters.
For me, I belong to such a country where it is a bit hard to get acquainted, get friended and win the trust.
But I can surely say that blog commenting helped me a lot to get me through all of this despite that bitter fact. 🙂
So, thank you once again for crafting this great content on Ileane’s place! 🙂
~ Adeel
Hi Adeel,
Honestly, you have been such a wonderful blogging ambassador for Pakistan because your heartful comments have inspired me to learn more about you, your country, and all that you do online.
You are authentic, genuine and yep, you put your soul into commenting, just as you advise.
Thanks for the fabulous comment brother and have a fun day.
Ryan
Hey Ryan,
Glad to read your wonderful post,
Yes, i agree with you generally nobody reads comments inspite of commenting we can choose writing guest post for spent time. It’s really guest post are more significant than commenting on post but it also quite valuable.
Comments are beneficial for establishing new relation with blogger or online marketers. Yes specific details is very important to apply on comment, it indicates that almost whole post are observed by us.
Thanks for sharing your worthy post.
With best regards,
Amar kumar
Hi Amit,
It really is all in the details.
Showing you’re read the post by responding with a detailed comment builds those bonds that lead to sweet results for both blogging parties.
Thanks for the awesome comment dude.
Ryan
Hi Ryan,
I often wonder why people don’t bother to take blog commenting seriously. Maybe they’re lazy or perhaps they don’t understand and appreciate the fact that commenting is the heart and soul of blogging.
I totally agree with your point re the intent of our blog commenting should be to “help and connect.” Sure it takes a little time to actually read and then give some feedback but we’re also learning and reaching out at the same time.
To me, blog commenting is almost as important as my post creations. In fact, blog commenting is one of the major ways to promote your blog if you do it properly.
If I can add some value in some way via a blog comment that helps differentiate me as well as adding to the value of the post, then it’s a win-win scenario.
By enhancing the value of someone’s post we can also build our own reputation as “valuable givers” and that’s priceless as far as building our blogging community is concerned.
What has also worked well for me is when I get a brand new reader on my blog who then leaves me a valuable comment, to show my appreciation, I create a quick 1-minute “thank-you” video, upload unlisted to YouTube, and send the link to this personalised video to the commentator.
As always many thanks for sharing your experience and expertise Ryan.
Best wishes from the remote Thai village blogger
Peter
Hi Peter,
You’re one of the best and most persistent blog commentors in the business.
You really do walk your talk and when you think about it, blog commenting is such an easy, simple, direct way to spread the word about your brand by simply caring, sharing value and making an impact through a free, easy to work medium.
All we’re doing is sharing our thoughts on some topic for 5 minutes or so, after reading the blog post. Anybody in the world can do that if they see the benefit in building bonds which lead to so many awesome opportunities.
Awesome Youtube idea Peter, Love it.
Thanks for reading and sharing.
Ryan
Peter, I love your idea for the unlisted video. They are quick to produce and that is so very thoughtful and right up my content alley. Thank you!
Thank for all the great tips you shared in your insightful article. Though some of the tips should be quite obvious, like manners and calling by name etc. But they don’t really stay in your head unless you recall them every now and then. Good article.
Hi Ryan,
Thanks for this very helpful post. I just wrote my first public blog post and invited a few friends. I will definitely start commenting on my favorite blogs and follow your suggestions. Do you have any additional new tips for attracting followers? I would appreciate any resources you might be willing to share.
Thank so much,
Mary Ellen
Hi Mary Ellen,
Congrats on your first blog post. Super exciting.
As far as attracting new followers I’d say keep creating content and building connections thru blog commenting. You will grow your community organically through this method.
I just found this post as one resource to help you out:
http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/attract-more-blog-readers/
Also, I give a free blogging eBook to my email and Push subscribers every Friday on Blogging From Paradise here, which could help you attract new readers:
https://www.bloggingfromparadise.com/blog/
Thanks for reading and commenting Mary Ellen.
Ryan
Hello Ryan
Great post ! All the tips you mentioned are spot on. I have been trying to follow your advice Ryan by commenting 80% on high profile post.
Initially I didn’t see the importance of great blog commenting until an influencer told me some bloggers have succeeded mainly because they were the best at blogcommenting.
Hey Ryan thanks for sharing this value-packed post it definitely has helped me and I’m sure many others.
Hi Darrell,
Oh yes, I was in the same boat for a while. I saw little value in blog commenting so I wasn’t all in.
Then like you I started commenting on top blogs and saw steady, successful returns from my efforts.
Thanks so much for reading my friend, and happy commenting!
Ryan
Hi Ryan 🙂
I’ve known you for so many years now (I don’t even remember for how long). Well blog commenting is really good thing as you have already mentioned.
BUT, I wrote it all in caps lock 🙂 why ?
Because every blog now a days have same topic these days like:
How to comment
How to use twitter
etc, but as you have mentioned some people don’t take blog comments seriously, I agree on that. But let me tell you why blog comments now a days are really short.
Because their is no new content out there, so their is nothing to discuss.
I’ve been reading Neil Patel blog (You might know him), the difference I see with his blog and other blogs is that he put his real life practices into his blog posts, and that is the reason his blog gets good audience.
Well I think every one should do that, does not matter if its a 1 post in a month, but it should produce something new that is worth discussing and worth commenting on.
I always hope to find something useful out there.
Any how Ryan, I appreciate you for taking out your time and shed some new light on this old topic.
Have a good day.
Regards
Hi Usman,
What a good point dude.
People comment on blog posts full of value, originality and….well….it has to be worth commenting on to draw people in.
As for the commentor it makes things much easier for you to stand out from the crowd of meek or short commentors.
Thanks so much for sharing.
Ryan
Hey there Ryan,
I’m about a year old to blogging and still overwhelmed with all there is to learn. I wish you wrote this a year ago! lol I actually have been slacking on my commenting but was going pretty strong for the first 7 months. This article has really opened my eyes to commenting and how important it is. I can’t tell you how many comments I have left and not addressed the person by name. I think the only times I have done that is when I have gotten to know the person through commenting back and forth. I have built some relationships and landed some guest posts through commenting and after reading your article I think it is going to help me quite a bit. Thanks for opening my eyes to commenting and giving me the kick in the a** to step up my commenting game.
Hi Matt,
If you’re already nabbing guest posts through blog commenting you’re doing just fine methinks.
Adding names and thanking bloggers are neat little touches which make you stand out from the crowd.
Thanks for reading…..and commenting 🙂
Ryan
Hi, Ryan! Excellent article! I totally agree with your points and with the necessity of publishing such a piece, especially since these days almost all articles are flooded with irrelevant comments that have absolutely no connection to the content that was just shared. For me personally, I enjoy writing comments only to those articles that resonate with me (or on the contrary, if there’s something I really feel I need to clarify) and, of course, the potential to interact with like-minded individuals is an added bonus. 🙂 Take care, Ryan, and keep sharing your views!
Hi Thea,
That resonance is beyond key. I myself am only commenting on articles I enjoy these days because it makes little sense to read and comment on content that doesn’t make your heart since. Resonance is huge.
Super comment Thea, and thank you for reading 🙂
Ryan
Thank for all the great tips you shared in your insightful article. Though some of the tips should be quite obvious, like manners and calling by name etc. But they don’t really stay in your head unless you recall them every now and then. Good article.
Hey Admin
I read your post and i will appreciate your effort for this work wishing best of luck for next future life.
Hello Ryan Biddulph,
Such a wonderful post. Actually, I learn more about how to write a comment to the audience. Now I am clear about this matter. Thanks for share it.
I have read above that
Where @Aman Kumar says that nobody reads the comment.
I’m the man who reads comments. I like to read comments sometimes we get the best answer in comments. So I like to read comments it is beneficial for us.
Vijay I do too sometimes 😉 People are watching/reading.
Thanks buddy.
Ryan
Hey Ryan! So good to see you here. I hope Turkey is treating you well. 🙂
I have added commenting back into my marketing strategy. I really do love interacting this way, learning new stuff, and networking with peeps! When I first started out in biz, I made time to comment on a weekly basis, but then I fell away from it. But, guess what? I’m back!
I like the tips you mentioned and yes–using names and politeness goes a long, long way. It’s so silly that some people just don’t get that, so I’m glad you reiterated it here.
Talk soon,
Shannon 🙂
Wow Shannon! Just yesterday Kelli was going through books from her shelf; yours came up first. I said how I needed to connect with you. But you reached out to me first 😉
Neat how the Universe works, right?
Ditto on all counts. I am diving back into blog commenting 100%.
Thanks!
Ryan
I saw the name “Ryan” and i know this will wow me, and i was not disappointed.
Thanks for this information here Ryan. I have been reading your blog, and this guest post on BBT surely makes her audience knows of a great writer like you. Thanks Ryan.
Thanks much Josh 🙂
Ryan
Oh yes, I was in the same boat for a while. I saw little value in blog commenting so I wasn’t all in. It helps to generate a backlinks too.
Blog commenting opens many doors when we do it right 😉 Thanks Harnek.
Ryan
I have also started commenting on articles, when I find it helpful. Your post is well explained and i would really love to make a positive things for my blog.
I was never fan of commenting on other blog post and i admit i was wrong. If we want to build relationship with the bloggers. I need to comment on great articles, which give lot of exposure to startup blogger like me.
Featuring in a comments section is gold mine now. Also comments should be sensible which drive visitors to click on your links as well.
Great to see you here Ryan.
Dumaji I was in the same boat for a while buddy. Not convinced blog commenting worked. Then I failed so many years online, I had to try it. I have not looked back since then. Really, it’s the most simple way to build meaningful bonds with any blogger, and it takes 5 minutes here and there to read, respond and personalize. Super tips 😉 Thanks much.
Hi Ryan,
Your post comes as a reminder for something that I know for a long time but I didn’t use it as much as I should: the power of blog commenting. I feel that the main benefit of commenting is that you can form valuable relationships with influencers that are too busy to reply to an email or a social media, but if they see you commenting often on their blog you will become a familiar face and you can bond.
How did you got invited on Virgin blog through a comment? Could you share more details about this story?
Thanks for sharing,
Minuca
Hi Minuca,
I actually posted a few comments on the site and a contributor found me eventually, and asked me to share my thoughts on being a digital nomad. Here’s where it gets weird: he first asked me to share my thoughts of Forbes, where he also writes. Then he asked me for the Virgin blog feature. It helps to be connected 😉 And blog commenting is 1 way to build connections. Thanks for commenting Minuca 🙂
Ryan
Hi,
I am agree with you that nobody read comments. And I am one of them. Most of the time I read only 3-5 comments. But I read the complete blog if it is interesting and can solve my problem.
So thank you for posting this blog and keep sharing this type of information.
Hey, Ryan First of all I have to appreciate your efforts on blog commenting, I like some of the points like call by name, give credits for their working efforts etc….here I want to share important points with you which I love blog commenting by my users on my blogs.
1) Ya Like you said mention “Name”. Nowadays everyone wants popularity, so Name is the main factor to get popular on user’s tongue.
2) Appreciation for my hard work, we are bloggers who dedicate our precious time to give good and amazing content for our blog reader. Like as every human I also need some appreciation for my work.
3) Info: Ya this is the best part what I need from the commentator, If he gives information(must and should be some tips and tricks what we never know) about the topic which I didn’t cover in the post, I definitely approve his comment.
4) Finally, Thank you status like you said, That’s best ever feel when we get Thanking from our users.
Thank’s Ryan, Keep Rock.
Subra, well said! All key points buddy. Thanks for sharing!
Ryan
Hey Ryan Biddulph
Loved this post. Very insightful.
These rules can also be applied to commenting on social media posts too, for the same reasons. Influencers will often get tons of comments on their posts, but if you want to stand out and get noticed, follow these strategies when you reply.
Will be sharing this with my tribe too.
Hi Ryan
Thank you so much for a simple and easy to apply article. It has really helped me understand the importance of commenting on blogs as a newbie blogger.
Just one quick question, very similar to Joy Healy’s question that you posted as an example in your blog, would I be better served commenting only on my ‘industry’ bloggers posts and on people I follow, or is good blog commenting simple good practise?
Thank you again for your blog and in advance for your reply.
All the best,
Alexis