10 Tips That Will Make Anyone a Better Commenter
Part of the blogging platform is the comment feature that give readers of a particular article the ability to provide instant feedback. I have previously revealed why I am a strong believer in allowing comments on blogs. In Comments or No Comments That Is the Question – or Is It? I argued that comments add to the experience and make it more enjoyable. Furthermore does it help grow and expand communities on and across blogs. For this to work do we all have to honor our responsibility. As a blogger should you always try to aim high and give your best when writing. Writing a comment shouldn’t really be considered any less important although the format of course is different.
Since I thus far have been spared for not only negative comments, but also what I consider poor comments, do I want to take this opportunity to voice my opinion on what makes good comments and good commenters. When you have an opinion you may as well put it out in the open. Since I don’t want to write a formal policy on the matter did this seem like the best way to do it. Doing it now will hopefully spare me for getting into trouble when I eventually have to deal with both poor and negative comments as practically every blog must. I put a lot of work into my articles so the least you can do is to respect that when commenting on them. The same respect should be shown good commenters. Whether commenting here or commenting other blogs these are the basic principles that I try adhering to when I comment.
1. Have something to say.
Just adding a “ditto”, “good article”, or similar is just not okay. It brings nothing to build on nor does it make anyone any wiser. Some blogs are full of such comments, but “oddly” enough none of my favorites blogs. Don’t be unimaginative when you can be so much more.
2. Stay on Topic.
If you comment on a specific topic then stay with it. Wandering off in all sorts of directions doesn’t help anyone. Parallels or opposites are welcome though as they add to the topic without watering it down. Avoid dragging the person into the discussion unless what he or she wrote invites you to.
3. Add something new.
If someone already stated what you also wanted to say then find something else to say or find a new perspective on it. Simply repeating things doesn’t move neither the conversation or the people participating in it.
4. Go for clarity.
Don’t try to be clever by using irony, sarcasm or exaggerations if you aren’t able to make it clear what you are doing. Don’t expect anyone to understand you if you aren’t even trying. Be aware of negation, punctuation and smilies. Put them in the wrong place or forget them and you will lose everyone.
5. Don’t rant, be constructive.
Keep things short and to the point. Some arguments require longer comments and that is fine, but don’t overdo it. Then rather divide things up and add them to the conversation as it evolves. Thinking and writing constructively even when you criticize helps structure your response.
6. Link appropriately.
When you refer to someone else’s work you should link to it. When you refer to your own relevant work can you link to it. In all other cases should you not be linking. Links are like words meant to add something besides itself. Don’t pull people out the conversation for no good reason.
7. Don’t be arrogant.
You may know more about the subject than the other commenters or the blogger, but if you communicate it poorly does it not help anyone. You are more than welcome to set things straight or show how clever you are as long as you do it with respect for everyone else.
8. Show who you are.
Knowing who you are adds to what you write. We need not know personal details, but which blog you write on is helpful when determining the validity of what you write as well as the philosophy behind it. In fact should you consider your comments part of your personal branding.
9. Keep some things to yourself.
You are in a public place. You may want to consider sending an email instead of commenting if your comment is of a personal or private nature. That won’t add to the discussion, but at least it will save everyone from the embarrassment that could otherwise be the result.
10. Take the time.
Browsing the article and then quickly typing a comment could backfire. Did you actually read and understand it? Did you check the other comments? Did you think your comment through? Generally you can ask yourself how you would react to your comment and you will know if you can and should send it.
An important point when you comment is how you start your comment. Getting off to a good start will almost ensure that the rest of the comment follows the pointers above. For a great list of comment starters check out: Thinking about the teaching of writing, where you also find additional valuable points on how to write. Especially what the use of questions and writing for an audience is concerned. In 7 Great Ways to Connect with Other Bloggers While You’re Out Reading Blogs Liz Strauss makes the case for getting positive attention and starting new relationship with bloggers by observing how you interact with the blog and blogger. While a couple of the points overlap with my guidelines are there also some new ones you do well to respect also. On a slightly lighter note Lorelle wrote How NOT to Comment on Comments and although she states that it isn’t funny (the poor comments that is) the article itself is bound to get you laughing. At least I did while not forgetting the good points she makes.
If you comment as outlined above do you not only make the bloggers life easier, but that of everyone else involved as well. You enrich it even. Good comments helps motivate the blogger and the other commenters to do even better. They add to the conversation and make everyone smarter. They help build communicative bridges and expand communities regardless of what else sets us apart. It may be my obligation as a blogger to give you the best platform possible for your comments, but at the end of the day is it your decision and your responsibility how you make use of it.
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71 Responses to “10 Tips That Will Make Anyone a Better Commenter”
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This is very useful, especially to someone knew to blogging. My comment right now uses some of your idea’s. Fact of the matter is that in order to get your name out there you need to comment.
Thank you for your comment Vikram. I do not mind you spreading the word either
Taking pride in your own comments is surely a good starting point as it will keep you aware of how you comment. I have also thought about using a service like CoComment as a number of my favorite blogs sadly doesn’t allow one to follow the comments by email, which is my preferred method. That it can be integrated in your website and thus help you highlight your good comments as well as where you like commenting just makes it even more interesting.My only possible objection against how you comment is that you include links that in essence promote yourself. Personally I don’t unless having been asked to, but as long as it is on topic is it surely something most bloggers do not directly mind. As is also the case here.
@ Dan – Linking to a commercial website even if it is only with your name is really not something I like seeing. I have left it as it in this case is borderline, but I prefer people linking to their own blog and nothing else.
I really believe that comments are content, as you so beautifully pointed out, Jan. And if they are, make them say something.
This makes you look good and makes readers click through to your blog, nofollow or dofollow ignored. That’s the magic of comments, not the “cool”, “neat”, or “I really liked what you had to say” comments. It’s the ones that say something about you, the commenter, as well as what you are commenting on.
It’s how the comments continue to conversation, on that blog and on yours.
Well done.
Well said, Jan! Your 10 Tips do a fine job not only of outlining the accepted commenting etiquette but – what other similar posts I’ve seen generally fail to accomplish – also of explaining *why* those points of etiquette exist, in terms of better communication and for the commenter’s advantage as well. I’m glad you mentioned this in the comments on ChrisG’s blog: exploring your content is going to be a pleasure!
Hi Jen,
My apologies for not replying sooner. I certainly hope you will find something else you like when checking out the site. The new design should offer plenty of routes to take.
I do feel explaining why is important. Usually will that be the first thing you ask when being advised to do this or that in my experience.
Having just had a discussion about commenting on Lorelle’s blog may I have to write another article about this focusing on comment policy. First I will have to make up my mind about it though
I agree a very useful post, the only problem is that I’m now struggling to think of a suitably useful comment… “)
What a wonderful article! You have eloquently and politely pointed out that:
– Most comments are crap designed to say “look at me”
– Comments should add to the overall value of the post
– Comments if done well will drive traffic to your site
– Comments are definitely a part of your online brand
I think it is interesting to consider the parallels that exist between forums and comments. A forum post can be a useless rant, but the people that contribute consistently to a forum with useful input tend o be respected as a someone that adds value. “lurkers” in forums (people who simply read but don’t contribute) don’t add to the forum at all. Therefore your observation that simply reading without contributing adds no value, and additionally does not drive your own brand at all.
Thanks for your freat article & site!
Although, I feel I’m good commenter as my friends response so but I hate formal policies. poor and negative comments matters but good comment always has to go through such matters.Every thing has its parallel effects. so to know close about the work, it is important to consider to know about content that focuses on comment policy.
The post had renounced the fact about commenting in a manner that add to the overall value of the post and eventually allow the traffic to follow them.
Thanks, I am sure all other will also have benefited from the post…….!~
Although, I feel I’m good commenter as my friends response so but I hate formal policies. poor and negative comments matters but good comment always has to go through such matters.Every thing has its parallel effects. so to know close about the work, it is important to consider to know about content that focuses on comment policy.
The post had renounced the fact about commenting in a manner that add to the overall value of the post and eventually allow the traffic to follow them.
Thanks, I am sure all other will also have benefited from the post…….!
Thanks for the tips, I will certainly try to follow these
I have a problem. I comment on one blog post and then forget the link. So, its too difficult to track back if it’s not among my post favorite blogs.
But what if you are commenting and your comments didn’t get approved?
Very good tips. Comments are important to the whole idea of the blog. When you post, you end up expecting to see what kind of feedback people might send you, what kind of impression you´re giving the readers. Comments are indeed very important!
Thanks for a lovely post.
Excellent 10 tips. I think allowing comments on blogs is crucial. That’s what blogs are about, interacting and getting a discussion starting. Sure, some will be just spam (delete them) or unfair (answer them fairly), but without them you’re not even get the half of what you could be getting out of it.
I think number 9 is something people have to think about. What you write in comments gets picked up by search engines, so don’t write anything you don’t want your mom or manager to read
This is fantastic. Wish I had come across this article before. It would have definitely made my work easier.
Hey nice information. Refreshes the knowledge on blogging. should be pretty useful to the new comers. Yes, commenting on blogs are very important to let people know that you are out there .
First I must compliment your writing style, well structured. Great post…When it comes to commenting, I think it like a thesis, I give my honest and sincere opinion as well as try to add value to points been missed out.I thinks it was well written, not sure about using red for hyper links. But what matter was the message been addressed.
Wow, Great buddy, thanks a lot for the super 10 tips to become a great commenter. I have to have these as my finger-tipe from now onwards, Really sweet work of you,
Cheers,
Jenny Myers
Houston Storage
Great insights. I was not aware of this. You have nicely described. This information also helps to those who have no idea about it.
I agree, comments must add to the discussion of the topic , rather than just complement the writer about his good writing.I think it is the most important aspect of good commenting.
i like the way u suggested.. it is definetely true… spams are take less time and do their commenting soon.. sometimes i brought to notice that while we comment they got restricted and considered as spam… i think this happens because your comment is not able to show its natural flow.. so it should be kept in mind that whatever you are commenting .. should be not of artificial it would be real…
thanks for sharing this post
These are some great tips for anyone that is being a commenter. I think that you should really follow these and have some respect for others out there. I think anymore many people have lost their way of how to communicate with anyone and it leads to more petty arguing than really necessary in life anymore. But any way I really like your tips and I’m surely printing them out and keeping them on my pc desk! Thanks!
As blogging and writing become more advanced on the internet, I’m not surprised to see a scientific approach applied to it. And who better to use than Albert?
I really like your tips, sometimes people say something that doesn’t have any sense or there are people that think the opinion of the other people is wrong and their comments are offensive, I’ll use your tips, thanks for sharing.
A simple strategy for increasing your comments is to ask readers what they think. … You don’t need to make every post you write short,
I enjoyed your post on Darren’s blog…very useful information. Still working on those pillar articles. Thanks for your help.
Thanks for the tips……..
Sometimes it can be tough to actually “say something new”. We can no longer just tell the poster that they wrote an interesting or well written post. You immediately get flagged for spam…
Your blog is full of life and activites
Yeah thats well said your comment should be on topic, irrelevant comment away from topic is always considered as spam. The best way is to read the post carefully before you make a comment on the post.
Well your point no. seven is new to me and for sure it is true, being rude or arrogant is of no use, if you want a good commentor. Nice to read your post buddy.
Well you sure have passion. i wish i had as much as you do but I am working on it. Motivational stuff. Thank You
Hey, great post there! Im first time here visited your blog, definitely will visit back later, keep it up
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It helps me thinking and doing better.
Thanks I wish I would of known sooner the 10 tips. All my blogs would of been better. and made my job alot easier.
All tips are very helpful to write comment, I sincerely appreciate it…….
I dofollow now
Short words comments are sometimes considered as spam, well I’m not too agree with this. You see, if someone thinks “Nice” in the comments box as spam, I guess he / she are too much proud of himself / herself. He / she forgot that the quality of the article defines the comments given, if the article is so touching, I guess people will say more than two words in the comments. If the article is lame, so are the comments. I’d like to suggest people to appreciate comments more, even a punk writing spam comments also takes time.
I really appreciate the way you have researched and wrote about the tips on comments posting. Sometimes it really happens that what we want to say is already said.
Hey nice information. Refreshes the knowledge on blogging. should be pretty useful to the new comers. Yes, commenting on blogs are very important to let people know that you are out there
Thanks I wish I would of known sooner the 10 tips. All my blogs would of been better. and made my job a lot easier.
Oh really…. it is very easy
thanks EPDM
O thanks for sharing.. Very nice…You mean we must follow the writing and knowledge of the blog that we use for comment…
All the tips are great for comment posting. I am following most of them but from now on i will be more careful regarding my comments and content and would try to post meaningful content that could add up something to the blog where i m posting the comment.
I admit, I have not been on this webpage in a long time… however it was another joy to see It is such an important topic and ignored by so many, even professionals. I thank you to help making people more aware of possible issues.
Great stuff as usual….
Well, in either case, you can still call it spam. Whether the visitor IS interested in your blog/post and comments with interest or not and just wants a link. In other words, it depends on the blog owner himself/herself whether (s)he is willing to appreciate the comments and accepting the links in exchange or just as a sign of appreciation, simple as that. If not, then by all means, removing the ‘URL’ field takes 2 seconds! Google that out. Don’t leave the URL and then judging people for spamming, most are not spamming, they post with interest and once they see the option of leaving their website URL, why not?
I’m all for DOFOLLOW or just remove the URL field! Don’t leave it with nofollow, that’s more a trick in making some people comment without interest. So anyway, all for dofollow,
Cheers!
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I do not want to any argue with this topic, I am really fed up with this so put some new updates or topic which is helpful to us.
Gooood Suggestion for a person like me in your 9th tip.Really thanks
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Thanks
I really believe that comments are content, as you so beautifully pointed out, Jan. And if they are, make them say something.
This makes you look good and makes readers click through to your blog, nofollow or dofollow ignored. That’s the magic of comments, not the “cool”, “neat”, or “I really liked what you had to say” comments. It’s the ones that say something about you, the commenter, as well as what you are commenting on.
It’s how the comments continue to conversation, on that blog and on yours.
Great post.
this is a very good tips, not alot of ppl know about this, thanks for pointing it out.
I think more information should be provided in the blog!!
I’ve done lots of commenting and I have noticed that no matter what I say, (in relation to topic) where seems to be not effective but then looking at other comments, that purely says “Nice article!” “Good Post!”etc..where approved..what seems to be the problem with their blogs. They seem to be not performing well, disapproving valuable comments.
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Very nice! You’re pretty smart, i’ll be keeping up with this blog in the future.
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Yeah I think you’re tipps are very useful for a good and interesting blogging – Especially for people who read the whole blog after many comments. So they don’t have to search for good comments – No they can see them on one look if there aren’t many senseless comments. But in one point I can’t agree, because often I want to say my opinion even if somebody else said it before. Especially because my words are my spoken words and other people can’t say the same things in the same way, so in my mind it’s also productive to say something again, if it’s from another person! So what do you think about it.
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Great information thanks for sharing this with us.In fact in all posts of this blog their is something to learn . your work is very good and i appreciate your work and hopping for some more informative posts . Again thanks for sharing.
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First of all thanks for such wonderful information. I have seen so many blogs like yours. But I have found one good things here which is your 8 no. tips. It is really good.
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