Blog comments are without doubt one of the most useful ways to promote yourself online, but have a tendency on the whole around the web to be a relatively small part of people’s attention. Comments to many are micro updates that don’t have much value.
With the introduction of third party interactions in the social media sphere such as Tweets, and Facebook status updates, it seems we are getting lazier. Are bloggers getting less comments as a result of people engaging with their content in other ways?
In my opinion blog comments still have their place in the social web, and provide a great way to build reputation – Its something that many web users still do badly.
Gandhi needs no introduction. He was the pre-eminent political and spiritual leader of India and the Indian independence movement, and famous the world throughout for his political, spirtual and social thinking.
So how would Gandhi leave a great blog comment?
Express himself fully.
Gandhi had a knack of expressing himself in a different way than everyone else. He also wasn’t afraid of expressing himself differently.
‘Honest disagreement is often a good sign of progress.’ – Gandhi
As of writing there were 2,330,000 web pages in Google with the words nice post. There were 4,060,000 web pages with the phrase “great post“. Anywhere I see those two words, I immediately switch off. My english teacher was right – those words should be banned in modern english.
In fact I’ve stopped approving comments on my own blog that don’t actually add opinion, or value to what I’ve said myself. If you comment with a “great post” – you are getting sent to the great big Akismet in the Sky.
Get the thesarus out and actually write a comment with a bit of punch. When everyone else is zigging, sometimes its good to zag. For God’s sake don’t be afraid to disagree, but do it professionally.
Add to the conversation
If you are going to stand out against the rest of the herd of sheep, you should take a bit of time, and actually contribute to the conversation.
‘Selfishness is blind’ – Gandhi
Take the time to analyse what the poster has said, the greatest way to show your appreciation for a stellar piece of content is to write a decent summary of your opinion and give something back to the web. The web’s economy is such that effort in equals more reward in the longer term.
Wouldn’t link drop.
Gandhi knew that he couldn’t lead a revolution without giving people something to believe in. But it wasn’t through force. It was through the drip drip drip of his message and actions without force that lead to independance.
‘Coercion cannot but result in chaos in the end.’ – Gandhi
You can’t force people to click on your links with a sledgehammer approach, you have to give them a reason.
Yes you’ve got a great post that complements the original poster. Yes it would be of interest to their readers. Don’t be tempted to drop it in the comments. I’ve done that myself in the past, and it doesn’t give you decent exposure, worse than that, you look like a spammer and your reputation goes down the Liffey.
Far better to write something thought provoking that makes readers stop in their tracks and THEN let them find out more about you or your company from the link under your name. If your content is any good, it will find the readers, not the other way about. And if you desperately want a link on that page. Trackback or Pingbacks are there for that purpose.
Wouldn’t pass up the opportunity
Persistance online is directly proportional to success.
‘Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it’- Gandhi
Personally, I end up visiting alot of websites on a day to day basis that have gone viral for one reason or another. These blog posts are obviously then getting a good lump of traffic at the time, and are low hanging fruit for building traffic from. Yes its temporary, but its still traffic that gives you a shot at gaining a new subscriber.
If you commented on every blog post that you visited in a day, 365 days a year what effect would that have on your traffic? What effect would it have on your exposure as a blogger? Perhaps not as much as writing great content yourself, but its an opportunity that most people pass on. The conversion rate for interactions on blogs is low – but make sure you are in that demographic.
Wouldn’t trust deep linkers
‘Truth is what the voice within tells you.’
I hate it when I see someone deep link their blog comment. It just makes it feel like they have an ulterior motive when they are commenting. With many automated spammers doing the same thing, it only further serves to put you in the same bracket. Repeat after me, you are commenting to give – not to get.
Wouldn’t be a flameboy
‘An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind.’ – Gandhi
You have to give respect to earn respect, and chances are there is a better way of expressing yourself than calling someone a dumbass, or a noob. There’s nothing wrong with intelligent debate, but honestly the way people choose toconduct themselves in some comment threads sometimes borders on being libelous.
Rule of thumb, if you couldn’t walk up to that person in the street or at a conference and say it to their face, it’s better off left unsaid. The fact that its possible to post seemingly anonymous comments will get you found out eventually.
Oh yeah, and Gandhi would subscribe to my rss feed. ;o)
posted:June 11, 2009 8:41 pm
I see the book came in handy then – an excellent twist! Duly committed to memory – although I haven’t a clue what deep linking is?!
Claire
posted:June 11, 2009 9:38 pm
Yep, can’t say it wasn’t the result of some reading! The book is pretty interesting. And on the deep linking thingy, its basically linking deeply to a web page that isn’t your home page.
See this post…..
http://blog.webdistortion.com/2009/04/22/complete-seo-glossary/#deeplinking
Paul Anthony
posted:June 12, 2009 2:29 pm
kidilan post……… [ kidilan = great (tradtional language)]
anyway we call him “Mahatma Gandhi” or “Gandhiji” …..simply ‘Gandhi’ is a sin here (India)….. any way Gandhi wont mind calling him so…i think …but beware of sensitive Indians…… lol
sabithpocker
posted:June 17, 2009 1:15 am
Dear beloved satyagrahi and brother Paul! :-)
Great post! and look at this link-> http://www.blablabla.bla
Just kidding! ;o)
Gandhi would also say: “Your life is your message.”
Once while Mahatma Gandhi’s train was pulling slowly out of the station, a European reporter ran up to his compartment window. “Do you have a message I can take back to my people?” he asked. It was Gandhi’s day of silence [Mondays], a vital respite from demanding speaking schedule, so he didn’t reply. Instead, he scrawled a few words on a piece of paper and passed it to the reporter: “My life is my message”.
May all become courageous, compassionate, pragmatic and wise.
Have a ONE-derful week hermano Paul! :-)
If you want to be a rebel, be kind. Human-kind, be both.
Pancho
PS: We are tweeting a revolution! ;-)
Pancho Ramos Stierle
posted:June 17, 2009 5:32 pm
This reminds me of my personal rule in writing thank you notes. I never start with the phrase “thank you,” instead jumping into the comments about the wonderful gift and how much I appreciate the giver.
I felt that by dropping that predictable intro–much like avoiding “great post!”–it lets the reader know that I gave careful thought to showing my appreciation for their generous efforts.
So, Paul, I enjoyed the relevant quotes that tied to your thoughts. This was an excellent introduction to new concepts like deep-linking and a great reinforcement of important tips that could always use a refresher. Thank you for sharing them with a creative twist.
Sidra Condron
posted:July 11, 2009 4:08 pm
@ Sidra Condron,
Your comment strikes a chord with me. I find myself often jumping into an explanation part of a comment.
But I see that as a problem for me. The formal and expected layout, taking time for relating personally and identifying why you are writing and what variety of issue you intend to address can enhance the message. I can personalize the comment and assure the reader how my comment relates to the people and ideas on the page.
Bread and butter notes, and thank you notes, can express respect and even affection between people. I might be pleased that the blender I gave fits under your cupboard, but I might be more content if your note started with something really valuable – the assurance that you appreciate the gift.
Not all comments need to be personal or laid out formally. But some can. And I need to make more effort to make structure and personal connection part of my comments.
Thank you.
Brad K.