Blog comments: why, how, and the #1 tip you have to know now

I must confess, I’ve debated a while whether to write a post about blog comments. Seriously, everyone comments and everyone knows how to comment… right? {Obviously that’s a rhetorical question or we wouldn’t be here!} I finally decided to write this after (1) I realized that it took me a long time to learn what I’ve learned, and (2) I thought I knew the “1 tip you have to know now” and realized I was still making the mistake. Whoopsy-daisy!! I thought to myself, and out loud to Chloe, “Well, if I’m making this mistake, at least I can save someone else a bit of frustration & trouble!” Sooooo, here are our top blog comments tips!

blog comments

1. You can build a community just by commenting on other blogs. If your comments are non-existent to sporadic, start sharing the love. Find some blogs you truly like and leave heartfelt comments. Not a simple “nice” or “cute” but a comment that adds to the post and shows you actually read it. If the blogger has time, is curious, and is interested in building relationships, they will pop over to your blog and likely leave a comment if they like your blog. I’ve built fantastic purely online relationships with people such as Jen of PinkWhen, Meghan of Meghan Silva, Alicia of Spashionista, and so many others simply by enjoying their blogs and leaving comments. Chloe has made great friends online through blogging. We can always count on our blog friends to check out our new posts, and we try my hardest to the same with them and so many other fab supporters of ours.

2. Don’t ask people to follow you in your comments. If people like your blog, they will follow you. If they don’t, they won’t. Asking them to follow is akin to following them around in real life and asking them to be your friend. Nobody would do that after kindergarten, so why do it online?

3. If you don’t have something nice to say, then don’t comment. It’s that simple. It’s like seeing a friend in an outfit you don’t like. If they don’t truly want your opinion, you really don’t have to give it to them. Mom’s keen advice still holds true.

4. If a blogger asks a question, answer it. Unless you don’t want to. I try to because it shows I read the post, but sometimes it’s just a prompt for the blog reader. However, if you have something to say (see #1) then go ahead and leave your interesting and heartfelt comment!

And the #1 tip you must know:

5. Make sure your comment links back to your blog!! So simple, yet… We always visit every blog that leaves a comment on ours. Always. Well, ok, almost always. We alway try to visit, at least! Yet, I’d say that 50% of the blog comments leave links that are dead ends. Test yours. If you leave your name, but no link, it’s difficult to reciprocate and visit you, and we all know what happens when something is difficult. It’s not personal, but on to the next blog or comment, right?

If you are leaving a google/blogger link, make sure it links to your blog. If you are leaving a Disqus link… make sure it links to your blog. For instance, if your comment link to Twitter, then you are telling me to follow you on Twitter and not to visit your blog. That’s fine, but you might be wondering why people aren’t visiting your blog after you went on a blog reading spree and left bunches of comments. Log in and check your settings and profile!! Almost every blog has a different type of commenting system - so test each system out AFTER you leave the comment! Click your link and see where it goes (you may need to log out to see.) If your comment doesn’t show up right away (due to a spam filter) write the name of the blog down and visit later. Once you’ve checked all your comments for a week or so and they are linking back to you, you should be golden and receiving tons of comments back from all of your friends that you are visiting!

Questions people have asked me about blog comments:

Should I leave a signature (and how do I do it) with my blog name? Sometimes we do, and sometimes we don’t. If Popcosmo is highlighted when I leave a comment,and it’s obvious that you can click on it to access our blog, then we typically don’t leave a signature unless it’s the first time we’ve visited that blog. If it’s not highlighted, then do it! Plus, if you are not sure if the link goes directly to your blog, then do it. Once, you can confirm which commenting systems link back, you can stop leaving signatures. We don’t like to be repetitive & redundant, haha.

How do I leave a signature? Obviously it’s personal, but ours is: xox ~kim & chloe @ popcosmo.com which is typed in as: xox ~kim & chloe @ <a href=”http://www.popcosmo.com”>popcosmo.com</a> We used to have separate ones, but we are starting to become one person, it seems!

How exactly does commenting build a community? I should clarify that obviously 1 comment won’t build a community. It takes time & you have to visit your list of blogs regularly! A great way to remember which blogs to visit is to build a list in Bloglovin’ and set up a group for your commenting BFFs. Check it regularly and comment regularly and you’ll see the love returned. Let me know if you need help with Bloglovin’ and I’ll address that in another post!

Should I leave my email address? I never do, but if you have asked a question that you want to have answered and won’t be returning to the blog to check the answer, then you should let the blogger know you’d like an email, but they might not always have time to respond! In Blogger, under Edit Profile, you have to check “Show my email address,” in Disqus, I receive an email address. We have had plenty of conversations on our site when readers ask for information, especially pertaining to our DIY and Beauty posts. But, we’ve also responded to emails, they just take a lot longer.

I hope you found this helpful!

Do you have any questions about commenting or Bloglovin’? Let us know!

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  • http://www.hkstylejourney.blogspot.com H&K Style Journey

    This is a great post! The most annoying thing is when someone leaves a comment asking you to follow them. I don’t even bother to respond to those types. I try to ask a question or to engage readers into discussions through our blog. It helps build relationships as well as see who truly is reading and those who are just stopping by to gain more exposure through commenting. Very nice post :) Heather

  • Jen West

    What an awesome post, and thank you for the SHOUT OUT! You girls are so amazing, and that is why I visit you as often as I do! (And you are in my MUST READ folder on Bloglovin, so I never have to miss a post :-)

  • http://lady-of-style.blogspot.de/ Lady of Style

    Great post, I couldn’t agree more with everything you said.

    After only 6 months into blogging I have built a loyal community of regular readers and in between post comments I share emails with many of them!

    Leaving quality feedback is essential. I have hardly ever received a “follow you, follow me” request from my agegroup but have noticed that far more amongst the younger generation. My daughter runs her own blog and I can see that she quite frequently receives these comments which are more about quantity than quality.

    Also agree on your point 5. I want to be able to conveniently click on new readers’ URLs in order to check their blogs. I wonder and completely disagree why ifb (I generally really appreciate their recommendations, hints and tips) advises not to add your link and even call it spamming.

    Annette
    Join my giveaway: Fabulous clutch
    Lady of Style

  • Mothering From Scratch

    Love this post … I try to be a good blog commenter. And it’s true, so many relationships have been built by just commenting on blogs I love. My goal is usually 10 blogs a day and I return comments, as well. It’s a modest goal, but it allows me to take the time to leave thoughtful comments and it’s about all my schedule will allow. I have a blogging partner who has the same goal, so between the two of us, we make contact with 20 bloggers a day. It’s been such a pleasure to get to know so many awesome bloggers!

  • Mothering From Scratch

    For some reason, I can’t leave a comment through my Twitter or FB accounts, so I’ve broken the #1 rule! I’m at http://motheringfromscratch.com, but you don’t have to follow me! :)

  • http://www.popcosmo.com/ PopCosmo

    You didn’t break any “rules”! (and aren’t rules made for breaking?) But… I’m glad you left the 2nd message so I could check out your blog!

  • http://www.popcosmo.com/ PopCosmo

    You have been amazingly supportive!!! I always love your comments and love checking in on your blog! I agree, the “please follow me’s” tend to be from the under 30 year olds, and perhaps it is acceptable to them. How does your daughter feel about it? I didn’t realize IFB says not to put our link in… I wonder why as well? If anyone knows, let us know!

  • http://www.popcosmo.com/ PopCosmo

    Aww, thanks… and Ditto!

  • http://www.popcosmo.com/ PopCosmo

    Thanks, Heather! Heading over to check out H&K Style Journey now….

  • Hannah Marr

    this is a great post and definitely something every blogger needs to know, especially the very first part about posting something meaningful, heartfelt comments. it’s great to say someone looks lovely in their pictures and of course who doesn’t appreciate that, but adding value to the conversation will definitely help you create relationships with other bloggers. definitely want to share this with some of my blogging friends!! xo

    hannah
    http://www.bemorethrifty.blogspot.com

  • http://www.popcosmo.com/ PopCosmo

    Thanks for stopping by Hannah! We do all love to hear how beautiful we look, but I love comments that are “juicy” and that we can respond to - glad to hear was a post you enjoyed and looking forward to connecting with you.

  • Hannah Marr

    It is so funny that you use the word ‘juicy’.. my favorite professor used to say that whenever someone would say something particularly, well.. juicy! haha

  • http://www.popcosmo.com/ PopCosmo

    Too funny, maybe it’s teacher’s quirk! (I used to teach :) )

  • Jan Graham-McMillen

    Really … thank you for doing this! Been thinking some of these thoughts as well, and learned more from your comments on this issue. As a corollary to #3, I’d hope that beginning bloggers don’t automatically assume that no comment at all means disapproval. To my shame, I never manage to comment on every blogs of my most prolific friends, but do when I can. I think most of us would like to do more commenting than we actually can. I’d ask patience from them and vow to extend it in turn!

    Additionally, I’m one of those who always manages to “come late to the party” and don’t generally comment if I don’t have anything new to add to the thoughts. Sometimes, though, just a supportive word or two from a lot of readers is important to a blogger, so I also vow to try to be sensitive to that as well.

    Like everyone, I love bloggers who do bother to acknowledge everyone who comments, and I vow to try to keep that up. I try to get back to everyone within three days, but sooner is better. And late is better than never, I hope.

    Thanks too, for advising readers to check their own links. I’m still new to a lot of the comment platforms that people use, and find them confusing sometimes. Good to have it affirmed that the effort is worth it!

    You guys rock.
    Big cyber hugs to you if you like them,
    Jan

  • http://www.popcosmo.com/ PopCosmo

    Your first point is excellent - I don’t actually comment on all the blogs I read. I wish I had the time! And perhaps it’s because of exactly what you say - unless I have something to add to the conversation that’s already begun, I’d rather stay silent.
    We love hugs - any kind!!!

  • Krsity, Life-n-Reflection

    I just love your blog design and fresh topics! You are “spot on” with these tips. I’ve been organizing my bloglovin into lists for the past week. It’s going to take a while with the 700 blogs I follow. With google reader ending soon, it is a must. I really like the bloglovin is setup and the lists are really helpful when your looking for a project idea or fresh information to share with your bloggy friends!

    Kristy @ Life-n-Reflection

  • Carylee

    This is great! And I totally agree about the heartfelt comment. I enjoy reading people’s comments, but kind of get heartbroken a little when I see someone has basically copied and pasted the exact same comment on another blog. And another blog. I also agree with the concept of - if I like your blog, I will follow you. Anyway - great post!

    morepom.blogspot.com

  • Jan Graham-McMillen

    Kim … could you tell my why you like Discus? I’ve been to their site, and I’m not sure what the advantage is over Blogger comments. Is it that the conversation can go on via e-mail, kinda? I’m concerned that the folks I take the time to respond to don’t every bother to read my replies, although I like to make them … seems polite and is fun for me. I’ve got a Disqus account but haven’t applied it to my blog.
    Any help you might lend would be great!
    Thanks in advance,
    Jan

  • Lorelai Victoria

    Great tips on commenting! As a new blogger, I have found that gaining traffic is one of the most difficult things to do. I have been commenting (and luckily leaving my blog link), and it does seem to be helping. Thanks for sharing. :)

    ~Lorelai
    Life With Lorelai

  • http://www.popcosmo.com/ PopCosmo

    Thank you, Kristy! We also love Bloglovin’ It’s an easy reader and with a daily email we find we can sit back with a latte and catch up when we have the time! But wow, 700! You must have some great lists. I’d love to hear how you organize them :)

  • http://www.popcosmo.com/ PopCosmo

    I know, it’s true about the copy and paste. What’s interesting is that I find myself thinking the same thoughts as the other commenters if I read them before I post. And let’s face it, half the fun IS reading the other comments! (at least for me) I love reading everyone else’s point of view :)

  • http://www.popcosmo.com/ PopCosmo

    Anytime - woud love to hear how it progresses :)

  • http://www.weknowstuff.us.com/ Denine & Daniele

    Thanks for being so kind and sharing your insight with us. I’m glad we had a chance to “chat” in our group. Typepad is a bit tricky to work with, so I appreciate your help. I will definitely work on the teeny-tiny comments text - lol - who knew it was soooo tiny?! We’ve heard about Discus as a work around to Typepad not supporting Commentluv - how do you like it?

  • http://www.popcosmo.com Kim & Chloe

    We love Disqus! I’m not sure how it works on Typepad… but on WordPress it’s been flawless! Love your blog!!!!

  • Emmy

    Those are some great tips! I have been blogging for a few years now, yet I never seem to get a lot of followers outside of my friends, yet I read lots of other blogs. This is very helpful!

  • Amy mayen

    Interesting! I wrote a post once about blog commenting. Not that I’m perfect, but I think a lot of people could benefit from reading this post. I think I’ve gotten most of my readers from commenting on their posts. And every blogger that I know on a first name basis and really love- it started out with a comment on their blog, or began with them leaving an intriguing comment on mine. To me, a comment is an introduction…I like to make a good first impression :)

  • http://www.popcosmo.com/ PopCosmo

    We LOVE Disqus! But we also love the one that allows people to enter their latest post… that really encourages them to leave comments. Wish Disqus had that feature :)

  • http://www.popcosmo.com/ PopCosmo

    Hope with these tips you start seeing some more interaction - we would visit your blog if we could click on your name :)

  • http://www.popcosmo.com/ PopCosmo

    Great way of putting it - it is a 1st impression! Luckily if there is no name the first time around, you get a 2nd chance… unlike in real life!