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What You Oughta Know About Blog Commenting

Much has been said about blog commenting here on ActiveRain, but what about blog commenting out in the real world? I'm talking about commenting on blogs that are not on the ActiveRain platform. Do you comment on other blogs within your niche? Do you try to grab the attention of the big boys? Why would you want to? How can commenting on other blogs help you?

Commenting on high profile blogs outside of A|R can have a huge impact on your publicity, your search engine results, and your overall popularity within the blogging world. Okay, so you won't get any A|R "points" for commenting outside of A|R, but there is a much larger benefit to be had.

Benefits Of Blog Commenting

Grab The Attention Of The Blogs Readers
Grab The Attention Of The Blogger
Increase Your Brand Awareness
Create More Back Links

Yes, blog commenting can do all those things, and much much more, however, there is a catch. You actually have to be a real life genuine human being when your commenting. None of this sissy, "great post thanks for sharing", stuff. You have to add value to the readers of the blog, and you have to add value to the blogger themselves. "Add Value" is the key.

GRAB THE ATTENTION OF THE BLOGS READERS

There are people out there that have never heard of you, never heard of ActiveRain, and surely don't know that you are a fantastic blogger. You have to show them that what you have to offer is something they might be interested in. Besides, they are already commenting on blogs and reading information in your niche, all you have to do is prove that you're worth their time.

How can I grab their attention?

It works much the same outside of ActiveRain as it does here. When commenting on most blogs, you get to add a link to your website or blog, which people will click on if you add value to a conversation. Here's an example:

Go to Google and search for your niche, and add blogs to the search like this:

Google Search For Real Estate Blogs

As you can see by just doing a general real estate blog search, I have over 100 million choices to choose from. Now, click on a few blogs, and check out how they do their blog commenting. Make sure that when you comment you are able to leave a link back to your blog/website. It should look something like this:

Blog Commenting

The box that says website is where you want to enter your web address to your blog/website. That's all there is to it. Find blogs, leave comments, add value to the conversation, leave a link back to your blog/website, and use your analytics (click that link to learn how to install analytics on your blog) to watch the new traffic come in.

GRAB THE ATTENTION OF THE BLOGGER

Attention! When people comment on your blog, how does it make you feel? I can bet it makes you fell warm and fuzzy right? I'm talking about those people that leave a comment that makes you click on the link to their profile, add them as an associate, and go find their blog to leave them a comment. Those comments are the comments that get blog writers attention, and in a big way.

I found a blog called New Homes Blog. I started commenting on the blog, and I really enjoy reading what the writer had to say. So, I left some pretty meaty comments, and he emailed me. He asked me to be a guest blogger for his Utah section. A guest blogger! That means that he lets me write blogs on his blog, and leave a link back to my websites for Google juice. I got his attention by commenting with some great comments to add value to his blog.

The more you put in the more you will get. Start building a relationship with the blogger, and soon enough they just might start talking about you in their own blogs.

INCREASE YOUR BRAND AWARENESS

Talking On The Phone The more and more you start to show up on blogs in your niche, the more and more your brand is going to get recognized. By commenting on blogs all over th web,you're going to increase your online visibility.

The more you show up, the more people will be curious as to who you are, which will make people more likely to click on your link to learn more about you. Human curiosity!

Think about it. Who are the most popular people you know of on ActiveRain?

I bet you it's the top commenter's such as, TLW, Lenn Harley, Jason Crouch, Todd Clark, Broker Bryant, Loreena Yeo, C-Tann Star, Bill Gassett, Jeff Dowler, Missy Caulk, Rich Jacobson, Patricia Kennedy just to name a few, or the people who comment on your blog everyday.

These people comment a lot and for good reason, they are creating brand awareness. The more you see them, the more you want to know who they are, and that gives you a click through to your blog/website.

How many comments have you made today?

CREATE MORE BACK LINKS

@ Sign With Phone Cord (If you don't know what a do-follow and no-follow link are, before reading this section, I would recommend you read this blog on no-follow and do-follow links first.)

Just like ActiveRain, when you comment on some blogs, you get a do-follow link to your website.

Every time you make a comment on ActiveRain while logged in, you get a do-follow link pointing back to your profile.

In order to find blogs that are do-follow around the web, you will have to do some research.

So far, I have a list of 25 do-follow blogs that I am currently commenting on. I don't do it just for the link, I also add as much to the conversation as I can.

If I don't have anything to say that is going to add value, I don't say anything at all. I found these blogs by searching Google and researching real estate forums. Unfortunately, I am not going to give you my list of do-follow blogs, I want you to find your own, because it will be more beneficial to you if you do.

What I am going to do is, give you a head start in the right direction. Finding do-follow blogs is actually pretty easy once you have the Firefox plugin as mentioned in the link above.

Start out by searching Google for do-follow blogs:

Google Search: Do Follow Blogs
Do-follow blog search engine.
The Art Of Commenting On Do Follow Blogs

I use these tools and they helped me get a start in the right direction. If you're serious about ranking high for your keywords, commenting on do follow blogs can help you attain your goals. Remember, just because a blog is no follow, doesn't mean you can't get value out of it. Leaving your link is going to get people to click on it, which will bring traffic your way, and increase your brand awareness.

What's It All Mean?

Commenting on blogs is one of the most fundamental aspects of social media. You are interacting, creating relationships, and adding value to the on-going conversations around the web. Building your awareness through blog commenting takes time and effort to be successful. But I can attest that if you do it with genuine care you soon will start to see an increase in your blogs activity. Good Luck!

If you have any stories about how you comment, leave me a comment about it. Or better yet, write a blog about it, and leave a link in the comments so you can add value to my conversation!

P.S. A good place to start commenting is my new Cache Valley Real Estate blog!

Posted by Lisa Udy Realtor Utah Real Estate Specialist on 11/06/2009 03:22 PM

Comments (95)

What You Oughta Know About Blog Commenting in the ActiveRain Channel

commenting on blogs, do follow links, no follow links, seo tips, blog commenting, grabbing attention

Post is included in group: Build a Better Blog
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95 Comments on What You Oughta Know About Blog Commenting

NOV

Lisa, never realized commenting could do so much for us. Sometimes I read a post and learn a little something or enjoy a different opinion and do say sissy things like "great post", lol. I guess I have to take a look at my comments a little better. I wonder if anyone has had any success stories over commenting?

What a great post. Too often it seems like people either approach commenting as just a way to get additional backlinks (and great reminder on do-follow vs. no-follow, what a waste of time if you're commenting for backlinks and not even getting any!), or they do it because they feel like they should say something. Adding something of value is so imortant, and really is a great way to get a little bit of the writers attention.

Thanks for an informative post......no it appears I have to do some research on the "do follow" blogs. I love all the lessons we can learn on AR!

Lisa...

You set off my Google Alert :)

Great post. You should know that I have 215,000 points for commenting and only 117,000 for actually Blogging. Those are some amazing stats. They even amaze me :)

TLW...ROAR!

And...

Have I already told you how much I love your leather jacket? It goes well with my whip :)

TLW...ROAR!

Lisa, Great post. Thanks for sharing. JUST KIDDING. I have never commented anywhere except AR and had no idea of the value therein. I'm bookmarking this great blog to read again...and again.

Hi Lisa -- As usual, this post is very informative and insightful. My biggest obstacle to doing more is time and I'm pretty organized by nature. I've bookmarked this post as I have wanted to branch out. Bloodhoundrealty.com blog is a powerful one.

Hi Lisa. Your blog caught my attention and after reading it I felt compelled to leave a comment. First of all, it felt like it was too long, but that might be a reflection on me, since I have a short attention span. I have written down the main points, and I will definitely start seeking applying them. In the past, I would peruse AR, read the blogs that I was interested in, then move on without leaving a comment. I have learned the error of my ways. These days, I leave comments.

Lisa - I find the biggest benefit is connected with the writer and their readers - and when you find great local blogs, blog about them. You never know when that will come back to you. I do think it's a great idea to break out of the ActiveRain community too. Basically, everything you said is spot on.

Nice job Lisa ~ Nice to have a road map with practical reasons for commenting. I do it anyway, but pretty much only here. I guess I need to visit the WWW and leave a few comments there too. Good SEO value is always a good reason to expand your horizon.

Denise

All great ideas. I never thought about the do-follow linking possibilities, hmmmmmm. Something I need to start doing a little more regularly.

Wow! Thank you. This is an informative blog. I hadn't realized that the link backs can do so much.This is so well thought out. I appreciate it. You are an inspiration.

Great post! I had no idea commenting helped with our own blogs!

With reading all the valuable information I read here on ActiveRain, do you really think I have time to go read blogs on another forum??

Great post, thanks for sharing.

I agree that commenting can do a lot for you. I once had someone leave a comment about healthy homes that was long enough for a post. It was well written too. I asked her if I could delete it and use it as a post on my blog with her name as a quest author. She was amazed and happy, it helped my blog too because it was a community effort.

Commenting is a good way to get out in the community.

Here I am, interacting. Creating relationships. Doing the very best I can. It's working wonders. Never been happier.

Lisa:

I think there is a lot a validity to "breaking out of Active Rain" a bit as Matt has said. I will be exploring this. (Where is the time for it though?)

I like your Cache Valley Real Estate site. It has a good design and a lot of key words. I think it will be highly effective.

Hi Bob - Sometimes all you can say is nice post, thanks for sharing, but those comments won't get you much more then 25 points on A|R. :)

HI Rich - Great comment, but I want to stress that just because a link is no follow doesn't mean you can't get a little extra traffic from it.

Hi TLW - You're a rock star around here, and for good reason. Your original, inspiring, and down right real. I like real. Maybe I should tell my hubby to get me a whip for Christmas, and you should have BB get you a leather jacket. :)

HI Marian - A|R is an amazing platform, but it can only take you so far. If you really want to gain ground on the big boys in your area, you need to get out there and get some more links!

Hi Chris - Bloodhound blog is a great place to get started. I believe they are do follow as well, which is going to get you that bit of Google juice.

Hi Lloyd - I agree the blog is a little long, but I wanted to make sure that if you were going to take the time to comment, I would take the time to give you something worth your time. Hopefully I succeeded!

Matt - It seems that the people who have been here a while have found that there is so much more out there. Why not take advantage of what you can when you can? Connecting with people is what this is all about, and not everyone is on A|R, although quite a few! Nothing is better for your SEO then someone talking about you on their blog and leaving you a great link.

Denise - Good luck out there! :)

Renee - I have been sitting on that little bit of SEO information for a while now, I know it works, my search results have improved quite a bit since I started my commenting campaign.

Angelica - I just love to help!

Donna - I know it's time consuming, but the benefits are well worth your time. I dare you to try it for a month and see what your results are. :)

Lisa, This is a nice meaty post with a great list of in depth procedures on how to make it work. Thank you!

LISA,

Thanks for taking the time to explain how commenting on other's blogs can be of benefit to us!! I'm going to go check out some of the "other" real estate blogs. Are there any others besides AR?? ;)

Lisa-

Funny you should mention...

I'm dedicating a blog to...what else...commenting on blogs! It's about exactly the type of exposure that you outline so well above. If you and other AR members have stories to share--good commenting experiences, bad ones, ones that resulted in XYZ (bottom line: interesting)--please send them to me either to me through AR, or to daretocomment@gmail.com

Thanks again for the great post!

Excellent post Lisa. If we all branch out and start creating more backlinks from other sites it will benefit not only our individula blogs but also all of us here at ActiveRain, right?

What a great way to get our internet exposure to "snowball."

Lisa, you have once again provided us with some great information. I clicked over to your do-follow, no-follow post and bookmarked. Thank you for giving us this knowledge and for all time and effort you have put into it.

Hi Lisa~ I had no idea! I am amazed at how much I learn in here, thanks to you and some other activerainers!

Hi Lisa!

As a babyblogger, I cannot tell you how useful this post is! I will also bookmark this and follow you for more!

With all the incoming links and back links...lI have seen our website go from a couple hits on google, to a full 10 pages in less than 2 weeks!

Let it rain!

Thanks again!

Well deserved feature for this post Lisa. I try to comment often as that is something I learned when I first got here. That being said, I do need to branch out and comment on other blogs. Thanks for the nudge in the right direction with "do follow"

Hi Lisa ~ Super post! You really covered all the bases. Funny - this is the first post I spotted after signing on to AR after a long commenting session "out there". I'd fallen off track a bit but am making it a regular part of my day again. Gotta say it eats up loads of time but worth it for all sorts of reasons.

Question - how do you input your name in comments? Do you vary that? Do you feel inhibited about doing anything other than your name? Do you care on your own blog how people input their name? (I certainly don't as long as the person leaves a decent comment). I know that some have strong opinions about this. And in the end is a link with just your name not a good link? Sorry to go on - clearly I think too much about this!!

Liz

Hi Lisa -- I comment, and comment, even when my blog comment point is done for the day. I blogged about that once, being on a Comment Diet. Lenn Harley commented that I shouldn't be on a diet at all, and comment away. It makes sense, and I'm glad to read your helpful suggestions!

Lisa, thanks for sharing this revelation - had never thought about that but it makes perfect sense. Definitely on my To Do list!

Lisa -- Very thorough and accurate .. good job. I've actually created some nice connections in other areas by doing this.

Hi Lisa, what an excellent post! Thanks for all of the information, I never realized all of the link love that's out there. I spent a day at rebar camp so I'm bookmarking to re-read AND apply. Thanks!

Hi Lisa...Really in good and informative post. This is definitely got me thinking about the 1 hr a day I spend blogging. Maybe I should spend sometime on the outside. Interesting thought!

Hi,

I am new to the world of blogging and would love to say something helpful and informative. However, I feel blessed at this point that Tony and Darcy Cannon have been willing to help me learn to blog! Hopefully, in the future, I will learn something that I can share with you about blogging.

I read some of your comments, and one guy said your blog was too long. Actually, for me it wasn't long enough. Could you give me a little more information? I don't know what you mean by linking to blogs. Could you give me an example of when and how you would do that?

Thank you for the information.

Janet Naisbitt-Bagley, ERA REalty Center, Cedar City, UT, www.homesincedarcity.com, 800-934-3742

Lisa- You have added another great post for me to bookmark. I just spent a blogathon week in learning mode and it still continues thanks to wonderful AR members like you who are so willing to share!

This is interesting. I was recently commenting on another real estate blog and this one guy thought he was a genius and stated "barking" at me. I ended up delateing my comments. I'd rather not be associated with such. ANYWAY, thanks for the advice and ideas. I have gained recognition and business from other sites. It is nice.

WOW Lisa..this post is fantastic..Well deserving of another star..that you are...:0)

HELPFULHANNAH your friend in Philadelphia

Hey, I know some of those blogger you mentioned. That made me feel like I'm smart. But, I don't really know know them. I just litter on their blog once in awhile to say I agree or disagree. That makes me feel smart too. Damn! Now I'm beginning to feel like I'm not so smart. Brand awareness? I didn't even know I was a brand. Oh, my poor head is going to explode.

Lisa This is rather informative. I do know the value of commenting however I will have to explore Do follow blogs.

Lisa, thanks for this post. I am totally confused about this do and do not follow.. In your previous post you said that the AR comment links are do not follow, yet here you state that they are? Guess I need to just comment and not worry about it eh!

Your post is extremely informative. I learned quite a bit of new information.

Lisa,

I will admit even though I follow your blog I missed this the first time out. I did however get lucky and catch a reblog of your post. So of course I came back to the source. Thanks for the great info.

Lisa,

That was a very well thought out approach. I never thought of it. I think it would take a fair amount of time to implement.

Brian

I hadn't really thought much about the value of commenting on other blogs. I see now how this can not only benefit me but also bring more business to my blog--which a nice bonus. Thanks for your insight. I'm going to google for some do follow blogs right now.

I blog comment a LOT more in facebook, than I do in AR... the response time is MUCH better..... there had been times I used to wait an hour or MORE to see a response to a comment I made in an "intense" dissussion in AR.

Facebook is MUCH better for talkin in "real time".. they even have instant messaging...

I do basiclly my 10 comments per day..... and hopefully my 10 posts per week....

I understand the links issue you talked about.... I have bookmarked your post here to research it later for the backlinks to our company website, etc, etc..

I also link to my AR posts in facebook....

hehehehehe...

=-)

Thanks Lisa for a post with such specific, helpful advice on commenting. Definitely bookmarked and ready for me to work on this weekend!

Lisa: I discovered the power of commenting on others' blogs (other than AR) by accident. I made a comment on a very popular design blog I discovered by clicking through from someone else's blog. I made a "meaty" comment. A couple of days later when I checked my blog statistics I discovered that several people who had read my comment had checked out my blog. My subscriber numbers jumped. You never know where your next client or journalist interview is going to come from, right? I now make it a habit to comment on outside blogs several times per week.

NOV

Lisa, Your title made me a little nervous. Thought maybe I was about to read something that would make me regret all my commenting. But NO! Now I'm aware that I should be spending even more time online, looking for blogs where i can add a meaty comment! (I DO like that phrase.) In addition to finding time to implement what you've shared, I now need to scout out appropriate venues for commenting. Really a super post, Lisa.

This is a great example of why I like to read AR posts. I think of comments as the readers way of joining in on a group conversation. Adding substance to the conversation will likely draw others in the group to come check out your post. As the author of a post, I like to check out the posts of my commenters, but others commenting on your post will be less likely to do this unless you have added value to the conversation.

Hi Lisa - Great insights on commenting to build relationships and build brand awareness. The Rain is really just one drop in the ocean that is the blogosphere.

When I think about it, most of the connections I have made on active rain came from commenters and not the actual blogs. Something they say strikes you and you end up clicking on their profile.

Hi Lisa,

It's amazing how you get focused on what you're doing and lose sight of the simple stuff. These are all good ideas, thank's for laying it all out for us.

Two very valuable websites for commenting about real estate are InmanNews.com and Agentgenius.com. Google loves comments on those and if you include your signature with your comment considers a lot of them as back links.

Great post & absolutely we have to read & comment on other blogs to build our online brand & relationships

Thanks for the informative comment. I've known about this but not as much as you've entered into this excellent post.

Lisa - Thanks for the very valuable post to remind us to also use other sources for our business as well and how to effectively do it.

I love playing in the 'Rain. This is where I have a life. It's sad, I know. I appreciate your adding me onto your list. I think you're my Blogging Super Star.

I do it for link backs, I do it as point challenge to myself (to commit myself) and I do this to enhance my real estate knowledge.

Thanks for the great info...this is what I love about activerain. Congrats on the well deserved feature.

Great information Lisa! I had never thought about the power of commenting on other blogs. Now if I only had more time in the day!

Great post thanks for sharing.

I am tempted to leave it at that but I will add that I have learned so much on Active Rain. I have a growing list of things to research and I just added "do follow/no follow" to the list.

Great reminder about commenting on the blogs out there besides Active Rain. I try to dfind blogs like Jay Thompson's that not only have great content, but also rank high. I also find that these type of people don't mind helping out those who visit.

Lisa: These are great tips. I'll have to work on commenting on blogs outside of AR. Thanks again. I appreciate the great advice!

Lisa,

Good point and thanks for sharing.

Reading your post suddenly made me realize how important our contributions can also be outside of ActiveRain. Off to do some work on this!

Hi Lisa. How are you? Blog commenting gives readers in other areas more of an idea of your thought process and where you are coming from besides your own material you write. It can work to your benefit OR detriment. Talking among Rainers, I have heard some say they like an author's material what they individually wrote but found out they didn't like them as a person when reading their comments elsewhere. Maybe their political bent, personal opinions, etc. This is probably more the exception than the rule, but it also means we have to be careful with our blog commenting or at least know that what we write down, silly, opinionated, strong willed, or nasty, others are taking note of.

Great Idea! I had not thought of this. I think I might have to hire a full time blogger!

Hi Lisa - once again another great blogger is opening my eyes on an overlooked idea. Bookmarked this so i can go back and get it and then get out there and have more fun. My one concern is more time - it's almost like a part time job. In fact I had that very conversation with my husband the other day - blogging and all it's components are like another facet of our professions - must do's for now and the future of our businesses. Thanks so much for opening my eyes to another road - way fun!

Lisa - Terrific post here! I've been striving to do a lot more of this on the "big time" blogs lately, especially after reading "Trust Agents". Thanks for your kind mention - have a great weekend!

I particularly like commenting on Inman. It seems to come up in Google so quickly for my keywords.

I think your suggestiosn to look at other websites makes a great deal of sense, and congratlulations on being a guest blogger.

Lisa--Geez. There is SO MUCH to learn about SEO and maximizing your time blogging. It is much harder than most newbies understand at first. THanks for the post.

Thank yhou for this post - very useful information - so much so I'm going to go ahead and take the libery to reblog it myself and flag it, recommending a FEATURE slot...

Lisa - This is a lot of great information. I honestly never thought much about commenting on other blogs outside of AR. Thanks for the info!

I found you through a reblog of this post. Very interesting... never thought about do and no-follow blogs. WOW! I'm going to spend some time digesting this info. I've already hit a couple of the links, and have a lot to think through this evening! I'd end with "Thanks for the post. Great info." But (even though it's true) you deserve more. Which is why I've already left a comment on your outside link!

Lisa.... what a wonderful idea. I will have to go outside the ranks of AR and comment there as well. Great point !

NOV

Hi Lisa...Lots of Great Content on Suggestions on Blogging outside Active Rain.

Great Post.

Cheers

You have just expanded my little world exponentially with this information. I will bookmark and study this more later. This is one of my all time favorites. Its something even I can do.

This was a really awesome post Lisa. Very well done and detailed!! Commenting on "do folllow" blogs is a good way to pick up some good back links.

I have re-blogged this post... such GREAT info here that I want to be sure that others see it as well!

I am surprised that no one else went to your outside blog to comment. What a missed opportunity to "practice" your lesson from this post!

Lisa, thanks for the education. I didn't realize there was so much to learn about the blogging world! I'm going to work on my "meaty" comments.

I found this through another member who had re-blogged it and wanted to come say THANK YOU! Such valuable information and I know it's something I never thought of. Thanks again for the education and food for thought!

I did not know any of this so I now have homework to do ugh. I will start immediately though.

NOV

Lisa: A great post... but why the fuss over grabbing the attention of the "Big Boys ?" What about the Big Girls ? Share and share alike... :)

It looks like I have even more to learn than I thought. Yikes !

Lisa, I am still kind of a new blogger and learned a lot from your post. I have already enjoyed the commenting on AR and found that the more I comment, the more attention and comments that I receive. I had not made the jump to commenting on other blogs and the information about no-follow and do-follow links will be something that I study immediately. Thank you for all this help.

Lisa,

This is a great post. Somehow I missed it when it was posted, but have read it once and will re-read. Thank you for bringing this to everyone's attention and sharing this great information.

Active Rain has the most helpful members of any blogging platform.

Thank you.

Lisa we are lucky to have you and so are our Utah new home shoppers. It is very beneficial to have you available to advise them about the Logan market. Thanks for the shout-out!

NOV

Lisa,

I downloaded Firefox and that REALLY helped easily identify the follow links... but I have a question... if when making a comment on a blog it asks for your email and website info, is that any indiciation of a do-follow link? Or just a coincidence??

BTW - I did make a number of "offsite" comments, asking for them to look at this blog or that one depending on the subject, and it really has opened a new world of contacts!

BUT I forgot the one challenge that you made about writing a comment about blogging and then linking to your comments. I'm going to do that right now!

Hi Ruth, Actually most blogs have the email/website information for a comment, but that has no relevance of being do follow/no follow. The plugin is the only way to really check if the blog is do follow.

I was afraid you'd say that cause that would just be too easy, huh?

BTW, I did post a blog referencing this post. Here's the link: Great Info

(that is what you suggested we do, right??)

NOV

Lisa - As usual, very valuable info ! Featured in "Build a Better Blog" !

One of the posts I read when I was first trying to figure out everything about AR said to google yourself to see where you are on the list. Since I don't yet have an outside blog, my members' only blogs don't show up, but my comments on other people's blogs do. From that point on, I realized that all my comments (on outside blogs) could be seen and it could be pretty revealing. So that's one way to get people motivated to make relevant comments! Imagine if someone googled him/herself and saw 52 pages of "Great post - thanks for sharing" -- haha, it would be too funny. Thanks.

NOV

You have educated me = that is the essence of blogging. Thank you. Kathy

NOV

I like this website I feel that this site could be very useful & informative

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