As I said in Part I, Strategic Commenting For Knowledge And Friends to get the most out of your Active Rain experience! Like any gathering of like mined people physical or virtual what you'll get out of participating depends on what you're looking for and how much effort you're willing to put into it.
Commenting is crossing the room, sticking out your hand and saying "Hello I'm..."
Commenting and answering comments is how you make friends! Unlike posting where the best you can hope for is to collect fans.
Commenting is how you ask questions.
Commenting is how you add value to the blog! Blogs get better as more people interact with the blogger. The best example was by my friend Brian Brady from 11-17-2006 it's still growing almost 4 years later! A Realtor's Guide to "PMI & Short Sales"
What started out as a good blog became a great blog, because allot of people participated! Neither Brian or I could have pulled this off alone. None of this was planed, all communication on this subject was in the comments.
When to comment. Comment as soon as possible after a blog is posted. The early comments and the latest comments are the ones most read. You can't get bumped into obscurity if you're at the top! But, don't let coming in late deter you! You'll be the latest comment for at least a little while.
Be sure to check the box to be notified of additional comments. You don't have to comment to be keep up to date on a growing blog.
(Most commentors and many more readers are notified every time a new comment is added!)
What to say? Any thing you sincerely feel! Even the most naive question/remark is welcome if politely ask.
Should you debate a blog? Yes, if and only if you respect the blogger! Two things happen when you debate. One like every comment your name is now associated with the blogger's! It's the blogger's audience you can win over the readers if you can't win over the blogger!
Only debate your friends!
Short comments?Short comments are acceptable, only if you're known to the blogger and their readers! I've several friends that post allot of photos, they and their readers know me, a simple "WOW!" is offen sufficient.
Answering comments. You should always answer questions! When practical answer all comments! Some prefer one comment answering many comments. I prefer to answer individually, but each comment triggers a notice to other commentors and to some readers this can be annoying to some.
Deleting comments.It's a blogger's responcibilty to police his blog! Read: The Nobility of Arrogance
Lastly! Subscribe to bloggers you like or learn from. You can expand your reading by tracing fellow commentors that say thing you learn from or agree with. Making friends a few words at a time requires many post, many comments all respectful!
Use the "search" feature to find subjects you're interested in.
Now as soon as you've scribed to my bloggs, say hello and then go make some new friends!
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