In a previous article, I wrote in detail about using an "organic web search strategy" to help with developing traffic and readers to your blog and website. Another effective strategy is to use effective commenting on other websites to link to your site.
Want to know how this works, or need proof that this is effective? Read on!
Every morning, I read a few articles on Seeking Alpha, a financial market blog. I choose an article or two where the topic is particularly relevant to a blog posting of my own on my personal blog, or a blog posting on the Altos Research blog.
Yesterday, I left a comment on the article - "Why are Mortgage Rates So High?" - linking to a blog post about the mortgage market I wrote earlier in the week.
Using my account with MyBlogLog, I can track incoming clicks to my blog.(You should be using tools like MyBlogLog to track your traffic if you're not already. Here's more info on these sorts of tools.) See below:
From a single comment that I made on an article on Seeking Alpha related to the mortgage market, I had several clicks and views of my related blog post!
You might be saying - "Well, that's only a few clicks." Maybe so, but this is for a single day for a single comment on one article. If you spend 15 minutes (yes, I know - more activities that "only take 15 minutes"...) to leave a couple of comments of several posts, now you're looking at 10 or 20 new readers per day.
Want another advantage? You're also developing a brand for yourself on these other website. Here's what I mean...
On Seeking Alpha, you can set up a profile for yourself and the site will track your comments and provide you with ratings for your comments - other readers can give you a "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" for your comments. Here's a look at my profile:
I've left 15 comments, with just one "thumbs down" rating. (You can also give yourself a "thumbs up" to help yourself look good - I suggest doing this if you're confident that your comments are good...)
Need more proof? Here's just a sample of some inbound links to the Altos Research website from comments I've left on Seeking Alpha articles:
Two important points:
1. If you comment on another article in a related area, you already have a qualified reader! If a reader is reviewing an article about real estate in your area, they are probably interested in reading more. If you show your expertise by offering a constructive comment and a link to a place where the reader can learn more, there's a good chance that they'll click through to your site.
2. Your comments MUST contribute to the topic and conversation of the original article/blog post. For example, say that you come across an article that's discussing a possible turn in the Atlanta housing market:
Good Comment:
"This is a great perspective on the Atlanta market. I've noticed that buyers are starting to pick up the phone and get in touch more often. I've had 15 calls in December vs. only 10 in November, and some are providing me with documentation of mortgage pre-qualification. I'm not sure if this means the market is turning, but there is some activity out there. I wrote more about this in detail last week - www.myhomeblog.com/Is-the-Market-Turning."
A comment like this acknowledges the author, contributes to their point, and provides specific information. Once you've done that, you are telling the reader that you also have authority in this area and they will be more likely to click through. Also, notice that I included the specific web address of the blog post that is related to this story.
It's also acceptable to disagree, so long as you do so professionally and courteously. Some of the best comments on my blog postings have presented the other side of the argument.
Bad Comment:
"Good post. If you're looking to sell your house in the next 30 days, check out my website at www.Icansellyourhousewithmyeyesclosed.com or call John Doe at No Vision Real Estate at 1-800-555-HOME."
There you have it - commenting helps with blog traffic, builds your brands, and creates more awareness of your local market expertise. Stop reading - get out there and start commenting!
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