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Commenting On Other's Content

By Christina Mulberry

As an internet marketer, we often find ourselves on a variety of sites writing or submitting our content. We get to know others, review the content that they're contributing, and begin to comment on what we've read.

This whole process happens naturally as we begin to make friends and acquaintances. One of the goals when we're making comments is to help encourage and promote other writers. From my perspective however, after I'm done reading, I'm often left wondering exactly what comment I should leave for the author. It's a simple thing, but in my opinion some comments are more useful or simply more encouraging than others.

Everything that I am about to say is merely opinion on my part, not facts.

I suppose my first thought about comments is that nearly all of them are good. I don't care if all a reader says is "hey, nice article", I appreciate it. At least I know they're paying attention and my content is live and can be viewed. Unfortunately, probably 50% of the comments I make fall in this category.

My next thought is that other comments can be even better, although certainly some topics won't elicit everyone's most ardent repsonses. In my eyes, an example of a better comment would be one which adds useful information or additional content on the same topic. Such comments will provide value for readers interested in the topic at hand. For instance, if I write about how to prepare a Swiss Steak and a reader has a tip for making the meat more tender, then adding that in their comment makes the page even more informative.

Another comment that I find useful is one that demonstrates that the reader has indeed digested what I've said in my content and actually engages in the discussion. Such comments may refer to my original ideas, state their own opinion, or ask a question. This helps the content to become more engaging for subsequent readers and encourages the same behavior.

Keywords are good to see in readers responses also. As content is added in the form of comments, having a few keywords thrown in certainly doesn't hurt. If I've written a 700 word article about footed pajamas and a reader comments that they wouldn't dream of wearing anything else because they don't like their toes waving in the wind, then using the phrase footed pajamas once in their response can help keep keyword density high enough on the page.

When readers leave a response that includes a link, I may consider it either good or bad. Many links are spam or blatant self-promotion. I don't consider this good. However, if a reader has a link to submit that adds value then I certainly welcome it. Even if it also happens to be self-promotion. For instance, if I write about how cell phones are dangerous on the road and a reader comments about it, leaving a link to their article on the reduction of accidents in Idaho after the passage of "Don't Talk and Drive" legislation, then that's great. Again, it adds value to the content or conversation. (And, yes, I made up that legislation.)

My only other thought about comments is that leaving a response on older content that doesn't appear to be active anymore is a good thing as well. Often there are a dozen responses after content is first published. Then it goes silent. Forever. If a reader comes upon this article, a new comment can help bring it back to life. The comment can act as fresh content, bring it up in searches once again or at a minimum, help get it noticed by other readers who check it out.

Commenting on the content that other writers submit is important. Readers who arrive on our pages from outside sources seldom comment unless there are already other comments present. Our comments to each other can provide the needed encouragement to engage. Sometimes a quick pat on the back or whatever is great, but I do think there is value in thinking about what type of comment will be most useful.

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You are right about so many things here, but I especially like your point about bringing life back to an old article. Many articles should never stop attracting attention simply because they were written a month or even a year ago. Because we live in such a fast paced world nowadays it's easy to miss something pertinent to a common scenario. Resurrecting an old article can do more than simply revive an idea, fresh input can stimulate and develop a notion that might once have been considered impossible.
While the term 'learn from history' applies too.

A great deal of time can go into writing articles, it's a shame to see those pieces of content get such limited attention. A few people see it at first, but most people miss out. (assuming it's any good!)

This intel was very thought provoking and was packed with many good points to consider. One point I especially liked was: "Keywords are good to see in readers responses also. As content is added in the form of comments, having a few keywords thrown in certainly doesn't hurt." I will try to remember that when I am commenting. Always try to help.

Agreed. It's hard to make good comments when time is so tight, but when I can, I like to do something useful.

The ability to comment on other's content is one of the things that makes the Internet such a vibrant medium. You can do the same thing letters to the editor in the online world, of course, but those comments have a short shelf live. However, I confess to serious irritation when someone leaves an inappropriate comment with a completely self serving link. Such as the people who leave comments on my scrapbook blog inviting readers to click on a link so they can deal with their erectile dysfunction.

LOL! My long time probably was ACNE...everyone had a cure for acne. Finally, after numerous comments about that topic I deleted them because I think my content was showing up higher in ACNE searches than for my topic.

I never thought about adding key words to the comments I write but that is a great idea that really helps the author and hopefully they in turn will do the same for you at some point. This was a well written piece, I never would have thought about so many aspects to commenting!

Just some extraneous thoughts really, probably more of a reminder to myself than anything. ;)

Comments are contagious. Very often a comment can generate comments or a clarification from the author. This adds to the Intel in depth and interactivity.

One thing the comment to an inactive Intel can also do is reactivate the inactive author into becoming active again.

You've added nicely to the value for other readers ;)

and hey, thanks for stopping by!

I always appreciate it when others comment on my Intel, whether they happen to agree or disagree with what I've written, simply because it shows they've taken the time to read it. I must say that thankfully very few who do comment place links which are clearly designed to get their site seen, rather than adding any real value. Useful reminder too about older content. Much of what was written a year or so ago is just as applicable and interesting today as it was when it was written, and I do endeavour to comment on older Intels when I see any of interest.

Agree or disagree, it stimulates the conversation, and THAT's a good thing.

I agree completely Christina. Though I must say that comments that include keywords is something that I had not consciously thought of. If someone gives feedback in the form of a comment on other's content, this process often happens naturally.

I agree, it often does happen naturally that you end up using keywords when you comment. Same as it does when you write the original article.

Thank you for sharing this great advise on commenting, Christina. I have been very fortunate to receive great comments on my articles and in a surprising quantity. It is time well spent, to read, learn and comment on the writings of others.
Best to you.
Frederick

Yes, you can learn all kinds of things amongst our friends here!

Another major factor is comments encourage attraction marketing instead of blatant advertising. Let's face it, whenever I make a comment I try to make it interesting enough so the readers who follow will want to learn more about me. There is ALWAYS a trail of breadcrumbs they can follow, even if it's nothing more than using Google to poke around.

Yes, excellent point!

O! say can you see by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
O! say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

You know, I think I knew that as a kid but...

I like people who "revive" my old posts, too. the only kind of comment I do not welcome is spam, for example, when I sell a comment advertising one dental firm in a post on my blog and then another dental firm comes and comments that their firm is better. Then I have to go delete that, duh!!!

It amazes me that they waste their time, don't they know it will get deleted?

As a rule, I try to use keywords or key phrases in comments on intels or blogs but at times I relax that if there is a quick gag to be made. In those cases, brevity always works better.

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