So you know this whole social aspect of blogging- it's not overrated! At all! Hence the blog comment post. Oh and this social LIFE thing- also not overrated!!! In fact it's quite underrated and I don't truly appreciate being able to leave my bed for a basketball game until I can't. Leave. My. Bed.
Being sick for a week really makes you appreciate loyal followers who still comment when you don't comment on their blogs (you guys are the sweetest!), and makes you even more appreciative of your sweet friends at home who send you funny snapchats and really truly sound like they miss you. I can tell you, by the end of the week I was sick of being sick.
So sick stuff aside, who doesn't love receiving comments on your posts? Especially the glowing ones that make us feel all warm and squishy inside. You know, the people who loved what you had to say and who encourage you to keep going when you're worried nobody is even listening.
THOUGHTFUL, MEANINGFUL COMMENTS ARE REALLY IMPORTANT IN THE BLOGOSPHERE
So how do you craft the perfect little note of encouragement?
- The biggest thing that sells a comment for me is when they mention something they liked in my post. It doesn't have to be big, really. Actually the smaller and more detailed the thing is that you liked, the better I know you really did take time to read my post, and read it well! And that's so AWESOME!!! Like you don't understand!! People are reading what I WROTE?!
Yes, shocking.
- Another thing you can do to make your comment easier on the eyes would be to add a blog link. You can learn how to do this with this post: How To Add A Subtle Blog Link In Comments
- Did you notice something in the post that you disagreed with? State your opinion politely and let them know why! Again, this shows that you were paying attention, and you're than engaging the blog author. We love to get to know our faithful commenters, and sometimes a friendly debate can do just that. Remember, though; never make your comments hurtful or angry. If you think that's how your opinions are coming across, maybe it's better left unsaid.
- When commenting, DON'T ever resort to one of these: "Great post! Loved it!"
There is nothing meaningful, special, or helpful about this.
- You can always find something good in a blog post, whether it's just the style of the author's writing, or a certain blog element you like. Get creative with your comments! Don't settle for generic comments about how much you "love their photography", although those have their place as well.
- Experience something similar to what the blogger is talking about? Share! Be wise, of course, in how much you talk about yourself, but it's fun (at least, it's fun for me!) to hear that other bloggers have had similar experiences.
- Many bloggers have a set of questions at the end of their post for their readers. What an easy way out of the whole blogging dilemma! Answer one of these questions and you'll have a happy blogger. That IS what they're there for, you know.
And there you have it! Some tips for crafting the perfect blog comment.
Do you ever have trouble coming up with smart things to say in comments?
And what about (horror of horrors) how do you reply to comments left on your blog?
And what about (horror of horrors) how do you reply to comments left on your blog?
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22 comments
Sometimes I struggle with figuring out what comments to leave on people's blogs, and I try to only comment if what I say is really personal and meaningful. From a blogger who has gotten some of those "great post!" comments, I know how irritating that can be, and so I try to never do that. I appreciate the people that take time to type out a true response to your blog post.
ReplyDeleteSome of those other comments that irritate include the ones that say "A follow for a follow?" They aren't personally interested in you at all...gah XD
These are really good tips, definitely going to refer back to it when leaving comments :)
wow, I don't think you need my comment writing tips! Golly, longest comment ever!! ;) ;)
DeleteI actually don't terribly mind the "follow for a follow" because I get introduced to new blogs that way. But you're right, it's a little disappointing to only get that a comment like that after you worked so hard on your post! Like, LOVE ME!!!!! ^_^
wow, this was such a helpful post. I know that a lot of times I really like a post yet I don't know how to wrap all my thoughts into the perfect, sweetest comment. And how do I reply to comments? Usually I just try to reply to what they said, but sometimes it is hard to know how to reply :)
ReplyDeleteI know! I end up babbling cliche things about how much I loved the post, and they're GENIUNE! Albeit cliche. ;) aaah, cest la ve.
DeleteI have always struggled with what to say in blog comments, thank you for this post. And I agree that the little the thing they notice about your post, the sweeter the comment is. I guess I should just comment on other people's blogs as I would want them to comment on my blog... BTW, have you considered getting bloglovin'?
ReplyDeleteElizabeth that's a fabulous point!! Commenting as you would want them commenting on your blog;) great rule of thumb, I'm a gonna keep that one.
DeleteI actually do have bloglovin! Isn't it loverly? I guess I should maybe add that to my buttons... O.o thanks for the hint!
I love your tip about adding an easy signature! This is a great article for anyone wondering how to leave meaningful blog comments (read: me). My tips for crafting the perfect blog comment: be kind, thoughtful, and sincere. If you like a post, leave a comment. If not, you don't need to pick a fight. I think a lot of times the comment sections gets abused by negative people. We should encourage each other instead. :)
ReplyDeleteThe Novelista
Amen!! Kind, thoughtful, and SINCERE. Yussssssss!!!! A thousand times yes! That's why I hate the comments like "fun post"; you know they didn't really mean it.
DeleteAnd you're really good at leaving comments, just sayin;)) what're you doing listening to me? Go leave some more awesome comments on someone's blog!
Great, informative post! :D
ReplyDelete*coughs*
But in all seriousness, I really needed this reminder. It's something I have a hard time with, but you've presented it in a really simple way for my tired brain to grasp. xD I love the gifs - I'm a huge gif person - and bullet points because bullet points are fantabulous and fun and I do them way more than I should because ORGANIZATION. I'll definitely be saving this post!
*nods conspiringly* WE WILL RULE THE WORD WITH GIFS AND BULLET POINTS. AND CHOCOLATE. LOTS OF THAT.
DeleteThese tips are helpful. As a blogger, generic "great post!" comments have little meaning. You are right, when people mention specifics, it makes my day because I realize that they really read my post and gained something from it. Oh and what is even better than nice little notes? Discussion starters! I quite enjoy when people disagree with me (in a respectful way) and open the table for an interesting conversation. Perhaps it is the lawyer in me coming out...
ReplyDeleteI try to only comment on other's blogs if I really loved the post and want to express appreciation or if I feel like I have something to add. It gets trickier when it coms to replying to comments on my blog. I want to reply to every comment, but is a simple "thanks for commenting" even worthwhile?
I know!!! Those can be the sweetest comments!!
DeleteThat's a great rule of thumb too; if you feel like you have something to add or if you loved it. That can express encouragement to a blogger because by this rule, it generally means you really loved it! ;-)
Sometimes it's hard to think of something to write in a blog comment. You had some great tips, I'm sure I'll probably use them ;)
ReplyDeleteI know, right? The struggle is real! I hope these help it to be less of a struggle :)
DeleteI agree, it's always nice to receive meaningful, thoughtfully-written comments. I beam with joy when a reader points out a specific thing that they liked about my post. I will say, though, that I honestly do appreciate it when people take the time to even say something as simple as, "I really liked this post". Even if they don't have anything to add to the discussion, or maybe they just don't have time to go into specifics, I think it's thoughtful and very sweet of them to take the time to say anything at all. You know? But I do agree with you, it's important to try to be meaningful and helpful when writing comments. I should really work on that myself.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post, Chloe! I'm glad you gave that link on how to create links in comments. I've been wondering how to do that!
You and me both, Hannah! I never get tired of hearing the sweet things that my readers liked! :) :)
DeleteI definitely see your point. Hmmm, I hadn't thought of it like that. You're right, even "great post"s take time to type :) hehe.
I love the tips in this post. Often it's hard to know what to say when I comment on someone else's post, but I think that if I can't find something to say, I obviously haven't read the post properly because there's always something to talk about. As a person who tries to answer all the comments they receive, I also really appreciate it when people take the time to be personal with their comments. It makes it so much easier to get to know people and to write a meaningful comment in return. My favourite commenters are always the ones I get to know a little bit more about every time I post. Thanks for the great tips! They'll come in handy when I'm drawing a blank on what to say.
ReplyDeleteYES!!! I think that's why I don't like the "great post" comments so much; seeing as how I try to respond to all of the comments I get too, those are some of the hardest to respond to. The longer, more personal and fun ones are always a blast! Like yours, coincidentally!!
DeleteGreat tips! Commenting is one thing that I find really hard. It's not often you find someone mentioning what they liked in a post. But when I do find those comments, oh are they jewels.
ReplyDeleteI find though that I feel really awkward when mentioning things about myself when commenting on other people's blogs. Will they just think I talk about myself? Will it bore them? Have I said too much? Too little? It really frightens me. But I love it when people tell me about themselves. It adds just a personal touch to a comment.
Loved the advice:)
SUCH jewels. *nods* I wholeheartedly agree.
DeleteI know personally as a blogger I LOVE LOVE it when people talk about themselves in comments. It's so much easier and funner (who cares if that's not a word) to reply to. Ya know? So, Kat, you don't have to worry about saying too much or too little on my blog! I will love any comments you have the time to leave :) :)
Great post! Loved it!
ReplyDeleteHaha I couldn't resist ;) While these are definitely great tips, it's also a little of the blogger's job to give things to comment about. :D The best post is the one where the blogger gives you something to comment on WITHOUT the standard "and how about you?" follow up question at the end of the post. Those are great.
ReplyDeleteHey! Person commenting! Yes, you. Wanna know something?
You're kinda awesome.