A while back, I read an interview with an author who was asked about marketing tactics that she avoids. She replied that she doesn’t comment on blogs.<\/p>\n

\u201cSpam is not a good thing when it comes to promoting any kind of business,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n

Spam? Huh?<\/p>\n

Good comment, bad comment<\/h2>\n

Somebody should explain to this woman the difference between contributing to the conversation and commenting just for the sake of getting your book title out there.<\/p>\n

As with everything else, there\u2019s a right way and a wrong way to comment on blogs.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s actually an effective tactic when done properly. It\u2019s\u00a0a good way to drive traffic back to your own website. It also offers an opportunity to include your book title in\u00a0your signature.<\/p>\n

More importantly, though, it helps you establish what could be important relationships with influential bloggers and their followers.<\/p>\n

5 blog commenting tips you\u2019ll want to embrace<\/h2>\n

Here are\u00a0a few tips\u00a0designed to help make sure your comments aren\u2019t considered \u201cspam\u201d by readers or the blogger.<\/p>\n

1. Re-think your goal for commenting.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

I know from experience that some authors comment on blog posts simply because it\u2019s a way to get their book title in front of anyone who might read their comment.<\/p>\n

The most successful authors don\u2019t comment to\u00a0call attention to themselves\u00a0or their books, however. They do it to\u00a0start building relationships with people they might learn from or who might be interested in the types of books they write.<\/p>\n

If you want to be successful, write comments that are door openers, not self-promotional. Ask yourself, \u201cWhat can I add to this discussion that will help someone?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

2. Contribute to the conversation.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

It\u2019s absolutely fine to write, \u201cGreat post!,\u201d or \u201cThanks!\u201d I\u2019m a blogger who is grateful for that type of feedback, and I\u2019m sure most others are, too.<\/p>\n

But if you\u2019re looking to develop a relationship or connection with the blogger because that person might be able to support your book with a virtual book tour stop or an endorsement, you might want to approach it a little differently.<\/p>\n

You\u2019re more likely to get blogger and reader attention if you add a sentence or two that:<\/p>\n

\n
• Shares more information on the subject or<\/li>\n
• Addresses\u00a0what you liked about the post or<\/li>\n
• Explains what surprised you or<\/li>\n
• Summarizes what you might do differently as a result of reading the post<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

  These are the kinds of comments that can generate conversations and connections.<\/p>\n

  For example, when Pauline Wiles added to the conversation around my blog post about book publishing predictions for 2020<\/a> by including a link to her article on author website trends, I asked her to guest blog for us. (Don\u2019t miss \u201cAuthor website must-haves<\/a>.\u201d)<\/p>\n

  3. Share information.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

  If you\u2019ve written on the same subject as the post you\u2019re commenting on, briefly add your perspective. By all means, share a link to the specific post on your blog\u00a0with the additional information.<\/p>\n

  That will help those who are interested in learning more about the topic or might be interested in a different take on it. Bloggers are usually interested in seeing how others have covered the same topic, too.<\/p>\n

  4. Use your manners.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

  Hostile, angry, or mean\u00a0comments don\u2019t build relationships and reputations.<\/p>\n

  5. Don\u2019t sell.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

  Share your opinion, offer additional information, or compliment the blogger, but don\u2019t use the comment template as a place to promote yourself or your work.<\/p>\n

  There\u2019s a good chance that the blogger won\u2019t approve that overtly promotional comment, which means no one will see it. That means you’re wasting your time when you attempt to comment, and your time is valuable.<\/p>\n

  Comment on blogs to connect<\/h2>\n

  The author who views commenting on blogs as \u201cspam\u201d is missing an important opportunity to connect with her audience and the blogger.<\/p>\n

  That\u2019s her loss and her competitor\u2019s gain. The author who is thoughtful, helpful, and kind with comments can become better known with bloggers they\u2019d like to add to their virtual book tour. Blog readers will take note, too.<\/p>\n

  Don\u2019t make that author\u2019s \u201cspam\u201d mistake by summarily dismissing this tactic. But please do make sure you\u2019re doing it in a way that\u2019s useful for the blogger, the blog\u2019s readers, and you.<\/p>\n

  What\u2019s the best thing that has happened to you as a result of a comment you\u2019ve left, or a comment someone has made on your blog?<\/em><\/p>\n

  ---

  \n

  (Editor\u2019s note: This article was first published in April 2012. It has been updated and expanded.)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  <\/a><\/p>\n

  A while back, I read an interview with an author who was asked about marketing tactics that she avoids. She replied that she doesn’t comment on blogs.<\/p>\n

  \u201cSpam is not a good thing when it comes to promoting any kind of business,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n

  Spam? Huh?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":19562,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[68,69,70,71],"class_list":["post-1897","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tactics","tag-blog-comments","tag-comment-on-blogs","tag-commenting-on-blogs","tag-relationships"],"yoast_head":"\n