If you’re the kind of reader that’s constantly looking for information about blogging, blogging tips and how to build a better blog, then, most certainly, you’ve come across those articles that say: “Comment on other blogs! You will get a lot of traffic from them!”
Even I have suggested that commenting on other blogs in your niche will get you traffic, but let me explain what I think about it, how it works, when it works, DOs and DON’Ts when commenting.

Short-term Traffic vs. Long-term Awareness

Leaving blog comments is known to generate traffic. In some cases, even significant values. Most of the times, the traffic driven back is almost insignificant compared to my other main sources of traffic, like search results or referring blogs and websites. And guess what? I’m OK with that! Why? Because it generates valuable traffic! It’s enough to look at my stats and see that readers referred by my comments spend more time on my blog, read more posts and have a bounce-rate close to ZERO. These are the visitors that eventually subscribe to my RSS feed and come back to read more of my posts each day.

So, if you ask me, I’m not using comments to build traffic, but to increase Blogsessive’s awareness, in the long run. And since Blogsessive is a new blog, I like to call these comments baby steps.

What’s My Commenting Strategy?

When adding comments on other blogs, I take the following as my posting Bible:

  1. Comment only when I really feel I have something to add to the topic. If the post is truly a great one, I’ll congratulate the blogger for the result, but never with a 2-3 word comment like “Great post, X”. A short comment like this makes a statement: “I have no clue what to say! I just want to get my comment here for exposure!”
  2. I try to generate questions that can further add to the conversation. A smart question indicates that you’re a thinker. Readers love insightful posts, and some will click on your name to find out more about you.
  3. I’m trying to be one of the first to comment, not necessarily the first. Trying to be the first can result in a low quality comment, since you’re fighting everyone else that uses this strategy, and time is short. Whenever I see a long list of comment I’m reading the first 4-5 comments and then jump to the end to see how the conversation evolved.

While the third point is not always easy to achieve due to factors like heavy commenting on the other blog, or even time zone differences, the first 2 points should go hand in hand whenever you want to add your comments.

Don’t Become a Blog Spammer

I hate spammers! Everyone does. So why would you want to be one? Do you care about your online image? Then, don’t do anything of the following:

  1. Don’t fill you comments with links to your own posts. Add only one, and only when it’s really necessary.
  2. Don’t struggle to be the first one to comment on each and every post on that blog.
  3. Don’t be aggressive! Don’t start flames with other readers or the blogger.
  4. Don’t confuse smart critique with misbehaving. My blog is my house. I’m not coming to your house and start cursing!
  5. Don’t make excessive use of emoticons. Some blog have them active. Many users hate seeing a comment filled with smileys.

Final thoughts

Smart commenting is the key. While it probably won’t get you massive traffic, your image will only have to gain from it. Add value to all conversations you take part in and this value will be transferred upon your blog.
Now tell me, what’s your commenting strategy?