Commenting Etiquette for Blogs

As I’ve discussed before, commenting on other blogs is a great method for increasing traffic to your site. But there is a right and a wrong way to do this. Most of us have made these mistakes, and there is no shame in that so long as we learn from it.

Have you ever made these mistakes when leaving comments on someone else’s blog?

1. Making personal comments that are negative in nature. No, I’m not talking about disagreeing with the writer. That is acceptable as long as it is done in a civil manner. What I am talking about making personal attacks.

Remember that when you are visiting another blog it is not unlike visiting your neighbour’s home. You wouldn’t tell your host that their house sucks while sitting in their living room at a dinner party with guests around would you? No, of course you wouldn’t (unless you are a rude and impertinent person).

So don’t do it on someone else’s blog either. If you really feel the need to say something controversial then be discrete about it and send them a private email instead of embarrassing them at their home on the net in full view of the blogosphere.

And please, do try to say it in a polite and constructive manner.

2. Don’t just leave a comment as an excuse to promote your own site. People aren’t dumb and will see right through this.

Let’s face it, most of us will leave our blog address in our comments hoping that someone will follow the link, and there is nothing wrong with that. In fact, I personally check each and every link that is left on my posts.

But some comments are too obvious. For example: “Hi. I enjoyed your blog, and when you get a chance please check out mine too.”

That would be considered spam. So stay on topic and say something that contributes to the overall conversation.

3. You will get a lot further with sugar than with salt. Most of us are not great communicators. Some have told me that I’m a good writer, but if I am it’s only because I have been writing professionally for more than 20 years. But along the journey I’ve also made my share of mistakes, and in my opinion I still have a long way to go.

Because when we write we can’t see the other person’s body language or hear their voice inflection, it can sometimes be hard to understand the real intent behind their words.

For example: Sometimes when we try to inject a little personality into our reading we will attempt to use humor. It can be an effective tool, but not everyone appreciates our sense of humor and it can sometimes backfire on us (and if I have ever insulted anyone on this blog please accept my apologies).

That is why I have a tendency to use smiley faces (emoticons because I know that my tongue-in-cheek sense of humor (sorry but I watched too much Monty Python) can sometimes be taken the wrong way (and in some cases even be hurtful).

Most of us have fragile egos, so do what you can to make it clear to the other person that you are not being disingenuous or belittling them.

4. When I see doggy-doo on the street I just walk around it. Ignore the trolls. There will always be a few of them out there who are looking for someone to prey on and cause trouble. No matter how nice you try to be or reason with them it won’t always work, and they will keep coming back as long as you give them a soap box.

So don’t encourage them. Just hit the delete button because that’s what it’s there for.

5. Don’t try to control the conversation. Remember, everyone’s opinion is valid even if you should happen disagree or believe that they may have a brain the size of a peanut.

The blogosphere is all about the conversation so be generous and let everyone have their chance to speak. And in the process you just might learn something too.

6. Commenting etiquette is also for blog owners. Be polite and make it easy for readers to add comments. Create an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect. Make an effort to respond to everyone who has taken the time to write a comment. (See also #5, 10 Reasons Why I Don’t Like Your Blog.

Remember that commentors are also your readers, so give them the respect that they deserve and they will come back. Active commenting can turn your static blog into a living, thriving community.

These are just a few ideas off the top of my head on a lazy Sunday afternoon, it’s raining cats and dogs outside and nothing much is on the television. Do you have any more ideas that I might have forgotten to mention?

Similar reading:

10 Reasons Why I Don’t Like Your Blog

10 Ways to Email a Blogger: A Primer in Blog Etiquette