Blog Commenting – The True Value
One of the best things about promoting your business online is that a lot of it is free. Not only is it free but it’s accessible and allows you to reach a huge number of people at once.
There are so many easy ways to convey your message, attract customers, or build your brand that many people no longer pursue offline business and concentrate on online business. The fact is that even if your marketing budget is tight, you can still get noticed online with some no- or low-cost techniques.
How do you get the word out online about your business? Some popular approaches include link swaps, search engine optimization (SEO), and promotion through social networks. You may already be familiar with some of those methods and maybe you already use some of those techniques. Building links, keyword usage, and social media profiles all have their place in online brand promotion; however, there is another way to get your company noticed that is often overlooked. A blog commenting campaign is an excellent tool to get you noticed but so many online promotional campaigns forget to include this wonderful, free publicity.
A blog commenting campaign
What is a blog commenting campaign? A blog commenting campaign is a concerted effort to seek out blogs to comment on in order to highlight your company. With so many blogs in your industry and within related industries, there are countless opportunities to plug your company. That’s the fantastic thing about blogs; unlike a website, they are usually open for commenting. You can add your thoughts on a particular blog post, read the comments of others, and even comment on another comment. Bear in mind, however, that all that talk should be productive. A great deal of information can be passed around this way. In other words, it’s a great way to promote yourself.
Of course, you don’t want to be a blatant self-promoter in the comment section of someone’s blog. Instead, you want to establish yourself as a knowledgeable source, as someone who is part of the conversation. You need to make sure that you are commenting on the right blogs, to the right audience, and with the right message. That’s not an easy task. It takes finesse and subtlety to get your message out there while at the same time adding value to the conversation. Without this balance, your comments may get swept up in the spam filter.
So what is the best way to make your comments count? Ideally, you want to find the right blogs with the desired audience. Search for blogs that are within your industry. Include niche blogs that talk about specific products you may offer. For instance, if you sell boats, find blogs about boats on which to comment, but also search for blogs about boating, boating accessories, and anything related to boating. But don’t limit it to those blogs; check out the blogs in related industry like camping or travel. You can even check out the blogs produced by your competition and comment there. Then find a blog post that you can add information to or offer another perspective. You can even offer a counter position. Then, if possible and applicable, offer a link to your blog—but only if it’s related to the topic at hand and will add value to your comment.
Is there buzz surrounding your brand? Do customers see you as an authority in your industry? If there isn’t talk about your company in the blogosphere, a blog commenting campaign can get the buzz started. Commenting on the blogs that your customers frequent can help build awareness of your brand. It’s a technique that works and acts as a great benefit to your brand awareness; however, blog commenting can be a time-consuming process.
For a business owner it takes up valuable amounts of time to seek out the right blogs, read the content, and add to the conversation. For best results, commenting should be done on a regular basis to many different blogs. That time is usually better spent focusing on running the business. We can target the right blogs where your potential customers are and start getting you the attention you deserve.
Conclusion
It is critical that you get as much of a sense of what people are saying about your brand as possible. If you know what they are saying, you can focus on what is working and strengthen that aspect of your brand and work on improving what is not working as well. In any case, having the direct contact with the people is absolutely critical to the success of your business.
We are pleased to provide you with the insightful comments contained herein. For a complimentary assessment of your online presence, let’s have coffee.
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Group: Social Media University Online
Discussion: Blog Commenting – The True Value
But should know how to use it well 🙂
Posted by Israa Naseeb AL Raisi
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Group: MyVerizon
Discussion: Blog Commenting – The True Value
Yes, it may be free – but I will bet that there is someone in government looking for a way to charge for it.
Posted by Jim Chumley
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Group: Jewish Professionals
Discussion: Blog Commenting – The True Value
I read many of the posts you put up. Very useful information!
Posted by Alissa Haroush
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Discussion: Blog Commenting – The True Value
Interesting article. I have been blogging for some time now and I have certainly increased my exposure. But that is essentially based on my previous "history" and name recognition, before the internet began to clog everyone's brain synapses. So, I reach out to the entire world and periodically get a response. On the other hand, I have yet to see any significant increase in my direct book sales. When I respond in turn to other blogs that may have relevance, I have no idea about who is reading or what is being accomplished. I notice you have an inordinate amount of response on your sincere efforts herein, as well. It seems that we are all being led down the path but still, except for those Global Marketing Experts who promote their fantasies of huge website exposure for a price, there is really nothing going on. Tags, keywords, Google analytics…vast amounts of meaningless data. But, there is the chance that every so often a "connection" will be made with someone of "value." If more people would spend their time doing something of importance for humanity instead of telling everyone how to do their jobs, then the enormous amount of crap being disseminated would simply dissolve itself.
Posted by Hanshi Stephen F Kaufman
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Group: AOL Small Business
Discussion: Blog Commenting – The True Value
Partly agree, but I se constantly threads like this promoting social media, and usually it is very slow to reply.
The biggest draw back with blogs is who do you get to read it. Threads like this make it sound so easy, almost as if you witre something on the internet and the world will get to read it. In reality if no one is following you no one will get to see it.
I have a forum 120 members, no one posts on it, and anything I say goes unnoticed. So unless I now promote that forum it will stay a none worker. I have twitter, the biggest majority of followes are in USA, I operate out of UK so little chance of speading the gospel of my business.
I can spend all my working day on forums, blog sites promoting my business but it doesnt get any work done, I find Im working 16-18 hours a day to fit it all in.
I sometimes think of the internet is a bit like joining the masons, full of people all looking for work, but none there giving it.
I could employ someone to do clever advertising via the net, but now its not free.
Its usually the advertising companies that promote just how beneficial it is, and they always seem to be very profitable, is it only the small buiness that lose's? Is there a real benefit from advertising?
Please someone convince me, I have blogs, twitter, facebook, foursquare, cinema advertising, local papers, telephone directory. I only see the advertising companys get fat and the telephone not ring. They all have promised new customers, none deliver. I only wish they were covered by trade discriptions act, for false claims to get your advert.
Posted by Gary M
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Discussion: Blog Commenting – The True Value
Me again, I just looked at my post. I apologize for the length. My next topic will be "The Need for Conciseness in Communicating".
Posted by Bob Carter
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Group: Medical/Healthcare Communications, Medical Education, Pharma Advertising & Marketing Professionals
Discussion: Blog Commenting – The True Value
Thank you Carolyn, As a person who knows little about blogs…especially as an effective marketing tool, I found your suggestions very informative and useful, and I intend to start implementing them for my own business. I'm a former CEO of a leading NYC corporate communications and video production company that produced many projects for the Pharma industry, including many new drug launches. What caught my eye on your post was the word "value."
Since my career spans a time when communications technology was constantly evolving…from slide presentations to today's sophisticated digital technology…I see a greater need for more engaging message delivery. This is where the topic "valule" comes in for me. I believe that the capability for easy. inexpensive message delivery has often masked the need for content that is smart, imaginative and engaging. In a world in which so much of our communications is delivered to "remote" viewers who are bombarded with messaging–whether by webcasts, e-learning. websites, PowerPoint bulletspoints, etc.–there is a greater need to put more thought and creativity into message content to make communications inititiatives not just inexpensive but effective and engaging.
I am now concentrating on ways to use my strategic, creative and production expertise to take fuller advantage of our the new technology. I feel strongly that effective messaging requires the sender to be more audience-centric. The idea that "Because we send it, they will listen" is often a false premise. I have developed several approaches–both techologically and creatively–to achieve this in very cost-effective and imaginative ways. But…
I approach prospective clients, I am emphasing the concept of value over simply the bottomline cost of a project. This has been more challenging than I anticipated. I've been surprised at the number of people who are satisfied with the quickness and ease of their current communications approach and don't see the need to improve the true effectiveness of their efforts.
At the risk of touting my expertise, I really can deliver on my promise of more effective and very affordable messaging. BUT if the prospect doesn't see the need for thoughtful and effective content, it becomes almost impossible to convince them of the quality and value proposition.
Getting back to your info on blogs, it is my hope that this may be a new avenue for me to find the kind of prospects who recognize the need to improve their communications.
I have created a presentation on the subject of "Cost-Effective Communications in Today's Business Environment" which I designed to inform communicators on issues related today's technology and guidelines more effective messaging.
Once again, I "value" the information you provided in your post.
Posted by Bob Carter
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Discussion: Blog Commenting – The True Value
I agree with the article and feel blog/ article commenting is one of the most effective ways to brand yourself as an expert in your area of expertise and industry. However, it is also one of the quickest ways to harm your reputation. As the article states, the key is to keep the comments relevant and limit the self-promotion.
Thanks for sharing Michael 🙂
Posted by Michelle Burnham
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Group: MyVerizon
Discussion: Blog Commenting – The True Value
I couldn't agree more and that's why it's important to keep reminding our government officials that less is MORE!
Posted by Barbara Roche
Great blog post! I totally agree with your methodology. For the last month or so I have been trying to improve my google rankings by increasing the amount of backlinks to my website. Using tweetdeck, I search similar conversations and actively join the conversation. Posting on educational and government blogs will increase google rankings 2-fold as well. As a Realtor® serving the Mississauga, Oakville and Toronto areas of Ontario, I assist my clients in selling their home fast and for the most money or in buying their dream home- and social media helps me to do just that!
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Discussion: Blog Commenting – The True Value
The sad part of "promoting" your business online is that often as not you get what you pay for. Over a billin websites and an equal number of social media pages exist floating around cyberspace alone. SEO doesn't mean squat at this point, rather, it is "What am I gonna do to get folks to my specific site???" If you don't have some lure for bringing folks to your site, my friend, you are putting a note in a bottle and and praying for someone to pluck it out of the ocean.
Posted by Bart Jackson
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Group: AOL Small Business
Discussion: Blog Commenting – The True Value
Gary, if I can suggest something. Yes writing a blog does take time to write and time to build a following. First do you sell product retail or wholesale. Second the blog has to be built into your site to get the best results. I am starting an online wine shop based in Orlando Florida. Everytime we post on the blog we will Tweet and post on Facebook and linkedin.
What you really need is to think as being and authority on your topic Do you have a Facebook Fan Page. What is your twitter name. I would be glad to look at and share some of what I learned.
To the original topic of this post, when I posted on CompuKol's blog I now show up in Google and got a few high quality contacts out of it which did lead to a customer and a new friend. It all depends on how you approach it. Like I said I would be Happy to look at your stuff and see if I see a better. A number of people on Linkedin helped me I am just returning the favor. I am going back to our BBQ .
Matt
Posted by Matt Rinkerman
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Discussion: Blog Commenting – The True Value
I have found that Linekdin has worked for me. By connecting with others in my field, I have been able to get jobs.
Posted by Diane Kraut
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Group: AOL Small Business
Discussion: Blog Commenting – The True Value
Blog commenting was great back in the day but I am so inundated with SPAM comments it's getting harder to embrace.
1. CREATE GREAT CONSISTENT CONTENT that actually can cater varying degrees of your audience. Some of it can extremely niche but if you want it to go a little viral then you've got to throw some commentary on current events at some level.
2. Gary M. you are correct. We have started producing less content and focus more on promoting, SEOing the content we do have.
3. A BLOG can have content in one column and an actual CALL TO ACTION add in the other. The CALL TO ACTION ad, free report, video can take some time to develop.
Hope that helps.
Posted by David Kamatoy
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Discussion: Blog Commenting – The True Value
David, are you incorating Keywords in Blog Titles. We found that helpful in driving traffic from Twitter to Blog.
What is your opinion on the number of times per week you should post. Have you seen any trackbacks from leaving comments on other blogs.
Posted by Matt Rinkerman
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Group: AOL Small Business
Discussion: Blog Commenting – The True Value
Headline Titles and in twitter the right # helps a lot. But testing using Bit.ly as it looks like you are doing.
May I suggest…
1. One Solid Article / Content piece a week. This defines your voice and that you actually have something to say.
2. 1-2 Commentary type posts about current events.
Set up a google news email alert. Posting comments to your post about a blog article on a big story on a site is a great strategy. Especially if you are one of the first to do so…
Last thoughts…
Consistency is great but if there is nothing to write about don't blow a couple of hours lol.
How much traffic are you trying to pull? and how niche is the blog?
Posted by David Kamatoy
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Group: AOL Small Business
Discussion: Blog Commenting – The True Value
David, I am building up content in 3 ways. The product is wine, General say Cabernet, A region Tuscany and then a specific winery. All I have to do is add products. Yes I will start with one per week and see how it goes. I will distribute via all the SM and online channels I can to see if I can get new followers.
I am not using Bit.ly yet but since I started using certain keywords in Tweets I have notice action on those tweets
Also creating Strong content, my style is educational and easy to understand.
While developing my strategy I realized that Blogs if done right are very powerful marketing tools.
Posted by Matt Rinkerman
I am a recently published author and came to the business of marketing only with the experience of having promoted a Law firm, very successfully and with no effort. Promoting a book is a very differnt matter!
It is therefore nice to learn that I have been doing things (somewhat) right. BUT, as at least one comment states, it is very slow – one could grow old and die.
One avenue you haven't mentioned, which I would like to commend is the use of Blogtalkradio. Written blogs and social media can feed this, as it can feed them. It can be intense as well as instant and the only requirements are, you must have a great deal of material, and people must be interested. I have shows lined up for each of the next 3 Saturdays – the subject is not my book, it's Reincarnation.
Thank you …. You are correct …. We actually have a Radio show on BlogTalkRadio it Runs 3 times a week Thursday (All about Sales) Friday (Lead Generation) and Sunday (Social Media)
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Group: AOL Small Business
Discussion: Blog Commenting – The True Value
Gary , that was an example. I looked at your site and if your objective is to be on the first page you need to understand what both a blog and content can do. Based on looking at your site you have potential tresure trove of content. I do not know much about the auto business but based on how I am building my blog for a wine store it may be very similiar type of information and explanation. Like I said based at looking at your site you should have a dynamic and rich blog that should attract consumers or service existing customers.
Blogging requires a plan and to think like a publisher. But it is just one element in SEO.
To test a theory I built a Facebook Fan Page for an online store and after 4 months I show up in the top ten for a Google search, based on specific keywords yet for another set I do not show up and I am redoing that part as we speak.
I am just a person openning up my own Wine Shop and doing most of this stuff by myself and learning how it works. Like a said to you in the message I sent I would be Happy to share some of my experience. Alot of people have helped me along the way and I like to return the goodwill.
Posted by Matt Rinkerman
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Group: AOL Small Business
Discussion: Blog Commenting – The True Value
Peter I am not sure about the reciprocal link but the rest is true. The search engines love new content which is what a blog does and Yes update regularly. As everyone who talks about this subject recommends that the blog be incorpated into your own website for maiximum SEO. If the blog is on one of the blog site you are actually building content and authority for them and not your site.
With that said I have seen some do this. PetersBlog.com feeding to PetersShop.com.
Regarding time per week with planning 2 hours should be enough if you do your self.
Posted by Matt Rinkerman
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Group: AOL Small Business
Discussion: Blog Commenting – The True Value
i am with gary on this. i tried to blog but same thing it seemed to go into cyberspace. i tried adds but again, little or no return. i tried a website building company that said they do it all and as yet have not made a sale on my internet malls. do you have to open up all of these sites in the same business name??
Posted by kitty keehn
Kitty,
Please read our article https://www.compukol.com/blog/what-to-do-after-your-blog-has-been-published/ that should help.
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Discussion: Blog Commenting – The True Value
I have built around 12 sites, 1 forum, 1 chat room, and 8 – 10 ecommerce sites. Depending on your industry you will spend huge amounts of time promoting your site, and time is money. I’m now at a point that with all the internet/mail order and now running a workshop I’ve have this month employed a good friend of mine who was a web master at Siemen’s and Honeywell, I have paid and sent him on our software courses and I have paid for him to attend a SEO coarse. As we will eventually be expanding with new products and eventually in to a new business of ecommerce, as I have done this for a couple of customers.
Google keep changing the way they rank sites, if you have a blog link it to the site or better still embed it. A 1 way link is better than 2 way,, Key words are important, but duplicating, or copying from other sites will send you back down. It really a very complicated subject that in a few months’ time will change and evolve. Forums are good to join and to advertise on. I have had new sites ranked on Google’s first page with a couple of weeks other times its taken 6 months. Dont just rely on internet advertising. All my sites are ecommerce so stands to reason that all those customers are of the growing numbers that are comfortable with buy off the internet. Now I have a workshop I have learnt that 60% of those customers did not use the internet to find me, and come to us from recommendation, or local advertising in papers and cinema etc.
Also remember that with the huge growth of the internet and all its benefits comes its pitfalls. The more the ecommerce grows the harder it will be to be on that illusive first Google search page, especially if in a very competitive sector. If you have premises then you won’t compete with the bedroom marketers.
The internet has done as much damage to companies as it has done good.
Posted by Gary M
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Group: AOL Small Business
Discussion: Blog Commenting – The True Value
Spot on artical, perfect information with an invitation at the end. No trade secrets given away. Beautiful.
People should read it and make notes.
If you have a specialist subject dont tell the world how to do it on your blog to make it a good read. We have a constant stream of phone calls 2-3 every day, just wanting advise. You spend x years learning your trade, dont give it away.
It takes sometimes a year to solve a problem and then 5 mins to fix. But Im not going to fix it for 5 mins time.
Posted by Gary M
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Group: AOL Small Business
Discussion: Blog Commenting – The True Value
Gary, I am speaking strictly as a wine retailer and not any kind of expert on marketing or SM. While getting ready to open my store I have spent the past 12 months learning this whole new world of online marketing.
3 Points:
1) My goal is not to sell anything but to help people in our groups as many have helped me.
2) After reading The New Rules of Marketing and PR by David Meerman Scott I was hit by a thunderbolt. You need to think like a publisher than a marketer. Effective online marketing is about content and distribution. A blog is one part of the picture. Blog readership is low in general but as I said in an earlier post Blogs are an SEO magnet.
3) As a retailer our main channel for marketing is our email's after reading that book I now understood that you can promote that content via Twitter, Facebook, both personal and Business Fan Page and yes the linkedin groups. At least for the moment the search engines are indexing both Twitter and Facebook which means you can show up in searches.
While I have the luxary of time now before we open I will have the tools set up where it will not be a burden. You should really look at setting up a Facebook Fan Page because it has lots of tools I do not think you may have with a forum. The beauty of Facebook is that you can engage consumers with simple questions. A few months back I asked a question which I only sent 25 people got responses from 208 of which 50 opted in for our emails. Just an example of something.
Everyone have a great Weekend I am off for a few days.
Posted by Matt Rinkerman
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Group: AOL Small Business
Discussion: Blog Commenting – The True Value
We do use Facebook and Twitter. We also have just started advertising on FB
Posted by Gary M
This looks like a great resource.I'm very interesting to read your blog. Thanks for posting this.
I was looking for such information on blog commenting. Really helpful points. Thanks for the information
That is very interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your rss feed and look ahead to in the hunt for more of your great post. Also, I have shared your website in my social networks!
blog commenting always give us true work.
nice topic