Jul 2008

How NOT to comment on a blog

Over at another blog for which I write, I’ve had to let a couple people know recently that the comments they wrote in response to a couple of my posts were solely promotional, rather than adding to the conversation.

Why is this important? Because the etiquette of blog posts themselves, as well as the comments on the posts, is that they’re supposed to be part of a dialogue, rather than direct advertising of what you sell.

The fact is, a blog is already promotional in a sense – by sharing your knowledge, opinions, expertise, learning, and research through a blog, you’re proving to the world that you know what you’re talking about. That’s half the battle in getting someone to hire you or buy from you!

So there’s no need to do anything more than that with your blog or your comments – otherwise, it just reeks of blatant shilling.

I deleted the comments from the other blog, but we got one here not too long ago that’ll serve as a perfect example of what not to do. This comment came in response to Lani’s post about “Pink Boa Marketing” – aside from removing the identifying details, this is the comment in its entirety:

Sounds like a wonderful group! Since you like networking done the right way, want to be sure you know about our book [book title here], by [authors] ([publisher], [date]). Our approach is based on teaching people about your character and competence, not shoving your business card in their face! Best to you, [commenter's name - and commenter is one of the book authors] [commenter's phone number].

Don’t get me wrong, I’m very grateful that people are taking the time to read and comment on the blog. (Thank you!) But the ironic thing about this is that the writer claims to teach networking without “shoving your business card in their face,” yet the writer’s blog comment above does exactly that.

So what do you do instead? You add to the conversation. You don’t have to agree with the blog post – in fact, that often makes for even better conversations. Just politely state your own opinions, ideas, and experience. If someone reads your comment and wants to learn more about you, they can click through the link in your comment signature. (Pretty much all blogs have a field where you can enter a link back to your website – that’s all you need.)

http://www.businesscardtobusiness.com Reno

Though I agree with the spirit of your post I think you are perhaps a bit sensitive. I think your mother may have suggested that you should not speak until spoken to and if people are interested they will contact you. The trouble is that kind of thinking won’t fly when you are trying to get yourself heard above all the clutter.
The example comment you proffered was promotional but not exactly off topic. In my estimation unwelcome advertising is that which is blatantly off topic. Such as an ad for … well you know the one’s I mean. As the blog owner or editor you have every right to allow or disallow whatever you like or don’t like. However in this case you have decided for your readers that they would not be interested in this particular resource which though not exactly off topic was in your opinion too promotional. It appears to have offended your sense of propriety more than anything else. If I am having a discussion about sailing and someone nearby says, “Oh, I heard you talking about sailing, I happen to be the author of a book about sailing.” I am unlikely to say, “Excuse me we are having a private conversation.” Rather, I would be happy to take his information and suggest we talk further later. With that in mind considedr taking a look at my book full of “in your face” business card distribution ideas at http://www.businesscardtobusiness.com . Cheers!
http://www.epiphaniesinc.com Content Lover

How dare you talk about my mother!

Actually, I think your comment exactly proves what I was getting at. You’ve added to the conversation, without agreeing (which I said was ever so much more interesting). The example didn’t add to the conversation.

As for my sense of propriety, I don’t think mine is different from what most blogging experts recommend as best practice for getting involved in the blogosphere. (Example at Lorelle on WordPress here.)

And to your sailing example – I imagine it at a cocktail party, which is kind of similar to what happens on a blog – which would you be more likely to respond positively to?

1. The someone nearby who says, “I overheard you talking about sailing, I happen to be the author of a book on sailing”?

Or…

2. The someone nearby who says, “I overheard you talking about sailing the Florida Keys. Don’t you find the increase in boat traffic is making it less fun to sail there than it used to be?”

The first person shows s/he is only interested in using your conversation to tout his/her expertise.

The second person demonstrates a specific interest in what the sailing conversation was actually about (the Keys), shows an interest in the other person’s opinion, and even expresses a negative opinion in a respectful way.

With topicality being equal, I know which person’s book I’m going to buy. (And which commenter’s website I visited.)

Thanks so much for sharing your opinion, Reno!

Best,
Allen
http://www.epiphaniesinc.com/blog Lani Voivod, “Content Lover” of Epiphanies, Inc.

I’m about to do something a bit inappropriate…

Honey? I have to disagree with you here, and agree with Reno’s comments. I think the networking comment is totally appropriate and on-topic, and as Reno said, is adding a resource to the mix. It’s like the “Yes, and…” exercise in improv comedy.

If I’m sucking down mojitos at a cocktail party talking to someone about sailing, and a nearby person overhears and happens to be the author of a book on sailing, you bet your little booty I’m going to be psyched at the good fortune of our proximity and the nature of such synchronicity, and I’m going to tip my hat to the person who’s demonstrated so much passion for the subject at hand that he/she has taken the time to write a book about it. I think it’s incumbant on authors these days to let people who are talking about their chosen topic know their book is “Out There” — especially to those who bring up the topic in their own blogging conversation.

Would it have been nice if the networking expert had said more than the equivilent of “I’m glad to see you and I share the same views! Here’s my book on the subject!” Yeah. I guess so. But in this world where so many people CONSUME content on blog and websites and don’t bother letting the CREATORS of the content know they’re being read, I’d prefer a quick “Yes, and…” to fostering a fear in people that “I don’t know if my comment is enough, so I won’t bother,” or “I don’t have enough time to write a bang-up comment, so I won’t bother” or some variation in between.

I still love you, though. Thanks again for being the world’s greatest husband, a brilliant thinker and business owner, and the kind, loving father of my children.

XOXO,
Wifey