I get bothered from time to time, when I witness blog comments in my queue that are too self-promotional, from robots or simply don’t have anything to the conversation. Thankfully, I don’t receive much spam anymore, but instead I receive more comments that are meaningless and are certainly not branded properly.
3 reasons why bad comments will hurt your reputation
- 1) Every single comment you make is stored in Google and is part of your permanent record online.
- 2) People won’t click on the link to your blog if you don’t give them a good reason to (add to the discussion).
- 3) You will be viewed as either a spammer or a troll, both of which are highly looked down upon in the blogosphere. You can’t take comments back!
The anatomy of a bad comment
5 tips for branding yourself when commenting on blogs
1. Use your avatar: Whenever I present to an audience, I always mention that you have 3 very important assets online: your name, your picture and your personal brand statement. This is how people will remember you and hopefully translate that association to a certain topic that you want to own in peoples minds (positioning). Whenever I see a comment without a picture, I see a missed opportunity. If you want to have a universal comment avatar, then go to Gravatar.com and upload one. It’s really that simple. Think of it as open-picture ID for your global branding presence on blogs.
2. Insert your full name: I don’t understand what the big deal is with using your full name. What if there are two Mike or Rachel comments on the same blog post? They would probably have to rely on their URL to differentiate them, which is dumb. If you want to stand out, especially if you have a unique last name, then use your full name.
3. Add value to the conversation: Don’t even try and take advantage off a post by saying “great post” and then linking to your site. You will get enemy’s if you do it and be discounted as a troll. The real way to succeed when commenting is to read the blog entry (yes, some people comment without reading) and then share your opinion on the subject.
4. No extra links: You only get one chance to use a link to your website and it’s not within the comment itself. When you go to fill out a comment form, there is a spot for your URL and when the comment is posted, your name will link directly to that URL. That’s how it works everyone, so don’t try and game the system to get more people visiting your site because it won’t happen.
5. Use Gmail or your domain name for email: A lot of you may disagree with this one, but Hotmail and Yahoo email addresses are dated. You really need to get Gmail or at least use yourname@yourdomainname.com. Gmail allows you to talk directly with other people and your domain name is more professional.
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@John – to clarify, what I was trying to say is that you don’t want to leave 1 quick note and then a link to your site. If you write a few sentences and continue your thought on your own blog, adding a link, then that is legit.
Dan,
I’m so tempted to write “Great Post” and leave several URL’s just below. But this really is a great post. I have inadvertantly broken several of these tips.
Mostly number 3 because I will sometimes find an article that I like and simply tell the author he did a nice job. I’m not really trying to get anyone to my page(s) other than possibly the author in an attempt to be friendly in a social networking kind of way. And I mostly only do this if I am the only one who has posted a comment.
Also I have now added all my email address to my Gravatar account. But I will henceforth utilize my own domain more for commenting, since I, like @Kiel, have multiple email accounts.
I am addicted to my giant Yahoo mail account and find it works better for certain things than my gmail account – but I don’t want to appear to be outdated!
Great post. Great comments too. Best, -CF
Great article. The best thing is having a picture next to your comment so people can associate with you. They’re tempted to find out who you are
Well at least that’s what I think.
My 2 cents
Very good advice, Dan.
I’m going to break one of your rules by providing VALUE in this comment.
Based on feedback I’ve received both in my blog’s comments and on Twitter, you and your readers may enjoy reading my 3 Tips to Keep Me Commenting on Your Blog.
[...] 5 Tips for Branding Yourself When Commenting on Blogs « Personal Branding Blog – Dan Schawbel These tips are so often overlooked. Please heed the advice! (tags: web2.0 tips list blogging marketing comments) [...]
Great Post!! I will share with twitter world now!
Thanks for posting this…as it is very important!!
lol sorry…I guess I need to go to Gravatar.com! Going now!
Dan, I’m submitting this comment with my Hotmail email address and really had to put some thought into your tip re: the datedness of the service. Is the risk of looking “dated” really worth the trouble to switch my short, well-known Hotmail account for an @Gmail.com update?
Here’s my line of thinking – IMHO, email itself is dated. I get much, MUCH more information about friends, clients, online contacts, family re: social aggregators and sites than I do via email. I can’t remember the last time I couldn’t wait to get into my email account. I CAN remember being excited to check out what was happening on Facebook (erm, this morning).
Email is what it is. It has it’s uses, but whether it be Hotmail, Yahoo, or GMail, it’s still static. Want to know what I’m up to? Find me on FriendFeed and please understand that I probably won’t answer your email for several days until I get around to checking it again.
Jess
I agree with the email point. The point is not whether Gmail is a better service than Yahoo! or Hotmail (I would say it is), it’s that you are building a brand. If you don’t care to use Gmail, that’s fine, just make an account and link it to you existing one. I personally love Gmail, so that’s why I use it for my @miketieden.com email address.