Submitting comments to someone’s weblog is similar to stepping into their kitchen and joining in on their conversation. Weblogs are an individuals personal social gateway, central location to spread their opinions and vent their thoughts to the network of visitors who loyally visit. Just as life, some online contributors commenting on weblogs are wonderful to interact with and some who are not.

Comments MatterA weblogs article should intice users to leave comments. Upon reading your article, commentors should want to share their opinion and feel that it is welcome. However, commentors as well have guidelines to their upcoming notations on your weblog. Great comments are from users who are adding content to the conversation, keeping the discussion clean of off-topic debris. Examples of qualities a great commentor posesses: friendly, intelligent, informative and engaged.

Keep the topic

Often, bloggers will ask questions in their article(s) to motivate visitors to leave comments. The purpose of the comments is to discuss the content itself. Make sure your comment stays on topic. There is a horrible plague that exists when a user goes from “Scuba diving in Japan” and begins discussing “I prefer motorbiking in Brazil.”

Repetitive, Rhetorical and Relentless

Read the entire article, including comment threads. As a commentor, make sure you’re adding something to the discussion. Repeating what has already been said is ridiculous and annoying. Bloggers are wanting actual replies and informative additions to their discussions. Take the time to read all comments or don’t comment. If your question seems rhetorical or you only mean to get a reaction, don’t comment. Relentless repeats of rehetorical repugnant responses reiterating redundant reports reliable or right, repulsive or respectful are raunchy.

There is no comment quota

Do not comment for the sake of commenting. Being labeled a useless commentor on the blogosphere is not an enjoyable experience. If you decide to be one of the many individuals who comments, simply to have their Name and URI on an article thread, don’t even click post. Only spammers take some lame actions — you aren’t a spammer are you?

Make your message clear

Users who read your comments are unable to see the smile on your face, clenched fist beating the table or that knife you just threw against the wall. Remember that simple punctuation marks, (i.e. quotes and semi-colons) can change the entire outcome of your message. Comments read, make sure they are truly readable — not just in language but in context. Utilize emoticons and additional information to convey the energy behind your message. Last thing one would want is someone to be taken incorrectly and start a flame-fest on someone’s blog.

Own your words

Leaving anonymous comments is sometimes necessary, however, often looked upon as cowardly. If you’re going to comment, own it! Leave your name, weblog and possibly your email address so the blogger you’re commenting on can contact you if need be.

Nobody likes a know-it-all

Your best commentors will be knowledgable, friendly and enjoy engaging in the interaction between comments on a weblog. Great commentors comment just to add information, make the content better. If you’re going to point out a dead link, typo or un-correctly-confabulated statement, be sure to make your approach in a respectful manner. Otherwise, you could be shown the door in the form of a nice deleted comment.

Comments are not emails

Comments are a seemingly one-way communication medium between a blogger and his visitors. Bloggers will typically leave comments on their own threads, however assume they might not. Emails are private conversations between individuals; know the difference. Make sure you don’t add to the discussion, “Great article, another similar read is (this link), by the way did you ever talk to JoAnn?”

Cite your sources

If you’re going to engage with facts, be sure to back your facts up with links, resources or quotes. That simple!

Some common-sense

Comments are conversations. Just as in real life, be courteous. Make sure you’re not stepping on someone’s toes just to get your point across. Comments can quickly turn bad — often the discussion does. Its your job as a commentor to ensure that the discussion you are involving yourself in stays on track. Keep comments short, sweet and to the point.

Personally, I am guilty of leaving long-winded comments at times. I’m also guilty of breaking some of these rules, even on my own blog. Addressing these guidelines is important and should be understood. If we are all able to comment in a polite and efficient manner, discussions would seem more pleasant.

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