Having been dubbed the "commenting queen" by some of the biggest bloggers, who I can't name [because I don't want them to go viral due to this post], I decided that I would share my secrets. If you're terrible at commenting, never fear! Queen Nova [yes, others call me this] is ready to teach you how to be a good commenter. So long as you aren't a better commenter than I am.
- Know the reason for commenting.
I guess I'm going to have to spell this one out, huh? You want comments in return. That's the only reason anyone shares comments, right? Doing it for the love of discussion is way overrated. - Follow a crapload of blogs.
You need a list of blogs to follow but make sure you follow them in a way where you follow isn't displayed. You wouldn't want their count to go up, especially not higher than your own. I would recommend Notareal.site.io or dont.take.my.advice.com - When you can, fill out the name [for commenting] as something that makes you sound cool.
Do you think I go by something as mundane as "Nova @ Out of Time?" HECK NO! Something like Queen Nova @ Blog That's Better Than Yours is sure to get someone's attention and they'll definitely comment back! However, don't use my title - I'll cut you. - Leave your most recent post link at the bottom of your comment.
It doesn't matter if there's relevance between your link and the post you're commenting on! You want to SELL your blog and by doing that, you must promote on others' page. Plus, they'll be more than happy to spam you with blogger love because you graced their blog with your presence. - Quantity over Quality.
Copy and paste messages, heck yeah! If you have 5 different reviews of [insert book title here] and you have to comment on all of them, copy one generic message like, "love your review! main character is so badass. check out my blog!11!1!" and post it everywhere. Instant popularity. - Memes are the motherload.
The best place to use your copy and paste skills is for memes. I'm not saying that you need to post memes because ewwwww, I hate memes. They're for people who have no creativity. All I'm saying is that you need to copy your blog advert on each TTT or STS post and watch the comments roll in. - Unfollow blogs that don't religiously comment back.
True followers will comment on every post or as many as you comment on. Also, your time is valuable so if a blogger isn't commenting back, why do you bother? If the person you're following doesn't live up to this standard, drop them like a poptart. Mmm... poptarts. - Don't reply to comments.
Oh my gosh, you're ALREADY commenting on their blog with your copy 'n paste, they expect you to reply to their comments? Seems like some people have serious entitlement issues.
I don't consider myself a commenting queen or anything with such a high title but I definitely do my best to comment at least twice a week on the blogs that I know. I don't usually comment on reviews but if there's a discussion, I'm there!
Commenting is always to build relationships and to share thoughts - not to get comments in return. Sure, getting them in return is nice but still, I always want to remember my first purpose.
I comment with BL and I follow a crapload of blogs that have interested me in the past. And I'd like to say that replying to comments is seriously the best. It makes the commenter feel like they matter <3 [IMO]
Do you feel obligated to "comment back?" Do you reply to comments? Or do you only comment on posts that catch your eye, rather than follow blogs? I'd love to know!
HAHA, great post, Nova! Actually, I do think you're a commenting queen, though. Thanks for all of the love on my blog. :)
ReplyDeleteJulia Anne @ Peach Print
Aw, no problem, Julia <33
DeleteGreat post! Being honest: I started off commenting on other blogs because I wanted more comments on mine. So I used to comment on everything. But now I generally only comment on things I want to read... because if I don't have something to say, then what's the point of commenting, you know? And I SO agree about replying to comments. <3
ReplyDeleteOf course, I understand that. I totally felt the same way, at one point. Sometimes, i still do it, no shame! And if that's true, I feel so flattered because you comment on a lot of my posts and I absolutely adore you for it.
DeleteTook me awhile to figure out whether it was a joke or not.. :P But everything you said is kind of things to avoid. Copy and pasting your comments (Oh bleck!) and when someone comments "Great post! *continues to self promote* Commenting is a great way to get some views but you should never click on a comment box, type in a few words, and expect your blog to blow up overnight. *shakes head* It don't work like that honey. ;) Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI try to reply to all comments that come into my blog only because it's very appreciated. Usually when the Bloglovin email comes around I will open all posts that seem interesting, read them, then leave a comments.
~Kaitlin @ Next Page Please!
OH FOR SURE, IT'S A JOKE. I would feel so bad if you actually took this seriously >.<
DeleteCommenting purely for comments really sends me in a rage. Usually, I won't reply to their comments [ or on the off chance, i don't have anything to add ] but it's just rude, you know? some people don't get that it can take hours to write a post and to copy and paste is like not appreciating... okay, i'll stop now haha
I comment regularly on like 60 blogs myself. It's a time-consuming process but something I enjoy because it's so much fun to see what others think about books they read or issues that concern them. I regularly receive comments from other people myself and I think you can easily see if that person is only commenting only because they want comments from you, and not because they want to promote communication or build friendships :/ I actually follow blogs and I am not picky about which posts I comment on. I read it all from A-Z and comment on whatever they said that caught my interest.
ReplyDeleteFaye at The Social Potato
Whoa, you're a queen <33
DeleteAnd yes, that's exactly how I do it too
I SUCK AT COMMENTING AND COMMENTING BACK. I try to be better and I'm definitely better than I was a few months ago but damn, it's such a time consuming activity. Like I love reading other people's posts but commenting can be tedious as I rarely ever read a post that really MOVES me to comment. So I admire others who are able to comment a lot and do it really well, writing meaningful comments each time and bringing up some really interesting new topics to the table!
ReplyDeleteI am definitely worse at commenting back though. BUT IT'S SO HARD because everything you want to say has already been said in the post so usually I just end being a yes man in my replies.
IT'S OKAY i have like 30 comments I have to reply on XD This is procrastination at its finest.
DeleteA lot of the time, I'll read a post and just close the tab even though I'm like, damn i should comment to make the blogger feel read and appreciated.
I hardly have the time to comment on blogs, though I definitely make an effort to take some time to comment back, reply to comments, and just commenting in general simply because the post sparked my interest. As a junior in high school, I'm currently more focused on getting good grades, worrying about that next test I'm taking or Finals, studying "religiously" for the ACT, keeping a steady rank in my class (not that I really care too much), all the bells and whistles of a typical high schooler.
ReplyDeleteNot to be offensive to anyone, but commenting tends to be a nice break in my day/week. A time to catch up with what's been going on while I was under my rock - something that I don't have to think so much on, like I have to with Trig on a daily basis: Double Angle Identity or Product-to-Sum Identity? But wait! Using 2sinxcosx doesn't work, so I'll have to try a different substitution for cos2x.
*sigh* Sorry for any confusion I've caused by blurting some Trig identities out. :p
~Sophia @ Bookwyrming Thoughts
I totally understand having a lack of time, which is the reason for my blog name XD But I do understand about the "break". I love commenting on Sundays because it makes me feel like I can just talk to people, you know?
DeleteThis is such an amazing post Nova! I don't feel obligated to comment back so much as wanting to do it to share a bit of the happiness I get when I receive comments. It gets hard sometimes, especially recently when I've been so busy I've barely had time to write posts, but when I can, I like to comment back as often as I can. Just the same, I like to reply to my comments. Most of the time I'm learning from my readers as well as sharing what I've learned, so it's very much a discussion. And of course you're the commenting queen! You always make my day when you comment on my blog.
ReplyDeleteAww <333 that's so sweet of you to say!
DeleteI don't always comment on all the blogs that I follow because I don't have the time to do so in every post, every day, but on my days off I usually go on Bloglovin and check out the posts I might have missed and comment on those who catch my eye more.
ReplyDeleteThere are some blogs that I comment more often than others and I always try to reply to comments on my blog, but I never do the comment back or expect that comment for comment sort of thing because it feels forced. If someone knew comments on my blog I probably will check their blog, but I don't feel obligated to comment back just because.
I totally know what you mean. I hate commenting on reviews of books I don't want to read >.< It just won't seem like a geniune comment so I comment on what catches my eyes too!
DeleteI try to always reply to the comments on my blog. If someone leaves a comment for the first time, I try to find time to visit their blog and comment. I'll always follow back at first and see what kind posts they write and discussions they have, and usually I keep following. I have a handful of blogs that I follow and comment on almost all the time. There's another handful that I comment on when there's an awesome discussion going on.
ReplyDeleteI do kind of fall off everything from time to time for about a week though. Usually it's during the school semester when things are crazy and I need a break.
I think it's so kind of you to do that. I don't follow back because it clutters my feed but I always try to give blogs some love because I know we all need it (:
DeleteI guess in a way I feel obligated to comment back to, you know, return the favour. Also only recently did I start replying to my comments but it's been fun! There are certainly some interesting discussions being formed. And I try my best to give out a genuine comment on every blog post I come across.
ReplyDeleteI totally understand what you mean! Sometimes, they'll reply for the second time and it's cool what happens next!
DeleteHaha aw man, this was hilarious! You're fantastic, Nova. XD I usually comment back if only because I enjoy returning them; it's kind of something I've always done so it's normal for me. I love when discussions start, though! Those are my favorite. :D
ReplyDeleteSometimes I fail though because I'm not always consistent. I try to visit my usual faves often though, otherwise I feel terrible. D;
Love YOU SYDNEY <33
DeleteIt's hard to reply on reviews when people are like 'i want this one so baaad' I'm like.. okay? So I always feel awkward and don't reply at all
LOL this was hilarious, so many people actually do this though. I don't like it when people just comment generic comments such as "great post" because they didn't even bothered to read it. I do try to comment blogs back every other day or so, I usually stay up to date with about 45 blogs now I think. It's time consuming but those are the blogs I love too :) <3 Benish| Feminist Reflections
ReplyDeleteHahah, I often get compliments about the fact I leave so many comments and it sometimes feels a little.. pressured to do so. I have taken a step back now, because I'm so busy at the moment, but I still like to go out and leave some comment love when I have the time. I think it's great to show someone I appreciated their work/post/time :)
ReplyDeleteI think it is important to comment on the blogs that I follow. It is good yo get into a friendly discussion about books.
ReplyDeletelove your discussion post! check out my blog!11!1!
ReplyDeleteI kid. :)
Anyways, I am so thrilled that you stopped by our blog, because I have been looking for some new blogs to follow recently. I love the lay out of your blog, and I am seriously so excited to read more of your content.
I recently did a clean out of some other blogs, and if I am honest, I wasn't enjoying them anyways, so why even bother??
This made me giggle. I think commenting on blogs is SOOOO underrated as a form to develop relationships and make friends. But not like that. NEVER like that.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny, because on my old blog I HATED commenting and comments with a passion (I was a super nervous lifestyle blogger), but now I love them, and I actually am receiving some love back, which is lovely. Or maybe that has more to do with the fact that the book blogging community is better than the lifestyle blogging one... Anyway, it's a good thing.
Beth x
www.thequietpeople.com
Seriously this is like my absolute favourite feature!!
ReplyDeleteI love getting out there and commenting especially because I have an opinion on everything LOL And I love that I can share that and whatnot. I have a load of blogs that I follow but I also love clicking on random links shared on twitter and checking out people who comment on my posts, just because that's how I find amazing new bloggers! I adore commenting back but I'll admit, as of current I'm horrible at it. Little time, laziness, little time, little time may be the culprit BUT I PERSIST BECAUSE I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE IS AMAZING AND GETS ME TEARY AND URGH <3
I figured you would like it, my sarcastic twin ;) [next week's will be about how to bookstagram because I know you and your photography ;D]
DeleteI found your blog because of that post about math HEHE [ALSO IT'S LIKE THREE MONTHS LATE BUT I FIGURED OUT WHY WE'RE BAD AT MATH OMGGGGG *check your blog comments!!]
Oh man, the worst thing about this? I think I've done a few of these in the past and it's just WRONG WRONG WRONG. How could I not see I was being a right twink, ew, what a shocker. BUT, this is fabulous still, seriously, it's exactly what I needed to lighten my day. You have reminded me that I should comment more though, so thanks lovely!<3
ReplyDeleteI think that everyone makes mistakes they cringe on and that it's totally fine. I still know a few bloggers who do that latest post link and it makes me want to smash a wall because they're such nice people but I just HATEEEE it
DeleteDaaaamn, Nova, you got one fine set of tips here, I don't know how people aren't following them at all! Sometimes I have to admit that I comment because I want a comment back too, but I think that reason is okay, just as long as you leave a sincere comment and not a shitty generic one-liner. I mean, it's not wrong to want someone to return the favor, and it is pretty disappointing when they don't -- especially if you left a genuine one. But these days I hardly have time to reply to comments on my blog, much less go around leaving comments on others. D:
ReplyDeleteLOL, do people even do that? The name thing, I mean. xD I've never seen it, but what makes me click and visit your blog back isn't what you're called but what you write. If only people would realize that! (Pfft, my name is cooler -- Empress Meg @ My Blog is the Only Thing You Need. WIN. ;D) But ugh, I've seen the latest post link thing before and that seriously pisses me off, too. I mean, it's fine if your latest post link was generated by CommentLuv, but if it isn't... Sorry, but no salespeople are allowed on my blog.
#6 is part of the reason why I hardly do memes anymore. I used to do TTT, but it got too generic and dull for me, and I know the struggle of commenting on other TTT posts, so I just decided to drop it. And #8 makes me feel kind of guilty because it takes me a while to reply to comments! I want to reply to them as soon as I can, I swear, but life likes to be mean and get in my way. >< But I get what you mean: I generally get the feeling that bloggers who don't reply to comments don't care about the comments they get after all. :(
I thought your post was serious when I read the first paragraph. xD Loved this!
*snorts* It honestly is NOT hard to leave sincere comments and if a person thinks it is, it means that the post they're reading isn't for them. WHICH IS TOTALLY FINE! It baffles me why people cut corners and then get mad when it's done to them.
DeleteLOLOL the name thing. I have no idea but I want to see someone do it [they'd probably be kidding, though]
the meme thing makes me want to shoot myself because I hate them and they're also the things that get me the most traffic. SIGH. [However, I will not conform - I'm happy not doing memes.]
This was hilarious. Definitely some great tips you've got going.
ReplyDeleteI genuinely love commenting because one of the best parts of blogging is making friends and having discussions with people who care about the things that I care about. Getting comments or follows back on my blog is simply a really nice bonus : )
I follow a bunch of blogs on bloglovin and then go through my feed every morning. I only read the posts that I am genuinely interested in. When I finish reading an article I think for a moment about whether I have something to add to the conversation, if not I move on. Although sometimes I can't help but throw in a stupid lil "I LOVE THIS POST" comment just because the post was so great that I want to shout-out to the author, but I couldn't think of anything worthwhile to say.
I love commenting! Personally I try to read at least two blogs a day, and if anyone comments on my blog and leaves a link (or I can find their blog myself) I go and comment myself! I feel like it is great to contribute to this community and seeing as there are so many blogs I want to check them out! Also, when people take the time to comment on my own, I want to return the favour. I know commenting takes time as well :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the card. I think it is a great idea and thing to do. I might send you some to other bloggers myself after school when I have time, and I will definitely tweet about it as well.
This post just made my day! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, when I first started I followed and commented on EVERYTHING! But now I comment only on the posts where I really have something to say (at least I hope that is how I am coming across) and/or WANT to say something. I'm not all about getting comments back (though I do love them). And I follow a lot less blogs than I did before.
Your blog is new to me and after reading this post I'm off to read more because I am loving your sense of humour and think your blog just be a good addition to my MUST read list. :)
Awww, I like memes because it gives me a chance to respond to bloggers. I don't always reply back on reviews because I haven't read the book or I am not a fan of the genre, but memes build a common bridge. But to each their own!
ReplyDelete"Follow a crapload of blogs."
I have a very small amount of time for commenting, so I get really picky on who I follow.