Hi Grant- Comments are the bloodstream for extending the blog post. Many a post has iterated during the comment stream into something even more interesting. One additional point from both the blog writer and commenter's perspective: blog comments create community. We have the blogs we love to read, and we begin to recognize others who are regular commenters and readers, who we then tie into our other social networks. Likewise, regular commenters of a blog become the extended "think tank" of the blogger - people a blogger turns to for respected opinions. Your thoughts?
Thanks for starting this conversation!
@askdebra

Hi Grant- Comments are the bloodstream for extending the blog post. Many a post has iterated during the comment stream into something even more interesting. One additional point from both the blog writer and commenter's perspective: blog comments create community. We have the blogs we love to read, and we begin to recognize others who are regular commenters and readers, who we then tie into our other social networks. Likewise, regular commenters of a blog become the extended "think tank" of the blogger - people a blogger turns to for respected opinions. Your thoughts?
Thanks for starting this conversation!
@askdebra

I find that commenting on blogs does two things: a) it allows me to comment on a subject that I'm interested in that I either I don't have the time, interest or depth of knowledge to write a blog about and b) it allows me to engage in conversation in a way that's not possible on Twitter.

The only thing that annoys me are blogs that "require" a full registration / login that's not tied to disqus / openid / etc.

I find that commenting on blogs does two things: a) it allows me to comment on a subject that I'm interested in that I either I don't have the time, interest or depth of knowledge to write a blog about and b) it allows me to engage in conversation in a way that's not possible on Twitter.

The only thing that annoys me are blogs that "require" a full registration / login that's not tied to disqus / openid / etc.

Commenting is what every blogger wants when they are starting out and what they strive to build as they grow. That's what makes blogging awesome - Interaction.

Commenting on blogs helps you build a relationships with the bloggers. If that's something that is important to you in some way then make sure you're commenting like crazy (leaving comments that are helping the dialog of course).

Commenting on blogs can also help you become a more educated blogger who writes better. Why? Because it means you are digesting what you are reading enough to be able to write something related to the post that keeps the dialog moving.

Lastly, commenting on blogs is just good. It encourages those who write good content and encouragement is something we all need daily. Go encourage a few bloggers!

http://franswaa.com

Commenting is what every blogger wants when they are starting out and what they strive to build as they grow. That's what makes blogging awesome - Interaction.

Commenting on blogs helps you build a relationships with the bloggers. If that's something that is important to you in some way then make sure you're commenting like crazy (leaving comments that are helping the dialog of course).

Commenting on blogs can also help you become a more educated blogger who writes better. Why? Because it means you are digesting what you are reading enough to be able to write something related to the post that keeps the dialog moving.

Lastly, commenting on blogs is just good. It encourages those who write good content and encouragement is something we all need daily. Go encourage a few bloggers!

http://franswaa.com

I have met a lot of helpful and kind people via comments. Comments help fuel your blog and others.

I am running a comment contest this month at my site to help encourage it and boost comments on my blog.

Thanks for the links here. This is a must do activity.

I have met a lot of helpful and kind people via comments. Comments help fuel your blog and others.

I am running a comment contest this month at my site to help encourage it and boost comments on my blog.

Thanks for the links here. This is a must do activity.

It's interesting to read this post because this has been a big discussion lately on a few blogs I've been visiting, and I've even written a post or two on it. Some A-list bloggers have been saying it's more important for them to give the rest of us their knowledge and such because they can help us much more than responding to our comments, while the rest of us are saying to not only throw us a bone, but to look back at their own previous posts where they tell everyone else how important it is to interact with their visitors as well as to comment on other blogs.

There's just so many more people writing this that it seems idiotic for anyone not to put at least a little bit of time into this practice.

It's interesting to read this post because this has been a big discussion lately on a few blogs I've been visiting, and I've even written a post or two on it. Some A-list bloggers have been saying it's more important for them to give the rest of us their knowledge and such because they can help us much more than responding to our comments, while the rest of us are saying to not only throw us a bone, but to look back at their own previous posts where they tell everyone else how important it is to interact with their visitors as well as to comment on other blogs.

There's just so many more people writing this that it seems idiotic for anyone not to put at least a little bit of time into this practice.

are you suggesting this simply as a fast and cheap way of getting backlinks (what if the site in question nofollows its backlinks) ?

or as a way of interacting with your community ?

probably both are relevant n'est pas ?

are you suggesting this simply as a fast and cheap way of getting backlinks (what if the site in question nofollows its backlinks) ?

or as a way of interacting with your community ?

probably both are relevant n'est pas ?

I also agree that commenting is a must. It brings you backlinks and most importent traffic. The good thing is that you expose yourself to new readers as well.

Commenting is also good for building new relations.

I also agree that commenting is a must. It brings you backlinks and most importent traffic. The good thing is that you expose yourself to new readers as well.

Commenting is also good for building new relations.

Well, I guess I'd better comment here then! I enjoy the give and take of commenting and the conversation that it generates. I also think it helps keep my blog relevant by making sure I pay attention to other blogs.

Happy New Year Grant.

Well, I guess I'd better comment here then! I enjoy the give and take of commenting and the conversation that it generates. I also think it helps keep my blog relevant by making sure I pay attention to other blogs.

Happy New Year Grant.

Grant, you are preaching to the choir :) Some of my best virtual professional relationships were initiated with comments - to or from me.

Plus, you forgot to mention that commenting on blog posts is FUN :D

Grant, you are preaching to the choir :) Some of my best virtual professional relationships were initiated with comments - to or from me.

Plus, you forgot to mention that commenting on blog posts is FUN :D

One of the most vital task to do indeed. I really don't see the point if a blog is closing the commenting system. Commenting is the best way to communicate and get feedback, while network with our readers effectively. You have my vote on this, a must do 'daily' activity for me. :-)

@wchingya
Social/Blogging Tracker

One of the most vital task to do indeed. I really don't see the point if a blog is closing the commenting system. Commenting is the best way to communicate and get feedback, while network with our readers effectively. You have my vote on this, a must do 'daily' activity for me. :-)

@wchingya
Social/Blogging Tracker