Site Comments - Use Common Sense
I know a lot has been said about site comments. I remember reading many rants about the quality of comments or lack thereof.
I have had very good experience with site comments, usually request one for each of my new articles and receive between 3 to 5. Some are excellent. Some have so many typos or bad spelling or bad grammar that I have to correct them but I don't mind. I appreciate the effort.
Yesterday, I got 5 comments and I had to disapprove one for the first time ever. I did it kindly explaining the reason. And I'm writing this post to help new members understand the purpose and the way how to comment so they won't be disapproved.
Site comments are not a discussion forum. If I go to site comments and there is an article about diapers requesting comments, I skip it because it has nothing to do with me. If I didn't want to skip it, then I had to pretend that I'm a young mom looking for the answer the article provides.
Or, let's look at another example. There might be an article about the top 10 android phones requesting site comments. I have an iPhone. So what will I write in my comment? That I don't like android phones?? Why would I look for the best android phones in google then?
It's always necessary to keep in mind that a site comment should look like a comment written by someone who would find your article in google. So if I write an article about retinol, the commenters should write something as if they were looking for the answer how retinol works, not saying that they don't support use of anti aging products.
I don't mind anyone having a different opinion at all. And I like questions. I would even be happy if someone wrote they have a bad experience with a product. But saying they are not interested or actually against it, that just doesn't make sense.
So please when you comment and you have a different opinion or are not interested in the subject, just skip the article and comment on something else. If you don't want to skip, pretend you are someone who is looking for this topic/product/answer.
Have a nice weekend, my friends!
Lenka
Recent Comments
162
You're exactly right, Lenka! This has been an issue for quite some time. However, your post should help members who are not sure about making comments. Personally, I prefer to skip commenting on a site if I don't know about a topic or have an interest in it. I believe that the right person will come along to leave a comment of value if I can't contribute something meaningful and valuable.
Continued success to you! :)
Colleen
Thank you Colleen, I hope it will help new members. It also seems that some people have problems to differ between comments and feedback.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this subject. I think people are generally in too big of a hurry when using this element of WA and do not spend the time to really provide what we need. Not all people mind you, but I have had several that I have had to decline. It is all about spending a little time and being relevant to the subject.
Yeah, some people don't even bother reading and just use some phrases from the article, add that it is great and that's it.
A good comment takes some effort.
Thanks for your thoughts, Annette.
My only real pet peeve is when they start talking about your website like they are giving a review dropping WA lingo. Like " I like your Niche. Good use of color. What theme are you using?" etc.
That isn't leaving comments and there is a different section for that. Have fun out there.
I know what you mean, Jason. I don't like it either and I usually delete this part when editing. I have to edit the comments anyway because there are many mistakes, typos, bad grammar etc.
I'm a teacher you know so I even correct writing of native English speakers :)
Thanks for your comment!
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Some online companies ask their customers for a review of the product purchased. This serves a great help for the company and future customers that may have some questions and want answers before making a decision.
Now, commenting with smartphones Android vs iPhone will always be a debate We The Consumers. Android has its Pros and Cons just like iPhone does. For me when my current phone breaks down someday, I'll buy what my budget can handle.
Sure Ramon, I was an android user for many years. But the example with android vs iphone in this post was just an example showing that we should always make an impression we are prospective buyers looking for answers about a certain product when commenting on someone's post.
Another example: if someone doesn't like dogs, why would they comment on a post about the best dog food? If they still want to comment, then they have to pretend they are interested and ask a relevant question.
We have the site comments feature for this purpose, to imitate organic comments.