Lastly, to leave an awesome comment, you must always ask a question.
Maybe there are questions that have been left unanswered in the post, maybe the author has missed some critical information. Ask questions.
Asking questions within your comments will allow the author to respond and keep the engagement going. I hate it when the only reply I have to a comment is "thanks for your comment". I want a comment to spark more dialogue.
Remember, comments are all about enhancing a post, and adding to it.
Kyle once said to me - "Comments are like a FAQ for your content"
I try to make my comments at least 2 - 3 paragraphs in length. I want to leave an awesome comment, so that the author is like, "wow, that is an awesome comment!"
If you can't leave a great comment, don't leave one at all.
We need to remember, that we are, in a sense, pretending to be a visitor to this site (other people don't know that we are all from WA). If a visitor is going to take the time to comment, he/she will often be telling their story, or asking a question. So pretend to be a visitor.
Thanks for reading everyone, this is my first training, so I hope I did an alright job.
What do you love to see in a comment on your site?
Reply
First of all, I read your training thoroughly.
I mean the whole thing! Great subject, good read. :)
I just couldn't agree with you more.
I don't enjoy it that much -- euphemism for "hate" -- when after leaving a good comment on a fellow WA member's blog, I ask for a comment back in return and all I get is something like "yeah great post bye john doe".
Just one simple line of comment written in a hurry which basically means "I just couldn't care less."
What value does it add to my post?
How much respect does it show for my effort in writing the post?
That's why I love the comment system I'm using on my Buzznitrous.com blog: Disqus. It "forces" users to create an account on Disqus or login via their social networks, so people really thing twice before leaving a comment like that.
It's true I get a lot less comments, but the ones I get are much more in-depth and valuable. People just won't make the effort of creating an account simply to leave a crappy comment.
Thanks for your work and effort in creating this pertinent training Andrea!
All the best and much success,
Louie
I would like to add that "negative" or comments of a "differing opinion" are excellent comments to leave though too many folks reject them.
Let me put it this way, if every comment on a site is positive and a ra ra sis boom ba for the post in question I'm going to bail and fast because it doesn't seem realistic that everyone just adores and loves the post and no one opposes it.
Now keep in mind too that people are more likely to leave a negative comment or feedback or complaint than a positive one .... so ....
We NEED and MUST HAVE negative comments on our sites.
We also need to respond to these comments in a professional manner and at minimum acknowledge the individuals stance. You all can figure out the rest from there but I guarantee you negative comments WILL help your site.
So this brings me to my grand finale - I cannot give you a quality NEGATIVE comment on your post Andrea because I 100% AGREE with everything you said and I am pulling out my pom poms (imaginary of course) and chanting ra ra sis boom ba!
ROCK ON!
E
And for those watching ... what just happened here is exactly what YOU WANT ON YOUR SITE ... the engagement occurred and a conversation emerged. Google LOVES this.
Actually negative comments are often overlooked and shunned upon when some folks encounter them on their websites. Do the opposite and embrace them as if they were made of gold because they are.
I wrote a blog awhile back that focuses on another tough topic in business and some of you may benefit from this and it is relevant to Andrea's blog and negative comments, take a look: Traits for Building a Successful Business I must say again Andrea your training is greatly needed and certainly should be embraced as gospel for the masses (at least the masses that chose to be successful). YOU ROCK!
E
