Blog Commentary as a Content Marketing Tool
Posted by Beth Hrusch on Sun, Jul 11, 2010
Commenting on blogs can be a good way to increase traffic to your site-- if you go into it with the right frame of mind. Commenting just to get your link out there, or to be the first one on the list of comments, usually doesn't help. Why? Mainly because people can recognize the kind of spammy commenting that doesn't really say anything or contribute to the conversation.
Blog comments are content just like any other form of content. And, they can either help you or hurt you, just like any other kind of content. Worthwhile commentary, combined with links that are worth clicking on, help raise your credibility in much the same way as a series of well-written articles, blogs or website content.
Every comment is another piece of content that can get readers interested in you. You should make each one count. As a general rule of thumb, only comment on blogs that you're truly interested in. If you have some specific knowledge about the topic or want to learn more, if a blog intrigues you and you'd like to add to it, or even if you disagree with the points being made-- these are all legitimate reasons to comment.
If you regularly comment on other people's blogs with thoughtful, interesting feedback, thoughts and opinions, you will start to become recognized as a valuable member of the blogosphere. Will this affect your click-throughs? Absolutely. Blog commentary can be part of a linking strategy that connects you with other bloggers and establishes your authority with them.
Remember that even today's thought leaders in the world of content marketing started out as unknowns, trying to get the word out about their ideas. One of the ways they did it was to create and comment on blogs on a regular basis. For many of them, comments became part of their weekly content marketing strategy.
Blog commentary is fresh, updated content, linked to your site, which gives readers insight into your expertise. It also lets others in your field of interest know who you are. It can be a networking tool and way to market your business. Or, it can be a way to get yourself banned from people's forums and comment lists.
It's all in how you use it.