Question #7: Blog Comment Strategy

Donna asked:

How do you comment into existing blogs without sounding self serving sales pitch? Suggestions would be greatly appreciated on strategy around this?

Donna, what a great question.  Look, buyers aren't stupid.  If you post something that is bright, funny, smart, empathetic, relevant and honest on a web site, they will seek you out where you are.   

My rule of thumb on posting blog comments is that if it's not something I'd say during the reception at a professional event to people I'm looking in the eye, I'm not going to write it on a blog. 

We've all been at shows where there's some jerk pushing their business card into your hand and giving you the "elevator pitch."   And we nod politely and wonder to ourselves whether we can gnaw our leg off to get away from this knucklehead.   Don't be that guy online.

Comments

[Liora]

Scrap that URL. It's actually www.problogger.net. Lots of good articles on things like measuring the value of the visitor and how to comment on other sites without being a spammer.

[Liora]

Problogging.com actually has had at least one recent article on this topic. It went along the lines of become a sincere contributor of worthwhile information for a while without plugging your web site. Simultaneously build up the blog on your site. After so many posts, then start adding your link. So first build trust and credibility in the community, then show what you have--and make sure it's ready to wow the visitors.

[David Meerman Scott]

Think of it like dating. You don't go into a bar and shout about your attributes, do you? Instead you develop a relationship with someone first. Its the same thing.