3 Things Every Blogger Should Do When Commenting
One of my favorite parts of blogging is reading all the comments from my readers. I also love commenting on other people’s blogs, too- and spend an hour or two a day doing so. Interacting with others is a great way to make friends, learn new things and get inspiration. With that being said, there are a few things that every blogger should do in regards to commenting. Have you done all of these? If not, please do!
1. Get a Disqus account. Disqus is a blog commenting platform that many bloggers use. It has a few cool features that a regular blog commenting system doesn’t the main perk is it lets you log in from a variety of accounts including Facebook, Twitter, your e-mail, etc. I currently use this one my blog because I think it’s easy to use and encourages people to log in with an account of their choice. However, people who don’t use Disqus on their blog should still sign up.
If you have a Disqus account and comment on a blog that uses it as well, you will get a notification when someone replies to your comments. I take the time to read every comment I receive and write back to as many as I can- but they probably never see it because they don’t use Disqus. You can also track comments, join communities and follow other users as well. If you do make an account, PLEASE put your blog link in your Disqus profile. This way,when you comment I can click on your profile and visit your blog, too.
2. Sign up for Gravatar. Gravatar is a website that allows you to link an image of yourself to various accounts. This way, when you comment on a blog, your photo will appear. I always prefer to see photos of real people (or even your blog’s logo if you don’t want to show your face) instead of nothing or a silly question mark. Also, if you’re commenting a lot I always remember names and faces and its nice to have that type of interaction with your readers. Gravatar works with various commenting platforms, including Disqus as I mentioned above, so it’s good to have for all blogs. Again, make sure you put a link to your blog and email address in your Gravatar profile.
3. Include your e-mail and website URL. I know writing your e-mail is sometimes required, but not on all commenting platforms. Including your email is the only way I have to contact you (unless you sign in with your Twitter or Facebook account or something). If you ask a question and I want to reply, how will I do it? If I want to write back a nice note to you, how will I? The same thing goes for your blog. So many people comment on my blog but never provide their blog’s URL in the form. You don’t have to put it at the end of your posts, but please put it in the field that says “URL” or “website”. You should link your email and blog to everything anyway- your Blogger account, Disqus account, Gravatar account, Twitter, etc.
Im glad you posted this. Was actually contemplating putting disqus on my blog just yesterday!
I like it, but it’s not for everyone. I think it’s easy to use, but sometimes my readers say it’s confusing (lol) if you need help- let me know!
Some good advice, I will definately check some of those sites out! thanks for the heads up! xx
You’re welcome!
These are all great tips! I will have to show this to my sister who just started a blog.
Exciting!
Great tips! I hate when I get a super-nice comment from a fellow blogger, but they don’t leave their blog address!
so true!
Great tips! I need to do step #2!
it’s very easy- and this way, your face shows up whenever you comment
Oh I need to get the gravatar!
yes you should! I always look at/click on comments with faces more than ones without faces!
Wait so when I use my disqus account can you email me, or does it not show it? I need to learn about technology more 🙂
When you use your Disqus account to comment on my blog, if I reply back to your comment, it will e-mail you automatically
These are good points! And I’m pretty sure I’m signed up with Gravatar but maybe I should check lol 🙂
Thanks Rachel!
disus makes commenting soooo easy!
yes I’m so glad you use it, too!
Such great advice! Thank you for sharing.
Great post! I’ve seen so many people who don’t link to their blog on Disqus and I wonder how much traffic they’re missing by not having that link!
I know, right!
Great tips, thanks Rachel! I am going to sign up with Disqus right now!
You should!
THANK YOU for this! I am so excited that I’m getting emails when you reply to one of my comments!! I have no idea why I didn’t sign up for it before. 🙂
yay! Easy, right? And if you use the same computer, it usually keeps you signed in to your account. And lots of other blogs use Disqus, too- so hopefully it will benefit you if you comment on theirs, too!
Great tips Rachel, I def. need to get on some of these sites and create accounts, it would make it a lot easier!
It will show your photo and URL more often- which means more readers to your blog!
Great tips! 😀 This is a great post, maybe I will get a disqus so my face will appear when I comment!
You should!
These are great tips for bloggers and people who just love reading & commenting on blogs, period! I love Disqus, and honestly wish more blogs, particularly Blogger blogs, would use it.
Same! Blogger commenting annoys me- especially the pop-up windows and word verifications. Ugh
Great tips Rachel! I always enjoy seeing your thoughtful comments.
aw thanks Dina!
These are really great suggestions! My favorite part of blogging is also the comments – giving and receiving. (Which you are always so good at! How do you time manage? Would love to read a post about your skills!)
haha I do a little bit in the morning, a little bit after work. I only follow blogs that I actually care to read, so my reader/bloglovin isn’t overflowed. Do some spring cleaning and you’ll be surprised!
Great tips!! I agree with you – love love the comments!
I’m so glad you did this post! I’m definitely going to sign up with Gravatar and get disquis on my blog – thank you!
Good! I’m glad you enjoyed
Thank you for the advice I just got myself a gravatar! I have been having a hard time in knowing how to respond to people, so this is my answer! Thanks!
Awesome! I’m glad it helped!