Do you enjoy reading blogs and have favorite sites you subscribe to or always return to, but have never (or rarely) posted a comment?
Instead of passively taking in all the good information on blogs, spread your personal brand by commenting on them – join a discussion or start one yourself.
Did you know that blog commenting, if done well, will build quite a strong online brand reputation for you and brand your niche expertise – even if you fall short with other online brand-building?
When you post blog comments, you’ll see them quickly show up in Google search results for “your name”. If the blog has a strong Google PageRank, your comment may land on the first page of your search results.
You probably know that recruiters, employers, and other hiring decision makers routinely search online (including blogs) to source candidates and find out more about people they’re considering.
Blog comments are one more way you can bring their attention to you and the unique promise of value you offer. Commenting also indicates that you’re social media-savvy and eager to stay current with the latest trends.
Blog commenting is network-building, too. You’ll gain a wealth of knowledge and connect with forward-thinking people you probably never would have otherwise. Who knows where it could lead?
Besides, we bloggers love to know what our readers are thinking about what we have to say. I, for one, spend quite a lot of time writing my blog posts. I want to know if they’re hitting home.
There’s almost nothing we like better than getting a good conversation going between readers. Did you have a reaction to a blog post – good or bad? Did you benefit from the information? Did you get a chuckle from an off-topic post? Did a post brighten your day? We want to know.
Blog commenting, done well, contributes to and drives the conversation. Although I’m grateful when I get kudos for my posts, I’m more interested in your take on what I’ve said. If I write on a topic in which you have expertise, I hope you’ll augment what I’ve written or, heaven forbid!, gently correct me if I’ve gotten it wrong.
Your comments are best kept short (maybe 1 to 2 paragraphs at most). Refrain from blatant self-promotion and adding multiple links. For more tips on how and where to comment on blogs, see the third tactic in my post 3 Tactics to Put Your C-Level Executive Resume to Work Building Your Online Brand Identity.
Part of my own personal brand marketing routine includes regularly commenting on my favorite personal branding and executive career blogs. This practice has significantly expanded my network of friends and evangelists, while steadily building my online brand presence.
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Related posts:
A CEO Entrepreneur Turns to Guest Blogging to Build Google Results and Her Personal Brand Online
Top 10 Trends for 2009 C-Level Executive Job Search and Personal Brand Management
Thanks for commenting, Walt.
Gosh, I hope I’m not attracting only bloggers here. But even so, if they are bloggers, then they probably know how important commenting is, don’t you think?
Commenting is a little-used, quick online branding tool that everyone should at least dabble in.
-Meg
Great advice as always, Meg. Too bad only the bloggers will read it and act on it. But we still need to spread the word about this easy and non-committal way to improve your brand.