Better Blogging: Comments & Contests

Jocelyn and I collaborated on a few blogging tips for this post. I hope this helps you become a better blogger!

Commenting

I don’t know how much we can stress this, but get out and leave comments. People will come back to visit you and others will see you on other’s blogs. Even if people don’t comment you back, be friendly, and comment them.

Commenting On Your Own Thread
Just this week my Mom and I were talking about commenting. I have a good readership. I get about 25-35 (sometimes 40) comments per post. I like to reply to all the people who took the time to comment me… but my mom and I were talking about replying to your own comments, in the same thread, on your own blog.
When someone comments on my blog, I usually go to reply to their question/comment on their own blog, but what if they ask a question? About the post? About why I wrote something? About me? I decided that it’s better to reply to a question/comment on your thread. People will see that you do this, and come back to check. I see lots of popular bloggers do this. They reply to comments on their own blogs.
I am not saying that you shouldn’t come people back, but just reply to something on your own thread. Your readers will see that you do that and you may get more discussion out of a post than you realize.

Comment About
When you leave a comment, it should be about the author’s post. It is not being a good blogger to leave a comment with one line. It is very courteous to leave a comment that talks about the author’s post and on topic. I hate it when I’ve spent countless hours writing up a very in depth post and then someone comes and says “nice blog, great post’. Show the author that you took time to read their thoughts.

Anonymous Comments
When you leave a comment, sign your name, leave a link. I hate it when people comment and don’t sign their name and leave no forwarding link. If it’s a confrontational comment that you don’t want to leave your name attached to, don’t leave it.Most likely people have your IP address, which is a number tracked to your computer. It’s almost impossible to “hide” after leaving a comment. If you comment at somewhere like HomeschoolBlogger and don’t have a username, click on the box that says “Anonymous” on the comment page, and retype your name in the box.

Contests

Worried about contest deadlines? It is a good rule of thumb to enter a contest or vote in a contest well ahead of the deadline. I know personally I find contests sometimes that I intend to come back later to enter, only to find that I missed the deadline. Online contests and blog contests are a great way to win some very exciting things, and if you don’t want to miss the deadline, entering as soon as you find it is always best.
Make sure to read all the rules and regulations. Check to make sure you have done everything you need to that qualifies you and gives you even more chances of winning.

Holding Contests

The trick to having a great turnout for a contest is to get the word out. Offer an incentive for anyone who posts about it. Use your emailing list. Send out an email to everyone letting them know about it.

Make a graphic that links to your contest. Something that is eye catching that will make people want to check it out. Make sure it represents your contest. Put the deadline and the name on the graphic. Put the code for the icon in the first comment section. It is easy accessible and put a note in the post that you can pick up the code in the comments.
Do a search for places or blogs that would mention contests. Email them and ask them if they would put your contest on your blog. I know that Contests and Carnivals will post about contests.

This time of the year is a great time to look for blog contests, so if you are going to have one or you know of a great one, let us know. Happy blogging!

Have a great weekend!