Does it Count if You Go Blog a Good Comment on Other People's Blogs?

[Pepper P Oldziey]

Personally I think it does. Last week I started a competitive deal with two friends living on separate continents. We wanted to encourage each other to get back to posting regularly. So I came back to blogging here, a practice I want to make a daily part of my life with lots of good web design and SEO resources. I challenged them to blog as well, in their own venues. it worked!

Both of these friends have actually posted blogs every day, both of them creating new word press blogs for the occasion. They are enjoying it I think, or so they say. My email messages to them, after each time I posted, were "Tag, you're it!" It worked!

Seriously though, one waxed profound about her experience and shared with me for posting: "I found myself staring at a blank page full of preconceived notions of what a blog post should be. Ben Franklin, Hugh Laurie, and Oprah rolled into one amazing post - right? Yikes, talk about writer's block! I decided my first effort would be like jumping into a cold lake. At first I would resist, but once in and splashing around, it could be lots of fun. And it was."

The other shares: “don’t dither, just do it.” Can you hear a bit of an English accent there?

So, then, what do I do but fall victim to the same old same old - no time - and I had such a good headstart. The schedule got slamming overwhelming, and what is the first to go but the last thing to get started, despite my proclamations of intentions. Isn't it always this way. Well, determined as I am, what I did instead of blogging here was to go on both of their websites and post good comments, like posts in themselves. So I counted those and I am only a day or two behind schedule.

I'd like to offer this journey to others as a live walk through starting a new habit. So many people are kind of afraid to post and blog here. With all the opportunities that Pat Howlett has made for those of us who blog on this site, it is simply absurd not to do so as part of marketing your business. Its hard to get going though. But if I can do it . . . you can do it. Just look at all the blog posts on the right there - in the column to the right on this page - scrolling by, one new post after another literally seconds apart. Phenomenal. Join in!

And to answer my title here - yes, I think a well thought out answer to someone else's post is a great thing to do, valuable, important. Why? because it makes a connection between you and one other person. Marketing is not about direct sales as much as building networks of people you know who will refer you as you refer them, people who know you and like you and your work. Reading what others have to say and commenting is a great way to reach out and connect, to listen and value others.

[Pat Howlett]

I love when folks put together their own "syndicate" and provide support (as well as linking and distribution) Great Idea! and I think this can help others - Featured!

Of course when you "comment" with added value and correctly it can have real benefits to the blogger, the folks reading that post as well as yourself. I'll be adding a new video to the Article Marketing training about this soon (thanks for the nudge :)

[Diogenes Ruiz]

I think we all have times when we start with great drive and purpose but fall victim to our old habits - no time. You bring up a good point that is a sore spot for many. Most of us are lousy time managers (myself included). This is especially true if you are juggling different jobs, busy with projects or trying to find your hedgehog (see Dave Baldwin's post). Article writing/blogging is becoming more important than ever in brand building (you are the brand). I think it requires a new commitment to time management and purposeful interaction. There are many folks who are standing on the sidelines or happily bouncing around cyberspace without purpose or meaningful business interactions. With the tools and information Pat has set up for us, those who choose to get off the sidelines and jump into the field will see great benefits. I am fighting all of my demons to stay on track (more about that later). And if you screw up and fall behind, you can get back up and into your game again.

But two things are really clear to me based on the training materials. Referral marketing is NOT what most people think it is and article writing will play a more strategic role in business building than most folks realize. I'm greatful that we have the tools here and the constant nudges to move in a direction that practically gaurantees that our businesses will be more profitable.

[Dave Baldwin]

This exact subject came up at our Tuesday morning Pay it Forward group over the last couple of weeks. I asked everyone to tell us how the group could help, and more than one person said that they were looking for blog readers. I thought I could use some support in that area myself! So yes, I would say that in some cases, you can provide even more value by commenting on someone else's post. You can share your viewpoint as you would on your own blog, and at the same time, give someone else a bit of encouragement to continue with theirs. I have been blogging since 2007 and know that at times, it can be discouraging if it seems like no one is listening.

[Pepper P Oldziey]

Thank you so much Pat, Diogenes and Dave for commenting here. This is exactly the way I feel too. And we have indeed learned here, Inside 919, that this is the first step to meeting new folks: first online by commenting and visiting those who comment on our pages, and then, in the network meetings. The first time we see them is really checking in with someone who you already know. This is the magic of an online/offline in person network. This is the beauty of "Come on Inside."

So now, with all this encouragement, I hope I can manage my schedule and keep the blogging up and commenting up as I hope to. If I fall off the time goal, though, I can always jump right back on. I think I will adjust my goal of every day to perhaps five days a week. This is more doable. If we set goals that are more achievable, and feel good about meeting them, I think we can keep trying more easily. Nice to talk with you again, my friends.