It has long been known that commenting on blog posts has a number of advantages. I even listed a few in this post where I also explained why a ‘gravatar’ is a really useful tool. (Gravatar is a personalised picture next to your blog comments)
It wasn’t until I decided to look at where some of the traffic leaving my site actually ends up that I realised something interesting. I do not consider my blog to be successful at all. It has only been online a month, and although in that month I managed 100 subscribers to my list it still is a very basic blog that nobody actively search for just yet. So it is mighty surprising to see some of the places people end up after leaving my blog.
The name Christine Moreno has been searched for 5 times this last week by people leaving my site. That’s 5 Google searches, which means people actually googled her name after reading my blog. Agreed it’s only 5 now, but 5 at this stage where my blog is in it’s infancy is very promising for Christine when my blog obtains huge growth. Why is that interesting? Well Christine is this years newest Internet Marketing success story and she has been commenting on my blog. I have not mentioned her name before in any post, however by posting comments on my blog entries (often being the first to do so) she has managed to attract attention from my blog traffic, the same people coincidentally who would also be interested in Christine’s soon to be released JV product.
But lets dig a little deeper and figure why Christine is getting these ‘google searches’ and not the other commenters.
Look through this blog and all the comments that have been left. What do you notice?
- Christine is the most consistent – She has not commented on all entries but is by far the most consistent commenter I have. This means that she is seen often by readers of my blog, and they learn to recognise her (due to the Gravatar) just as they recognise me.
- Her tone of comments shows she follows my journey and that she also has some Internet Marketing insights to offer.
- I’ve said it before and I say it again – Her Gravatar. It’s branding her and it’s working.
- She shows she knows something about me on the posts. Agreed we have met in person and know a few things about each other that the regular reader may not, but look at her comments, she does not say anything to do with my personal life but more about my style, something which most readers should be able to easily pick up on.
So, what do we learn?
- Firstly, that following my advice really does work. Christine found how to apply a gravatar from my blog post, and my analysis has shown it works.
- Targeted and focused comments on blogs, not only bring back-links but also direct traffic back towards you.
- Christine stands out as my blog is still in it’s early life cycle. Commenting on up and coming blogs such as mine, gives you the most exposure (as you have less competition) and allows people to remember you.
So, go out and find successful blogs in your niche, learn from them and add value with your comments. You have nothing to lose but a lot to gain…
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I would add to this that linking to other blogs in your post can create a “trackback” – I taught a class on this and if you have trackbacks enabled, it will show up in them for this post
interesting insights Dee,
i just fell upon your blog from a comment you left somewhere else.
can I ask – how are you tracking searches conducted by users after they leave your blog?
@ Steve – I have sent you an email, maybe you can do a guest post.
@ Ed – I think you found a mistake on my part. What I should have said is that it was searches in the search box of my site, and then clicks to Christine’s website. (I counted a search and a click to her website as one). Since it all came from Google analytics and WP Site Stats, I think I made a mistake and misquoted. Thanks for spotting it, and regardless, it still proves commenting does work!
Dee, I am not seeing your email, even checked spam folder for “Dee Kumar” and “venturetothetop” – could you resend?
Hi, again, Dee. Thank you so much for your mentioning me in your article. Commenting on your blog came easy because you speak and teach with authority, and I am anxious to learn from you. Keep ‘em coming, please! I appreciate all that you share with your readers.
Thanks a bunch,
Christine
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