“Spam is not a good thing when it comes to promoting any kind of business,” she explained.

Spam? Huh?

Good comment, bad comment

Somebody should explain to this woman the difference between contributing to the conversation and commenting just for the sake of getting your book title out there.

As with everything else, there’s a right way and a wrong way to comment on blogs.

It’s actually an effective tactic when done properly. It’s a good way to drive traffic back to your own website. It also offers an opportunity to include your book title in your signature.

More importantly, though, it helps you establish what could be important relationships with influential bloggers and their followers.

5 blog commenting tips you’ll want to embrace

Here are a few tips designed to help make sure your comments aren’t considered “spam” by readers or the blogger.

1. Re-think your goal for commenting.

I know from experience that some authors comment on blog posts simply because it’s a way to get their book title in front of anyone who might read their comment.

The most successful authors don’t comment to call attention to themselves or their books, however. They do it to start building relationships with people they might learn from or who might be interested in the types of books they write.

If you want to be successful, write comments that are door openers, not self-promotional. Ask yourself, “What can I add to this discussion that will help someone?”

2. Contribute to the conversation.

It’s absolutely fine to write, “Great post!,” or “Thanks!” I’m a blogger who is grateful for that type of feedback, and I’m sure most others are, too.

But if you’re looking to develop a relationship or connection with the blogger because that person might be able to support your book with a virtual book tour stop or an endorsement, you might want to approach it a little differently.

You’re more likely to get blogger and reader attention if you add a sentence or two that:

• Shares more information on the subject or
• Addresses what you liked about the post or
• Explains what surprised you or
• Summarizes what you might do differently as a result of reading the post

These are the kinds of comments that can generate conversations and connections.

For example, when Pauline Wiles added to the conversation around my blog post about book publishing predictions for 2020 by including a link to her article on author website trends, I asked her to guest blog for us. (Don’t miss “Author website must-haves.”)

3. Share information.

If you’ve written on the same subject as the post you’re commenting on, briefly add your perspective. By all means, share a link to the specific post on your blog with the additional information.

That will help those who are interested in learning more about the topic or might be interested in a different take on it. Bloggers are usually interested in seeing how others have covered the same topic, too.

4. Use your manners.

Hostile, angry, or mean comments don’t build relationships and reputations.

5. Don’t sell.

Share your opinion, offer additional information, or compliment the blogger, but don’t use the comment template as a place to promote yourself or your work.

There’s a good chance that the blogger won’t approve that overtly promotional comment, which means no one will see it. That means you’re wasting your time when you attempt to comment, and your time is valuable.

Comment on blogs to connect

The author who views commenting on blogs as “spam” is missing an important opportunity to connect with her audience and the blogger.

That’s her loss and her competitor’s gain. The author who is thoughtful, helpful, and kind with comments can become better known with bloggers they’d like to add to their virtual book tour. Blog readers will take note, too.

Don’t make that author’s “spam” mistake by summarily dismissing this tactic. But please do make sure you’re doing it in a way that’s useful for the blogger, the blog’s readers, and you.

What’s the best thing that has happened to you as a result of a comment you’ve left, or a comment someone has made on your blog?

(Editor’s note: This article was first published in April 2012. It has been updated and expanded.)