COMMENTS:
- improve the quality of the platform
- grow the middle class
- develop your network—and SEO
- give you an opportunity to see thoughts other than your own
- lead to more SBD
1. IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THE PLATFORM
Comments encourage others to continue writing quality material. When we take the time to comment on another’s post, it sends the message that we notice them as an individual and we think their content is valuable—even if we disagreed with it. If that individual is a minnow, this can be rewarding for THEM. Minnows, especially, don’t have monetary reward for their material. But when they see that what they have said has influenced someone somehow, it removes the feeling of isolation a lot of minnows have when coming here. Your comment could be the one reason a minnow decides to stick around and give it a go when things get boring or slow.
If that individual is a dolphin, this can be rewarding for YOU because it will help you develop a relationship with someone who you want to be like. Heck, they might even show interest in your blog as well.
When you curate work, take time to comment. Share your feelings. We want to hear!
2. GROW THE MIDDLE CLASS The more comments you leave, the more others will want to get involved in the conversation, adding to the sincerity of the platform and the sensation of a community.
We want to get to know each other. We are social creatures. When we see users we recognize, it has a neighborly feel.
If you respond to comments directed to you, this is also good because it shows you value what they said enough to stop what you were doing and respond to them.
This, again, brings a strength and stability to the community that is necessary if we plan to grow the middle class and decentralize the top. If neighbors in the comment section follow each other and vote on one another’s material, it is not long before neighbors of neighbors become neighbors….which leads to great SEO.
3. DEVELOP YOUR NETWORK AND SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION
Something phenomenal happens when we comment—usernames show up. Ta Da!
If comments are unique or somehow enlightening or humorous, this will prompt others to want to click on that profile and even follow that person. I have found some great profiles out there via the comment section, voted on their stories, and followed them—all because of a great comment.
Whether you find someone to follow, or they follow you, you have added to the quality of your profile, and your username has just become one more peg into your search engine optimization.
If you want to kick it up a notch, do other users a favor and PROMOTE and FEATURE their work in your comments. Or on your posts.
This has a really cool effect:
- it gives users the feeling that the community is more tight knit and that they matter within it, which in turn encourages them to stay close to you
- it has exponential effects on SEO when you post something that is in common with another user, who posts something in common with another user, who is in common with you, or visa versa.
4. PROVIDE NEW IDEAS
Comments are good. They get the conversation going in different directions. If someone leaves a comment you do not agree with, or you think is rude, meh. Just take it with stride. If they have bad manners, their curation will show it. You don’t have to follow them.
But you should thank them either way because whether you like it or not, THEY have contributed to the platform and to your profile. They have brought attention to your story. They have given something new to think about. They have given others the opportunity to respond, and maybe even come to your defense. This is GOOD!
Thank the nay-sayers. They have a purpose too.
5. LEAD TO MORE SBD
Believe it or not, helping others, being generous, being sincere, and putting forth effort toward someone BESIDES YOU does wonders for your popularity. If you are stingy with your comments, spend all your time writing and asking people to vote for YOU, and don't give a hoot about anyone else, chances are you're not going to be as well liked.
There are exceptions to this. But if you want to win friends and influence people, and if you hope for more votes and more money, you're not as likely to get there if you are the party pooper.
DO’S AND DON’TS OF COMMENTING
- Do—praise OTHERS for THEIR work
- Do—link posts of OTHER authors you think are noteworthy and relevant to the discussion
- Do—thank people for leaving their comments, even if they were rude or did not like your content
- Do—take the time to respond to other people’s comments that were directed to you
- Do Not—post your own stuff in a comment section. It’s annoying. Would you do that in real life? Then don’t do it here. If you really think it bolster’s an argument you are making, better than you could do in a comment, then that’s understandable, but 9 out of 10, it’s not a good idea.
- Do Not—ask people to come look at your profile. It’s annoying. Would you do that in real life? Then don’t do it here. If someone is interested in what you have to say, they have ALREADY looked at your profile. You don’t have to ask them to. Just like dating. “Will you date me, please? I think I’m really cute and smart. You will agree once you go out with me.” Blech.
- Do Not—be mean or stupid. We live by a higher law here on steem.
- Do Not--Use meme's that are large, off topic, or possibly offensive unless you know the contributor would appreciate it.
- Do Not--
- Write a few words
one each line
to make the
comment
take up more space
and to make it
more noticeable.
(image source for comment bubbles)
First!
And also hilarious. Followed.
A few other things to add to your "do not" list, although they do fall nicely under "mean or stupid":
Use meme's that are large, off topic, or possibly offensive unless you know the contributor would appreciate it.
Write a few words
one each line
to make the
comment
take up more space
and to make it
more noticeable.
Thanks patrice. Added.
@littlescribe, yes posting value add comments is a smart way to cultivate your presence in the community and further the dialogue between users. I make sure to comment whenever I have something to say besides "thatta boy" :-)
Good article. I followed you.
@michaelstobiersk, your paintings are amazing! I'm following you right back. I don't see a verification photo anywhere. I normally don't follow artwork, for that reason. So I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt.
What is a verification photo?
B.t.w. Thank you for the compliment!
GREAT ARTICLE!
I sure do wish more people would read stuff like this! Keep sharing I completely agree. People underestimate the power of commenting! This platform needs to have more insightful conversations.
I agree, this is a great article, and it highlights what we can do to grow with Steemit - comment. I have read some quality comments that were the equal of the article they were commenting on. It does make you want to know more about that commenter - what they have posted themselves.
@naquoya, I think that's how I found you, actually.
Well if that is the case, I am glad to have been found. I very much enjoy your posts.
Great guidelines, intelligent 'Don'ts' too. As a highly experienced professional writer, blogger, and avid poster-commenter on Facebook, I can appreciate this article for those new to this type of 'informational social networking'.
A lot of people complain and complain and complain. "No one votes on my posts" or "The whales have to much power", etc. Blah, blah blah.
Deal with it.
Also they don't realize that the best investment they can make is not in how much Steem Power you buy but rather in creating their own network. How? Interact with others. And most of all have fun.
That's EXACTLY right. People get so "whale" obsessed, thinking it's the whale's job to make them rich, give them a vote, bla bla bla. No, it's nobody's job. Just work hard. Write your stuff. Make friends. Be a bloke. Make your own network. And your turn will come. Is what I say.
Is so much nicer here when members interact with each other, I prefer to leave a comment and live to read comments that are left on my posts
Good article. Many of users have forgot that steemit is a social network, where we need to communicate with each other. They look on it like on blog-platform only, where people trying to show only their articles, without read others. That's why many of them disappointed and leave it when don't get feedbacks on their posts. We must don't forget about communication.
good advice I always reply if someone has commented, like you say it builds up a picture of you and you get 'new friends' and the community grows
I have gotten more consistent traction with comments than with any of my posts (except for that one lucky whale thing, which is luck and doesn't count).
I pretty consistently link to my own posts in a comment, but only if it is on-topic. I pretty consistently link to other people's stuff, too, to modulate that egotistic vibe. At least that's how I intend it.
Some people don't care about that one:
"please P.M the drug combinations you are doing to write these"
"You are just full of it. I seriously believe you need mental supervision."