8 Ways To Not Leave Idiotic Comments
8 simple pointers to make sure you’re not one of the idiots!
Don’t Be “FIRST!”
Although being the first to comment on a post is a good way to get more traffic, being the first and just saying “FIRST!” is idiotic and will most likely get you slandered by the following commenters. Don’t be First! (I know someone will try to “FIRST” this post and I think “firsting” a post that slanders “FIRST” commenters may be the only exception to the rule! ha) See First Commenters Are First Douchebags.
Read The Post
I have had so many people comment on my blog that have obviously read the title and not the post. They then decide to grace us with their “comment” that actually is quite irrelevant to the post. If you want to make sure your comment passes moderation and not look like an idiot then read the WHOLE post before you comment.
Express Your Appreciation
If you enjoyed the post then please leave a comment and share you appreciation to the blogger. Not only will you definitely get past moderation but your kind words are very encouraging to a writer and they are much more likely to return the favor and comment on your blog. Remember blogging isn’t competitive and encouraging your fellow bloggers is a great way to become a part of the community.
Don’t Be A Know It All
You are allowed to learn something every once in a while. Too many commenters think that by confessing that they have learnt something from a post will make them look like an idiot. Well not so, you are an idiot if you, in your lame attempt to be a know it all, simply regurgitate what the post just said and try to claim it as though you are saying something new.
Proofread
Idiot status can be easily avoided by simply spell checking your comment. Always use the “preview comment” (if it exists) before posting (Has saved me many times!). Quite often there’s no chance to edit a comment once posted so get it right.
Link To Resources
Link to USEFUL resources, if it’s on your own site so be it. But if you are linking to an irrelevant resource on your site then don’t even bother. Not only is it shameless shameful self promotion but anyone who actually clicks the link and gets disappointed will be even less likely to return to your site.. makes sense right?
Don’t Have Spammy Usernames
I once had a legitimate comment from a person with a weight watching blog. Unfortunately they were caught in my spam filter for days because their user name was “How I Lost 30 Pounds In 30 Days”. Now I know what your thinking, where do I click! Yeah right. Not only do we all avoid spam like the plague but usernames like this may even get your comment moderated.
Set Up An Avatar
An avatar is an image that gets carried with you through all of your blog comments. Your image is linked to your email and when you leave a comment the site downloads your avatar from a central database. Make sure your image is eye catching and unique. Smiles are good.. Sign up with Gravatar, MyBlogLog and OpenAvatar to be supported by the majority of blog comment systems.
I'm a little scared to be "first" but I wanted to tell you that this is my first time visiting your blog, and I'm really enjoying it. Lots of great stuff here!! Really liked this post as well. "Read the Post" is my favorite — I've noticed that rule gets broken quite a bit. I'll definitely be back on this site — entertaining AND informative — nice!!
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I am thinking twice about commenting after reading your post but somebody has to be the first.
I had a commenter who obviously did not read the content and then twittered about how I forgot to add an important detail to my post (which was in the second sentence). Perhaps a subtle way of discrediting me but very annoying (unfollowed ). So you are right, please don't comment if you didn't read what you are commenting on and don't make idiotic twitter comments as well.
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[...] Ways to Not Leave Idiotic Comments’ http://timscullin.com/blogs/8-ways-to-not-leave-idiotic-comments I think most of my commenters do prewtty good. But I would like to see more avatar usage. [...]
FIRST! ;) nice article here, glad I randomly found it on sphinn. I really do hope this circulates as I am kinda sick of seeing stupid comments – especially regurgitations of something a post already stated from the 'know-it-alls' I get these on my blog sometimes.
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Hi Tim.
Good content as usual, mate.
I really agree with the "Read the Post" one. lol!
Your post coincides nicely with my latest post on writing a comments policy for blogs http://gordierogers.com/2009/05/write-a-comments-... I have added one recently to let readers know up front what kind of comments are and aren't suitable.
Maybe you could consider putting a comments policy on your blog too. It may help to keep the quality of comments high.
Keep the good posts coming man.
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Good points, which should be obvious. Notice how much of this advice comes down to "Don't be inconsiderate. Show respect, especially for work well done."
If a post is not worth reading, it's not worth commenting on either.
As Dr. House would say, "Don't be a moron."
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I still feel being the first is always a good point because if anyone follow rest of your steps he will for sure get some traffic just because of his comments. Though Adding link in the comment, I'm unsure how many bloggers accept links on their blogs.
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I experienced something similar to the situation you found yourself in with that spam-like username. Obviously, there's yet to be a spam filtering utility or plug-in in existence advanced enough to pick up on something like this. There's bound to be some time in the future, however.
Sadly, it's a rarity that I check my spam-categorised messages, so I never generally know whether or not my blog engine is automatically filtering proper comments or not. Would you recommend that I start checking all my messages folders, or just the legitimate, likely-to-be-real ones?
And, just for your information, I'm planning to submit this to most of my social media/bookmarking/networking accounts. Good post, and certainly a few things to think about there.
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I was reading about Mems last week [According to the book Guerrilla Marketing for Free, a Meme is defined as the simplest possible way to communicate an idea.] so this post is very timely. I'll have to check out some of these Avatar links. Thanks!
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Now this is a post that everybody needs to read. I am sick of commentators that only read the title then make a comment. It is so easy to tell when they just read the title and then made a comment. None of them get their comments approved on my blog.
Thank you for yet another great post. I am going to share this through twitter, stumbleupon, facebook, and etc. The word needs to get out there, its not cool to make a idiotic comment.
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Rockin' post, Tim.
Got here through a stumble rec from Kushmoney. Glad he sent it – this is me heading on over to subscribe.
Cheers!
George
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Great suggestions, haven't done the "first" one yet, so I can't be too bad :) Sheri
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The newest trend in spam comments is copying something a previous commenter has said. I had to clear a few of these out of mine recently. At first I thought they sounded familiar, and then I read through the comments above and realized they were copied, word for word.
~ Kristi
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Tim Scullin Reply:
May 25th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Great point! Many blogs are set to moderate only the first time someone comments. So if they can disguise the first one as legit they will be free to say whatever they want the next time with no moderation. I always like to check the URL of any comments that look suspicious. Have yet to have posts duplicated though! Thanks for the heads up!
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Great article and a must read for social addicts that roam the internet.
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I got that "How I Lost 30 Pounds In 30 Days" comment too, I'm so glad to have akismet! Yeah, the firsting does get annoying, whenever I see that I automatically assume it's some 11 year old or something.
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Thanks, Tim. As a "newbie" blogger and "social networker" your 8 pointers are helpful. I particularly reasonated with "Express your Appreciation" and "Don't be a Know-It-all" Bloggers put alot of heart and soul into their posts and need some positive affirmation about what they have shared with their readers. I also think that it is okay to challenge a point or give constructive feedback if it is well grounded.
I have printed this list and nailed it to my wall.
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this is a great blog!I learned a lot on this topic!
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Cheers, thanks for the tips. I really like the one about using an avatar, didnt know you could have a central hosted version.
.-= Mr Robbo´s last blog ..How To Run a 3D Maths Test in Google Sketchup =-.
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