The unique part about blogging and online writing is that it gives you the opportunity to participate in active dialogue. Opposed to a newspaper or magazine, blogs allow the reader to engage with what the writer is saying via comments!

Comments are an integral part of social media. It allows for both support and criticism for the writer, which is a crucial to effective blogging to have a balance of both. You are able to simply leave a “hey, this was a great post.” Or “I don’t completely agree with what you’re saying here.” Then BAM, you have now integrated conversation in what was just one end of a blog post. I believe comments are what keep blogs and online writing fresh and up-to-date. People are always eager to read because they play an active role in what the writer is saying and what they may say after receiving viewer feedback.

Comments provide encouragement to writers. It helps the reader to feel as if they are not alone. It’s much easier to write and continue writing when you know someone is out there listening and in unison with what you are saying.

So here are a few simple tips to make the most out of your commenting experience:

1. Write lenghty comments. I’m not saying to write a novel, but writing out more than “great post” makes you really consider what the writer said and analyze your true feelings to what you felt about what they posted.

2. Be honest. Even if your comments aren’t the most flattering, any criticism allows the writer to grow. It’s about building a sense of community among the readers and the writers.

3. Reach out. Read blogs by people you don’t know too well. You stretch yourself and your opinions when your communing with people who may have different views as you.

Here are a few more opinions on the cruciality of blog comments:

Overall, my advice would be to write often and comment often.