Before You Blog, Comment

@ShakirahDawud Ha! Glad I could distract AND get a comment out of you! I'm glad you agree but hate it was a lonely road to get there. It was for me at first, too until I started commenting and then BOOM, we're connected. Can't wait to see your take on the pay to play post.

Well, I wish I'd seen this tip when I started blogging. It would have also helped me keep from feeling lonely those first few months. Now I feel odd if I don't leave a comment _somewhere_, lol. More people should know this. (Sorry, this late comment is because I got sidetracked by it in your LinkWithin just as I was about to comment on your pay-to-play post).

@y0mbo You are absolutely right! Commenting, rather than blogging, can become a distraction. But for me, it was part of my strategy and part of my education/inspiration process. LIke you, it gets my brain working when I'm stuck. Thanks for coming by!

As long as it doesn't become a distraction to actual blogging, perhaps commenting on others' blogs can be a good way to get the fingers flowing and brain working when struck with writer's block.

@Brankica As you can tell, I totally agree! So glad to have you stop by - thanks for asking for my blog link today. I'm going to make sure that's more accessible in my Twitter profile! Take care, Brankica and I'm sure I'll 'bump' into you again soon!

Hey Erica, this is one of the strongest points that sky rocketed my blog. I made great connections before I even started blogging as I am now. So I always tell those who are starting new blogs to start commenting as soon as they can. Way before they start the blog. That creates the community you can count on to push your blog forward when you need it the most - at the very beginning!

Hey Erica, this is one of the strongest points that sky rocketed my blog. I made great connections before I even started blogging as I am now. So I always tell those who are starting new blogs to start commenting as soon as they can. Way before they start the blog. That creates the community you can count on to push your blog forward when you need it the most - at the very beginning!

@adamtoporek Hi Adam! That is quite interesting (and telling) that you found my blog via my comments on other blogs. See! It works! Re: my accent, I'm originally from an even more southern place than this one, and it's only when I'm around my parents that you hear the real southern accent! Glad to meet you! And thanks for stopping by.

Great video Erica! Interestingly enough, I found your blog through your comments on other blogs. I can’t remember if it was Danny Brown or NiddyGriddy, but I’m pretty sure it was one of them. I went live with the blog before commenting, so that ship has sailed. But I am early in the process and am definitely working the strategy you propose now. Again, great video… only one side note: As someone from your region of the country, that does not sound like a WNC accent! :)

Great video Erica! Interestingly enough, I found your blog through your comments on other blogs. I can’t remember if it was Danny Brown or NiddyGriddy, but I’m pretty sure it was one of them. I went live with the blog before commenting, so that ship has sailed. But I am early in the process and am definitely working the strategy you propose now. Again, great video… only one side note: As someone from your region of the country, that does not sound like a WNC accent! :)

@TheJackB Thank you! I like it, too. And I agree with you...comments and content are the lifeblood of a blog. Apart from analytics, the comments are the real barometer for me on how well I'm connecting with folks are if I'm 'on topic' or not. Thanks for dropping in! Good to see you again!

"Active observer" I like that term. Comments and content are the lifeblood of a blog.

@JKtheHustler I'm usually in agreement with @johnfalchetto as well! And I totally agree with you; the conversation starts, continues, and GROWS in the comments. You're right...it's real magic. Thanks for adding to the discussion, JK! Always great to have you stop by.

@mtnwebsnc Yay!!!! Stacy, once you jump into commenting, it becomes really fun and you'll find you whole experience enriched! Promise! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Bravo! Great blog post...even if it was really long. (I'm totally teasing you).Re: blogging and commenting, I'm the opposite. Love to blog, hesitant to comment. Also, was never really sure how to find great blogs to comment on. Thanks for the info. I'm going to go post a comment on another artist/blogger's site who followings me. Watch out, people!

Bravo! Great blog post...even if it was really long. (I'm totally teasing you). Re: blogging and commenting, I'm the opposite. Love to blog, hesitant to comment. Also, was never really sure how to find great blogs to comment on. Thanks for the info. I'm going to go post a comment on another artist/blogger's site who followings me. Watch out, people!

@EricaAllison I agree with @johnfalchetto 100%. The conversation starts in the comments. The post is only the introduction to the topic, but the real magic happens in the discussion! In my opinion, this is where the connections are made and the most impacting lessons - because everyone has a different perspective. Your advice shared on the video is perfect. A great way to lesson the unease with starting to blog, is to realize how laid back it can be. And beyond that, it's simply a great learning process and way to provide value to others. Great stuff Erica - thank you for sharing!

@EricaAllison I agree with @johnfalchetto 100%. The conversation starts in the comments. The post is only the introduction to the topic, but the real magic happens in the discussion! In my opinion, this is where the connections are made and the most impacting lessons - because everyone has a different perspective. Your advice shared on the video is perfect. A great way to lesson the unease with starting to blog, is to realize how laid back it can be. And beyond that, it's simply a great learning process and way to provide value to others. Great stuff Erica - thank you for sharing!

@EricaAllison Certainly allowable; I'm a simple guy, if I can get the gist of your msg I'm good to go.....I'm not as picky as some. You can ask @ginidietrich 'cause I'm silly at times hence the Zzzzz response, so beware you never know what I might drop on you. If you give me something to attach to....................:) We're empty nesting now, but still have the kid pictures on the 'fridge when they were young. It does go by fast; soak all of it in...............

@EricaAllison Certainly allowable; I'm a simple guy, if I can get the gist of your msg I'm good to go.....I'm not as picky as some. You can ask @ginidietrich 'cause I'm silly at times hence the Zzzzz response, so beware you never know what I might drop on you. If you give me something to attach to....................:) We're empty nesting now, but still have the kid pictures on the 'fridge when they were young. It does go by fast; soak all of it in...............

@bdorman264 Good lord, look at the type-os in that response! Only one glass, I promise. It's called a big cup of a 2 1/2 year old talking to me while I type. Have a great evening!

@bdorman264 LOL, Bill! And welcome to the blog! I really do try to keep my vlogs to 2 minutes (give or take), but hey, it's my blog, so I'm going give myself a little leeway. It was really a matter of the batteries dying on the flip cam and me not going out to get anymore and well, time was ticking on my business clock. The rest....is right before you. I've seen you around the playground, plenty Bill. I think whenever you're ready to jump in, you'll have not shortage of awesome folks like @ginidietrich@nittygriddyblog that will not only comment, but promote you from time to time. Your comments are always genuine (that's a huge plus for me) and they come from your perspective (also good when it comes to blogging). Let me know when you push PUBLISH and I'll be there!

@bdorman264 LOL, Bill! And welcome to the blog! I really do try to keep my vlogs to 2 minutes (give or take), but hey, it's my blog, so I'm going give myself a little leeway. It was really a matter of the batteries dying on the flip cam and me not going out to get anymore and well, time was ticking on my business clock. The rest....is right before you. I've seen you around the playground, plenty Bill. I think whenever you're ready to jump in, you'll have not shortage of awesome folks like @ginidietrich@nittygriddyblog that will not only comment, but promote you from time to time. Your comments are always genuine (that's a huge plus for me) and they come from your perspective (also good when it comes to blogging). Let me know when you push PUBLISH and I'll be there!

Zzzzzz, are you getting paid by the minute.............:). Just kidding, very informative. Your Vlog is my MO; it took me getting plugged in the social media world thru the PR/Marketing crowd via @ginidietrich and once I started commenting and getting feedback the whole social media/twitter experience finally started making sense. Every once in awhile I get invited to the good parties, but the @nittyGriddyblog post last Wed on asking people to post their blogging schedule was a wake up call and I'm not quite ready to jump in that far; but close, I have some ideas that are business (my paying gig) related. I actually opened a WordPress account but nowhere close to trying to drive people to my site. I have written and even got 20 comments on a post, but I need to figure out my focus and direction. My topics so far have been somewhat social media related.........like that hasn't been played out.............but it's my take so I guess it has a little bit of uniqueness to it. It's good to see where people are on their journeys and the people who have put a lot of time and effort but still willing to offer a hand up. Because of diving in and commenting and developing relationships that I have, I think I could ask them to look at my first official post if I were to ask. You've hit the nail on the head; I would highly recommend this approach.

Zzzzzz, are you getting paid by the minute.............:). Just kidding, very informative. Your Vlog is my MO; it took me getting plugged in the social media world thru the PR/Marketing crowd via @ginidietrich and once I started commenting and getting feedback the whole social media/twitter experience finally started making sense. Every once in awhile I get invited to the good parties, but the @nittyGriddyblog post last Wed on asking people to post their blogging schedule was a wake up call and I'm not quite ready to jump in that far; but close, I have some ideas that are business (my paying gig) related. I actually opened a WordPress account but nowhere close to trying to drive people to my site. I have written and even got 20 comments on a post, but I need to figure out my focus and direction. My topics so far have been somewhat social media related.........like that hasn't been played out.............but it's my take so I guess it has a little bit of uniqueness to it. It's good to see where people are on their journeys and the people who have put a lot of time and effort but still willing to offer a hand up. Because of diving in and commenting and developing relationships that I have, I think I could ask them to look at my first official post if I were to ask. You've hit the nail on the head; I would highly recommend this approach.

@johnfalchetto @ginidietrich Good question! For Mitch Joel, it seemed like it was to publish his thoughts.? Even though he's built quite the following, he seems to not want to comment back and forth, but rather put it out there, let people share it and comment if they feel like it, and basically not tend the garden at all. It's not my approach and not one that would work for 98% of my clients, but I guess it works for him. What do you think?

@Mark_Harai @johnfalchetto With you two here, no it's not "little" at all! You're right, it's an awesome community - better choice of words! Thanks for the support and for coming back!

@johnfalchetto @EricaAllison Haha, her "little" community is quite large! Probably has something to do with brains and personality eh John??

@EricaAllison There is nothing 'little' about your community Erica :) and I am sure @Mark_Harai will agree

@ginidietrich Let's forget Seth Godin, and focus on regular folks, Why would community not be your goal? What would be an example of being active in sm and not want a community?

@Mark_Harai That's why you're included in that list below, Mark, you're doing that in spades: "creating a social footprint with real substance and character." Thanks for being a part of my little community here and for the opportunity to participate in yours! Cheers to a great weekend!

Hi Erica, the gold is in comments. That’s where the magic happens. The conversation. The real connections. The friendships. The learning. The support, etcetera. When professionals go about building a ‘social footprint’ with substance and character, ideas and opportunities will begin to materialize and abound with the more meaningful relationships you establish in the community. That doesn’t happen overnight… being a trusted source is not something you earn overnight; only consistent contribution and participation in community over a period of time can one earn it. I love this post Erica, thank you : )

Hi Erica, the gold is in comments. That’s where the magic happens. The conversation. The real connections. The friendships. The learning. The support, etcetera. When professionals go about building a ‘social footprint’ with substance and character, ideas and opportunities will begin to materialize and abound with the more meaningful relationships you establish in the community. That doesn’t happen overnight… being a trusted source is not something you earn overnight; only consistent contribution and participation in community over a period of time can one earn it. I love this post Erica, thank you : )

@EricaAllison Like Mitch Joel and I debated on his blog, community isn't a goal for everyone. But, if it is your goal, and you don't comment back or encourage discourse, you're missing out!

@dino_dogan Thank you for answering my shout out! And I see your point...I would not have learned what I learned about commenting and creating a community had I not started out by doing the opposite! Point well made and for me, point well taken. Glad you like the videos...they can travel to your site as well! :-)

@dino_dogan Thank you for answering my shout out! And I see your point...I would not have learned what I learned about commenting and creating a community had I not started out by doing the opposite! Point well made and for me, point well taken. Glad you like the videos...they can travel to your site as well! :-)

@EricaAllison @johnfalchetto Hi Erica, I think this is a great approach! It may not be for everyone as @dino_dogan suggests, but it is a great way to build credibility and that way, when you do launch the blog, you have a group of blogger to whom you can make an announcement, a great way to seed the audience so to speak. It will also give small business owners ideas to implement - what they like and don't like in the blogs on which they are commenting. and lastly, it starts to give them an idea of the time investment involved. I think ginidietrich wants to see your compliment above so I'm bringing her in. :)

@EricaAllison @johnfalchetto Hi Erica, I think this is a great approach! It may not be for everyone as @dino_dogan suggests, but it is a great way to build credibility and that way, when you do launch the blog, you have a group of blogger to whom you can make an announcement, a great way to seed the audience so to speak. It will also give small business owners ideas to implement - what they like and don't like in the blogs on which they are commenting. and lastly, it starts to give them an idea of the time investment involved. I think ginidietrich wants to see your compliment above so I'm bringing her in. :)

I like the idea of microsteps in the right direction. I think it works for people who are reluctant. (and thats a lot of people :-) Conversely, I like jumping into things with both feet, getting burned in the process and course-correcting as I go along. Its just my nature. Diff strokes I suppose :-) Its important to be sensitive and in tune with the client's needs and then guide them accordingly. And you're right Erica...I meet A TON of people who do need these microsteps before they rev up to full participation in online social. Thnx for the mention below...I dont get to see your videos a lot but I love em...awesome stuff :-)

I like the idea of microsteps in the right direction. I think it works for people who are reluctant. (and thats a lot of people :-) Conversely, I like jumping into things with both feet, getting burned in the process and course-correcting as I go along. Its just my nature. Diff strokes I suppose :-) Its important to be sensitive and in tune with the client's needs and then guide them accordingly. And you're right Erica...I meet A TON of people who do need these microsteps before they rev up to full participation in online social. Thnx for the mention below...I dont get to see your videos a lot but I love em...awesome stuff :-)

@johnfalchetto Thanks, John. No, I did not see Mitch Joel's post on blogs and comments, but heading there shortly. He is one smart cookie, but I'm still of the belief that to build up your network and your credibility, starting with comments is a good way to do it. This is especially important when I'm consulting with a small business owner who has never even dipped a toe in this water. It's scary for them. To just send them out into the big deep ocean without some friends to tag along will usually result in frustration and stopping the effort all together. I find that bloggers who don't respond to comments (and I'm not saying just once in a while, but ALL the time) miss the boat and frankly, lose my attention. A few times of commenting into the white space with no response and I don't return. There are just too many great blogs out there to visit. You, mark_harai , dino_dogan , nittygriddyblog , spinsucks and thesaleslion get it right. I'm shamelessly calling them into this conversation, but it's because they always comment and that's simply AWESOME. Thanks for stopping by, John. Sounds like you and I both had some good 'me' time this morning. :-) Enjoy your weekend!

@johnfalchetto Thanks, John. No, I did not see Mitch Joel's post on blogs and comments, but heading there shortly. He is one smart cookie, but I'm still of the belief that to build up your network and your credibility, starting with comments is a good way to do it. This is especially important when I'm consulting with a small business owner who has never even dipped a toe in this water. It's scary for them. To just send them out into the big deep ocean without some friends to tag along will usually result in frustration and stopping the effort all together. I find that bloggers who don't respond to comments (and I'm not saying just once in a while, but ALL the time) miss the boat and frankly, lose my attention. A few times of commenting into the white space with no response and I don't return. There are just too many great blogs out there to visit. You, mark_harai , dino_dogan , nittygriddyblog , spinsucks and thesaleslion get it right. I'm shamelessly calling them into this conversation, but it's because they always comment and that's simply AWESOME. Thanks for stopping by, John. Sounds like you and I both had some good 'me' time this morning. :-) Enjoy your weekend!

Erica, first of all HAPPY FRIDAY! Yep love the feeling I get on Friday mornings, mostly because I am not behind my desk but mountain biking until 10am.Now regarding comments, did you see Mitch Joel's post on blogs and comments? I do not agree with him and strongly believe that unless you are Seth Godin you should a)comment on others blogs and b) reply to comments on your blog. I always say that the post is only the start of the conversation.Those who think that their post is the start and finish of the subject matter need to lighten up and accept feedback. I find out different ways to approach an idea I posted about just by reading the comments. So yes to comments and yes to building relationships. Have a great weekend with your family Erica.

Erica, first of all HAPPY FRIDAY! Yep love the feeling I get on Friday mornings, mostly because I am not behind my desk but mountain biking until 10am. Now regarding comments, did you see Mitch Joel's post on blogs and comments? I do not agree with him and strongly believe that unless you are Seth Godin you should a)comment on others blogs and b) reply to comments on your blog. I always say that the post is only the start of the conversation.Those who think that their post is the start and finish of the subject matter need to lighten up and accept feedback. I find out different ways to approach an idea I posted about just by reading the comments. So yes to comments and yes to building relationships. Have a great weekend with your family Erica.