Blog commenting as strange as it sounds has become somewhat of a science. In the past few years alone there have been trends that still exist in order to help bloggers obtain the comments they want. If you give good comments, there are noticeable results.

1. Your blog receives comments back that may also be great feedback.
2. You meet others with the same interests.
3. You are creating a link back to your website for others to follow.

There have been quite a few ways to allow people to connect with other bloggers throughout the past few years.

1. Plugboards like Shameless-plug.com. Sites like these have been open since 2004 and allow people to enter their link and a site button for others to be able to click on. This is where the term ‘plugging your site’ really took off. The only downside a lot of people just plug their site and then be on their way without visiting others. Originally the plugboard was designed that if you plugged, then you visited the others that plugged. In return, the people who plug after you will also visit.

2. Comment Exchange sites like Despair.nu (currently the site is closed until they have revamped the site.) This site you can sign up for and you get to comment on several sites, and in return, you get also receive comments. This is great if you are able to take the time. This site has emails sent out 3 times a week, so that means you have to comment on 9 blogs. The problem is that some bloggers do not return comments, some blogs might have uptime issues, some do not even participate or those who do are not reporting those who are not commenting.

3. Banner and Link Exchanges. This is probably one of the oldest versions to attract bloggers. Like plugsites, your link or your banner are the face for your site.

3. CommentLuv. This tool gives the commenter a way to leave a little preview of what to expect at their website for both the site owner and other visitors.

4. Twitter is becoming a titan in social media. There are new tools created on a daily basis to allow Tweeps to fully use the site. Twitter Tools and Tweet This are some of the best tools out there for bloggers. Twitter Tools allows the blogger to tweet the new post while Tweet This allows the user to tweet the blog post if they like what they have read

5. Backtype is a social venue that runs on giving people a run down on where and what you have commented. This program recognizes your comments from Twitter, LiveJournal, social bookmarking sites, and your blog. In general, it is a way to archive your comments.

Of course, there are other tools out there like other social networks (example: Facebook), but to me, these have been the ones to stand out the past few years. Perhaps you have used a couple of them in the past? What have you noticed… care to share?

If you freelance, you may have done the job bidding sites. For example, if you list that you work $20 per hour, then do not bid for a job any less what you are worth. However, in the same breath, do not overcharge.
If you are conducting business with a client, remember to get the Read More →

As a web and graphic designer, there are a few options to choose in creating a portfolio, a tangible printed version, and an online version. A tangible version, like a printed copy would include quality prints of your best work as a visual example. An online version, is where you can create a website to Read More →

Sitemaps are important because they allow the search engines like Google and Yahoo! to index your entire site and leave it available for other internet users to find. A sitemap is defined:

A site map (or sitemap) is a representation of the architecture of a web site. It can be either a document in any form Read More →

Having a blog is a wonderful tool. It opens the possibility for the writer to give a piece of their mind to the world. However, for those starting out and not knowing what to do, it can be frustrating. Some bloggers just have a web journal to post their daily ramblings without expectations of driving Read More →

Google Webmaster Tools is a way for webmasters to get their site properly web index by Google. There are also other features that this tool offers that make this a hub for any webmaster.
Getting a site indexed is important. What is web indexing?
Indexing is as:
“collects, parses, and stores data to facilitate fast and Read More →

Originality is what most people look for in a site, along with a way to maneuver around easily. Let us be real, as most people will be lost without a way to surf any website. One way to help, is to focus on cleaning up your design to make it more user-friendly. There are many Read More →

National Blog Posting Month or affectionally known as NaBloPoMo is an event that happens during November each year – the same time as NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month.) No, you do not have to write 50,000 words in one blog post or throughout the month. However, this is something bloggers can sign up and take Read More →