I do that too (comment on the commenters). I've found problogger
specifically though to be pretty terrible, only because the first 5-10
comments are often people saying “Great post, love those points, insightful
as always Darren” etc etc. That's not his fault, but I think those guys are
just trying to get people to visit their blogs. I try to comment (like you)
only when I have something to actually say. Similarly, I am assuming you
came over here because I tend to leave longer comments than just 3 words on
problogger.

I like how you have a process for what you do. Who loses by it being more
efficient? Certainly not other bloggers. You might be able to visit 10 blogs
by having a process, as opposed to someone else who is randomly stumbling
across 2-3 blogs. Your visiting more blogs is better not just for you –
it's better for everyone, because there's a better chance you will stop by
one of their blogs.

I spend much of my time trying to find blogs I haven't visited before and then writing comments on those blogs. I attended a blogging meetup last month that I co-organised with Chris Garrett and I asked everybody to give their best tip for blogging success. My tip was, “Comment on blogs, and then comment on the blogs of the bloggers who wrote a comment on the initial blog”. (I'm sure that sentence confused you just as much as it did the 15 or so people in the room).

Basically, I have a selection of blogs that I read on a regular basis and comment on a regular basis. Then each day I look at the comments on those blogs and click through to the blogs of those commentators, and then if I like what I see, try to give some constructive comments on those blogs. That's how I found your blog… by coming here through a comment you left on ProBlogger.

It may sound a little too “planned” and structured, but I find it's a great way for bringing in new visitors to my own blog, and more importantly it's a great way to build new relationships.

So writing comments on blogs, and then writing comments of the blogs of those who wrote a comment on the first blog. ;-) That's how I spend much of my time.

Like you, I also spend a lot of my time on blogging forums. I like to spark discussions and answer questions as well as get my own questions answered. Forums provide a nice, different environment to step in to when writing blog comments starts to get old. I often find a lot of discussions that inspire me to write new blog posts. They're a great way to motivate, inspire and make new connections. :-)

Fantastic post, Sid. I'm now subscribed!

Jamie

Thanks for stopping by! I appreciate you reading, and your feedback.
You're right – it's much easier to write when you write as yourself, than
trying to make your writing sound like something you're not.

I look forward to seeing the B. Wilde Column take off. Best off luck, and
please, come back if you enjoy what you read here =)