Commenting on blogs and forums should be an integral part of your Internet marketing strategy. Once again we see the power of networking at work here, and the same basic rules apply - be relevant, be interesting and don't "hard sell".
Whatever niche you're in, there are forums galore out there. Here you can meet people who are actively and intently interested in your subject, and have taken the time to become a member of the particular forum because they value the information. Where could you find an audience with better potential? While there are numerous forums for each particular field, there are even more independent blogs, created by people who are also interested in your speciality. You may think of these individuals as rivals in many instances, but that shouldn't mean that you can't engage with them for general marketing reasons.
One thing to always remember when commenting on blogs or forums is that you should consider the power of the content that you post as opposed to any potential benefit that you could receive from links. This is very important. Some people undertake a commenting strategy with the sole purpose of getting back links. In some cases this can be technically flawed anyway, but you had better make sure that the content posted next to your individual or corporate name is good!
Blog and forum commenting is highly recommended as part of an overall strategy. As is the case with blog production in general, or with social media network interaction, the material that you publish will be read and its composition judged. You don't want to be posting irrelevant comments, or comments that are designed just to get your name out there. It's largely pointless just writing "great post"!
Blog owners will usually look at comments with great interest, and forums are almost always moderated by motivated individuals. In every case, whatever you write will have an impact. If you have something contrary to say, make sure that it's constructive. There's nothing wrong with being negative as such, so long as it can be viewed as a positive contribution to the conversation in view. Being negative just for the sake of it, or to create some kind of viral controversy isn't really a good overall marketing technique for you.
You should note that some blogs have installed a "no follow" link policy, which means that if you have a link associated to your post, either in the signature or otherwise, the search engines are being told not to score the link. Most experts in this area recommend that you give more attention to the content of your posts and make sure that they are informative and contributory, rather than worrying about a potential back link to your site.
Start a strategy of posting on active blogs and prominent forums connected with your niche. Use your competitor's sites in a creative way to build your credibility as well. Remember, as is the case with many Internet marketing strategies, a subtle yet consistent approach is key.
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Michelle Dale is The Managing Director of Virtual Miss Friday, a highly experienced Executive
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