when I get a comment from “Best Credit Card” or “Free Florida Vacation” that I delete. If you have a blog that actually has useful content and a comment that is relevant to the post, then I feel that using the blog name is acceptable.

I really wouldn’t want to be in a position of having to make those kind of judgments, because it’s a gray area.

You might think that because I’m saying all of this that the comment policy on Remarkablogger states that using site names or keywords isn’t allowed, but in fact I do allow it. I just don’t like it.

Yuwanda raises an interesting point. In my opinion, the approach he is taking is useful comment, and not spam. It is when I get a comment from “Best Credit Card” or “Free Florida Vacation” that I delete. If you have a blog that actually has useful content and a comment that is relevant to the post, then I feel that using the blog name is acceptable.

That having been said, thanks for the great article. The point I appreciated was the first. This was relevant to my thoughts I was having in light of some reviews of my blog. I tweaked it a little because I have a slightly different take on the issue of content.

Only write when you have strong, compelling content that is useful and valuable to you. If you try to write to your readers, what happens if your readership changes? Write to yourself. Somewhere out there a person much like you is looking for that person who expresses thoughts and ideas akin to their own.

Just kidding. You raise a really good point from the perspective of the one who is receiving comments. Thanks for your reply.

I respectfully stand by my position, with one more little qualifier. You wrote, “We know what blog you’re from because the link is there.” That’s true, but nobody would know what TYPE of blog it is, which is why I use, “The Freelance Writer’s Blog” in the name spot. I still think it’s more effective than putting my name in that field.

I do understand your point, though, especially when you say, “I feel like I’m being treated as nothing more than an opportunity.” Many treat a popular blog like a free meal ticket. I get comments on my blog all the time that have nothing to do with the post at hand. I delete these, and I don’t like to delete comments.

You can disagree with me until the cows come home, and I’ll publish those comments every time. But, if I’m discussing freelance writing and you leave a comment like “Great post. Did you know that Poker is the world’s most famous card game? Visit xyzpokerspot.com to learn more.” That will get deleted every time.

Best,
Yuwanda

I love Google for some things and despise them for others. I happily praise and criticize them in the same breath. But that’s just me.

true success is going to come from long term, trial and error, perseverance

Yup. Showing up every day is half the battle. Your odds of succeeding are greatly improved by sticking with it and taking a long-term view. A little luck never hurts, either. Once I got linked to by the Google Video blog and was the Blog of Note on Blogger for like 3 weeks straight. That event basically cemented my success in monetizing a Blogger blog with AdSense. That was just luck.

Once my love affair with a company has started, I will not bash them either. Google has zapped me bad and hurt me, but, I cannot write badly about them… that relationship is very, very old and is more important than any stupid page rank. Maybe I’ll write a post about that. Hmmm…

Okay, you guys have really impressed me. I followed a bunch of other links to other stories. Awesome job you guys! Subscribed to you via email… awesome content! Michael, please share with the other authors!

Long term is a necessity, and short term failure, or lack of desired results, is more likely the norm and should be expected.

I’m being negative here, don’t get me wrong. I’m only trying to point out, like Michael, true success is going to come from long term, trial and error, perseverance, etc… the exceptions are such outliers that it’s not even worthy of mention!

I agree with your overall comment, but I think this particular method can be employed effectively. Let me explain:

My blog and my name are probably known equally in my niche (freelance writing). However, lately, I’ve taken to putting the phrase “The Freelance Writer’s Blog” in the “name” spot. Why?

Because I think there are more prospects out there who are interested in freelance writing than who know me. Hence, if they’re interested in the comment I leave, I have a greater chance of them clicking over to my blog.

Where most go wrong is that they leave short, “Me too!” comments without adding any substance to a post. I always take the time to respond indepth — ie, add meaningful dialogue — because blogging is really about “introducing yourself to a community” (borrowed that phrase from freelance writer Jennifer over at Catalystblogger.blogspot.com).

The impression you make can be a cheapy one, or an insightful one. Many bloggers make the mistake of not thinking about the end goal — which goes beyond just “getting your name out there” to turning readers into paying customers (whether it’s an ebook, an ad click, a seminar, etc.).

Did I explain well enough to be forgiven for my blogging faux pas? Fingers crossed; I hope so.

Interesting read,
Yuwanda Black, Publisher
InkwellEditorial.com