How to Create Quality Comments on Wizzley

When you make genuine, quality comments on Wizzley and other social media sites you are establishing valuable connections that build relationships.  Quality comments involve considering the author, sharing something of yourself and consciously adding value.

Through these comments you can build the author’s/creator’s self-esteem, This positive action encourages a response and improves the likelihood that the author/creator will visit your site(s).

These suggestions apply to commenting on Wizzley articles, Squidoo lenses, blogs, forums or any content on social media sites such as Flickr, Facebook, RedGage or YouTube.

There are some forms of commenting that automatically attract you to the person who is commenting. These types of comments tend to be those that demonstrate a genuine interest in what you have created, reflect thoughtfulness and appreciation and add real value to your content.

Here are three core strategies for making your comments on social media sites more thoughtful, more appreciated and more value-adding.

a. Treat the article as if it were your own content.

What do you appreciate about others’ comments on your own content? What gives you a buzz when you read a comment on your article, post, picture or video?

b. Acknowledge the creator's contribution.

This is not a difficult thing to do if you adopt the right frame of mind. Think about what the author/creator is contributing and who will benefit. Acknowledge the nature of the contribution and its impact on others.

c.  Draw on your own knowledge, experience and insight to put a supplementary or contrary point of view - this could expand the author's awarness of the topic.

Be careful of the tone and tenor of your comments here. An example - “It’s interesting to see you write about teenagers’ proficiency with technology. My colleagues found that young people
are very good at using messaging systems such as texting and related technologies. However, in an online learning context, they lacked the confidence and skill to engage effectively in online forum discussions (they were used to writing very cryptic messages). As you note, though, their lack of fear of technology means that they can be readily trained to use forums effectively. Problems occur when we assume that they will be automatically proficient in this arena.”

a. Share how you feel as well as what you are thinking

When you share your feelings as well as what you are thinking, you are disclosing something personal and increasing your transparency. It is amazing how people respond to a genuine expression of feelings.

b. Use the content as an opportunity to reflect and share those reflections.

You could say, for example, “Your article makes me think of the many times when I have been unproductive and how frustrated I felt at the end of the day. I appreciate your ideas to improve
personal productivity and I have already identified two suggestions that I will put into practice straight away. Thanks for sharing your ideas, I really appreciate them and they will help me greatly.” [What a boost to the author of the online content!]

c. Relate the content to your own experiences and share those experiences (briefly).

For example – “Great composition and a wonderful contrast of colors. This beautiful sunset reminds me of when I also visited Stradbroke Island and saw the sun setting with whales in the
foreground.”

a. Think SEO - you can add substantial value by creating a new keyword association for the article content by your comments.

As you comment, think about other words that extend the meaning of what has been created. If the author is talking about “affiliate marketing”, you might comment about the “marketing of affiliate
products” and/or “affiliates” (but make sure your comment is related to the focus of the author). Whatever you do, avoid keyword stuffing as this damages the author and you.

b. Provide links to similar ideas/content where appropriate.

Of course if you spam, you undermine your branding and ensure that the author/creator will avoid you. It’s often useful to refer to someone else’s work in the Web 2.0 spirit of collaborative marketing. Alternatively, you might refer to a non-affiliate link such as the Google Adwords Tool or even to your blog or a Squidoo lens. Etiquette on different social media sites varies greatly, but generally there is a strong resistance to overt marketing. You market through your branding and contribution.

c. Be conscious of building relationships and contributing value to the Wizzley community

Social media sites are communities of sharing. Be conscious that you are member of a community, not just a “passer-by”. When you make quality comments you add value to the social media site itself and help to build a sense of community. Adding meaningless comments devalues a site, discourages contributors and damages the sense of community.

Here’s an exchange I had with Heartaday on the social bookmarking site, RedGage (exchange on RedGage's public wall):

Comment by ronpass
Thanks for accepting my friend request. Fascinating lensography - I love your
blending of art and intuitive therapy. I have an osteopathic friend who uses multiple
modalities, is an intuitive diagnostician and an accomplished graphic artist. 

Heartaday's Response
Thank you for your comment on my wall and the phrase "intuitive therapy". It gave
me some much needed inspiration!