This entire article is republished from an earlier time, with a few minor changes. All comments/links have been kept in-tact and should be skimmed by previous readers to avoid comment content duplication.

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As a good continuation/conclusion to my last post, I figured to give you a birds eye view at my thought process behind my own blog subscriptions.

Where I find them, how I choose them, the criteria they must meet, etc.

Fair Warning

This could get…..interesting. In fact, the following article has the markings for getting sticky, in a controversial way. Controversy is good, it’s healthy, as long as it remains intelligent.

I debated with myself quite a bit as to whether I should even republish this or not, nearly as much as I debated whether to write and publish it in the first place.

Then I remembered; opposing sides, with every right to their opinions, just make me giggle.

The fact is, there are MANY bloggers that feel the same way I do in what you’re about to read, but are for whatever reason, afraid to say it.

Like they would be admitting something evil.

What is this ridiculous evilness regarding? The fact that we bloggers want to associate or align ourselves with fellow bloggers that understand what blogging is all about; the *big picture* as it were.

Creating relationships and community. Those that give something back to the people that matter most…..readers.

You’ll understand this better in a minute…

How Do You Do It?

This is the type question I’m asked OFTEN.

“I see you EVERYWHERE. How do you read and comment on so many blogs, so consistently, and have great comments nearly every time?”

“What is your criteria for doing so? What makes a blog worthy of your subscription?”

This article should cover that in a nutshell. A large nut, but a nutshell none the less.  As I eluded to above though, some are sure to have a problem with it.

Ain’t that just a shame?

I’ll start by saying an alternate title could be: Blog Commenting – Methods to my Madness, seeing how my subscriptions and commenting habits have everything to do with each other.

I comment on every blog I subscribe to and only subscribe to blogs I feel I want to comment on.

This is 99.9% true. I do subscribe to a few with no desire to comment. I skim these articles for possible golden nuggets.

At the time of last publishing, I was subscribed to a little over 50 blogs (currently about 30).

I attempt to read and comment on every single article that hits my email, to the best of my ability. I do not spam, I do not leave crap simply for the back-link.

Many bloggers will tell you, all my comments are up to snuff and then some, where applicable. 8-)

OK Pick your jaw up off the floor, it’s not nearly as rough as it sounds. Not all bloggers post daily or even every other day, so 50 blogs does not mean 50 articles per day.

Like everything else, I work it into my daily schedule. This way it’s part of my daily plan, and not a “distraction” as so many seem to wrongfully call it.

I’ll read maybe 10-15 per day; this can be done quickly enough.

When done correctly blog commenting can easily be a major source of targeted traffic and one of the best ways to build relationships with blog owners and their other readers…

Two things you should be doing as often as possible anyway.

Why anyone would call this a distraction is beyond me. I’ll tell ya what though, the more you comment with consistency, you WILL get faster at reading and writing, while still remaining non-spammy.

Where I Find Blogs

As stated in the last post, which should be read if not already, this time I’m planning to completely change up my blog subscription process. Start a new list from scratch, with a whole new batch of blogs.

The first time around (a couple years ago now) I used Entrecard. It was an awesome place to find hundreds of blogs easily in just about any niche you could imagine; probably still is, but I haven’t been there in some time.

This time I’m taking more of an organic approach. Enabling me to give back a little more to my readers as well.

Those that comment on any one of my blogs will get first crack at me subscribing to theirs. From there it will be commentluv links on their blogs…..the reader of my reader and all that. :-P

My Criteria

The simple explanation: Time is a commodity, you gotta show me a little something. Know what I mean?

1. Personality/Personability.

2. “LUV”.

3. Content of High Quality.

Lets break this down a little…..

Personality is the easiest to spot, right off the bat. Is your blog written like a tech manual?

Personability might take a little longer to figure out, but not too much. Are you a bitch? (Male or Female). Example: If you don’t reply to comments or emails, or you reply in a manner that comes across as “yea, thanks”…buh bye!

These two are first and foremost. You need to be personable in both your writing, and within YOU. Granted they are largely interchangeable; you won’t find too many with personality not being personable.

On that note, there are two things readers and writers should be careful with and wary of. Shyness and sarcasm; which should not be misread, but often are.

What it all comes down to is: Am I feeling comfortable enough to contact you? For a chat; a question; maybe to become friends or a possible partnership opportunity?

Honestly,  I’ve had comment and/or email “conversations” with just about every blogger I subscribe too…some messenger and even phone too.

That’s what it’s all about!

As I said though, this can take a bit of time. I know I’m not going to be the bloggers best friend on the first visit. A few maybe, the bubblier ones. (I’m not linking, but you know who you are, LOL)

LUV: Let the controversy begin. Oy. Just like many others,  this is another hot debate topic of late.

“Should a blog commenter concentrate more on blogs that offer some LUV in return, via certain WordPress plugins.”

(Do Follow, Commentluv, Keywordluv, Top Commenter, etc.)

Well, quite frankly, as my regulars can vouch, I am one that say’s, Yes.

When I first hit a new blog, I immediately scroll to the bottom of the comment section to view what the blogger may or may not offer his/her readers for their time and commitment.

There I said it again. Feel free to scroll down, call me a Selfish Dick and unsubscribe. I’ll try not to step on you on my way up. :twisted:

Why do I do this horrible thing?

Because I know the true meaning and value of blogging; building communities and relationships first, which in turn brings traffic to my own site second.

What’s mine is yours; not what’s mine is mine and what’s yours is mine…..PR sculpting anyone?

The second reason is equally important and I mentioned it briefly above. TIME. A rare commodity indeed. I give mine to those that give to others, first and foremost.

If you don’t give a crap about me as a reader, why waste my valuable time on you? I wish to get to know as many fellow bloggers as I can, in the time allotted; so yea, I’m choosing those that know what it is to build a community and relationships first.

Sensing a general theme yet?

If you don’t offer anything back to your community, yet you still expect my email address; oh my you best have some extra special mojo there.

Don’t fret though, you have a chance. Scroll up and you’ll see it’s a solid .1%. ;-)

So now you’re screaming, but you said you don’t comment for back-links!? Hellooo did you just come in? Back-links have NOTHING to do with it. Links are for search engines, I’m all for the humans.

Besides, those that choose do follow blogs just for back-links, know very little about do follow. (Watch for an article on this.)

Content Quality: OK so you’ve been itchin’ to find out why in the world I would place this last?? Content is KING, isn’t it? Well, yea I suppose.

We need to face reality though, unless you’re in some out-of-the-way niche or even micro-niche, you’re NOT altogether unique.

Sorry to be the one to break it to you.

There’s a real high probability that I will find your info on another blog not too far away. This is where personability; your own “voice” comes into play.

If Tom and Jane write the same niche, but Tom bores the crap outa me; Jane gets my email.

Yes, it is THAT simple.

Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely skim the content a good bit before subscribing. After all, you could be the nicest person on the net, supply more luv then any other blogger, but if your writing is TOTAL crap…see ya ’round!

Broken Down To It’s Simplest Form

So that’s me. That’s the whole HOW & WHY of my subscribing to/reading/and commenting on other blogs. And yea, haha, I am so not alone.

It all comes down to this: Be personable, share some luv around the sphere, and of course, have some good stuff to read. I/We only have so much time to visit so many blogs.

If your writing is the same basic premise as John/Jane’s why should I read yours?

Well?

Still love me? Hate me? Agree with me, or no? Hit me with it! Be not afraid. As always, love me or hate me, I will never delete any intelligent comment. ;)

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