Blogging is a great way to share free information and How To tips with others in your niche.
It gives you an opportunity to broaden your network with people who are already interested in and somewhat knowledgeable about your area of expertise.
Reader Comments Important to Blog Posts Not only do reader comments show the search engines that readers find the content relevant, it also shows other visitors that someone else thinks the post is valuable.
This plays on a person's desire to be a part of the "in crowd".
Subconsciously it encourages visitors to read the post and recognize the author as an expert to be followed.
Another effect is that visitors recognize commenters as experts as well.
If a reader doesn't happen to "click" with the post author, he/she just might identify more with one of the commenters.
In order to benefit from this, it takes two actions: being involved in a syndication tribe so you have quality posts to comment on and others who will comment on your posts and knowing how to write comments.
I have coveredtribe syndication elsewhere.
Here I will list the steps in how to comment on blog posts.
Commenting on Other Blogger's Posts

• Follow simple correspondence courtesy and address the author by name.
  People love to hear (or read) their name; it makes the person feel good and acknowledged.
  
• Comment specifically about the topic of the post...
  avoid saying "great post" or something else generic.
  
• Find a point you want to highlight as something you strongly agree on; e.
  g.
  "I particularly liked how you explained ______.
  "
• Briefly offer your own unique perspective about the topic.
  You want to show that you have knowledge and are not just parroting the article.
  
• Thank the author and include your name at the end of your comment.
  Even if the comment format includes your full name, you should at least sign off with your first name.
  

Commenting Etiquette When You Disagre

• Choose wisely...
  if you don't have to comment (because of your commitment to a tribe), maybe you shouldn't.
  
• Feel free to give your opposing point of view.
  Honesty is important.
  Anybody can read between the lines when you are not being truthful.
  
• Always remember to be respectful...
  you are at someone else's blog, their 'home'.
  Avoid becoming argumentative or insulting.
  If you get flippant or rude, not only will the blog author get a negative impression of you, so will the other visitors.
  
• Try using openers like these: "Well, it's been my experience that...
  " or "I never looked at it that way...
  "
• Being controversial can be a great way to get a lot of lively conversation on a post and makes it a HOT place to be.
  

Responding to Comments on Your Blog Posts

• Consider comments on your blog as a conversation.
  Answering comments is a courtesy just as it is answering your telephone.
  
• Respond to each comment, either individually or group your responses to about 3 commenters a reply.
  
• Always reply using the commenter's name.
  
• Respond specifically to what the commenter said.
  This is a good opportunity to add some supporting points to strengthen your position.
  
• When someone leaves a controversial comment, maintain your composure and dignity.
  Acknowledge their opinion and support your position without argument.
  

Commenting is the real lifeblood of blogging.
Aside from the backlinks and making the search engines like you, the human factor has far more impact.
Comments bring life and relationships to a blog.
It gives visitors the feeling of coming into an occupied space where a group of people are discussing the post rather than just one person "lecturing".
I saw a blog post on the Slight Edge site that said the post had 40 views.
There were around 12 comments.
That means 28 others were there and 'met' the author and the commenters.
Learn how to handle commenting on Blogs, both others and your own, and you will harness the greatest marketing power available online.