One very effective way to increase traffic is to comment on other blogs. But don't just comment willy-nilly. Be strategic about it. Here are seven tips:
Photo by Marc Wathieu
1. Branch out!
I think this is a common mistake many bloggers make: We find a handful of blogs we like, visit often…and then stay there. This isn't bad at all — it's a GREAT way to get involved in the blogging community – but when it comes to making an income, it becomes limiting when you've exhausted your "traffic pool." Don't forget there's a whole huge world of internet out there!
This is a great time when rabbit-trailing can actually help you rather than hurt you! Next time you're visiting one of the blogs you always visit, make a point of seeking out some interesting links that might lead you to another pool of interested readers.
2. Comment on blogs that are in your niche.
It might go without saying, but if you want to draw readers to your blog, be sure to comment on other blogs similar to yours. Hang out where your potential readers hang out.
For example, if your blog is about knitting, commenting on blogs about softball, sports cars and snow cones is not likely to convert into many readers for you. It's a silly example, but you get the point.
3. Be helpful.
"Great post!" is a nice comment (I always like hearing it!), but not very effective when it comes to driving traffic to your blog. Try leaving useful information instead. Something like, "I really like your idea! Sometimes I also try using bigger needles because it gives a more textured effect." (Can you tell I know nothing about knitting? 
) Offer good advice and be friendly.
Not only are helpful comments appreciated by the blog owner (i.e. more community!), but they also help to establish your credibility and are much more likely to be noticed by others. The more comments you leave that are helpful, the more people are likely to remember who you are and want to check out your blog.
4. Don't be spammy.
It should be said that while commenting on other blogs can be an effective way of gaining readers, gaining readers should not be the only reason you comment on other blogs. Don't be a nuisance by commenting only to plug your own site or toot your own horn. Get genuinely involved in the conversation.
There are various rules of thought about whether or not it's OK to leave a link to your own site in your comment. On a few occasions in the past I have included a link to my own site in my comment when there seemed to be a really good reason to do so.
However, the longer I'm online, the more I lean away from this practice. Leaving a sincere and helpful comment and trusting others will click over to your site (via your name which is linked to your site as long as you don't forget to include your URL when you sign in!!) is a win-win-win situation for the blog owner, their readers and you.
5. Be patient.
If you haven't figured it out yet, making money as a blogger is hard work! It's time-consuming and requires a lot of sticktoitiveness.
Don't expect to comment on a few blogs and then get a flood of traffic. It doesn't work that way. It takes time — lots of time in most cases.
My recommendation is to carve out a few minutes each day specifically dedicated to commenting on blogs. Set a timer ("I'll spend 10 minutes commenting") or pick a number ("I'm going to leave 3 comments today") and go for it. If you do it regularly, you are likely to see some people come your way eventually.
6. Monitor how it's working.
Put a note on your calendar to reevaluate your commenting strategy after 3 or 6 months. Is it working? Have you noticed an increase in traffic? Is there a particular blog from which you get a lot of new visitors? Are there blogs that don't seem to send any traffic your way? (These questions can be answered by looking at your stats.)
Make adjustments to your plan — try commenting on some new blogs, drop some non-producing ones or increase (or decrease) the time you spend commenting depending on how valuable it is.
7. How to find other blogs on which to comment.
You might be thinking, "Well, this is good Amy, I'd like to comment on other blogs, but I'm not sure where to find any!" This is completely understandable — it's hard know where to go when there are a gazillion blogs online. Here are some ways to find new blogs:
- Search. It's simple, but sometimes overlooked. Looking for other knitting blogs? Google "knitting," "knitting blogs," "how to knit" or other knitting-related keywords.
- Copy others. Take note of what the bloggers you already follow are doing and where they spend their time. If you read their blogs long enough, you're likely to hear them refer to other places they are involved online. Many also display buttons, badges or blogrolls of blogs they like in their sidebars.
- Forums. Forums are also great places to find other like-minded bloggers. Again, simply search "knitting forum," "knitting community," "knitting group" etc.
- Memes or Blog Carnivals. If you're looking for new blogs, this is a great way to find some. Find a blog carnival potential readers would take part in or visit and go find some new blogs. (Read more about memes/blog carnivals here.) If you host a meme, feel free to leave it in the comments! Here's a list of blog carnivals searchable by category if you're looking for new ones.
- Hashtags. If you're on Twitter, you probably are familiar with hashtags. They are the words or phrases indicated by a pound sign (#) that semi-organizes a particular conversation into one stream. You can search for hashtags at a place like hashtags.org, but I prefer to find them by noting which hashtags the people I follow use.
What about you? What is your best build-your-blog-through-commenting tip? (And don't forget to tell us about the meme you host!)
Here at BloggingWithAmy you'll find tips, tools & tutorials about blogging and websites. In plain English. Want to 
At the risk of being unhelpful, great ideas!
I am finding branching out just 1 or 2 blogs a week manageable. Definitely need improvement in the scheduling category.
Stay tuned, Kristin, for an announcement you might might be interested in…to help you with the scheduling part of it!
subscribing to a lot of blogs helps make commenting much easier. i use google reader and sort by magic so it puts the posts i'm probably the most interested in up first and then i can simply hit "v" and it opens the post for me to leave a comment.
i check out all of my commenters blogs, all of the people interacting with me on twitter, and all of the blogroll favorites of my existing favorite blogs and subscribe to them if they look interesting.
I agree that subscribing helps with the commenting. I usually start out reading and commenting on blogs in my reader and then branch out from there based on other comments or links that I come across along the way.
Wow, Carrie! Sounds like you've got an efficient system in place. Love that!
This is helpful, Carrie! I typically subscribe in my yahoo reader, but it does not sound as effective. I need to make the switch to gmail and google reader.
Carrie,
Thanks for the "v" tip. That's pretty cool. I had no idea.
I also subscribe to a lot of blogs in Google Reader. I just label them "Blogs to comment on" and when I get a sec, I go through all of them. (Like what I'm doing right now!)
Great ideas! (yes, I said it) LOL!! I actually love browsing and commenting on new blogs. I would definitely be interested in other tips that you have as well. I'll be browsing your site. I don't get many comments, and I would love to increase them.
And.. I am going to leave a link to my own blog.. but to a relevant post!
http://littletechgirl.com/2010/02/15/help-a-blogger-out/
I find I visit others sites when they comment on mine as well. Plus when I find a local site I love to comment about how I am from PA also. So my tip{s} is to find the common ground you share, leave a productive comment, and actually be interested in the site you are commenting. Like this one, Love it Amy! Thanks for all your hard work!
Thank you so much for your tips. I am still pretty new at blogging and tweating so good advice is coveted. Must say I've seen hashtags but didn't know what they were or how they worked. Thanks!
Glad I could clear that up for you!
I really appreciate your tips. So helpful for is newbie bloggers.
I host a meme–Sneaky Snacks. I post every Tuesday, a healthy snack idea (usually for kids, but doesn't have to be.)
http://keepinglifecreative.com/
Up until now I have been a lurker in your website! I must have implemented about 80% of what you've shown in your excellent tutorials. This site has been a real blessing, popping out of nowhere just as the idea of starting a blog popped into my head.
This is the second blog I've commented on today, I'm going for 3 comments a day, a great suggestion!. I've previously been too shy to leave comments (it can feel as though I'm about to gatecrash a party!) but ironically one of my biggest blogging fears is that no one will leave comments on my blog!
Thanks once again for the great tips!
These are great tips, but I've actually increased my traffic by following (through RSS reader) and commenting on non-niche blogs as well. I suppose it depends on what you're blogging about if you can bring readers over. I guess I see everyone as a potential reader, not just those on similar blogs.
Don't forget about your own comments! I keep up with the questions and conversation on my own blog by setting time aside each week to respond, and I try my best to visit each commenter's profile and visit their blog if they have one (and leave a comment, of course). I'll even email a commenter when I can. I am trying to encourage more comments and community that way.
Good point about responding to the comments others leave on your blog! Thanks!
I've definitely found commenting to be an effective way to make a connection with someone. And I agree that finding other blogs in your niche is good — I am more interested in reading blogs in my niche and trying to contribute something to the conversation.
Do you feel any sort of obligation to follow or comment on a person's blog who comments on yours? I've struggled with that because of the niche issue — many of my readers blog on very different topics. I try not to spend inordinate amounts of time online, so I don't subscribe to every blog I visit. Just curious what your thoughts are on this.
Amy,
I am a stay at home mom/pastor's wife, who recently started a blog. I just wanted you to know how VERY, VERY much I appreciate all of the information that you are sharing! The whole "blog world" is confusing, and it is such a breath of fresh air to be able to follow someone who is just an ordinary person, and has managed to get this blogging stuff right!
I look forward to your future posts!
I'm trying to figure the whole blogging thing out, too. I read so many great blogs and feel grateful for good examples, but they also make it look so easy when it definitely is not!
I agree.:0)
Thanks again, Amy! I am getting pulled in reading your very helpful posts.
I try to be faithful in commenting on the blogs of my commenters! And sometimes that's all the time I have. But I really appreciate my readers, so I try to make those comments the top priority.
And when it comes to memes, I'm starting one next Thursday called "Try New Adventures Thursday." My latest blog post talks about it in more detail…
~Alicia
Thanks Alicia! Hope your meme is a great success!
Amy,
I just love getting all of your great advice and tips in my email box everyday!
I would really like to know what you think about "vote in" sites like Top Mommy Blogs, Picket Fence, etc. Are they worth all of the time and effort?
Sue
You always give such good advice. I finally have a few mins to bounce around your site. So true on the rabbit trails too. I try to stay focused when I am commenting and checking out new bloggers but I am so easily distracted… SQUIRREL…. Thanks for all the info you give out!
Mel
LOL! Believe me, I am the rabbit-trailing QUEEN!
Thanks for all your blog information! It is a great source of information!
You're so welcome, Phyllis! Thanks for stopping by.
Thanks for this post (I know, not a great comment).
I read a lot of blogs and basically what I've been doing is if I read, I comment. It's simplistic but I realized I hardly ever comment. It doesn't get me the rush of traffic like link-ups do, but it seems to get me true traffic.
-Debra
True traffic is excellent traffic.
I just found your blog today from someone's pin on pinterest, and have enjoyed reading your tips. I have a lot to learn. Thanks for sharing easy to understand advice.
You're welcome! Thanks for stopping by, Jennifer.
oh,I have so much to learn,and like you said,it is (time-consuming and requires a lot of sticktoitiveness),the sticktoitiveness is hard when you are trying to juggle lots of other things.Like the commentor above,its hard for me to comment because I am shy also,but I am working on that.I love your blog,and I love all your tips,you have helped me so much.
Hi Amy
Its good to know that you are having tremendous success with your blog. I am however a set it up and forget kind of person. I fail to find the motivation for blogging consistently. Or it may be that I have just started to realize the importance of blogging in bringing up long term passive income. Have bookmarked your blog. Plan o hanging around here
See you
This was a very helpful post and I will try to implement these tips more. Thanks!
Just wanted to say I found you through Money Saving Mom and you are Queen Guru!!! What you said is true keeping up with other blogs is good for getting your name out. I also find inspiration and support. I saw some people pondering how to efficiently whip comments out, I myself love google reader and friend connect. It all shows up in one spot for you. It's like getting the paper filled with only things you want to read!!!
I had to really focus on the blogs that I follow – I used to follow loads of pet photographers, but as I learned more about blogging, I learned that this wasn't the way to gain traffic to my site. I've since started following blogs who (1) I love and (2) speak to people like me and the the people I'm speaking too – I've connected with a lot of people this way.
I also use Google Alerts to find new blogs to comment on – now that I understand how to leverage keywords a little more, Google Alerts has become a great tool.
Hi Amy,
This is my first time here on your blog and I really enjoy reading your posts.
Recently I've started a blog commenting routine by visiting 5 blogs each day. I've collected a list of blogs in my niche through other blogs. I've seen some increased traffic to my site and look forward to seeing more.
I intend to do this consistently because I believe this is an effective strategy that allows me to learn from other bloggers, drive targeted traffic to my blog, and interact with other like-minded people.
You have a great blog and thanks for sharing all the useful resources and tips!
Janus
Thanks, Janus! Sounds like you have a great system in place. Slow and steady…
It seems somewhat risky to comment on this, a post about commenting.
I will refrain from leaving a link to my own posts, now to find something actually interesting and witty to say….
All joking aside, this is a fabulous post with some great recommendations. I always try to comment on others' posts something that I would appreciate seeing on my own site, which would NOT be something generic. It's true that you're doing more than just attempting to drive traffic-in your one comment you're affecting how hundreds (perhaps thousands) of people are going to perceive you, which will then influence their decision about if it's really worth their time to visit your site.
Thanks for the great information, as always!
And thanks for the great comment, Leah. Couldn't agree with you more.
I am new and feel hesitated about this strategy. Does it really work?
And you have not mentioned other ways like submitting links in Digg.com or similar sites
why?
As is the case with most traffic-generating techniques, it depends on a lot of things, but I do think commenting is a great way to get involved in the community and get your name out there.
In my limited experience, comments have played a big part in bringing like-minded folks to my blog, and a few of them have really stuck around and become supportive friends. Sometimes I do have trouble finding the time to visit as much as I'd like on other sites, but I do try, and I enjoy the sharing.
Well, since you said I could share, I do host a weekly link up called Make Life Meaningful Monday (http://changedbythemaker.com/make-life-meaningful-monday/) You're all invited! Thanks, Amy.
I totally agree with you! And I want to second or third or whatever! the commentor here about following up on your own comments. I LOVE it when a blogger replies to my comment – either via email or by having a plugin installed that sends me an email when they reply to me on their blog. I've made some great friends this way and I'm determined to reply one of these two ways to all my commentors! I really like my 'comment reply notification' plug-in and wish all bloggers had it!!
I am very much a "lurker" and have trouble knowing what to say other than "great post" – but I am revamping my blog and would love to see my readership grow. So I am going to put this into practice and try to actually comment on all the blogs I read.
Do you have suggestions for making commenting easy when you read them via email or a reader feed?
Amy, I really enjoy your posts. I appreciate the time you have put into your tutorials that help the rest of us grow. I believe that having a blog, being on facebook, twitter and pinterest has given us great platforms for reaching out to others and to develop friendships with people we might never meet this side of eternity…I'm glad to see and be apart of the on-line community. Blessings!
Great advice. I am always hesitant that I will come across as a spammer even when I feel like I can bring something to the conversation. I need to jump in a bit more!
Thank you!
I admit it, I comment only on a few favorites. It's just with everything involved with starting up my blog and then adding it into my current responsibilities as a homeschooling mom as well as the need to keep my house in a reasonable livable state, and also feed us all and make sure we have clean clothes by the time I sit down to read others blogs I am brain dead! I get to the end of the post and can't think of an intelligent word to say! I think I need to start commenting for 15 minutes perhaps at the start of each day, instead of trying to do it at the end.