A financial advisor and new business blogger that I worked with objected during blog training that he really hasn’t the time to go traipsing around the internet leaving comments on blogs. I asked him how many networking events he attends regularly. A glance at his calender indicated that those activities comprised a far greater bulk of his time than his blogging efforts. I then asked him if any of those functions presented him with the potential to have his ideas and brand broadcast to thousands. And, of course, the answer was no.

Many of the unfamiliar tasks that the new business blogger grapples with actually mimic marketing that he or she already practices. When attending networking or B2B events, you broadcast your brand, you leave a lasting impression, you leave your business cards and you follow up. And you hope someone remembers your brand, brilliance and wit.

The effortlessness and effectiveness of comments in comparison is evident - consider them to be business cards on ‘roids. Insightful comments spark a reader’s interest in your service or brand, triggering them to click over to your site and hopefully, add your RSS feed to their reader.Like blog posts, relevance and authenticity are required.

More importantly, that is how you will attract comments on your own blog. Blog marketing is about a conversation and just like you do not want to be the only guests at a party that few attend, readers will feel like they are in an echo chamber if theirs is the only comment you have received in a month. Besides being active in your market’s community of blogs, how else can you trigger your readers to leave comments?

Blog-Tutorials has two suggestions; take a stand and ask for it.

If you hold some controversial views, present them.

“If you want to get people’s reactions, take a stand and build on that principle. Whether people agree or disagree with you, you are likely to get comments on your posts.”

Just as you wouldn’t hesitate to ask a question in an offline conversation, do not hesitate to ask your readers for an opinion

“Asking them “What do you think?” is an open invitation for them to share their thoughts on your post. Of course, the more specific the question is, the better responses you will get.”
(source)

Any questions?