Hidden Pitfalls of Blog Commenting and Why You Need a SLAP
Don’t get me wrong.
I love blog commenting. Blog commenting is great because it gives you a chance to learn new things from other people’s posts. It gives you inspiration when you read someone’s story and ideas, it helps support the blogger and the community.
It’s something I enjoy doing. However, something happened last night which made me sit up all day to think about and reflect on.
Last night, I spent almost five whole hours doing blog commenting. Although I enjoyed the time, I know I ended up losing track of time too. Different things happened as I went through the process and here are a few of them I experienced:
- I got distracted by reading posts, then watching videos recommended by links in the posts, I went on to visit other sites and blogs listed on their blogs, I started reading Twitter posts, followed by the clicking on their followers…….you get the picture.
- I got the grass is greener on the other side thoughts creeping in my head. Somehow, when seeing someone elses cool posts and great ideas and nice blog themes, I started to think that my own blog was so poor in comparison.
- Self doubt started to rear it’s ugly head. Seeing how great some of the other blogs were with their cool squeeze pages integrated with the template and really good posts made me doubt my own ability to do such a professional job……Am I up to this standard?……….
So this is where I gave myself a Big SLAP!!!
Yes S.L.A.P
Simple Laser Action Plan!
I knew I had to focus back to basic as Alex has been going on about so much, so I remembered the whole purpose of blog commenting in the first place. With that principle in mind, I started to put in place my own SLAP.
SLAP is about having a really simple (easy to follow), laser (focussed), action plan.
So this is what I do now when doing blog commenting:
My SLAP
1. Read useful or interesting posts and set a time limit on each blog (5 to 10 mins and use that kitchen timer)
2. Take notes on paper of interesting or useful things learned
3. Leave my comment
4. Move on to next blog
So by the end of the blog commenting session, I have a whole collection of things learned which I can read about and think about, thereby helping me further in my business and gives inspiration for the next blog post of my own 
Everyone does things differently so everyone will have their own way of SLAPping themselves. But fundamentally, its about going back to basics.
It’s important to enjoy reading other people’s blogs, but I will SLAP myself so I can have the best of both worlds: Enjoying blog commenting whilst remaining productive and not losing track!
Happy SLAPping!
Bailey,
You must have been reading my mind with this post.
Maybe it’s because we’re at the start of our business building but I had to give myself a slap today too.
Love the acronym.
Your blog is doing brilliantly so you don’t need to worry about the grass being greener my friend.
Well done Bailey
Reach new heights,
Nathan
Hey bro,
Thanks so much for your comments. You’re a popular guy around here and for good reason!
Yes, I’m reaching the new heights for sure!
Hey Bailey,
Great post. This has been on my mind lately too with all the blogging I’ve been doing. I’m gonna get started putting your tips into practice right away. Thanks!
Peace,
Darren L Carter
Hey Darren,
Great minds think alike! Been getting great tips reading your posts too!
Your comments are helping me to do my best. Thanks man!
Hey Bailey,
You are so right. That’s exactly what I do and think. Is that a case of great minds or just human nature? Time can certainly get away when you are on the internet. It’s never a case of how slowly the time is going for me but always is that really the time already!
Your point about taking notes about interesting things hits the nail on the head. When you see something interesting you think you will remember it but 9 times out of ten you don’t. Good advice.
Nothing wrong with your blog by the way.
Sandy
Hey Sandy,
I’ve been learning so much and have so many great ideas now for my posts just by visiting other people’s blogs!
In the beginning, I was worried that I had nothing to write about in my blog, but things are just flowing now I’m taking action just getting in there.
Thanks for your comment. It’s really inspiring me to do better each day
HAHAHA I Needed that =]]
I agree i had to slap myself this morning for getting so caught up by the time i realized what i was doing i was on the other side of the WWW! Lol!
I Think this site looks great! we defidintly have to talk soon =]
cause your doing an EXCELENT job
You keep it up alright ur goin places =D
All the best,
Ashawndra Michelle
Thank you so much for your encouragement Ashawndra,
I’ve had to double SLAP myself today as I’m learning such much info in one go! Overload!!!
One thing at a time……….remind myself!
I guess the excitment is making me try to learn a millions things in the space of 2 days!
Hi Bailey, C-o-o-l post man.
I have been experiencing some of those same things and you’re right, it takes a slap to wake me up.
Doubt is a killer and I have to quit looking over the fence to see if the grass is greener.
You put it correctly when you said Laser Focus.
BTW. Hope you don’t mind but I might send folks to this post.
Nice,
Mike
Hey Mike,
Thanks for your dropping by! Keeping focus is hard, but having the support of guys like you and positive students really helps to encourage me.
Hope we can help one another achieve the best! Looking forward to connecting with you soon Mike
Hey Bailey,
fresh of away from the live coaching with Alex I can not agree more with what Nathan has said. You must have read my mind, Bro. I got lost yesterday commenting and went on for a wild ride through all kinds of websites.
Also: You blog is brilliant. There is and there will always be things we can improve but we are learning, and together we are learning fast.
So thanks for your great analogy and you slap which was much appreciated!
Spread the Good, Attract the Good
Mirko
I Love It!
I can’t stop laughing. First because of the picture and second because of the great acronym.
Thanks for sharing your plan for blog commenting. You really make some great points. Taking notes is something I am going to start doing. I usually read the post, start making comments and then I have to go back and forth to the post and my comments. Making notes will make it easier and quicker for me.
I will starting SLAPing myself tomorrow.
Happy SLAPing to you to!
- Rick
Thanks for your kind comments Rick,
I’ve been SLAPing myself silly lately!
Hope we can catch up soon bro.
What a great idea to take notes it makes oil rig hopping even more effective!
Very valid point you make; it’s easy to get distracted but remind yourself of the main focus of the task and bring yourself back on track PLUS using a timer is a must…it’s one of my all time greatest investments for the office!
Rob
Hey Rob,
Yeah, that timer has been doing wonders! So simple that people dismiss it. Once you start using one, you wonder how you ever managed without it!
Hey Bailey, the monkey slap picture is brilliant, send the monkey over to me, I bet those 5 hours blog commenting benefit you for many more days to come, so don’t worry too much about it, Sally
Hey Bailey,
fresh of away from the live coaching with Alex I can not agree more with what Nathan has said. You must have read my mind, Bro. I got lost yesterday commenting and went on for a wild ride through all kinds of websites.
Also: You blog is brilliant. There is and there will always be things we can improve but we are learning, and together we are learning fast.
So thanks for your great analogy and you slap which was much appreciated!
Spread the Good, Attract the Good
Mirko
Hi Bailey,
I loved this post! You did indeed hit the nail on the head. It is SO easy to get carried away with reading all the great info that time can easily slip away. I also notice doubt creeping in telling me “oh, my blog just doesn’t match up with these others…” your post here reminded me that we probably all think this at one point or another.
We just need to keep going and w ill see improvement as time goes on.
Thanks for the great reminder!
Alice
Hi Alice,
Thanks for your kind comment.
Yes, keeping focussed and taking consistent action is so important. We all learn along the way and are continually improving, so its ok if what we do isn’t perfect cos it can only get better as we grow and do more!
Why didn’t I read this earlier?!? Awesome post Bailey REALLY! I feel like I know you even better now and can TOTALLY relate to the feelings of self doubt. The comparison game is a dangerous one and can undo many a new entrepreneur, but not only did you realise it, you provided a framework for yourself (and us) to follow to focus and win (cheeky reference) Awesome post Bailey, you are rockin’ it man.
Soon you are going to be the blog that some poor newbie sees and gets disheartened!
I look forward to being here for the ride man!
PS: SLAP = awesome acronym (im writing that one down)
Alex´s last blog ..Tips to help you Focus & Win!
If I stopped on every little distraction, I would never have so many posts on my blog. I just make my comment rounds throughout the day.
Brandon Connell | Make Money Blogging´s last blog ..Sphinn wins a spot on my wrath list
Yeah managing the distractions is so important. I think its actually a skill in itself that needs to be matured into a habit.
Bailey
Great idea Bailey. I should write all the things down I learn from other posts. I get distracted easily and choose things that are easy over harder tasks to start on but then I have my daily to do list to keep me on track
Pauline´s last blog ..Are you using email Autoresponders?
Yeah Pauline, it’s so easy to get distracted when you’re working online. I’ve had to focus very hard to sort that problem out! Having the daily list is such a powerful tool!
Speak soon, Bailey