5 Tips for Branding Yourself When Commenting on Blogs

Originally published in 2008. Updated in 2025 as part of the Personal Branding Blog relaunch under Brown Brothers Media.

I get bothered from time to time when I witness blog comments in my queue that are too self-promotional, from robots or simply don’t have anything to the conversation.

Thankfully, I don’t receive much spam anymore, but instead I receive more comments that are meaningless and are certainly not branded properly.

And while these comments might seem harmless or forgettable, they quietly chip away at your credibility and can follow you around online far longer than you expect.

3 reasons why bad comments will hurt your reputation

• Every single comment you make is stored in Google and is part of your permanent record online.
• People won’t click on the link to your blog if you don’t give them a good reason to (add to the discussion).
• You will be viewed as either a spammer or a troll, both of which are highly looked down upon in the blogosphere.

5 tips for branding yourself when commenting on blogs

1. Use your avatar

Whenever I present to an audience, I always mention that you have three very important assets online: your name, your picture and your personal brand statement. This is how people will remember you and hopefully translate that association to a certain topic that you want to own in people’s minds (positioning).

Whenever I see a comment without a picture, I see a missed opportunity. If you want to have a universal comment avatar, then go to a service like Gravatar or upload an avatar tied to your profile across platforms. Think of it as open-picture ID for your global branding presence on blogs.

2. Insert your full name

I don’t understand what the big deal is with using your full name. What if there are two Mikes or Rachels commenting on the same blog post? They would probably have to rely on their URL to differentiate them, which is dumb.

If you want to stand out, especially if you have a unique last name, then use your full name.

3. Add value to the conversation

Don’t even try and take advantage of a post by saying “great post” and then linking to your site. You will get enemies if you do it and be discounted as a troll.

The real way to succeed when commenting is to read the blog entry (yes, some people comment without reading) and then share your opinion on the subject. Make your comment meaningful — reference a key point, ask a thoughtful question, or contribute an insight that positions you as someone worth noticing.

4. No extra links

You only get one chance to use a link to your website and it’s not within the comment itself. When you go to fill out a comment form, there is a spot for your URL and when the comment is posted, your name will link directly to that URL.

That’s how it works, everyone, so don’t try and game the system to get more people visiting your site because it won’t happen. Let your name and comment stand out—let the link speak quietly.

5. Use a professional email or domain name

A lot of you may disagree with this one, but generic free email addresses like Hotmail or Yahoo may undermine your professional image these days. You really need to get Gmail, or better yet, use yourname@yourdomainname.com.

Gmail allows you to talk directly with other people and your domain name is more professional. Your email address and domain signal credibility, especially when your comment may lead to a connection.

Conclusion

Commenting on blogs and online posts remains a visible extension of your personal brand. Every utterance, reply, or insight you post is part of your digital footprint — one that’s searchable, shareable and permanent.

So when you comment, use your avatar, show your full name, add real value, limit unnecessary links and project professional credibility through your email or domain. It’s the subtle but consistent behaviours that distinguish your brand online and build trust over time.

This article is part of Personal Branding Blog’s Legacy Series — highlighting timeless insights from our archive. Learn more about our story here.