How to Write the Best Responses for Your Blog Commenters

By: | June 21, 2015 | Tags: , , , , , , , , |

Blog readers who are visual learners learn by looking at graphics.I was impressed by new follower.

First, he sent me nachos.

Then, he sent me an airplane.

Virtually, of course.  But, he sent me the photos of the items in the comment section of my blog posts.

Many bloggers don’t even know it’s possible to insert a graphic into a comment.

My article How to Create Better Blog Content… explains the need for your blogs to empower readers by educating them about your topic.

This post will explain how to inform your readers by showing them the answer in the comments section of your blog post instead of just telling them.

Not all readers are alike.

Some learn by listening, some learn by manipulating objects with their hands, some learn by reading, but the majority learn by looking at pictures.

According to research, the brain processes information in pictures over 600 times faster than writing.

Even if you’re not a die-hard visual learner…visuals still work on you. Even if for no other reason than it’s easier to watch and feel than read and decipher. Most people would rather watch the movie than read the book. Whether it’s a meme, photo, illustration or infographic, the data is clear: Our brains love visuals.

If a reader asks you a question in the comments section of your post, are you going to know how to insert a screenshot or any other graphic in order to visually answer the question?

My post 4 Surefire Ways Never to Run Out of Blog Topics advises against answering readers’ questions in the comments section.

Instead, you should answer the question in an entire blog post.  However, what if the question doesn’t lend itself to an entire blog post?

Your posts should be 1,000 words or more to increase your SEO Ranking.  What if, try as you might, you can’t expand your answer into a 1,000 word (give or take) response?

Suppose, on the other hand, you are too busy to elaborate in a new blog post, but you want to help your readers as soon as possible?

Tweet: Put a graphic into a comment in order to educate your readers. http://ctt.ec/feHk1+ Tweet: Put a graphic into a comment in order to educate your blog readers. http://ctt.ec/zXB99+

 

 

I received this comment from a reader:

This is a useful post. I’m just starting to explore Pinterest, but I’m damned if I can find where to put any tags.

After deliberation, I did not feel I could expand the answer into a 1000 word post, so I wanted to answer her question in the comments section. However, what I clearly needed to ease her stress was a screenshot showing her where to put the tags.

As a teacher I am taught that it is more valuable to show than to tell.  In order to show her where to tag her Pinterest pins, I needed to make a screenshot and insert it into the comments section.

Blog readers learn by looking at screenshots

Blog readers need to see the answers to their questions.

I circled the pencil which brings up the edit tool.  I drew an arrow to the screen where she would find that tool.

Certainly she would need to edit the default that comes with the graphic.  “Popcorn” would not enable bloggers searching Pinterest for blogging articles to find me.

My reader would be better empowered by seeing these items instead of just reading about them with words.

Now let’s take this screenshot and use it to answer the question in the comments section.

How to Insert a Screenshot into the Comments Section of a Blog Post

Directions for making a screenshot (if you already know how, you can jump to the next section):

1. When there is something on your computer screen you want to show your reader, hit the “Print Screen” button.

It will now be copied onto the clipboard.

2. Bring up Paint or a comparable program.

Click “File-New”.

3. Paste your screenshot into the photo-editing program.

4. Edit your screenshot as needed.  As you can see, I added a circle and arrow, made them red, and cropped my screenshot.

5. Save.

I always save to my desktop just to make my graphics easier to find.

Directions for inserting the graphic into the Comments Section:

1. Go to Add Media, and upload the screenshot, photo, or other graphic you want to insert in your comment to your media library.

2. Once you’ve uploaded it, click the Media Library tab.

3. Click the graphic.

Popcorn URL Screenshot

4. Copy the graphic’s URL.

Copy the entire URL even if you can’t initially see all of it.  The URL is now on your clipboard.

5. Start typing the answer to a reader’s question.

If someone asks you a question, hit “reply” and respond to them just like you normally would.

6. Save your comment.

Edit blog comment screenshot

7. Edit the comment.

Edit Blog Graphic Screenshot

6. Click “img” for image on the screen that comes up.

You are telling WordPress you want to insert an image.


URL of graphic screenshot

7. Paste the URL of the graphic you want to insert where it asks you to.

8. Type in a description of your image.  I called mine “popcorn”.

9. Click “okay” and “update”.

10. You now have a large graphic inserted into a comment!

In closing, any graphic would work to empower your visual learners.  In this post, I used graphic, photo, and screenshot synonymously.

However, there are many other graphics you can bring into your comments to help your visual learners. Infographics and charts are other examples.

You can not take a uniform approach to helping your readers since people learn differently. You may love to express yourself in writing, we are bloggers after all, but according to studies, your readers will learn faster by looking at a graphic.  Considering how busy people are, whether they are visual learners or not, they will appreciate you for the graphics inside your comments since they will save them time trying to understand the information.

**Update: Instructions for how to get a graphic into a comment on your own blog have been presented in this post.  Instructions for how to get a graphic into a comment on someone else’s blog is explained the the comment thread.  Instructions for how to get a graphic into a comment on a non-WordPress blog is also explained in the comment thread.

Readers, if you think others can benefit from this tutorial about how to insert a graphic into a WordPress blog comment, please share.

What kind of blogger are you?  Do you think you would use this skill of inserting a screenshot into a comment to answer a question or illustrate a point?  I look forward to your views.

Related Post:

How to Quickly Get Comments on Your Blog

 

  1. Sue Coletta

    Very informative, Janice! Will this work when you comment on someone else’s post? If so, where do I find the edit comment button?

    • Janice Wald

      Thank you for the kind words. The answer is no. You can only edit comments on your own site. To insert a graphic, you need to edit the comment.

      • Janice Wald

        Actually the answer is YES! Gary left the photos of the nachos and the airplane on my site, so clearly it IS possible! Gary explains in the comment section to this post. How it can be done!

  2. Ellen Hawley

    I believe that was my comment. Thanks for all the trouble you took to answer it.

  3. john doe

    This lesson on how to insert a graphic into a comment was in one word “the bomb”.

    • Janice Wald

      It never occurred to me it was possible until I saw the graphics in the comments. Thanks for writing and for the retweets on Twitter. Nice to see you.
      Janice

  4. edwinasepisodes

    Thanks for this, as it is something I have wondered how to do 🙂

  5. G. R. Hambley

    Hello Janice; The Bear is in at your request.

    Load up the tune while you read what I have to say below. Simple paste of the URL is all that is required. You won’t see image display as you create the comment. You will see it after you post the comment. Watch your line spacing, No soft returns only hard returns.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBmvElD_0Ow

    ———————————————————————————————————–

    Getting an image or video in to the comment section is in reality no different than doing it in your post. When you put the image/video in the post the only thing that is happening is that the location of the image or video is being recorded. When you load the page, what you’ve told the page to display comes up from where ever the location is where the item resides. If the item is removed or changed you lose it or have to live with the change.

    I’m working on a piece and I was going to bring an F16 over that I’m going to use but decided on a couple things shot at the same location the average American may never get to see.

    https://transitionu.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/mojave-eafb0010104.jpg

    These are my photographs taken in the Museum at Edwards Air Force Base. Yup that place in the Mojave. So we’re clear, these photographs, if y’all want to display them else where, get in touch with me! The only thing I’ll allow anyone to do is change the size for display purposes.

    https://transitionu.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/mojave-eafb0010119.jpg

    From within WordPress when you open your Media Library, click on the item you want and when the attachment detail opens copy the URL and paste it in. The same procedure if you want to paste something in the comment field from a different place on the web. I’ll put one of mine from a different place at the end after the photographs with an explanation of what you’re seeing.

    https://transitionu.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/mojave-eafb0010093.jpg

    You won’t be able to define the size parameters of the image. That is determined by the size parameters of the comment box itself.

    If you wanna bail, its an ejector seat.

    https://transitionu.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/mojave-eafb0010118.jpg

    The image you see next is on a microsite I retain.

    It was a long time ago but just so you know. I was down there in Jersey interviewing to be The Devils Web Director. I couldn’t write PERL is why.

    Hope I’ve helped all of you find new and improved ways to torment others!

    http://members.tripod.com/Hammer_Custom_Image/design/nj-devils-letter.jpg

    • Janice Wald

      Gary, thank you so much for this tutorial on a tutorial =)! You have done what WordPress said was not possible. Thank you for helping us all.
      Janice

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Trudy,
      I wanted to write and let you know that my referral traffic coming over from StumbleUpon was higher today (still Sunday here in CA), than it’s ever been! Please send me your links, so I can return the favor. You’ve been a good friend, stumbling/liking my articles. Please let me do the same for you.
      Janice

      • Trudy

        I’m glad it’s working so well! I will send them, but right now since I’m doing the photography course, I was second guessing it. As soon as I have a proper post I will send it to you. Thank you.

  6. Pingback: Inspire Me Monday Linky Party 38
  7. adrianscrazylife

    I actually use an easier method to get my screen shots. I use something called a Snipper tool. I think it’s a utility already available on most computers. You just get to the screen you want to capture, then open the snipper, highlight the photo or text you want and it captures it for you in a photo. Then you can copy and paste it or save it as a .jpg file. That’s how I did my whole article on my Group Pinterest Boards because it’s quite difficult to embed Pinterest boards in a post. I just did static screen shots of each board.

    • Janice Wald

      Thanks for letting me know. I have an upcoming post on group Pinterest boards. Can I have the link? Perhaps I could link back to you as a reference in the article. It would give you a link into your site and might get you some traffic.
      I’ve never heard of Snipper. Paint is pretty easy, but I’ll check it out. Thanks.

  8. Terri Webster Schrandt

    Great information, Janice! Writing comments takes practice and builds community. Thank you sharing your post on #TheLeisureLink!

  9. helloredds

    Thanks for all of the great and easy to use instructions in your post today!

    You could teach WordPress and some of those other sites how to do a better job in their written explanations!

    I found your site via Inspire Me Mondays link up. Glad to find you.

    Hope you have a great Monday!
    Blessings,
    Melanie

    • Janice Wald

      Hi!
      Nice to meet you. Thank you so much for clicking my link, reading my article, and following my blog. I was so moved by your kind words that I added your compliments to my testimonial page and linked back to your site. Thank you so very much!
      Janice

    • Janice Wald

      Tracey,
      Here is your answer!

      Adding an image to a blog comment is straightforward. Here’s the piece of code you need.

      [img src=” “]

      Simply insert the http:// address of your uploaded image between the quote marks above, then replace the square brackets [ ] with and you’re done.

  10. D.G.Kaye

    Excellent ideas Janice for turning responses into posts! You are a blogging wizard! 🙂

    • Janice Wald

      Thanks Debby! Thanks for reading what I wrote and commenting. I’m leaving for a few weeks on Wednesday. I’ll look forward to touching base with you when I get home. Thank you again so much for all the Twitter help.
      Janice

  11. Gaurav Chaplot

    A really insightful article, now that I know how to insert an image into the comments, I’ll use images to answer my readers wherever required.
    One question though, can I do this from the WordPress app too? If yes, then how?

    • Janice Wald

      On my Iphone, I went to a web browser and typed in the URL of my site. I went to the comment of a post. In the lower right hand corner, the word “edit” was there. I clicked it. That brought up the screen where “img” is. It then asked me for the URL of the image…
      My answer is, I could not find a way throuh the WP app, but, I did find a way by going on the Internet on my mobile device. Thanks for writing.
      Nice meeting you today.
      Janice

    • Janice Wald

      I wrote you a detailed response at your site, but thank you so much. Everyone seemed to find the skill valuable. Pleased to meet you. How did you find my blog? I always wonder.
      Janice

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Karen,
      Thank you for clicking my link, reading what I wrote, and coming over from SITS. Thank you for the nice words about my tutorial as well.
      Janice

  12. Retirementallychallenged.com

    Great information and wonderful step-by-step instructions! There is little more frustrating that to read a “how to” that assumes the reader already has a high-level of knowledge. Yours was easy to follow and I look forward to using my new trick in the future. You definitely have a new follower!

    • Janice Wald

      Hi,
      Thank you so much for your kind words. I’m glad you found my tutorial on how to insert graphics into blog comments helpful.
      Thank you as well for following my blog. I am currently on vacation and will be posting again upon my return at the end of July. May I ask how you found my blog? I always wonder. Nice to meet you.
      Janice

  13. Pingback: How to Blog Like an Expert

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