Coming to you live from Boston.  It's "wicked" cold in Bean Town!  Commenting on other industry or local blogs is a free means of developing a name for yourself and driving traffic from a popular blog(s) back to your blog.  However, it must be done strategically and according the rules of commenting in order to not tick off the blog host and get the result you are after.  There is a very specific dance you must do as a "guest" expert on another person's blog.  You need to appear as an authority by doling out solid advice to other readers, but never steal the thunder from the blog host.  Remember, this isn't your blog!

The Golden Rule of Commenting: Respect the blog host

The goals of commenting

You have an ulterior motive when commenting.  Your goal isn't just to join the community and participate with the rest of the readers, your goal is to drive some of the traffic from the site you are commenting on back to your own blog.

• drive traffic to your site from the site you are commenting on
• be selected for the site's blogroll
• get contacted by the blog host
• build recognition for yourself among readers

Making a plan for a successful comment strategy

• Make a list of blogs you want to comment on at least once per week (choose at least 8: half from industry blogs ad half from local blogs)
• Plan your comments so they are informative and add value to the post so they drive traffic back to your blog. (never say, "great post." and that's it.  Add value to the post by injecting your own knowledge.
• Be consistent with your comments so you generate and maintain a buzz for yourself in the community (comment on various blogs at least 8 times throughout the week)

Read also, the Tomato's post on commenting.

My articles on commenting:
Top 5 Secrets of Successful Blogs
Ultimate Guide to Backlinks

The netiquette of commenting:

Remember above all, the blog you are commenting on is NOT your blog.  These are rules of commenting to reach your goals:

• be respectful of the blog host
• be complimentary of the blog host
• act as though you might be "friends" even if you disagree with the blog host
• give constructive criticism with specific examples, but never "dis" the blog host in front of their readers

Remember, you are a guest with an agenda (to drive traffic back to your blog) so you have to be even more careful than other participating guests.  You have to follow rules that most people don't know about.  These are those rules

Never answer a question directed to the blogger until after they have had a chance to respond:
Consider a blog like a convention with a speaker and a bunch of guests.  If you were at a convention with an expert speaker and the guy next to asked a question of the expert, would you answer it instead.  No, you'd pretty much end up looking like a fool and most definitely irritate the speaker.  Same goes on a blog.  Never answer a question on another person's blog that was directly intended for the blogger themself.  Generally, a blog is not a forum where people ask other visitors questions.  A blog, rather, is "owned" by the resident "expert/blogger." Questions are generally and sometimes explicitly directed to the blogger not the visitors/commentors.  It is very poor form and bad netiquette to answer a question directed to the blogger before they have a chance to respond.  There is no better way raise the ire of the blog owner than to do this!  Once the resident blogger has had the chance to respond, feel free to put your $.02 in. 

If you see a blatant error in the blogger's logic, send them an email before responding in the blog:
As a "blogger with an agenda" you cannot afford to tick off the host blogger.  Instead, you can ingratiate yourself to them by sending them an email explaining the error or faulty logic and point out the facts with links to your sources.  Most bloggers will be very grateful that you would take the time to do this and may even put you on their blogroll.  This is also a great opportunity to personally introduce yourself to the blogger and strike up a personal relationship with them.  You may, at this time, either ask them to blogroll you or suggest that you exchange "guest blogger" spots where you would post on his/her blog for a day and he/she would post on yours.

Make sure your logic is sound before you post a comment. 
Never post a lie or innacuracy in a comment.  Research your facts fully, even link to your sources if possible.  There is nothing worse than disseminating infactual data in someone else's blog.  It requires that the blog host themselves take the time to correct you because noone wants incorrect information in their blog.  This is definitley one way to tick off a blog host because it creates more work for them.  Most of all, though, it diminishes your credibility to other readers.

Read also: Don't get caught lying on your blog

Conclusion:

Commenting is an art form and when you use it drive traffic back to your blog you are bound by the rules of professional courtesy.  So, be courteous and gratious.  Make friends with other bloggers through commenting on their blogs and showing them the same respect you would exepct on your blog.  Hold yourself to a higher level of professionalism than other hold themselves and you will reap great returns.

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