In case you’re wondering, you can make money online by commenting. No, we don’t mean get paid to leave comments on blogs, although that’s one method. We mean leave comments on websites where other people have paid to have their content highlighted by others.
Why comment, you might ask? Well, it’s quite simple. While content will always be valuable in some shape or form, having another person confirm what you think or feel is priceless.
Blog commenting can be a way of making a quick buck, as bloggers can often pay a fee to have their content highlighted in a prominent position on a blog. However, you can also make money by taking on a more traditional form of commenting, which many large websites utilize to get additional content from writers.
The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
So, what’s the difference between the various commenting options out there? Let’s take a quick look at the good, the bad, and the ugly, shall we?
The good: You’re providing a service, so you’re essentially providing content for free. The better you do, the more you’ll make. The more you make, the more you’ll be able to afford to provide more valuable content.
The bad: You’re getting paid to provide content, regardless of whether or not it’s worth something. There’s no guarantee that just because you provide a service that you’ll actually make any money. Sometimes, a lot of money can be lost for no apparent reason. The smaller the payout, the more likely this is to happen.
The ugly: Nobody likes to hear the word “no,” but that’s often how a lot of online work involves. You might get away with one or two “no”s when you’re starting out, but eventually, you’ll run into a situation where you’re being denied access to a resource you need to do your job. Be prepared to hear a lot of “no”s in your line of work.
How Do I Get Paid To Comment?
Now, how do I get paid to comment? The answer is simple: you sign up with a service, such as Swagbucks, which gives you points that you can then redeem for cash or gift cards. For example, if you have 500 points, you can redeem them for a $25 gift card at Starbucks, which you can immediately use to buy a cup of coffee.
You can get paid to comment on blogs, too, but you have to go through a paid blogger to do this. That way, you’re not competing with your own content for eyeballs. If you’re writing about fashion, you might get paid a flat rate of $25 for a single post. However, there’s also the option of making a commission, which comes in at about $5 to $10 per article, depending on how many points you have available.
The Benefits Of Blog Commenting
Blogs aren’t just about posting articles, which are then read by people who find value in the information presented. They can also be a platform for doing business, which is why large corporations have jumped on board, utilizing blogs to get the word out about their products and services, as well as to engage with customers.
When someone lands on a blog, the first thing they’ll see is the title of the blog, followed by the name and image of the author. Next, they’ll see a snippet of text, which is usually a summary of the article they’re about to read. Finally, they’ll see a comment section below the article, where they can leave comments for the author, or respond to existing comments.
If someone is interested in your product or service, and lands on your site but doesn’t feel like continuing reading, they will usually look for ways to engage with you, so that they can get the information they need, and may also want to work with you in the future.
If someone is reading an article, but has no idea what the author is talking about, they might leave a comment to ask for more information. If that information is valuable to them, they’ll likely come back, and engage with you further, possibly even signing up for your newsletter, or getting a deal sent to them via email.
Some bloggers will even allow you to post videos, pictures, or links to other sites, providing additional opportunities for engaging with potential customers, and establishing credibility and trust.
The Risks Of Blog Commenting
Just because you have a platform, however large or small, doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to make money from it. Your credibility as a commenter depends on the quality of your comments, and how much value you add to the conversation. In some cases, you might even harm your earning potential, by promoting bad behavior or products.
If you’re providing a valuable service, and you’re simply adding value to the conversation, you’re fine. People will often appreciate your insight, and may even choose to work with you, rather than someone else. In some situations, the benefits of adding value, far outweigh the risks of doing so.
However, if your comments are bad, or you’re just there to promote a product or service, you run the risk of losing credibility with others in the conversation. Even if you provide a valuable service, people will still question why you’re commenting, as they don’t have to believe what you have to say. This is where your own credibility comes in. If you engage with the conversation, and add value where it’s needed, people will generally have a positive impression of you, and will be more likely to believe what you say.
Unfortunately, there are just as many individuals, and even entire organizations, that troll online spaces, looking for arguments to support their agendas. When they find them, they cite the articles and posts these sources produce, as evidence of the validity of their claims. In some cases, this will result in the authors of these articles and posts receiving death threats, as well as being bombarded with hateful comments, all because they gave someone else the permission to comment on their content.
How Do I Avoid The Risks Of Blog Commenting?
It’s quite simple: don’t provide a platform for others to engage in destructive or negative behavior. Even if you have the best intentions, there are always risks involved when giving another person the ability to manipulate you. When possible, avoid commenting on news articles, as they often have a tendency to deteriorate into a slush-fund for politicians and other influential figures.
Traditional Commentary
Traditional commentary is when an editor selects articles from a wire service or other organization, for publication. Often, these pieces come with a byline, and the editor is responsible for ensuring that the content is engaging, and of high quality. This content is often promoted on social media channels, and emailed to clients and potential customers.
Why should you comment on traditional commentary? Well, it’s quite simple. While it might not always be possible to confirm the authenticity of the information presented, having another person confirm your thoughts and feelings is invaluable.
The Difference In The End
Hopefully, this article has helped you understand the difference between the various commenting options available, as well as the various plusses and minuses associated with each one. If you’re interested in making money online, but don’t want to write about fashion or lifestyle, consider what we’ve discussed here. You might decide that blogging isn’t for you, and that you’d rather use your time and energy elsewhere.