Our Top Commentators’ Reward Is Back For GOOD!I’m glad to announce that starting tomorrow, the 1st of February, our top commentators’ reward package will come into effect with a bang! 
I did mention this in a post recently.
For the benefit of those who may have not been familiar with our top commentators’ reward package, here is a brief of what we do:
At the end of every month, using the top commentators plugin, I simply pick the top commentator for that month and write a post specially profiling the commentator’s blog thus, giving that commentator a valuable link-love.
This was later redesigned to reward the top commentator with a free 125 x 125 banner ad for a whole month. Though this new reward package did not run because of a sudden restructuring of the site, I have thought it wise to use this new system of 125×125 banner ad as the rewards for the top commentator of the month.
BUT we’re going one more step ahead of that…
…. the reward will not only go to the top commentator this time but BOTH the top commentator and the next person on the list!
This is how they will be rewarded:
1. The two, first and second top commentators, will be profiled in the post announcing the top commentator of the month. So both the first and second, will have the advantage of the link love.
2. The top commentator will have the added advantage of having the free 125 x 125 banner ad on the sidebar for the month!
Why You Would Want To Post A Comment Here
I want to make it clear that as much as it has to do with our end here, we have done everything that will make this package rewarding to everyone. Whether you got the top commentator slot or not you stand to benefit.
The Web Income Journal is a ”dofollow” blog. Besides, both commentluv and keywordluv are installed. This means you’re rewarded for every comment you post. Commentluv ensures that you have a linkback to your last post and keywordluv allows you to choose your own keywords and use them in your name field thereby giving you the benefit of having a linkback for your chosen keywords.
That is powerful, right?
Then you’d want to do the following right now.
1. If you’re not subscribed to this blog then do it now. You can subscribe by RSS feed or by email. This will ensure that you do not miss any updates and you can always be the first to know whenever a new post is published so that you can take advantage of this knowledge and post your comments.
2. Subscribe to post comments so that if there is reply to your comments you can always know. Also if there is question that has to do with your comment, answering that comment will help you not only build more relationships but raise your comment count.
Terms and Conditions
We have had some bitter experience in the past so to ensure that everything work fine I want to lay out the following conditions.
1. You’re to provide your 125 x 125 banner:
Please note that the winner is expected to design his/her own banner. Of course we don’t provide such services here. Our advice is if you don’t know how to design a simple banner which you can use then contact some expert to do it for you.
I’m sure you understand the fact that a well designed banner will give you the right benefits from this system.
2. Your banner will be hosted by you
If you turn out to be the winner in any month you will be expected to host your banner image. What we will need from you is the image URL. For example -
<img border=”0″ src=”http://www.YOUR-SITE.COM/images/YOUR-IMAGE.jpg” width=”125″ height=”125″ target=”blank”>
3. Our comments approval will now be more strigent
This is to guide against abuse by spammers. From our past experiences, we observed that many only come around for the reward. Of course there are those who will always want to abuse every opportunity. But we’re up to the task. We don’t want just any comments.
So:
(a) Comments MUST reflect the post topic. You should be able to show with your comments that you have read the post.
(b) Comments like “great post”, “oh thanks for sharing” and similar ones are not welcomed. They will simply be deleted.
(c) As much as you can post a link in comments, such a link will be deleted if it links to an affiliate site or adult site. (No comment is to contain more than one link)
4. No stuffing of a post with comments
Please posting two or more comments on just one post with the mind of raising your comment count will no longer be allowed. Of course you can post a comment in reply to another comment but posting two or three comments on the same post, is nothing but comment spamming which is not good enough.
5. Keywordluv and the use of the name field
As stated above keywordluv is installed and you can choose a keyword/phrase to use in the name field. However, understand that you MUST use your name plus your keyword/phrase. For example Chadrack@MakeMoneyBlogging. We want to know you because blogging is about relationship and interaction.
6. Use a working email linked to a gravatar
As stated above blogging is about interaction besides, if you’re the winner, I will need to contact you by email. A functional email will make this easier! So ensure you’re using a functional email. Of course you have not fears as this will never be published non shared with any one.
I also advice that you have a gravatar linked to your email. Though this is not a MUST, but for the sake relationship building and interaction, having a gravatar in your comments is an accepted norm.
NOTE: To ensure that things work out fine, I’m re-setting my comment approval system. Every comment will now through approval. So, please you have to bear with me here. If your comment did not appear immediately there is no need for you to repeat it.
That is it for now. This post may be updated as the need arises.
Do you have any comments on this? Is there something you think should be added or removed from the terms? Let’s have you views below.
Author: Chadrack
I am the Founder/Executive Editor of the Web Income Journal. I am a Professional SEO Web Content Writer with special interest in wordpress blogging, content development, online marketing and social media. Hire me to help you create web content that will improve your site rankings, boost your brand loyalty and increase your website traffic in a cost effective manner!
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Whoa! This is another opportunity for me to really here!
But, some of those rules are you sure they are not too strigent and may even be anti-blogging-commenting, this is what I mean…in case an explanation was needed for a particular post and the commentator is really not spamming but breaking down the comment into bits…would that be counting against such a person?
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Chadrack Reply:
February 2nd, 2011 at 10:38 am
First, thanks for the enthusiasm. That’s the spirit of this rewards.
Now to your question, as I did mention in the post, I’m not very keen on setting rules but because of the past experience I’ve to do this. Yes, the rules may be strigent but in most cases the “spirit of the law” will be applied here. Notice please that you’re free to reply to comments by or other commenters or if your previous comment need some more explanation you can do this. But like I said the “spirit of the law” will be applied. If one tries to use these exemptions to game the system such a one will be find out and that comment deleted out-right.
Hope this answers your question.
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“Of course you can post a comment in reply to another comment…”
Trust me, take my word on this, moderate these with a stronger hand. Comment spammers love threaded comments, they are sure you won’t delete them because you may have to delete more then just theirs.
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Chadrack Reply:
February 2nd, 2011 at 10:44 am
Hi Dennis, there is a good point there. I thought about this very carefully but understanding the fact that blog commenting is supposed to be an interactive and relationship building activity, I had to allow reply to comments. About deleting such a reply when it doesn’t meet the conditions, I don’t think that will be a problem. You must have noticed that every comment is now going through moderation (please accept my apologies here because people like you have to go through this also), what needs to be done is to simply delete that comment without approval!
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Hi Chadrack,
I saw you’d stopped by my blog and wanted to drop in and say hello, and I see this!
Honestly, I think it’s a great idea and the rules aren’t too harsh, in my opinion. It’s just sad to think spammers have in some ways ruined the fun for all of us, but on the other hand your rules send out a powerful message to all the spammers: Stay away!
Good luck to everyone!
Delena
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I think the new restructuring of the Top Commenters challenge is a great idea. Not only do they get a banner but a post as well. Thanks you for bringing this back, I look forward to seeing how it turns out this month.
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Chadrack Reply:
February 3rd, 2011 at 6:33 pm
Of course I’ve decided to bring it back as to benefit every one of us. And please I’m expecting that you will use your first name when next you make a comment. As you can see I’ve made it easy for you to use your name and also get a backlink for your chosen keyword/phrase by installing the keywordluv plugin. I’m sure you’re not expecting me to address you as “sell textbooks!” Thanks for stopping by.
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Chadrack mate!
I have been lurking for a while but not commented previously – I think now is the time to get involved!
Great prizes you are offering mate – actually along the lines of what I was thinking of doing – you know, the ‘specifically profiling their blog’ idea you had – I think that is a great way of rewarding and envoking community.
Great stuff mate!
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Chadrack Reply:
February 4th, 2011 at 10:53 am
Oh Alex, thanks for the comment. But come to think of it, so if I’ve not come with this special reward package you wouldn’t have commented right? But why lurking around all this while and not commenting. Was the articles not worth your comments or you just didn’t want to give your comments? Any glad to know I’ve been able to pull you out!
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Admin, would tweets also count as comments, like the one done above or it good enough that the post was mentioned…I wouldn’t want to spam this awesome blog…
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Chadrack Reply:
February 7th, 2011 at 1:37 pm
Hey Iroko, do you mean I would consider tweets about this blog as spam? Of course not! If you can help us in promoting the posts with your tweets that will definitely be to your advantage you know. Though when I planned this out I really did not consider putting tweets as part of the count but we will encourage our friends to tweet our posts. So why don’t you go ahead do so!
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You might want to review the part that says banners will be hosted by the winners ’cause a winner might just be looking to drive traffic to an affiliate product of his and he’d probably not a site of his own
BTW thanks for re-introducing comment moderation. I was getting tired of the spammers.
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Chadrack Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 5:01 pm
Hi Chuks,
I’ve really looked into these issues before deciding on this. For example I know there are also those who are using free platforms like blogger and may not have a webhost.
My advice for people like these is that they should find a free file hosting site to use. Any way there may be need to review things as time goes on. Thanks for the comment.
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Hi and thanks for the clarification, it is obviously part of the enjoyment of a blog to get properly related comments. I have gone via a different section and submitted a guest post for consideration, how long do we usually wait before a yes or a no?
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Chadrack Reply:
February 26th, 2011 at 12:07 pm
Hi Celie, your guest post has been recieved and I’ve sent you a reply. Please forward the requested info and I’ll be glad to publish your post. Thanks.
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And do you realise that with your new theme, the top commentator plugin is not displayed, really, I like this arrangement of this blog, beter than the last layout!
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I ‘like’
1 question Chadrack, why is it that you moderate every comment? With GASP enabled, if you just call the first two or three comments into moderation, you will speed up your community, will you not?
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Chadrack Reply:
March 12th, 2011 at 12:06 pm
You have a point Chris, however if you read the terms of the top commentators contest you’ll understand taht I don’t want any one taking advantage of the game.
Moderating the comments is actually to prevent abuse by those who will want to simply post comments like: “That’s great!” Maybe when things take the normal shape I may decide to let GASP do most of the work!
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Christopher Roberts Reply:
March 12th, 2011 at 4:02 pm
GASP and Akismet working together, first comment in moderation, link love and no spam commenters get dofollow on my blog
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Chadrack Reply:
March 14th, 2011 at 1:20 pm
Then it means there are some few more things I’ve to learn about GASP! I’ll definitely look into these things and then adjust the settings accordingly.
I’ve really not been comfortable continuously moderating some of the people who I consider as great friends here. They have shown that they are here for good and continuing to moderate their comments is not a good idea. I’ll definitely take care of this very soon. Thanks so much for this insight.
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