Why Video Comments Take Engagement to the Next Level

You’ve been leaving reactions on every video.

Thumbs up. Hearts. Lightbulbs. You’re showing up, building visibility, triggering reciprocity just like we talked about.

And it’s working. People notice. They reciprocate. They remember your name.

But here’s what you’re starting to realize: Some videos deserve more than a reaction.

When someone shares a major win, overcomes a real challenge, or drops genuinely valuable insight you feel like a quick tap isn’t enough. You want to say something. You want them to know you were really paying attention.

That’s when comments matter.

Reactions build the foundation. Comments deepen the connection. Let’s talk about how to know when to level up from reactions to comments and what makes a comment actually valuable.

How Reactions and Comments Work Together

Think of engagement as a ladder. Each rung builds on the one below it:

Rung 1: Watch only - Zero connection, anonymous viewing
Rung 2: React - Visibility starts, reciprocity triggered
Rung 3: Leave comment - Conversation opens, memorable presence
Rung 4: Direct message - Real relationship forms
Rung 5: Referral exchange - Business outcome happens

You can’t skip rungs. Comments without consistent reactions feel random. DMs without comments feel cold. Referrals without relationship-building feel transactional.

Reactions are the essential foundation. Comments are how you build upward.

Here’s what comments add that reactions can’t:

1. Comments Show Deeper Engagement Than Reactions

Reactions say “I saw you.” Comments say “I heard what you said.”

When you leave a comment referencing something specific from someone’s video - a detail they mentioned, a challenge they shared, a win they celebrated - you’re proving you didn’t just watch, you were present.

You were actively listening. That deeper attention creates deeper connection.

Tom Marino

Accountant (CPA)

Marino & Associates Accounting

Coquitlam, BC

Fictional character for illustrative purposes

Tom’s perspective: “Reactions matter - they tell me who’s watching. Eighteen people gave my video a thumbs up, and I notice them showing up consistently. That builds familiarity. But Sarah went further - she left a comment: ‘Your point about quarterly tax planning for contractors was gold - I’m sharing this with two clients who need exactly that advice.’ That comment? It moved her from ‘familiar name’ to ‘front of mind.’ When someone asks me for a marketing consultant referral, Sarah comes up first because she showed me she was really paying attention.”

2. Comments Open Conversation Doors That Reactions Unlock

Reactions unlock the door by building visibility and reciprocity. Comments open it by inviting dialogue.

When you comment, they reply. You reply back. Now you’re in a conversation. Conversations deepen relationships that reactions started.

3. Comments Make You Memorable (Reactions Make You Familiar)

Reactions create familiarity: “David always shows up.”

Comments create memorability: “David always leaves thoughtful comments.”

When referral opportunities come up, people remember those who went beyond the minimum - who showed they were truly paying attention.

“Reactions build familiarity through consistent presence. Comments build memorability through specific attention. Both matter. Comments just go deeper.”

The 5 Comment Templates (Takes 30 Seconds, Builds Relationships)

You don’t need to write essays. You need to be specific and genuine.

Here are five comment formulas you can use immediately:

Template 1: The Specific Callback

Reference something specific they mentioned in their video.

Example: “Your point about post-inspection negotiation tactics really hit home - I’ve seen buyers walk away over $2K repairs that could’ve been handled differently. Smart insight.”

Don’t say: “Great video!”

Why it works: You’re proving you paid attention to the details. That’s what makes you memorable.

Template 2: The Question Deepener

Ask a follow-up question about something they mentioned.

Example: “Curious about the timeline you mentioned for Heritage restoration approvals - are you seeing those timelines shrink or still 6+ months in Surrey?”

Don’t say: “Tell me more.”

Why it works: You’re showing genuine interest in their expertise. Questions invite deeper conversation.

Template 3: The Celebration

Call out a win they shared - even a small one.

Example: “Congrats on closing that first-time buyer deal! Getting someone into their first home is such a great feeling. You clearly put in the work to make that happen.”

Don’t say: “Nice work.”

Why it works: Everyone loves having their wins recognized. Specific celebration beats generic praise.

Sarah Martinez

Marketing Consultant

Martinez Marketing Solutions

Vancouver, BC

Fictional character for illustrative purposes

Sarah’s strategy: “I always leave reactions - that’s the baseline. But when someone shares a real win in their video, I go further and comment. Emma posted about helping a young couple get their first home - I’d been reacting to her videos for weeks, so she knew my name. This time I commented: ‘That’s the kind of client relationship that lasts 20 years - congrats on making homeownership happen for them.’ She DM’d me an hour later to say thanks and we ended up grabbing coffee. The reactions built familiarity. The comment sparked the conversation.”

Template 4: The Empathy

Acknowledge a challenge they shared - with empathy, not advice.

Example: “I feel you on the subcontractor reliability issue - I’ve lost weeks to no-shows too. It’s frustrating when your reputation depends on people who don’t show up. You’re not alone in that struggle.”

Don’t say: “You should just hire better people.”

Why it works: Empathy builds connection. Unsolicited advice creates distance.

Template 5: The Resource Share

Offer something valuable related to their topic - without strings attached.

Example: “Great insights on mortgage approval timelines. This article about credit score optimization might be helpful for your first-time buyers: [link]. No sales pitch, just thought it was relevant to what you mentioned.”

Don’t say: “Check out MY video about this!”

Why it works: You’re giving value first. That’s how trust builds.

“The best comments aren’t the longest. They’re the most specific. Reference one thing they said. That’s enough to stand out from the ‘Great video!’ crowd.”

What NOT to Comment (Mistakes That Kill Engagement)

Not all comments are created equal. Some actually damage your networking reputation.

Generic Praise with No Substance

“Great video!” “Nice work!” “Love this!”

These comments add nothing beyond what a reaction already communicated. If you can’t say something specific, a thoughtful reaction (heart, lightbulb, celebration) is better than a generic comment. Quality comments beat low-effort ones.

Self-Promotion Disguised as Engagement

“Great video! By the way, check out MY video about this topic!”

This is tone-deaf. You’re hijacking their moment to promote yourself. Nobody likes that.

Unsolicited Criticism

“You should’ve mentioned X instead.” “I would’ve approached this differently.”

Unless they explicitly asked for feedback, don’t give it. Criticism creates defensiveness, not connection.

Off-Topic Comments

Commenting about something completely unrelated to their video just to “be visible.”

This signals you didn’t actually watch. It’s worse than no comment at all.

The Comment Habit That Changes Everything

Here’s the system that works:

Foundation: React to every video you watch (builds visibility and reciprocity)

Next Level: Comment on five videos per week - pick the ones that genuinely resonate, teach you something, or share meaningful wins

When: Right after watching (while your genuine reaction is fresh)

How Long: Thirty seconds max (specific beats long)

Quality Filter: Ask yourself: “Does this comment add something beyond what my reaction already said?”

If the answer is no, the reaction is enough.

David Park

Insurance Agent

Park Family Insurance

Langley, BC

Fictional character for illustrative purposes

David’s routine: “I watch every video and always leave a reaction - that’s non-negotiable. But I comment on the five per week that genuinely made me think or taught me something. My rule: one sentence referencing something specific plus one sentence adding value (question, empathy, or celebration). Takes thirty seconds. After six months, people started telling me: ‘David always leaves good comments.’ That reputation led to three major referrals. The reactions kept me visible. The selective, thoughtful comments made me memorable.”

“React to every video you watch. Comment on the ones that matter most. Reactions build the foundation. Comments deepen the connection.”

Ready to Level Up Your Engagement?

Here’s what happens when you combine consistent reactions with selective, thoughtful comments:

Week 1-4: Your reactions build visibility - people notice you showing up

Week 4-8: Your thoughtful comments (on the videos that resonate most) start conversations

Week 8-12: You become known for both consistency (reactions) and quality (comments)

Week 12+: Referrals come to you because you were visible AND memorable

The system is simple:

Watch every video. Leave a reaction (two seconds). When something genuinely resonates, add a comment (thirty seconds). Move on.

Reactions build the foundation. Comments deepen the connection. Together, they transform passive viewing into active relationship-building.

Related Reading

• The Psychology of Video Reactions: Why Small Gestures Build Relationships - Start here: understand why reactions are the essential foundation
• The Science of Trust: Why It Takes 12 Weeks to Build Real Business Relationships - See how micro-interactions (reactions + comments) compound into trust over time
• The First 12 Weeks: When Video Networking Actually Starts Working - Watch how consistent engagement (reactions AND comments) pays off