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"Every
one of us is an artist, and as an artist, you really can stroll into
any venue that you want, as long as you take your time to learn the
etiquette of that venue."
Terrence Howard
It's pretty crazy to think that this year will mark my 3rd year of blogging. It's also sad that I still consider myself a newbie. This "blogging thing" started when I was laid off from my job. Not as an artist, I'm talking about a "real job." {Okay, enough with the "quotation marks".} I had big dreams to take my own business to the next level and I wanted to share my story as I learned the ropes.
I wanted to encourage others in the same situation and inspire those who think they can't follow their dreams. I'm still not sure I'm accomplishing this but it's been a big learning experience for me. I've learned {am still learning} a lot about the blogging world, the do's and the don'ts. When I look back at some of my earlier posts or how I conducted myself within the community, my insides cringe.
So if I can help out a fellow newbie with my list of "5 Blogging Etiquette Tips for Newbies" {oops, I did it again. "Sorry."} then why not. Hopefully you can learn a lot faster than I and catapult your blog further. If you find this post helpful, please share. Etiquette is not just for royalty or someone in high stature. It's all about respect, politeness, integrity, honesty and trust. Etiquette is for everyone but just like anything, if you don't have it, you must learn it.
1.) Link photos or ideas to an actual source
To some of us, our blog is just a chance to chat with others and share our day to day lives. We find photos that relate to our topic or we see inspiration somewhere else online that triggers an idea for a post. It is crucial to your blogging image to give credit where it's due. While you may be blogging for fun, others actually blog for income. They work hard to take high quality photos and provide good content. A simple link back to their blog is usually enough. If you save the image to your computer then upload it into your post, and don't link back, this is considered stealing. You may not actually say that the photos are yours but visitors and readers don't have any other reason to think otherwise. Your intentions may be innocent but that doesn't change facts. Most cases you can just right click on an image, copy it and then paste into your post. Sometimes the link shows up automatically but double check. If you don't do anything else on this list, do this one. It's by far the biggest blogging don't.
2.) Have clear contact info
This may seem like it's more of a marketing aspect but actually providing clear information so that visitors and readers can contact you is just plain nice. It shows them that you are approachable {in the best way possible online} and they are free to connect with you. Not providing a contact page or even an email address on your sidebar can come off as snotty and rude. I'm serious! What would you think if you came across a blog that didn't have any way for you to contact that person? It would seem kind of weird, and though you may not know it, something inside of you tells you this person is not trustworthy. When we are online, we want to feel secure. Some sense of protection. Whether we know it or not, seeing a blogger's contact info gives us that. It says "Hey, if there's a problem or a question, I am here for you."
3.) Leave a comment, not a sales pitch
So your surfing around the many blogs you follow or you just happen to land on one that's awesome. You dig the posts, design, the blogger's writing voice etc. As you start to comment to tell them this, you then think "how can I get them to my blog?" So you write "I love your blog! New follower, come check out mine sometime. I'd appreciate a follow back! www.desperate.blogspot.com"!"
Yeah, about that...
This is not only a blogging no-no, it's pretty much looked down upon everywhere else as well. No one likes to be told what to do, first of all. I mean, if someone left this on your blog, would you like it? It shows immaturity and the last part actually erases the first part of the comment. You know, the one about loving the blog. Yeah that. If you love someone's blog, tell them why! Whatever it is, whether you can relate to where they are, you love their header, or you share the same taste in frozen yogurt. Don't take advantage of the comment box and abuse it by turning it into a self-marketing mess. We've all done it, so I'm preaching to myself here. When experienced bloggers see this, it's a huge turn off and they most likely won't check you out.
If you want to leave your blog url link, that is definitely okay. It's all about presentation and class. Watch your wording and read your comment out loud before submitting. If it sounds like your trying to sell something, erase it and start over.
Copy and paste this code if you want to add your blog link to a comment. It is html so make sure the comment box takes code. Oh and change the necessary fields, or you will look quite silly:
<a
href="YOUR BLOG URL">YOUR DISPLAY TEXT</a>
{Shout out to Dana from Wonderforest for inspiring this tip. You rock girl!}
Things get busy and life gets crazy but one thing remains...appreciation. When someone actually takes time to write to you and leave a comment on your blog, it's good etiquette to say thank you. Just like if someone sent you a birthday gift, it's proper to send a thank you note. This practice has been lost for a while and it's trickled into the blogging world. I understand we have pretty full plates and if you are a high profile blog with thousands of followers, replying to each comment can be mind numbing and never ending. In those cases, I would suggest leaving one comment thanking the masses for their love and support. The point it, say something! Not replying to a comment gives off the impression that you don't care. And I know you do. It only takes one minute, even if you just reply within the comment section. It doesn't have to be a big-to-do, just a simple "thanks so much" can make a big difference.
5.) Use your manners
This pretty much sums up what etiquette is about. There really should be no name calling, bashing or trash talk. This 'ain't Walmart or the mall. You can say pretty much whatever you want on your blog but be warned that once you say something, you can't take it back. You might be able to delete it but you can never delete how you made someone feel. I've seen some pretty nasty comments left on some blogs that I love and it grosses me out. Like really makes me sick. That saying "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it at all" proves true. Just be quiet and click off. When you are rude in a comment, it shows more about who you are then the person you're trying to make look bad. It showcases your lack of self-control and ability to handle grown up situations. I mean, really, treat the blogging community like a lady. If it's hard for you to play nice with others, maybe you should go inside and read a book. This playground is for fun and friends. We really don't need any bullies.
How you present yourself online is just as important as offline. The scary part is that a lot of people think they can be someone else because they can hide behind a screen. Do everyone a favor and be honest. Hold yourself to a higher standard.
This list wasn't created to make you feel bad or put you down. It was meant to educate but in order for you to learn anything, you must admit you have room to grow. If you go against growing, you really go against life. You will make mistakes but it's what you do afterward with the lesson that matters. Remember, etiquette everywhere is about respect, politeness, integrity, honesty and trust. If you have these things going for you as a blogger, you are on your way to greater things.
What have you learned so far about blogging?
Do you have a tip?
