Thursday, May 26, 2011

Blogging Etiquette

I been thinking about blogging etiquette lately.  First off what is etiquette? 
Etiquette: is a code of behavior that delineates expectations for social behavior according to contemporary conventional norms within a society, social class or group. 
To me this means there is an expectation on how I should behave when going about my day to day activities.  I'm also doing my best to instill etiquette into my son, and some days this seems an easier fight than others.  I also feel there is and should be etiquette in the blogging world.  I at times wonder how many feel the same way?  These are some of my thoughts on blogging etiquette:
1.  Be an original.  Come up with your own original post.  Please don't plagiarize, steal, copy someone else's ideas.  I blog, because I feel I have I have an original view point, and take on things, and I want to share that with others.  So using someone else's words take away what I want to say, and it is then no longer my original idea which to me totally defeats the purpose of blogging.  The more you blog, and write the better your posts will get.  Or that's what I keep telling myself.
2.  If you are going to use someone's content, idea, photos, then give credit.  Just like in school site your source, link to the blog, say where you got the photo, link to the website, give credit where credit is due.  I know I get ideas from other blogs, and I have been guilty of publishing a post totally forgetting where the idea came from, but it usually comes to me later, and I will go back, and edit my post.  Not to mention if you are linking back to a blog is also good way to cross promote your blog.
3. Following.  I know I talked about following last week, but I'm going to just touch on one quick point.  I don't expect everyone who I follow to follow me.  Would it be nice?  Yes.  Is it expected?  No.  However if you are on a Discussion Board asking for followers, and I follow you then I believe it is proper etiquette to follow back.  Or a blog hop where I go, and follow a blog as part of the blog hop rules, then proper etiquette is to follow back.
4.  If someone leaves a comment take a moment, and visit their blog, and return the blog love.
5. Be yourself.  I read blogs, because I like them.  I really like blogs where people have strong opinions and let them shine.  I may not 100% agree with them, but I don't have to it is their blog.  However I've read many a blog post that made me think, and challenge my opinions on issues. 
6. Be sure to show other blogs some TLC, tweet, like, and comment on other blogs, and watch what happens in return.  I know commenting has been difficult for some.  I found when asked to log back in to comment to UNCLICK remember me, and that worked like a charm.
7.  Remember the golden rule 'Do unto others as we would have them do unto us.'  How about I reword it to read 'Write to others as would have them write to you.'  In other words be respectful in what you say in comments.  We may not agree with everything we read on blogs, but there are ways of commenting, and getting our own opinions out there without being disrespectful to the blog host.  If you don't think you can do that for whatever reason then just don't comment...lol.  If you don't like a post move on. 
Well those are a few of my ideas on blog etiquette.  What do you think?  I'd love to hear other people's thoughts on this.

16 comments:

Well Dressed Cupcakes said...

your post is so true!
following you back. enjoy the weekend!

sue

Anonymous said...

It seems we were on the same wave length today! I like the don't plagiarize! Being a writer for many years I can tell you how very true that is! Also be sure to check out the site's copyright laws before using any of their content. I have mine posted at the bottom of my page.

Following you back (not because you followed me, but because I like your site!)

ColorSlut said...

Your post made me smile and I clicked the follow button. I use a reader for my blog following - so I noramally don't "follow" with the button. But, I know it shows other readers how many people out here love you. And because of that I'm now going to follow all of my favorite blogs - like yours!

Crunchy Diva said...

@ Mitzi ~ welcome & glad you liked my site. i followed you for the same reason ;)

@ colorslut ~ thanks for the follow you are awesome, but you know that :)

Ariel said...

I, like colorslut, use a reader to follow blogs. I realized in reading your post that it is good etiquette to "follow" a blog I enjoy reading. I will certainly remember that in my future blog reading. And yes, I am now following yours. :-)

Armada Volya said...

So many good points. As an artist I am a big fan of copyright laws.
I'd also like to add that if a blogger writes about you, it's always a good idea to comment, tweet, like and so on. I write about other artists and craftsmen all the time and very few of them actually give some love back. Those who have blogs tent to be better with it, but even with them it's often a one way love.

Abstract

Crunchy Diva said...

@ Ariel ~ that's a good point the actual number of those following isn't 100% accurate as it doesn't count those using a reader. i'll have to check out those readers i'm not to sure about them..lol.

@ Armada Volya ~ yeah that would be annoying to write about others, and not get the blog love in return. i try to visit everyone that leaves a comment, but at times i even forget :(

Lindsay @ Delighted Momma said...

I could not agree more! Another one is nice constructive comments only. Rude comments are...ruuude ;) I have a hard time with the following thing..I do participate in blog hops and I DO appreciate if someone follows me..but when they leave a comment like "follow me back" it turns me off. I participate in blog hops to find blogs with similar interest to me...so if your blogging about your crazy single life..I most likely will not follow back...whew sorry for the novel!

Following you!

XO Lindsay @ Delighted Momma

mombo880 said...

Wonderful post! I think a lot of people should read it and take note...there are so many great blogs out there, make your own, don't take others'!
Thanks for the follow, I'm trying to follow back but of course, still the problem of the follower button disappearing. I'll come back later and try again! :(

Ann said...

I agree 1000% with everything you say. I recently had a similar post. I am your newest follower and found u through Boost my Blog Friday! Cheers and have a great w/e.

Karina Pacheco said...

Love your corner of the internet!!!

How cool are bollywood classes :)

Happy to be your newest follower :)

Have a great weekend!!

Crunchy Diva said...

@ Lindsay ~ i totally agree with you. i've been doing more blog hops lately & yes they are good to get people following i'm now going to delete comments of following you & their site. like they don't care at all about the blog & it is almost spam like. after reading a great post by Mitzi (she commented above) i've decided to delete blatant just follow me comments. i had to think about it, but what i want are followers that have something to add to my posts & just self promoting doesn't add value to my blog. welcome & i'll go visit your blog.

@ mombo ~ glad you liked my post :) yeah what is up with blogger lately comments & following has been issues for a lot of people. check back when you can!

@ Ann ~ i'll have to go check out your post. welcome

@ Karina ~ bollywood classes are AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!! welcome!!

Tara said...

Good points. If someone leaves a comment, I do visit the blog. I like to leave a comment but often it depends on how much time I have. Lately I have been trying to designate a certain amount of time to visit and comment those who have commented. This also requires that I remember to do this and my memory is terrible. :o)

Beccalynn said...

This is a cute, informative post! Thanks, cause I wouldn't have even thought of some of the things you suggested. I've been blogging forever, but I'm not a very experienced member of the blogging community, per say. Does that even make sense? Anyway, thanks!

Beccalynn said...

Oh and thanks for your comment on my flats challenge posts at CDB. That was sweet :-D

Nancy Yeomans said...

Very well said...I especially liked the part about plagiarism...I was recently plagiarized and found out completely by chance...I confronted the culprit and he did eventually modify his post, but never admitted his actions...GRRR!