I have made plenty of my own bloggy mistakes and etiquette blunders since starting two years ago, so please know this post is for me too, I do not profess to be a “Blog Etiquette Expert”!
I have gathered this information from reading over the past few months as this as been a topic that has been on my mind for some time, unfortunately there is hardly any info on the net about blog Etiquette thus the reason for me putting together this post. If you have anything to add to this, anything at all you would like to share about blog etiquette please do share in the comments!
Now I will share with you all what I think to be the biggest Do’s and Don’ts’ in the bloggy world as far as Etiquette is concerned…
Borrowing, Stealing, swiping, copying…Call it what you like…
Do not get offended or “bothered” when you have found others have copied or taken ideas from your blog, might I say even “Stolen” images or template info. Imitation is the best form of flattery.
Do Give it willingly and without question, its far better then starting a quarrel and making everyone involved feel awkward and icky. There is no point in getting upset over others trying to duplicate your blog, take it as a complement and focus on making your own blog a comfortable home for you! Warm and inviting to your readers! I do focus on the look of my blog but the content is most important!
I will be posting on some template & Html help next Tuesday if all goes as planned!
Do not steal/take! When you go to visit a blog it is the same as walking into someones living room, would you start grabbing stuff and take it home with out asking? When it comes to copy write infringement one must be careful and of course we all know it is not right to steal, that goes for the Internet too! Many of the graphics on these blogs and or sites have been purchased and are not to be given away, some require a link back to the Graphic artist, and many Bloggers have worked and studied tirelessly to “figure it all out ~ Html” so remember to just ASK!
Do not hotlink to images. Not only are you stealing bandwidth, someone now has “control” over your blog. They can replace their image that will suddenly display on your blog. Down load the image to your computer save it and use a photo host to publish the graphic to your computer. (More about this in my next post about HTML)
Do ASK! More times then not a person will be more then happy to either “give” you the info you are looking for, graphic, html, etc. or they will direct you to where you can find it.
Common Courtesy
Do remember to use “The Hat Tip”
Directing your readers to the “source” of your post, graphic, etc.. It allows your readers to visit the “source” should they so choose and gives the original source the credit! I have learned this along the way too!
DO Take responsibility not just for your own words, but also for the comments you allow on your blog.
Do leave comments that are related to the post, some have said they don't like repeated or short comments such as “Great post” or “Me too’ etc,,, I personally don’t mind those it lets me know someone is reading and can relate!
Do delete inappropriate comments from your own blog. It's your home on the web; you set the tone for your blog!
Do respond when folks comment on your blog!!! I ALWAYS try to jump over and visit those that have visited me; especially those that read and comment often, its just common decency folks, this isn’t Rocket Science! If someone is leaving comment after comment and you don’t say two words in response eventually they will stop visiting. Or might feel as though they are being ignored. It’s kinda like calling a person over and over and they refuse to call you back. Kinda Rude!! I can imagine it almost seems arrogant too.
I have to admit there have been many times I have read a comment in the 2 seconds I had in between feeding children, changing a diaper or stopping a fight and I read and run and forget to respond then I cant remember when or where the person left a comment.
I APOLOGIZE to those of you that have left me a comment and I did not respond to you or answer your question. I can honestly say I have never ever purposely ignored anyone's comment on my blog nor would I EVER, if I did not comment back or answer a question it was only due to forgetfulness. I really do wish I could reply to every single comment left in a timely fashion. The same with Mr. Linky, how I wish I could comment on all your blogs in a timely fashion but I just cant, I physically cannot due to the responsibilities I have here at home. If 20 to 30 of you have linked there is just no way for me to get to visit you all in that same day but I will get there eventually! J I will also usually respond to a comment or question in the same post that the question or comment has been made. (Faster and easier)
I hope to get the comments part of my blogging better organized so that I can keep track of who has commented or asked a question that needs answering. I plan on doing a Q&A next week God willing! If you have a question or I have not answered your question feel free to ask away in the comments of this post.
Do come out of “hiding”, instead of calling you a lurker we will call you a “Silent Angel” (don’t remember where I read that term) If you have been reading on someones blog for a while and you have been encouraged, blessed or just enjoy your visit post a comment and say hello! A blogger will always appreciate you coming out to say hello, it lets the blogger know someone out there is reading and can relate J This is especially important to encourage New Bloggers.
So that’s all I have right now, if you have anything to add please do so below!
Now, for Etiquette in general here is a fabulous book to read "FREE" on line!
Etiquette in Society, in Business, in Politics and at Home! |
I guess my template fixen days are over, but I couldn't be happier!!! I don't have time for it, I am trying to simplify and I do believe I was making a complete mess of my blog! lol
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