Several months ago I wrote a post about what I had learned (the hard way) about blogging etiquette. Since that time, I have received numerous emails from fellow bloggers asking blog etiquette related questions. I am so NOT the expert in this area, but I thought it was time we revisit this topic together. So here are some issues we need to explore today:
1. Add Your Email to Your Profile. Seriously. Stop reading this post and do it now! I want to be able to communicate with you and answer your questions, but I can’t easily do that because so many of you don’t have your email on your profile. When your comments come through on my email and I hit reply, I’m replying to “noreply-comment@blogger.com” and I want to cry. Don’t make me cry. Simply do the following so the world of bloggers can communicate with you.
- Sign into your blog and click on the top right “Dashboard” tab.
- Next to your profile pic click on “Edit Profile”.
- Now check the box that says, “Show my email address”. That’s it!
This won’t actually show your email on your profile, but a link that says “Email” will be present. You’re not giving out your social security number here, you are just allowing others to be able to reply to you in an email. I haven’t received any spam from having my email available for viewing.
2. Music or no music? Awards or no awards? 10 Things Your Blog Doesn’t Need by Jill Smokler is totally worth reading. In her list of things you don’t need, she includes auto-music, blinkies, and plagiarism. Check out her complete list for more.
3. Personal Promotion in a comment? How, oh how, do you spread the word that you are having a fabulous giveaway, or an upcoming party? Do you spread the word using a tagline in your comment on other blogs (i.e. Such a cute project. By the way, stop on over at my blog because I’m having a giveaway, party, need your opinion, etc..) Now personally, I am grateful when you tell me about something on your blog, so if it’s me, feel free….bring it. However, be warned that some bloggers consider this spam and may even delete your comment. If this happens, try not to take it personally. So, should you instead email people to let them know of an upcoming event on your blog? Again, risky. Tweeting, facebooking, posting about it within your own posts, asking good blog friends to post, etc. are all acceptable ways to spread the word about your blog events. Any other ways might be met with mixed reviews, so be prepared to accept the consequences if they come.
4. Linky parties. Let’s be painfully honest here: There are simply too many similar parties going on right now in our community. Everyone loves a party, and everyone loves to draw traffic to their own site, but when we’re all linking the same project post to thirteen different parties, doesn’t that seem like a bit overkill? Don’t get me wrong. I link up with the best of them, and I love to host with the best of them. Parties are a huge source of traffic on my site and are so much fun! I LOVE BLOG PARTIES! However, if every blogger hosts their own party, and then does a party recap every week, it gets a bit redundant, no? I don’t have any grand conclusions on this one, but I would love to see more themed parties instead of just a million “anything goes” parties. Thoughts?
5. Give credit and don’t lift entire posts/tutorials. It’s hard to have to email to ask permission before using someone’s content, but it can save you a world of trouble if you do. Generally speaking, if you link to someone’s party, expect that the hostess might use your project in their highlights post without asking first. Generally speaking, most bloggers are okay with you using a picture linked back to their post. However, most bloggers are NOT okay with you lifting an entire post, no matter how clearly linked back it is. And some bloggers are NOT okay with you using any of their content without their consent. Some will become very angry with you for not asking first. So when in doubt, ask permission and wait until permission is granted before posting someone else’s content. (I have copyright instructions on my sidebar, so others know I’m cool as long as you link back to me.)
Okay, I could go on here, but we have enough up for discussion already. Let me know what you think peeps.
Good stuff Beth, Thanks!
thank to you. Good blog
I'm new to blogging and ran across this when trying to decide what I want for my blog. This has been very helpful and even though I thought music was neat, I ran into the situation of needing to turn someone's off and too many windows open at once to figure out which even had the playlist. Now I don't even want it. Thanks to you and everyone that commented with their opinions.
This is fabulous! 🙂
Beth this is a GREAT post!!…I'm soooooo behind on my blog subscriptions (my reader said I had 71 new posts by you! OMG! where have I been!)….if it makes you feel any better, my whole list has over 5,000 unread posts!!
so my point is……I agree with you(I read your 1st post too, so I don't know which one mentions this)- some bloggers just can't make it around to every commentors blog – but I do appreciate when someone leaves a comment or better yet, emails me "hey come take a look at this!" or what ever…..THAT I usually have time for – but when I go to my reader and see 5,000 new posts….I just get overwhelmed. and I get sad that I'm missing things……I love to hang out on Twitter and FB though, they are good ways to keep up with some. – what I don't like is when they say "I follow you, but you're not following me…would love for you to follow!"
ok, my next issue is link parties!! I JUST emailed a bloggy buddy about my gripes the other day
1- those who don't link back to the parties that they link up to drives me INSANE!!….
I just started a weekly party several weeks ago, and I TRY to make it around to all the links AND comment but that's getting hard so now if they don't link back to me, I don't take the time to comment. *can I add here, that word verification is another time sucker!!! I SO wish people would remove that!
2- I don't like something new I'm seeing – there are some bloggers who link to a bazillion parties every week….now they have a list either on their sidebar or in another post to all the parties they link to – instead of linking to each party in their post!!
TO ME…that is like saying I don't have time to link to you, BUT I DO have time to put MY link on your blog!!…oh thanks for that!!
I've considered ending my party already because you are right, there are WAY too many of them – Mine is I'm Lovin' It and I thought it would give some bloggers a topic to write about each week….what they're loving at the moment, be it a project, product, picture they took, their family, recipe……but I can't beilieve how many link up that aren't really about this..or the ones that are linking to THEIR party or giveaway…
Ok, I've rambled here WAY too long (see what happens when I've stayed away too long! LOL)….I would love to link to your posts, (and I'm going to go see if Amanda ever did her Blogging with Grace series….
I seriously need to let people know about the email thing too!! DRIVES me batty! I try so often to reply to comments, and so many you cant!!
ok…..ok…….I've taken up WAY too much space here……..send me a bill for the space I just used! LOL
LOVE you Beth!!!!!!!!
Well said.
1. Music. Seriously??? If you like it so much, make a CD and play it on your computer while YOU blog. I'm with you totally on no music.
2. Blog parties. They are getting redundant and I can't keep up with them.
3. Week in reviews are also getting redundant. I feel like I've seen the same thing multiple times not including the original source! AHH! I don't have time for that!That's why I subscribe that One Pretty Thing blog, so I dont HAVE to read the week highlights.
4. Awards. When I was a young and naive blogger I thought the awards Meant something. I apologize to anybody I bothered with forwarding them to. They are like chain mail. Yuck.
Keep on telling it the way it is…hopefully blog land will become a peaceful place, free of music.
Love you Beth – You need to publish a book and market it through blogger =)
Totally agree with the email – Have so many questions asked with no-reply email…???
I'm a party girl so I love the parties. I see some of the same projects featured but if you really look at the links on each party you can find some fabulous blogs and amazing creativity! I'm all for the little picture linkies for this reason alone. You can see the repeat projects before even clicking on the links! I'm inspired by so much that I love each and every party out there. I say party on – but I do have to say your creative spin on parties are amazing!! That reminds me …I think I missed the beauty party…do I still have time..off to check it out! {sorry}
Beth, This is a wonderful post and so helpful!!
Wendy
Hi: I think Linky Parties are tricky: I agree that not everyone abides by the hosts "rules"…in fact, posts can be way off subject, and that annoys me. I like participating in the parties, but am worried that so much of that weeks traffic is coming solely from the party: well, maybe there is nothing "wrong" with that. But then I tried no parties for a week, and yes, my traffic dropped off dramatically. Point is? not sure, except those parties DO keep us all connected!
And, I most definitely agree about the music. Can't STAND IT!
Comments are so appreciated by every blogger, I think. Anything: just to show you were there and took the time to sign in.
Hey, I totally agree on the blog parties thing. And I have a weekly one myself, but I wanted mine to focus on finding yardsale/thriftstore treasures & not have it turn into a DIY project party. Some folks don't adhere to the rules, so I'm a little lax with them, but there are SO many of the same parties, it does get a little tired. I see girls linking up the same post to about 10 of them & there's no way that it fits all of them at the same time. I don't have time to visit all my party goers, much less all the others too. I hope the parties slow down! I'm sure not doing another one. I started mine last year & everyone wanted to do it again, so I brought it back again this year.
Beth,
Thanks for the informative blog. So helpful. —-LOVE your site!!
You speak (blog!) and I listen! Thanks for the instructions – I finally added my e-mail to my profile!!
See – this is why I love you. Way to talk about the issues! I'm pretty forgiving for the most part.
Blog music is a pet peeve of mine…mostly because there's nothing worse than piddling away a slow Friday afternoon at work and suddenly having the Back Street Boys blaring from your computer. And then fumbling to turn it off before the boss looks over and says "What on earth are you doing over there?!" Can I get an amen?
I also agree with the email thing. I can't tell you how often I want to reply to someone via email, and it's just not possible.
And again, I totally agree with the party thing. I don't know, I guess to me attending 15 different blog parties on one day is kind of like drifting in an out of 15 different "real life" parties on a Saturday night. It just feels kind of impersonal to me. But that's just me.
And I don't mind if people want to say something about their blog in a comment. To me, I feel like that's part of the community….as long as that's not the only reason their commenting.
Thanks again Beth!
I agree Beth, there is a lot of redundancy to be found in Blogland… How many coffee filter wreaths have I seen this week?? (0; But that's inspiration, and I think that's a great thing! When it comes to parties, however, I think that is merely STEALING an idea. It might be legal, but I don't like it! It's like Jane had a tea party and had 20 guests. Then Millie came along and decided I'm going to have one and Jane has suddenly lost 10 of her guests to Millie! NOW it's just a popularity contest, and I'm wondering if I'm back in Junior High! Some manage to party with both Jane and Millie.. But it all ends up in one big traffic jam, it seems to me! I don't know HOW MANY tea parties are going on right now. I have to admit, I love them myself, but ONE is enough. ~tina
Amen, Beth! I wish this could be a regular feature and that people would employ some of these ideas on their own blogs.
Word verification – next time, okay?
xo
Great tips! My biggest pet peeve is music on blogs. Not only is it startling, but 100% of the time I dislike the songs too.
oops…and by "this kind of thing," I meant the whole "me me me, look at me" style of blogging–which is lame, if you ask me
I love that you blog with honesty!
Yes!
I shared my thoughts on Blog Parties on my own blog, but I sure don't mind sharing here too. 😉
I don't mind blog parties, I like to host them, I like to link to them…but there's a way to do it with style. I don't mind another blogger linking up to more than 1 party, BUT I think the person should include a link to EACH hostess…and not just to their homepage–to the actual URL of each separate party. Too many people take the easy way out and just post a list of 15 different parties they're linking one post to…without bothering to update the links. And it's rude to link up and not bother to leave the party hostess a nice comment or a small "thank you" for offering a spot for you to link up.
I think awards are a great way for smaller blogs to network, but I feel like I'm personally at a point where they kind of get in the way of my blogging schedule to center a whole post around one. So I always thank the giver for her kindness and leave it at that. :s
I'm planning a little series on "Blogging with Grace" and I would LOVE to have you weigh in, or at least get your permission to link to this post (and the other one??) b/c we seem to be on the same wave length. This week, especially, I've noticed too much "me me me" and not enough recognition of the community side of blogging, which I think is so important!
I think some of the problems stem from the fact that there are so many new bloggers out there who don't know much about blogging etiquette yet. If this kind of thing is all they're seeing, how will they know any better? 🙂
great post…i was wondering, you know those super sweet blog awards…that require you to pass them on and answer a bunch of questions and jump through a few hoops and then lastly post the little button on your sidebar.
how do YOU handle these awards??
i have passed one on before, for it only to not be received…and that made me feel like a total goober for passing it on…and another time i said my "thank you's" to the blogger who gave it /passed on onto me, but left it at that.
so how do you feel about blog awards…lame, sweet or not really an award at all, just another plug for the blogs?
I had to stop myself from saying, "Yes, ma'am!" out loud on the email issue… stopped what I was doing and added mine. 🙂 I'm a newbie at all of this bloggy-ness. So, thanks for setting us newbies straight.
Great post and I am pretty much in agreement. I have been wondering the same thing about linky parties, but am torn. Mine have definitely increased readership. I personally try not to link up to too many, 4 or 5 at the most and I don't link old posts, and I rarely link more than 1 project at a party. And I love good music, but it slows down blogs and restarts every time you leave the main page, say to comment or look at older posts.
Great list of tips..went back and read your previous post too. I esp. agree with #1. I so want to respond to comments left on my blog via e-mail and its way easier if they are hyperlinked to the comment. I think I learned from you and several other great bloggers, that any communication you can have with your readers whether is be commenting back or e-mailing, is so appreciated.
Music…not a big fan of it either. It interrupts my itunes. 🙁
Linky parties…I LOVE the more unique parties that you and others have hosted (make up, shoes, what your into, etc). Keep up the fresh ideas! I also participate in a weekly photo party that has a new theme each week. LOVE that.
Thanks for opening up this topic!
I too hate the "no reply to blogger" when I want to email back! Thanks for giving instructions on how bloggers can fix that!
Yes, there are TOO many parties!!!! If I were going to "host" a party…. I would do a "metallic" party of some kind. I haven't seen that theme AT ALL on blogland.
Great info – thanks for posting this. It does getting confusing and sometimes you never know which way to go. Err on the side of caution is my motto. Although I don't always follow my motto – but that's another story. . .
I agree with everything. Actually I just noticed this week with all the blog parties, so many of the same projects linked up to each party. It does get a little redundant.
I couldn't even get past number one without stopping to comment and say I LOVE YOU!!!
It is my biggest bloggy wish that everyone would have an email address on their blogger profile!!
Thank You – good to know.
Now, I'll go and read the 1st post on this subject and then I'll check to make sure my email address is on my blog –
Thanks again,
Marsha
Great post!!!!
I just went back and read your 1st etiquette post…Boy, I know I have linked back to people saying "here"…I really didn't think much of it until I read your post! Thank you for "stepping on my toes"…ha!
As far as the linky parties! Yes, I think there are too many of the same ones as well. I just have 3 or so favorites that I participate in. I just can't do them all! :o)
THANK YOU for the reminders! I sure needed it!
Ditto on the email thing. It's so frustrating. Especially when doing giveaways!
I appreciate this post. If I can not remember where I saw some cool thing on another blog I mention it and have made many friends that way! I like the idea of keeping a book of ideas because somewhere out here I found a cute seashell wreath and forgot where I saw it! If anyone posted it and reads this come see me! 🙂 I have mentioned my giveaways but because I thought the blogger might want to check it out! I love finding giveaways! You can make some terrific friends with giveaways! I will be careful what I say and do but all in all I think everyone is very cool and I particularly like the pics with the bloggers name on them. Helps cut down on illegal using someone elses stuff. When I pull googly images I see those often. It is nice to know who used them there! Thanks for these tips! Hugs Anne
Well said! I actually went back and read your original post on etiquette and totally agree with negative comments. Nothing nice to say, don't say it at all. That's what I teach my children.
I guess since blogging is a fairly-new territory, the rules are being made as we go along. We're all learning from the more experienced bloggers. When I started my blog, I had NO IDEA what was right and wrong. Your etiquette posts have been very helpful. I think your blog title can answer any specific question – "Do on to others…"
I agree with Mel and am a bit annoyed when someone uses my comments section to promote something that has NOTHING to do with the nature of my post.
Music is definitely another pet peeve. It's just annoying when my pandora playlist is interrupted, I'm startled by the sound, or my computer is slowed from trying to load the music.
It's all a matter of being polite. Thank you for another informative etiquette post.
Gosh, I love your posts. You write about the coolest things. Here's what I have to say–Amen to everything. Like Kathy, I mute my computer as soon as I start to blog hop because music bugs the crap out of me.
Let me explain the party thing. I have a weekly party, and I was worried that I was one of TOO many. However, I was getting a crazy amount of giveaway offers, but I wasn't really enjoying writing the giveaway posts. Perhaps selfishly, I decided to make it a party/giveaway so that I would still have something to look forward to when looking at responses/entries for the giveaway. I don't even know if that makes sense, but I hope it helps at least explain my reasoning behind the parties. You're right, though. There's probably too many of them.
I'm excited to hear what other people have to say about this. Please do go on and on. I love it!
Great tips!
1st-I just went back and read your PART 1 post on this & I think I have violated/still violate a lot of them:( I'm glad I read it, because I will be more aware of certain things & some I had NO CLUE about.
2nd-I had NO CLUE my email wasn't listed!?! And I HATE when I try to reply back to comments & I can't! I was doing that same thing! So I stopped reading…followed your instructions & now show my email. THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS TO MY ATTENTION!
3rd-I feel the same way about linky parties. I will link up sometimes, but I like the "themed" ones better than…"SHOW OFF ANYTHING YOU WANT" ONES". There just seems to be SO MANY…maybe too many of the same type going on right now??? BUT, I have met some great new people through them and found some great projects for my to do list from them.
OK…I'm done with my novel! Sorry! 🙂
Brava, Beth! I think you make some excellent points. I keep the sound off on my laptop because I hate when something comes on and startles me, so I don't even know which blogs I visit that have music!
My main pet peeve is not giving credit to blogs. I've been printing out posts for projects that I want to try and keeping them in a binder. This makes it easier for me in two ways: I have the instructions right at my fingertips and don't have to go searching for the blog and the post; and second, I can give credit to the appropriate person. I have seen many posts where something was done already, that blogger may even have commented on that post, and then does the project, but doesn't mention where they originally saw it. Even if you give your spin on it. I think it leads readers to believe that you came up with this all by your creative self, which isn't always the case. If you forgot where you got the inspiration or idea from, I would say, "Sorry, I can't remember whose blog I saw this on. Give me a shout-out if you know and I'll edit to reflect that". Okay, stepping down off the soap box now. : )
This post gets two thumbs up from me!! 🙂
Great thoughts on the subject.
I have two pet peeves; auto music and comments on my post asking me to check out their fabulous, terrific, one-time-only e-book offer (or whatever the offer du jour is).
I see the same posts on several different linky parties, but that doesn't bother me. People are obviously very proud of their work, I am too.
***STANDING OVATION***
Great article, great tips, GREAT JOB!
Thanks so much for this great post!