This post is by Leia of HiFashion
I wish someone had given me a crash course on blogging etiquette when I first started blogging! Here are some tips I’ve picked up along the way. Please remember that these are all based on my personal opinion and not all of them are hard and fast rules.
Credit
Always, always, always give credit where it is due.
Pictures:
- If you are using a picture taken by someone else, make sure it’s okay to use it.
- Add a link to where the picture has come from.
- Do not steal bandwidth! Download the image onto your computer and re-upload it using your blog software or an image hosting site.
Ideas/text:
- As with pictures, make sure you have the right to reproduce text. Even paraphrasing ideas is a form of plagiarism, so always inform your readers if you have gotten ideas from someone else.
E-mails
Fellow bloggers love to receive e-mails from their readers. But there are a few things to keep in mind when writing to someone…
- Make sure you remember whom you have contacted and what you have contacted them about. I know it sounds elementary, but we once had an e-mail (addressed en masse) from a new blogger who wanted to be added to our blogroll. A month later, the same blogger wrote us pretty much the exact same e-mail! If he/she had taken the time to check our blog, he/she would know that we had already done so a month ago, when first asked.
- Don’t send mass messages. If you are taking the time to write to someone, make it personal, and address them by name or at least blog name. I know that if something isn’t addressed to me personally, I am much less likely to take it seriously. Also, you are probably less likely to send the same e-mail twice if you take the time to make it personal!
- Give and receive. I honestly don’t mind helping someone out – especially new bloggers – because I know how clueless I felt sometimes when I first started blogging. But sending multiple e-mails to someone asking for help and advice is a little bit too much, especially when it’s clear you just want them to help you with promoting your own blog. It’s fine to ask for help, but make sure you are giving something back, even if it’s just in a small way. That may mean just saying ‘thank you for your time and patience,’ or perhaps mentioning on your blog that someone provided you with valuable advice.
Comments
- Comment back: If someone comments on your blog, make time to visit their blog. It’s nice to get to know your readers. If you have time, leave them a comment, too (you know that warm fuzzy feeling you get inside when someone leaves you a comment? Rack up some good karma by doing the same for someone else!) If they ask you a question, see if you can e-mail them to answer it, or visit their blog and answer it there. I read so many blogs that I don’t always remember to check back to see if someone responded to my question – it’s much more efficient if you answer it in a place that they are sure to see!
- Spam filters: I hate them. If I have to go through a complicated process of filling in a word verification, I often decide not to leave a comment. And I really see no point in having word verifications as well as moderating comments! There are so many blogs that get thousands of hits and comments every day that do not choose to activate their spam filters. I recommend only using yours if you have already had problems with spam comments. Note from Editor: WordPress’s Akismet spam filter is quite effective without using word verification.
- Make comments accessible to everyone. Again, if I am trying to comment on a blog and it only allows comments from certain people (for example, only people with a Google account), it can make me change my mind about leaving a comment at all. I have two Google accounts (a personal one as well as a blog account shared with my co-blogger, Sherin) and I don’t like having to sign out and sign in again or switch browsers just to leave a quick comment. This can also diminish your chances of getting feedback from readers who don’t have Google accounts. Again, I would recommend increasing your privacy only if you have had spam commenters or other problems in the past, but if not, you should allow as many people as possible to comment on your blog.
- Negative comments (giving them). I usually go by this rule: If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all. No one expects you to like or agree with everything you read in the blogosphere. We all have different tastes and styles; it is completely normal to dislike someone else’s outfit or post. That doesn’t mean you have to be hurtful. Constructive criticism and differing opinions are welcome, but there is a nice way to say something and a rude way to say something. If you can’t figure out how to say it nicely, don’t say anything at all.For example: You see someone wearing an outfit you don’t like because you think it’s too revealing. Here are some polite ways to deal with this:
- Don’t leave a comment at all.
- Is there anything you like about the outfit? Focus on that. You could say, “Nice shoes!” for example.
- Do you simply have to mention the short hemline? Try this: “Wow, you are so bold for being able to wear something so short in public! I could never pull that off myself, but it’s great to see people taking risks like that.”
- You may be tempted to say, “Ugh, how trashy. How can you leave the house wearing that sort of thing?” Please don’t say this or anything similar. It’s just not nice. You wouldn’t walk into someone’s house and criticise their belongings, so don’t visit their blog and leave rude comments about their attire or opinions.
- Don’t leave negative, Anonymous comments. If you are going to say something, own up to it. If you are too afraid of saying something that can be traced back to you, don’t say it.
- Negative comments (receiving them). I am lucky in that our blog, HiFashion, has not yet received any negative comments, but these are my thoughts on them.
- A person who writes a negative comment is usually just jealous. I know it’s hard to take a negative comment as a compliment, but if someone has taken the time to let you know how they feel, they must feel quite strongly about the issue.
- If you receive one, you should delete it or ignore it.
- If the commenter has left a name or a blog URL, you can try to track them down and explain that the comment was hurtful. If you receive yet more negative feedback, consider barring their I.P. address from your blog.
- If negative comments cease to stop, address the issue on your blog. Consider disabling comments altogether if the issue really gets out of hand.
Music
I don’t consider it good blog etiquette to force your readers to listen to your music (especially if it is loud or has vulgar language). Keep in mind that everyone has different tastes! If I click on a blog and am bombarded with music, I often close it without reading any further, and I know I’m not the only one who does so. There are multiple reasons why I do this:
- I am often listening to my own music or watching the news while browsing through blogs;
- My internet connection is sometimes slow, so the music comes through in broken bits and pieces, making it very annoying to listen to;
- I sometimes open multiple blogs at once. Imagine if they all played music simultaneously! This has happened to me before, and I assure you, it is not a pleasant experience.
Don’t get me wrong, I love music, and I see nothing wrong with sharing songs with your readers. But you ought to do this respectfully. You can share music by adding a music player which readers can choose to switch on; embedding YouTube
There you have it – my ideas on being a polite, respectful blogger! Do you agree with my points? Why or why not? What would you add to this list?
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well said, all of it! i have stopped following any blogs that have music embedded. it’s just obnoxious.
.-= Corrie´s last blog ..Want/Need/Want/Need =-.
Leia, I absolutely agree with all of these! Though I can be slow and bad about many of them (like remembering to comment more often on others’ blogs), they’re all very valid points.
Like you, I do get dissuaded from leaving comments when my name/url is not an option– when I have to sign in with goggle for example. I think that’s particularly overlooked often, but it can make a world of difference…
.-= Ashe Mischief´s last blog ..IFB Presents: Links á la Mode =-.
Excellent post, Leia!!! You’re so right about everything. More bloggers need to follow these basic etiquette guidelines.
XOXO
.-= maria´s last blog ..And the Beat Goes On: Bloc Party =-.
Great post, I have removed the spam filter as of now! I never had a problem anyway…
.-= KB´s last blog ..Another day, another fashion capital =-.
Great points! Super helfpul info about commenting. I recently removed the login requirement on my site for the reasons you state above. Couldn’t agree more – I rarely comment on a blog that makes me jump through hoops to do it.
.-= Andrea´s last blog ..Top Ten Drugstore Beauty Buys =-.
Well said! I had a music playlist on my blog (still there) but I never thought about the autoplay even being an option to turn off! a couple weeks ago I realized this and fixed it, I felt much better that the playlist didn’t hit any reader in a negative frame of mind.
Important NOTE: many blog readers, read while at work…they may not want their coworkers to know they are “Bringing Sexy Back” instead of filing papers!
.-= Jessica´s last blog ..Moda Italiana =-.
really good points – i like that you mention attributing ideas as well as text – it’s so important to credit where you got an idea from, or where you first saw something. i always credit the blog where i first saw something, or if i get an idea for an article i also attribute the original blog…it just feels “right” to me…
and AMEN about the akismet and NOT using word verification. i have to really really really really really love you to comment on your blog if you have word verification and/or you DON’T have comment luv.
.-= grechen´s last blog ..personality + passion = great blog =-.
tooootally agree with the music one – sorry people who have music, i might actually love yours but just not while i’m listening to something else!
i’d like to add one more thing – try to leave meaningful comments, don’t just write on someone elses blog “cool – check out my blog it’s got outfit pics and blah blah blah…”
xxx
.-= Hannah´s last blog ..Shine on you crazy diamond =-.
this is great!
.-= punky´s last blog ..DIY Stud Heel =-.
I definitely agree with these points! What irks me the most is the music. It’s the worst when you’re at work and you open a new blog only to have music blast from the computer. The most frustrating is when you generally want to view the page. Obviously you can always mute your computer, but in my opinion, web sites should have an optional music cue at the top of the page. It’s just good etiquette. Then the reader can turn the music on if she pleases.
And, the word verifications definitely make it tricky for comments. Sometimes if I’m on a computer that I don’t normally use, I have trouble signing into different accounts. I’m not willing to spend five minutes trying to figure out how to leave a comment, even if it’s something that I really like.
Thanks for the post!
.-= stylefyles´s last blog ..The Red Ribbon =-.
Oh, this is a GREAT article! I completely agree with everything you mentioned. Particularly the commenting ability items – if I have to jump through hoops to comment on your blog, chances are good other people are JUST as dissuaded from interacting with you, as well… And that means your blog will probably fail.
ALSO, I would LOVE to add my biggest “blogger etiquette fail”…
PARTIAL RSS FEEDS.
Don’t do it! Never do it! People (like me, and MANY others…) will completely unsubscribe from your blog altogether if the feed is partial. Why would you limit the content obviously to up your site traffic? It’s completely rude, selfish, and the antithesis if blogging (sharing information).
.-= Miss Elle´s last blog ..B&B Loves Shabby Apple =-.
I agree with all of this! I don’t have as much of a problem with word verification as some people, I understand it. I had a hard time getting Akismet to word properly for me, so I use a different spam blocker – but it doesn’t require word verification and I haven’t had any complaints so far. If something requires Google sign in, yeah, I usually don’t bother with it. Music is a huge no-no for me, if I go to a blog and it immediately starts playing music, I’m very likely to close the window and never go back.
I also have another one to add re: commenting on other’s blogs. Like Hannah mentioned, leaving comments that aren’t useful and are just things like “wow cute outfit” are annoying…but the worst thing is when people leave copies of their URL at the end of the comment. I can understand leaving your URL at the end of a comment IF there’s no entry for URL in the form. But I recently saw a comment on someone elses’ blog that just consisted of something akin to “cute outfit, nice shoes” and then six – I kid you not, six! – copies of their blog URL. If someone left a comment like that on my site, I would be very tempted to mark it as spam & would probably do so in the end.
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Musical Musings =-.
This should be mandatory reading! LOVE IT! The only thing that I disagree with is word verification + moderation. I would have to delete 10 or more spam messages at a time. WordPress is good at sending stuff to the spam folder (sometimes legit stuff) but not everything, and seeing that crap annoys me. But at least I have entertaining word verifications
.-= WendyB´s last blog ..Molly Will Be Missed =-.
Miss Elle: well said! I get so annoyed with partial RSS feeds, it’s so unpractical… people are still reading blogs even if it doesn’t show on the visit counter.
and great article Leia! I definitely need to be more of a participant as well,I know I do… time is such a pain though, isn’t it?
.-= glittah´s last blog ..The Longer Length + SHOWstudio =-.
Leia,
I must say I agree with everything that you said, great job. plus I think you covered everything….. I’m trying to think of additional tips………………… maybe I’ll come back with some later! the girls have it with the comments with your extra blog url, that already comes up if we click on your name!! How many times do you need it to be in there?
Wendy is right, required reading for all bloggers! lol
.-= Eyeliah´s last blog ..Katrina =-.
what a great post! thank you…i am recently new to the blogger world…and am just absorbing everything i can…
i will need to look into allowing comments from other venues (other than say…a google account)
i so agree with you about the music! i love music myself…but find that i close down many blogs w/music…because i just have a hard time reading and trying not to pay attention to the words of the song…
and as far as the comments go…yeah…i am a big proponent…because i love how i feel when someone leaves me a comment or two…
elena
.-= elena d.´s last blog ..tie one on… =-.
Wow I guess I’m not that picky after all! I don’t mind when people have word verification, I still will leave a comment without thinking twice. Also, I don’t care if you leave a link to your blog at the end of your comment, just as long as there is a comment first (not just spam). And I love getting all (real) comments, even if they do just say “nice dress!” – at least that reader took the time to comment in a positive way. Gotta appreciate that!
.-= Ashley´s last blog ..Mary-Kate and Ashley talk fashion =-.
This is such a great post. I’ve read others that are snarky or rude…but this is just plain and simple to the point! I wish I had had something like this when I first started!! It’s a great reminder for us all! XO
Way to be lady! Word verification doesn’t really chap my arse, but well said all the same. : )
.-= Kristin´s last blog ..A simple thank you just doesn’t cover it! =-.
Brilliant tips!
I agree about the music, I can’t stand having someone elses music choices inflicted on me!
Re: comments, I
.-= Retro Chick´s last blog ..What Are You Wearing? Black on Black =-.
Oh, my comment suddenly published itself, weird!
I was going to say I don’t mind word verification, but I do get put off my blogs that won’t let me leave a Name/URL comment. My Google account is linked to my old blogger blog that is no longer in use so I don’t want to leave it as a comment!
.-= Retro Chick´s last blog ..What Are You Wearing? Black on Black =-.
This is absolutely wonderful, Leia! You touched on all of the most important points related to Blogger Etiquette. I’m especially pleased with the portion about music. Everyone has their own tastes in what they listen to musically, and I prefer if blogs either don’t feature music, or at least give you the option to stop and start it as you please.
.-= Cafe Fashionista´s last blog ..Smitten Saturday =-.
This was a great post!! Thank You!!!!
Thank you all for your kind, positive comments! I am off to visit all of your blogs to get to know you – because it is, of course, good Blogger Etiquette!
.-= Leia´s last blog ..Lazy Saturday Links =-.
I’m so happy you posted this! I’m a brand new blogger, so I’m taking allllll of this to heart as I set up my very first fashion blog!
Thanks MUCH!
.-= Patricia´s last blog ..She’s the Bees Knees! =-.
Really useful post, I was so lost when I first started blogging, but I guess most things are just down to personal preference. I dont mind spam filters or music I just mute my laptop. I do like that you took the time to explain how to be positive as I personally have been shocked by negative comments left on other peoples blogs, it is just so unnecessary! I appreciate all comments, even brief ones, sometimes it can be hard to say anything but ‘great dress’. I also actually prefer people to leave their URL on the bottom of a comment so I dont have to go check throught their blogger profile to see if they even have a blog. I do find it a bit rude to paste the URL more than once though!
Thanks for the post, I will forward it on to new bloggers looking for help!
Pearl
.-= Pearl Westwood´s last blog ..‘Over the Top’ Blog award! =-.
Thank you for sharing. Some of these points are so simple, yet so easily forgotten amongst the hype of blogging. As a fairly new fashion blogger, I’ll be referring to this article in the future, so thanks once again! x
.-= Anna Jane´s last blog ..Follow my blog with bloglovin =-.
I had never though about how annoying the music is. I now set my music play so that it isn’t automatic, so readers can listen if they want… thanks for pointing that out. the volume on my computer is normally off when i blog so I don’t notice music.
Technosunshine.blogspot.com
.-= Technosunshine´s last blog ..Brown Boots =-.
Great post, I really agree about the music, sometimes I forget that the volume is up and that I’m not wearing head phones, and it just annoys everyone.
.-= Rosie Unknown´s last blog ..Playing Dress Up: Just Your Everyday Cat Woman =-.
Well developed. Well written.
I just started my first blog so these tips will come in handy!
Hi, great advice for everyone. I don’t usually mind word verification (although it is an extra nuisance) but I have had trouble commenting on some typepad blogs and have just given up altogether!
I didn’t realise how rude it was to link pictures rather than downloading it yourself. Is it still bad to link directly from the flickr?
.-= Sundari Carmody´s last blog ..Marks and Remains =-.
I’m so glad WendyB directed me to this. I thought having my playlist automatically play might be annoying. Turns out, it is! I was too lazy to change it, but today I have. Thanks for this post!
Jill
Thanks for this! I just removed the word verification thing for comments. I will still keep comment moderation on though because of a very very unkind anonymous person who was threatening to sue me in their comment when I left the comments entirely open…
.-= Steff´s last blog ..Tilly-dee-dee =-.
Excellent article! I especially like your points about reciprocating with comments and about music. I hate when I go to a site and get assaulted with a wall of sound, especially if I’m working in an office. I love music but I prefer to choose when I’m going to listen to it.
Could not agree more! Especially about the music! I usually am listening to my own music and it gets tiresome having to close out blogs or search for the off button on their playlists.
Love Grace.
.-= Grace´s last blog ..This Monkey’s Gone Too Heaven =-.
i dont like when music automatically plays. it’s pretty annoying. also who knows some people may be reading this stuff while at work, imagine if some loud music just started playing!!!!
Great post!
Ok, I’ve deleted my music… Good points all, so thanks for letting me see someone else’s point of view.
I have started getting comments that are basically mini-posts or a stock comment going to everyone. And, of course, the blantant self-promotion comments. Please be authentic.
I agree, if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything. Move to the next blog….
I did geceive one “not kind” comment. Thus, I leave my filter on. And, of course, the person didn’t have the guts to leave their name. Weak.
Thank you for laying down the law of good blog manners.
Fabulous Finds Gal
.-= Fabulous Finds Gal´s last blog ..The Power of a Blog~ Powerhouse Mother and Daugher Blogger Team, Atlantis Home and Sea of Shoes, Featured in Vogue Magazine and Style.com =-.
Great points! I never actually thought that word verification would annoy anyone, but you’re right, what’s the point if you moderate your comments anyway? I’ve switched the word verification off and will see how it goes.
and I COMPLETELY agree with the music thing!
.-= Franca´s last blog ..Mr Scruff tea bags =-.
Thank you for this. I think that I pretty much knew anyway but it’s good to have it confirmed.
I also want to tell you that I like you’re blog and will be checking it out (and leaving positive comments!!).
Thanks, Em xx
.-= Emily´s last blog ..Paris vs New York: Battle of the TV ads =-.
I agree with all of this! Thanks for the great article! I think that innocuous comments like, “Nice shoes” are totally fine, but I agree that meaningful comments are the best. At this point, though, I’m happy for any comments I can get!
.-= Renee´s last blog ..I’m joining the 21st century…. =-.
Thanks for this post! I´m a beginner and it´s not easy to understand how to move in the blogosphere..
Most of the things you mentioned are just like the real-life- being nice to other people, this should be normal…and so I think I did well in the last weeks. But anyway its hard to get into the crowd. Today I ve red in a blog blogging is for connecting and dialogue. Thats the point…I´m looking forward not to play alone anymore
And I will switchoff the word verification…curious what will happen.
set the sails…
.-= smilla´s last blog ..Pinke Phase =-.
Thank you for this, as I have just started blogging this is very helpful as I had no idea there were any rules to blogging – I do now!
.-= Emma McDonnell´s last blog ..Winter Fashion for Rainy Day Shopping =-.
Fantastic post, Leia! You definitely touched on all the important aspects of blogger etiquette! I always make sure to comment people back and say only nice things. There’s never any reason to say mean things and cause Internet drama.
.-= Little Red´s last blog ..Bundled Up =-.
Well said, Leia!
I agree wholeheartedly with the music thing. I hate this on a blog and will just leave rather than try to work out where the control to turn the music off is located on the blog. It really is that annoying.
.-= A´s last blog ..Monthly Magic: October =-.
that’s pretty useful advice
thanks
.-= Joana Avi-Lorie´s last blog ..shopping =-.
Fantastic post! I am oh so new to the blogging world as well and already have learned a few hard lessons. The more articles I read on this topic the better and more ethical I hope to be. Thank you again for sharing!
.-= Rachel´s last blog ..Karl Lagerfeld Puts the Power in the Skirt Suit =-.
Wow, music? Really? I keep my mute button on most of the time so I guess I’ve never had a problem with that, I wonder what funky stuff I’m missing…
I certainly agree with leaving meaningful comments though, gotta say most often there are such good comments before mine that I don’t want to reinvent the wheel. Often giving kudos or way to go girl just seems appropriate.
As for comment moderation and word verification, even though I’m very new I just had to do something I was getting spam out the keester! I’m using WP SpamFree now, stopped spam like shazam!
Thanks Ladies for all your comments and suggestions and of course thank you Leia for another great post!
.-= modern hippie´s last blog ..Butterfly Effect Grand Opening is a Huge Success! =-.
I agree with your suggestions regarding spam filters. They are very annoying and time consuming.
.-= Mrs. Southern Bride´s last blog ..Très Chic =-.
great pointers; there are some things that I forgot about that you reminded me to do! BTW I agree, Askimet is a great spam blocker!
.-= julia´s last blog ..Our Sample Sale & Pop Up Store Picks! =-.
great article! this would be such a big help to new bloggers and seasned bloggers alike
.-= la petite fashionista´s last blog ..French Frenzy =-.