Blog Etiquette or Blogtiquette

Photo from Celia

I’ve had a couple requests for Blog Etiquette hereby known as Blogtiquette. Not that I’m an expert – just looking out, as usual.

#1. Give credit where credit is due. If you saw a post, meme, idea, etc. that you love and want to recreate on your blog – go ahead. Just be sure to give link love to the person you blogjacked it from.

#2. Do not attack people with negative anonymous comments. If you’re going to disagree with someone own up to it by linking your name otherwise don’t comment at all. Leaving negative comments anonymously is a cowardly thing to do.

Obviously, you’re not going to agree with every post you read by every blogger – but allow others their opinion. It’s their blog and they can post what they want to.

The purpose of comments in general are to continue the conversation, give encouragement, or thank the person for their hyperlink or thoughts.

#3. Capitalize, punctuate, and start new paragraphs. It’s difficult to read blogs that are a single run on sentence. FYI: ALL CAPS IS LIKE SHOUTING.

I know you’re intrigued, so here are other Blogtiquette opinions:

The Original Mud Puppy has some good ones I hadn’t thought about:

Rule #1 – Don’t blog about something that will get you fired, or cause you to lose a relationship. Unless, of course, you’re fine with losing said job or relationship.

Rule #5 – Don’t be long winded. At least too often. There are times when it’s alright to expound a bit. But let that be the exception, not the rule.

Stupid Church People has some great ones:

1. Each blog you visit is the Internet “home” of someone. You wouldn’t dare walk into a home and run your mouth at the host. It’s inappropriate to do on blogs as well. It’s just ugly and you end up looking stupid. Don’t do it. It’s immature.

4. …When I’m considering posting I ask “Is what I’m about to say going to add value to the conversation?” My “opinion” sometimes means NOTHING to the core of the author’s post. Therefore I keep my golden brain to myself no matter how great I think I may be at the time.

Rocks in my Dryer, a truly fab gal, posted the question and these are just a sample of comments from her readers:

* Do respond to people that comment on your blog. It lets them know you are interested in their opinions and encourages repeat visits.

* Do think twice or thrice before you delete inappropriate comments from your blog. Some of your best conversation will come from controversy.

Celia,who was one of the hosts of Blogapalooza I attended, posted her thoughts on the subject last month. She’s the one who had picture of the Queen picking her nose. I knew I saw it somewhere. Here are a couple of her thoughts:

1. Try to avoid comparing your life with other people’s lives.
2. Introduce yourself when you are commenting for the first time.
4. If you read a lot of blogs, allow yourself to feel blogligated to no one. {{my personal fav}}

Be sure to click on each link and read their entire post – they’re entertaining! I hope this clears up some questions and starts some good dialogue.

What blogtiquette do/don’t you follow?