Most people would agree with this statement; my house, my rules. Or better yet, my blog, my rules. Your blog, your rules. I decided to write this post on basic blog etiquette (or my idea of it anyways) after reading a fabulous post from Brankica on human spammers. to quote her:
But this is my blog! Don’t come to my house and show no respect.
Basic Blog Etiquette
Now, don’t let the name fool you. The Friendly Blogger that is. While that is the way I choose to conduct myself, friendly, I will defend myself and my blog.
If you choose to come here or anywhere else and tell me what’s wrong with this or that, so be it. However, there is a RIGHT way and a WRONG way to go about that.
If you disagree with something I post or a specific tip or tactic, then say so in the comments. But do it with some class. Teach me, tell me why you disagree. My favorite phrase is, “darlin’ I’m gonna have to respectfully disagree with you.” Did you get that, respectfully?
Don’t try and humiliate me or corral others to do the same. If you’re such the hotshot, then again, HELP me to learn your side.
Bad Engagement
This is a community right? We should all be assisting each other to better the blogosphere. I preach and preach about engagement, but there is such a thing as bad engaging.
Provoking arguments or belittling others is bad blog behavior… and truthfully, it shows your true character.
I have my own run in with these “guru” types who are quick to point out others mistakes. I choose to kill em with kindness. I am not going to have an argument with someone who clearly has no class.
I will give you an example of moronic blog behavior. My post entitled Google VS. Bing recently had a wonderful comment left…which I did not approve. This was the comment, “It’s like Andre the Giant against Gary Coleman. B***h please.”
The absolute astounding professionalism floored me. A quick visit to this person’s (and I use the term person loosely) site showed they actually are trying to make money online. So, they are running a business and address people this way. Beautiful.
The Bottom Line
I don’t think it’s all that difficult to have some blog etiquette. Some people feel that because you are not face to face, they can spew all kinds of dribble your way.
Treat your blog community as you would your co-workers and friends and I promise you a more fruitful and successful business.
I am still utterly amazed at the way some people choose to run their businesses. The best defense I have against that is to practice what I preach and continue to build a positive community around me.
Have you encountered people like this? What are your tips for blog etiquette?
Let me know below and share if you feel the urge take over!
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I certainly agree with you Lisa. Professionals must be treated they way it ought to be.I enjoyed reading your post. Dignity is something which needs its space be it any campaign.
Anusha:
Thank you for visiting my blog and you are correct. Dignity is the best word to describe what I meant in this post! Kudos
Lisa
It was genuinely my pleasure, your blog is really nice:)
I have to agree with you Lisa. We have to respect other people in order for them to respect us. It’s a give and take situation.
Other people should read this article of yours. I’m gonna share it to my friends as well.
Anyway, Great post Lisa! thank you.
Thanks Nathan! I appreciae your support.
Thanks for visiting my blog,
Lisa
Hi Lisa.
I think this type of article is welcome to any blog and especially on a blog like yours, because in this area has a lot of ”guru” type of people who think they know everything.
Hi gnews:
Thanks for the support!
Lisa
This is great! It is good for everyone to read this so they can know how to behave even online. Well, just common sense, everyone deserves to be respected. If somebody wants to link their site, give some valuable comments at least. I’ve read too that post of Brankica, and I just can’t take it that people are getting advantage of other blogs. Thanks Lisa for this!
Hi Lisa, that whole situation with the “human spammer” could have been handled a lot differently. It’s so ironic that bloggers will pay someone to leave comments for them in order to get backlinks, but the comments that were left caused more damage to the blogger’s reputation than he ever imagined.
I can’t relate to anyone paying someone else to comment for them. Hopefully it’s a lesson learned on his behalf.
Someone asked me recently about my commenting policy. Well as it turns out I don’t have one – at least not in writing. I guess I have one in my head, but my goal is to encourage legitimate comments. I have CommentLuv, KeywordLuv and my blog is DoFollow, so I monitor comments closely.
Do you have a policy here?
Hi Ileane:
I know what you mean about his reputation. The whole thing turned “ugly” quickly. I myself, do not have a posted comment policy. I basically choose myself what will be approved or not. I also have ComLuv and practice do-follow. So far, I have not had extreme issues, however, I think a commenting policy might be good practice. Do you think people actually read those??
Pleasure to see you here Ileane and thanks for stopping by,
Lisa
Hi again Lisa
Just to answer that question about comment policies and does anyone read them….I do! As a newbie blogger, wanted to find out what this policy was about. They were always reasonable so if we are all polite and behave, no problem.
But I have noticed even when there are comment policies in place, still some people take no notice. I don’t have one but anyone new coming to my blog is checked out and I visit their blog before I approve their comment. Doesn’t mean I haven’t been fooled a couple of times, but I am more alert and aware now.
Patricia Perth Australia
Thanks for the input Paricia. I have to admit I read some of them and some of them I do not. I probably need to get better at that. I like when new people come to my blog and comment…I always go visit them and find something worthwhile. Love meeting new people!
Have a great Sunday
Lisa
Lisa, I guess that is one reason why I don’t have a policy, I never read anyone else’s.
I know some bloggers make a big deal about not allowing Keywords in the name field, and I always found that to be so creepy. Put it this way – you have CommentLuv, your blog is DoFollow, what’s the big deal about people using keywords???
Don’t worry I’m not expecting you to answer that, cause it doesn’t make much sense to me. But like you say – their blog, their rules!! LOL!
Hi Lisa,
I think I’ve used the analogy of a blog and someones home before, and I’m sure we’re not the only ones. The reason being is it’s so true. You wouldn’t want someone to disrespect you at your home so why would you do it when visiting their blog, which is in a sense their virtual home. Heck I’m sure there are some of us that spend more time blogging than with our own families. Must do something about that 😉
I’ve seen the way some of the so call probloggers act on other blogs. It’s as though they think their blogging stature gives them a right to misbehave. Well it doesn’t and the quicker they learn that the better for all.
Sire:
you nailed it exactly! Especially about the spending more time blogging part..:) I always try no matter the circumstances to treat fellow bloggers as I would my friends. It just makes life a little easier out here in a competitive marketplace.
Thanks for stopping by,
Lisa
Competitive would certainly describe the marketplace alright and as such we need an edge. Perhaps the way we treat folks who visit would give us something over those others who feel their blogging celebrity status is all they need.
Great blog post. And it is true, treat others as you want to be treated.
Thanks for stopping by and you are 100% CORRECT! The Golden Rule
have a great weekend,
Lisa
Hi Lisa
It is me again. I did not know there is a real story about this post.
Just now when I was trying to log out, I noticed Brankica’s comment and came to know something has happened.
I am sorry you got hurt. That is the worst feeling you had to face, but I am happy you faced it in a positive way. Keep up with your positive attitude you have a lot to gain.
fran A
Hi Fran:
Thank you for taking time to read my rant! I appreciate when people have something intelligent to say! 🙂 Also, I love Tristan’s blog so I know you have great taste as well.
Pleasure to see you here,
Lisa
Hi Lisa:
This is my first time at your blog. I got enticed with your catchy title, at Tristan’s blog, so I decided to come over read the post and write a comment.
Many times when I am writing it becomes so hard to find a good topic, but still there are so many good topics that everyone writes on. This amazes me. Power of human mind and power of words.
Lisa you have touched a good topic, that we should remember when writing a comment. Your writing style has made it even more vivid.
Thanks for the good read.
fran A
So incredibly true, Lisa.
They are actually getting craftier every day it seems like. Now I am getting quite intelligent and thoughtful comments… but they have nothing to do with my blog.
This is yet another form of disrespect: assume that my little brain won’t know the difference.
Nice Saturday morning read!
Thanks Ana. Anyway I can help start off a weekend! 🙂
What uuuuup Lisa,
People like that are just time wasting energy sucking vampires. I chose not to associate myself with these people. I don’t even bother defending myself. I just forget anout it and move on, NEXT!!!!
bLAZE yOUR tRAIL
Ryan I like your style!!! You’re a rockstar in my opinion.
Pleasure to see you here,
Lisa
Hi Lisa!
WOW. This blog post is awesome. You know what? I do believe that some people take their community and other bloggers totally for granted. You’re right, it’s not hard at all to hold some blog etiquette. For me, it’s common sense. I wish it was that simple for others.
Yesterday, I witnessed a pretty unprofessional argument from another blogger as seen on Brankica’s “human spammer” blog post. It was nuts!
You have to treat your readers like GOLD. That’s my opinion.
I wrote a blog post on SEO a while ago and had an SEO guru comment/argue about it. At least he did it with class and value. 🙂 I approved it and thanked him for his useful feedback and asked him how I could improve my SEO efforts/blog posts in the future. He said he was astounded at how I responded.
Getting defensive is the worst way to deal with people in the blogosphere. If it’s terrible feedback you’re getting, I’d say to ignore it. If it’s constructive feedback, I’d say to embrace it and thank that person for caring to share what they have to say! 🙂
Hi Elise! Glad to see you here and I to saw that on Brankica’s comments. I had my own run in with an SEO “guru.” My opinion? If you attack you are no guru. If you teach…I will grant you guru-ness status for the moment.
Treat readers as gold is a wonderful way to do it and I agree 100%!
Talk soon,
Lisa
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Wow, really? Someone said that on your blog to you? Nope, never happened to me, and of course I’m the type that probably would have gone back to his blog and castigated him all over the place; I don’t play that sort of thing.
I don’t agree with everything everyone writes, of course, and I don’t expect that when people visit my blog either. But there does have to be a level of respect, or else there’s going to be problems. In my recent past (almost sounds weird, doesn’t it?) I’d have argued until I was blue in the face; now I’m trying to cut things loose sooner. But if that comment had come to me, with that language… all bets are off! lol
Mitch:
I know exactly what you mean. There was a time when I would have been all over that site and ranting and raving. It comes down to I think maturity. yes, i grew up and learned the proper way to speak to people. Im all up for a good debate but not a troll war.
Pleasure to see you here,
Lisa
I agree with your points. With the way some old fools who call themselves bloggers do comment on my blog always piss me off. I’ve being contacting a spammer, telling him to put a stop to that act. He’s fond of spamming my blog about quick traffic software, but he would not listen. The next action I will take is going to be bad. If you are going to comment on other people’s blog, always drop a good comment. Thanks so much for sharing. Have fun.
Samuel;
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
I get some of the same comments about traffic software and ineffective stuff like that. Waste of time. I always try to add some sort of value to a post when I comment. I don’t understand why when you tell someone once to move on, they continue to irritate you. glad you enjoyed the post and I will be heading over to your site now!
Lisa
Hi Lisa
I so agree with you. I don’t like nastiness online or offline either! Cannot understand when people say abusive things in comments. I don’t approve those comments on my site.
For me, building a community is important. If someone doesn’t like my blog, they can leave immediately and not come back. I have only had one person who wrote 2 angry emails to me through my contact page. He took exception to a post I wrote.
I didn;t name any products or companies. Just pointed out the differences in some products and my readers were grateful. They now could make an informed choice. I deleted both emails and blocked from Twitter.
You are so right that there is a correct way to address a point of difference. It is with respect and courtesy. We can all take differences of opinions. Just not bad behaviour!
Patricia Perth Australia
Well said Patricia! Whatever happened to freedom of expression and someone’s own opinion? That freedom is not to berate and attack, it’s to agree or disagree or move on. People are losing the ability to tactfully communicate anymore.
your place is always a bright spot so I appreciate you sharing that over here.
All the best,
Lisa
I’ve got no problem with people disagreeing with me, respectfully or otherwise. It’s just when they don’t have the common courtesy to explain why.
You shouldn’t have to remind people to be polite, professional or civil, but unfortunately the Internet brings out the worst in some people. Maybe it’s a ploy for attention, or maybe they’re just fools.
Anyway, great post Lisa – it’s just a shame you had to write it!
Thanks Andrew. I agree 100% with the fact that we shouldn’t have to remind people what civil and professional means. Just fools sounds good to me. However, it’s people such as yourself that bring humor to the game and constantly help people by asking them the hard questions causing them to think. One of you makes up for 50 of “them.”
All the best,
Lisa
Hey Lisa,
thank you so much for helping me spread the word about this guy.
If I ever had a doubt in my mind about posting that I don’t have it anymore.
Hos comments degraded him even more and I have updated the post. Incredible! He even tried to insult me and threaten me.
I can only imagine how you felt reading that comment. I always say, if I have nothing to add I won’t comment. No link is worth it.
You just keep up the great work and more nice people will come!
Off to RT this (really, lol)
Hi Brankica:
I did see the responses he sent and just as the people I am referring to in my post, unprofessional. The problem is that when they are called out in the open for their bad behavior, they retaliate by insulting and name calling. Pathetic. I am glad though that I have found a warm and kind group of people to surround my blog with!
Happy to see you here…
Lisa