Blogging Etiquette | Word to the Newbies | Week 8
Good morning Monday readers! If you’ve been following, you’ve read seven bloggers best advice in this summer’s series Word to the Newbies. Today’s guest, Jacy from Hello Awesome, is our eighth and final contributor, and her word to the newbies is all about online etiquette.
Ah blogging. An outlet for creative nerds, weary mamas and sweet foodies ( I can say that because I consider myself all three!) It’s amazing the different kinds of blogs out there, all different sizes and topics. When I first started, it was overwhelming. I never knew there was this entire world online. As someone who was just laid off and struggling as an artist, I wanted in.
One thing I wished I learned 4 years ago was that etiquette matters on the internet just as much as off. It’s a huge mistake to think having proper manners doesn’t make a difference when we blog. Nothing can be further from the truth! Manners always matters and how you carry yourself speaks about not only who you are, but what your blog is about.
That being said, I have a little advice for you newbies. I only wish I had a time machine to go back and slap myself in the head with this. Not to be mean but to open my eyes. Relationships are what build your blog and brand. How you interact with others is just as important as what you post.
So do everyone a favor and please leave a comment, not a sales pitch.
In my book 10 Blogging Etiquette Tips for Newbies, this would be Tip #3. When you leave a comment on a blog, what you say shows where your heart is. Here’s an example of what not to do:
“I love your blog! Come check out mine sometime. I’d appreciate a follow back!! www.desperatenewbie.blogspot.com!”
Yikes. I know you’ve done it because we’ve all done it. We leave a desperate plea to try and get the other blogger to go to our blog and follow us. I like to call this “abusing the comment box.” Why? Well, it’s called a comment box not a promotion box! It’s totally fine to have that desire to bring people to your blog. It’s good that you have a drive to promote what you do but there is a proper way to do it.
This isn’t just something looked down upon in the blog world. If you’re on any social media site and get this notification, you probably would be turned off. Try to put yourself in the other blogger’s virtual shoes. How would you respond to a comment like that? What if it was on a post that took you three hours to write and shared the deepest parts of your heart? Kinda rude, huh?
By not acknowledging what the blogger wrote and instantly thinking of how to promote yourself, it not only will make the other blogger irritated but it doesn’t shine a nice light on your etiquette skills. You don’t have to write a novel or come up with false flattery but here’s a better way to leave a comment:
“Jacy, this post really got me thinking. I am going through the same thing, wow! It’s like you knew! Thanks for sharing.
Blessings, Newbie http://www.professionalsoundingnewbie.blogspot.com”
Do you see how different that sounds? If you want to promote your blog, that’s okay! It’s not a bad thing. The problem lies with the approach and execution. If you truly love a blog, tell them that! Tell them why you love the post, even if it’s only a small part that jumped out at you. Respond to what they wrote and them simply place your blog link under your signature. No “follow me!” or “come check me out!” You just don’t have to say it.
Having good manners is thinking about other people. The best thing you can do as a newbie blogger is build relationships, make genuine comments and learn how to promote yourself properly.
Besides, you want genuine readers! Numbers don’t matter if no one reads your blog. If you can just be yourself and meet people on an honest level, the numbers will take care of themselves.
About the Author
Jacy is a New England girl to the end who loves Jesus, watercolors and anything with peanut butter cups. She’s wife to one amazing husband, and mama to one super cute/silly boy. She writes about motherhood, faith, crafts, DIY projects, recipes and anything creative.