Jody Brettkelly is the glamorous blogger behind About Last Weekend. Here Jody suggests we hold the “Woah! Mutton dressed as lamb” comments and remember some blogging etiquette. Do you know all of these tips?
When I first started blogging 18 months ago, an IRL (In Real Life) friend said about URL friends: “Clicking into someone’s blog is like going to their home – all the same rules apply.”
It’s simply about being a good host and making people feel welcome – even if, like me, you’re neither domestic nor a goddess but rather a shover of the dirty dishes into the oven. And, on the other hand, being a good guest.
Quick Tidy Up! Do a swift spell and grammar check before posting.
Comments: Introduce yourself when leaving your first comment. Something like, ‘Hi, Jody here, nice to meet you. I came through BritMums.” Comments should be on topic and relate to something specific in the post to show you’ve actually read it.
Leaving a comment of “follow you, follow me?” with a list of your five URLs is considered spam.
Err on the side of niceness. Viewing a pic of someone aged 55 in a short denim skirt? You may think: “Mutton dressed as lamb.” Best not to write it. Even “You’re brave to go out in that – good for you!” can be construed as undermining.
Some bloggers are controversial and strive to spark a heated debate while others want only positive comments and make that clear. Take your cue from your host. For example, I think it’s acceptable to swear if your host does. I’ve even dropped the f-bomb on my blog after a particularly trying holiday with the kiddos and would be fine if others did the same in commenting.
Don’t make it hard for people to leave a comment. Some feel that having an anti-spam code is redundant if you already have comment moderation. Some codes are way too lengthy and tricky to read.
Photos: I never post photos of other people’s children without first getting the parent’s permission. I also clear photos with close friends and family. Some friends want to look interesting; others just want to ensure their bum doesn’t look big.
Transparency: Let us know if you’ve received free goodies from anyone mentioned on your blog. It makes you look ethical and decent.
Blogrolls: Blogrolls are getting so long. This is because shorter ones can give offense. There is no way round this.
Give Credit: If someone else’s inspired your post, say it. Linky love is what it’s all about. I think it’s fine to use a blogger’s first name when you link, but even better to use the blog name as well. All photos should be credited, preferably with the photographer’s name or a word like “Image” with a link to where you found it. Make sure it’s not subject to copyright.
Emails: Never abuse a blogger’s emails by sending them advertisements or subscribing them automatically. Do feel free to send a note to acknowledge their comment on your blog (if you’ve already commented back) or to say you’re a fan.
Content: Ranting about helicopter parents in general – fine! Annoying celebrities? Party on! But identifying that mother who let her kids trample in your garden and throw pizza in your fountain last Friday night? My friend, I will pray for you.
Some bloggy friends say they are turned off by what they call patronizing or overly familiar greetings by other bloggers: Hello Darlings, Hello Sweeties, Hello My Girls. Not sure if that’s a taste or politeness thing.
Guest Blogging: If you are featured on someone’s blog, don’t duplicate that same post on your blog. Sending your readers over will engender loyalty and increase traffic both ways.
It’s been fun to meet you! Hope you can pop over soon or I’ll come to yours…
Jody Brettkelly–About Last Weekend
Jody Brettkelly, 49, was brought up in the surf mecca of Ohope Beach in New Zealand. She never learned to surf, too busy perfecting her tan. How could she know that skill would fall from favour as quickly as her favourite duo, The Captain and Tenille? She worked as a journalist in London for 15 years writing for, amongst others, The Mail on Sunday, The Times and the London Evening Standard. She also appeared as travel and consumer expert for TravelTV and TalkRadio. She now lives in California’s Bay Area – where she has written newspaper columns such as “Wineau” – with her husband and four kids, ages 14 to eight.
These are some fab suggestions to follow with regards to blogging etiquette. I especially like the one about giving credit where it is due. I like them so much I’ll be printing them out to keep as a reminder to myself. Thank you
Excellent post! I think your analogy of going round to someone’s home is great! I always try to be polite and positive in my comments and if I have nothing nice to say I click on!! Even if I am commenting as part of a discussion I try to do so in a way that won’t upset anyone – we all have the right to different opinions after all!
I think its a good idea to raise these points – one of my real bug bears is the ‘follow me and I’ll follow you’ comment…
Thanks for posting!
Sarah
Hi Breastest News: Yes, I am always thrilled when people link me – and vice versa. (though bizarrely I read the other day someone complained when another blogger linked to her saying she was trying to steal her readers!!! Never heard this before!)
Secret Houswife: Follow you, follow me – I don’t get that either!
Loved your list. I’d add one more from my experiences this week – if you have been inspired by another blogger to write, then let them know as well as linking to them. It’s polite and leads to less paranoia.
Oooh and another – always read the blog post from top to bottom before commenting, it’s infuriating when people put comments that show they didn’t read your post!
But disagreeing is fine, politely!
Mummy whisperer: I totally agree – yes email them. And I love when people disagree with me – that’s what blogging is all about….
I’m currently posting somewhat along these lines and have decided a good mantra for blogging (and for life) is “Assume the best”. If you read a comment that sounds snarky at first, read it again and see if there might be another meaning to it. Perhaps that’s what the author meant? Never good to jump to the worst conclusion and hit the send button.
With regard to the lengthening blog roll issue – I think you can choose only to have a limited number of active posts on your blogroll. In other words, bloggers who are posting are on your list, (limited to say, 15) and anyone who hasn’t posted in a while, doesn’t show up. Then it’s not as if you’re choosing who appears there!
Expat Mum: think that’s a really good point. Too often I’ve “sent” a comment and realised later I’ve missed out a word or misspelt (misspelled?) a word and that makes it sound a bit odd, or a bit negative. Hopefully noone has taken offense yet…(Also find that “assume the best” helps IRL – at pick-up on the playground)
Great piece, Jody! Words to live by!
Hey Amy – so nice to see you here over the pond on BritMums!
I love this list! It’s all so true. I also agree that blogs should be happy places and not an avenue for negative comments.
Hi there, so lovely to see you flying over here too!