With the onslaught of social media tools at our disposal, it’s easy to forget that proper etiquette should still be observed in the cyber world. This still is a community after all with live people behind the computer screens. It shouldn’t follow that just because we are hidden from view and can go by a user name and avatar, we can get away with being uncultured, impolite, or just plain rude. Here we have compiled the top ten worst blogging offenses you can commit. As a blogger you are responsible for influencing people who can come across your blog. It only makes sense for you to do what is right.
1) Acting Like Mr. Know It All. There are few things more annoying than somebody who acts like they know everything. Bragging on a blog can be a huge turn off. People go to read blogs so that they can learn. Not to feel like dunces.
2) Becoming a Comment Hog. It’s okay to wallow around in your comments area with an occasional “thanks” or a piece of information relevant to keep the discussion flowing. However, it is difficult to understand how some bloggers feel this compulsive need to publicly reply to each and every comment posted by a reader. The best part about a discussion thread on a blog is the flow of ideas and healthy debates that come out of it. You as the blog owner should act like the adjudicator in this arena, letting all sides subside before you put in your final say.
3) Installing Too Many Ads. First and foremost, you are a blog. You have constructed a site with relevant information on a particular topic and that is very admirable. Because of your blog, you are helping thousands of people who have concerns over some things and you lend them your expertise. Once your prime goal shifts from helping out people to thinking about how you can harness more cash from the site, well that‘s a big turn off. One or two ads are generally okay.
4) Stealing content. This should be a given. Much like your reports back in high school when plagiarism killed all your hopes for an easy A. It is the same life on the virtual world. You should never even think about copy-pasting loads of information from another’s property and passing it off as your own. There will be instances when you would like to share a particular video or relevant tips and should this happen, ask permission. It’s not too hard to email the author of the content that you like and it is not hard to write “photo by:” after an image.
5) Forgetting to build links. The only real way to a healthy community is to consistently reference sites that have helped you in some way. By building a link to an article or a report that you read in your blog, you are helping build traffic to another related site. This shows that you are a courteous blogger while becoming a credible source of information. Build a healthy online community, reference your resources and build links. Backlinking to your own article is also a must.
6) Being One Sided. As a general rule, a blog is a free for all. As the author of one, you should not be biased when it comes to handling comments from your readers. Please do not remove a post based only on the fact that it has a different opinion from you. Granted that he does not resort to crude and foul language then by all means, learn from what he has to say. Some bloggers even go to the extent of completely banning some people from their site because they have different beliefs.
These are some basic blogging faux pas. Remember, the internet can seem chaotic at times. Let us not add to the chaos and instead let us blog the healthiest way we can. Remember to manage your social media profiles and your blogs with these simple tips in mind.
Michelle Baron is a freelance writer for a customer service-oriented hosting company, she posts about personal development, and has had thoughts of training to be a doggy barber.
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This post was written by...
mitz – who has written 197 posts on Lets Build Websites.
I am addicted to internet marketing and making money online. Who wouldn't want to live that life? I started out with one website as a hobby and now have over 20. Building websites and making money online is not that hard. You have to actually take action to make money...that is the biggest hurdle! :)
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
I must totally agree. We must need to ask the opinion of many people so that we cannot make mistakes. This mistakes can lead us to failure. Share thoughts that your readers will surely like so that you can built good relationship to them.
TracyAnn0312 recently posted..יוגה
And Check. Yes, got all 6. Does this mean I am the most awesome blogger alive now?
Wait I know it all so the answer is: Yes, I am. Yay!
Danny recently posted..Remington RM1015P 10-Inch 8 Amp Electric Pole chain Saw
Great stuff here. Thanks for this great tips. Adding great value to your write up is what keeps the readers come back to your site and make your blog makes money. Stealing content is not only a crime but it could ruin your reputation and bring harm to your site. Google penalized duplicate content and they really emphasize this on the Panda update.
Value and attitude is really very essential when it come to blogging. People access the internet for them to be able to gain good and reliable knowledge. The readers and viewers will consider your post reliable if they feel that you are sharing something that is positive and relevant. In everything you do, you should certainly have positive attitude and good values.
Liane Markus recently posted..סוכות
Maintaining a good character in and out of the internet should be kept by people. We must take in consideration that kids can also see us do we want them to imitate us?
Danica Stone recently posted..10 Ways on How to Improve Leadership Skills
Very true Danica
I always say that if you cannot say it in front of your mother, then do not say it!
This is true. right conduct should also be observed even in the internet. Copying content from other sites is like stealing you cannot be penalized here but its the same as stealing from a house.
Cara Tan recently posted..mark nason
I agree with you because I have made a lot of mistakes than this but these are some mistakes I consider to be most damaging and what you have told are best served to avoid. If blogger would follow the errors to avoid we can have blog in a healthiest way.
Zhyra Bonete recently posted..Best Alarm Systems for the Home
well I am guilty of 3 of the 6. Thanks for the heads up. Still learning and fine tuning.
kurt recently posted..Added Twitter
I agree that one of the most important rules of a blog is that you have to add some kind of value to your users / readers. That as a general rule they are landing on your site to acquire some knowledge on a particular topic / field of discussion.
Having fresh, unique content and providing links to further points of discussion is always a wise idea.