10 Blogging Etiquette

1.Please do not delete the ‘About’ page and try not to have these texts in it ‘This is an example of a page…’. If you are inspired to start a blog, writing two lines about the blog won’t take much time (description need not be too personal if you are not comfortable); it will give the readers some idea about your blog’s agenda.

2. When you are following a blog, at least once, visit the website and navigate to see what the blogger writes about. You will also know about the particular interests and be able to comment logically on the blog. This is important to acquaint yourself with the blogger. Click the various ‘Tabs’ to help you with this.

3. You may want to ‘Reblog’ a blogger’s work, as you feel it should be read by more people because it has a positive and relevant message, through which people can benefit. You are also promoting the blogger (a good gesture); always ask for the blogger’s permission before ‘Reblogging’.

4. You may not agree with everything that a blogger writes or proposes through the blog, it’s absolutely fine. But ensure that you do not hurt the sentiment of a blogger with harsh comments. Agree to disagree with maturity. Everyone has the right to express their views.

5. Some bloggers prefer to remain anonymous, but that does not mean they cannot come up with an incredible body of work. Respect their choice of remaining anonymous, and do not be too inquisitive to know about personal lives.

6. Digital space gives anonymity, and this virtual world is the ‘melting pot’ where people from all walk of life, from various countries and regions, come to present their talent in front of the world. Please do not hide behind anonymity to attack someone personally or their work.

7. Not everyone is fluent in ‘English Language’, so grammatical mistakes will be there. Even the best make them while they get engrossed in narrating their work with words. Don’t be too critical. You can politely point out only if you know the blogger or interact on a regular basis. Be culturally sensitive and steer away from making inflammatory statements.

8. While ‘commenting’ on a blog, remember you are supposed to do so on the bloggers work and not come up with sentences like ‘I have a similar article, please visit my blog to read it’, without making any comment about the blogger’s effort. Self-promotion is fine, but not in this manner. After you have commented properly, you can always request a blogger to visit your website and look around. It should always be an invitation and not abrupt comments. Do not leave unnecessary links in the comment section.

9. Engage with fellow bloggers, do not remain ‘silent followers’. You won’t be noticed as there are numerous blogs out there on the Internet. Visit blogs; if not, comment, at least read and like their work. People will know you have a blog and you will gain readers.

10. Give credit wherever it is due, if you want to cite some bloggers work, take permission and provide a link back to the original. Stay away from plagiarism, there are ways to find that out in an instant, so do not malign your reputation as a blogger.