It occurred to me that in my rush to get started that I know absolutely nothing about blogging etiquette. I understand that some things are learnt on the job, so to speak, but now I am realising there is lots for me to learn.
For example, when people comment on my posts (oh my goodness - the excitement when it happens, it is just like Christmas as far as I am concerned!), should I comment back? Thank them for their comment, hope to continue the interaction? Do I then go to their blog and make sure I comment on theirs? Is it okay to start following a blog and make comments without any previous interaction with the writer of said blog? Do you comment first and then progress to following? Or vice versa?
I don't want to be in anyone's face pushing my blog - especially as it is just about me. Not anything that may help them as such. But is it okay to gently steer people in the direction of the blog or the facebook page?
What is the potential fall out for not observing correct blog etiquette?!
I think perhaps some research is in order. And taking any advice thrown my way too!
I don't have the advice but I have to say that was a really good question. I nearly always reply to a comment - and I did wonder myself whether I should be replying to every one. Do people even come back to see that there is a reply? I don't mind when people tell you where they have come from but I hate it when they write a comment and then say, oh you should come and see my blog sometime. Which kinda means they only commented to get you over to theirs not because they were actually interested. I think that's BAD blog etiquette. : )
ReplyDeleteI agree Lee, that certainly does seem to be bad etiquette. And thank you for your feedback!
DeleteHi Sarah! I always reply to comments (I don't get that many so it's manageable!) and have installed a plug-in to automatically email my reply to the commenter so they always get my reply. I try to return the favour to those who visit my blog too - it all helps build relationships and readership. You can follow any blog you like and you don't have to comment first but it's always nice to interact in some way so they know you are there and interested in their blog. When I comment I use my blog name which helps people come back to me and joining in in linkups also helps get your name and your blog out there. Good luck with it!
ReplyDeletehi kirsty, thank you for your feedback and suggestions! I'll have to investigate the plugin too!
DeleteOh I love when people ask these questions, cause I am big on blogging etiquette!
ReplyDeleteFor starters, you don't have to reply, but it's nice too. People won't get them though with the blogger commenting system unless you actually email them.
Read and comment on heaps of blogs to start with. It's a good way to get yourself known. Visiting the commenters blog is nice, but does start to get tricky if you start getting loads of comments.
If you're joining a link up, you should always say so in your post, with a link back to the hosts site. Always comment on the hosts post, and then visit a good few other bloggers. At least four or five is a good number, but more if you can. If you show lots of comment love, people will have much more respect for you.
Any other questions, feel free to ask me! I love helping newbies out with this stuff. :)
ah jess I think I may,have many questions over the coming months for you! you mention some great points, thank you so much. I can't believe I forgot to link to the host site in my post. I was so period of myself for getting the link on,the homepage - will have to rectify that!
DeleteI'm not the most qualified to comment, but I always try to comment on as many posts as possible. I always reciprocate comments and reply to those left on my blog (even though they don't get them). Now I know there is a plug in, I must investigate that :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for asking the question, I have learnt from it too :)
via FYBF
Anyone who has been blogging for longer than me is definitely qualified to comment! Thank you :)
DeleteI think its always nice to reply to comments but sometimes its not always possible. And as Jess said, those blogging on blogger need their commenters to actually click that little 'Subscribe by email' link after they have posted their comment if they wish to be emailed a reply. I think if you ask people a question it's always nice to try and to reply to comments as you've invited them to join and keep the conversation going. Comment on as many blogs as you want, follow as many blogs as you want, and don't feel like you have to follow just because you've commented and vice versa, although everyone likes to see a new follower. I personally tend to follow bloggers if I comment because I like so many blogs it's hard to keep track of them all, so I'll often just sit and scroll through my google reader, reading through posts from all the people I follow, even if I don't always manage to get back to their blog directly very often.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Lee from Motherload that is is really bad etiquette to comment on someones blog and then ask or tell them to visit yours. I want people to visit and read my blog because they are genuinely interested in what I have to say, not because they feel like they should.
It's also ok to ask people to join you on facebook at your page at the end of post too. If you are looking for new facebook followers having a link to your facebook page in your sidebar is always a good way to start, as well as joining in With Some Grace's Facebook Loving Sunday link-up, which she runs on her blog every second Sunday. It was just on last Sunday so the next one will be on the 25th and it's a great way to find new bloggers to engage with on facebook.
Thank you so much - some awesome suggestions & feedback!
DeleteTook me months before I started to comment on other blogs, or actually even read any. Now I comment pretty much everytime I read any posts, and I try to read heaps of the link up posts.
ReplyDeleteI use a plugin too.
It feels like a big step to comment on blogs, doesn't it?! This plugin sounds like a definite must have too!
DeleteYou've managed to get input from the ladies who I've been learning from since I started a whole four months ago.
ReplyDeleteStarting up I would ask people to follow via facebook etc at the bottom of my posts and I took advantage of Graces Facebook loving Sundays to get to know fellow bloggers and build some connections.
That is a great suggestion about facebook at the bottom of posts - thank you!
DeleteGreat advice above! Just the fact you're asking the question means you're doing it right :) I personally try to reply to every comment both on my blog and by e-mailing the reply. I also try to visit that person's blog to read a few of their posts and see if I want to follow them or not. But as mentioned earlier, I can do that because I'm re-building my blog after moving it to a new address and don't have many followers.
ReplyDeleteI think the main thing is to figure out what you want from blogging and then go from there. Do you want to have a lot of followers even if they rarely comment? Follow me/I'll follow you blog hops are good for that, but be warned - followers from that type of hop often don't read or comment on your blog. Or do you want to engage people in conversation even if they don't follow you? Are you writing for yourself, to your readers, or both? A good way to meet people is to check out the badges in people's sidebars - that's how I've found some of my favourite communities.
Good luck! Blogging can be great fun if you find people you connect with.
Definitely some more things for me to think about - I think my boundaries have changed since I started, or maybe not too much...but it could use some thought & attention from me I think.
DeleteEveryone has been so helpful that I am already so excited about blogging & the wonderful connections you can make.
Oh, and I have yet to meet a blogger who doesn't LOVE having someone new follow their blog! That Christmas analogy was a good one :) You don't need to comment first. If it's someone who has a lot of followers they may appreciate you letting them know in a comment that you just joined, because it's hard to tell who the new person is (depending on your blogging platform) - you just see the number go up and don't know who joined.
ReplyDeleteI generally comment if I have something to say and only if I like a post. I try to be positive. I always check the blogs of people that comment and follow those that I genually like. I will not follow just to get a follower and do not always follow a follower.
ReplyDeletecranky old man
They sound like good rules to follow/be guided by. Thank you.
DeleteHi Sarah - I've only been blogging since mid-Sept so I'm learning the blogging etiquette ropes too. I usually go with my gut feeling and what I believe is good manners and courteous etc. I always reply to every single one of the comments made on my blog and on my FB page. I recently asked a question of a bigger blogger both via this persons FB page and via twitter - it was related to their area of expertise. I have not received a response and it has left me with not a very nice feeling - like I am not important to them even though I am an avid supporter and reader of their blog. I dont ever want anyone who takes the time to read my blog or posts on FB to feel like that. xo
ReplyDeleteThat would have disappointed me greatly as well. I think you have a lovely approach to responding and how you'd like people to feel :)
DeleteHi, I like to reply to all comments and generally, if they have a blog, will go and visit them as well...
ReplyDeleteAnd comments are like gold when you are starting out, so I really appreciate anyone taking the time to comment on mine, and for the newbie bloggers, I am sure they will too! But I think comments are best if they actually add value to your post, so I TRY to make every comment more than just say "good post"!!!!
If I have come via FYBF, I also like bloggers to know that too - its nice to know how someone ended up at your blog. If those I visit on FYBF want to visit me back, cool. But if not - I know that there will be lots of other blogs they may be visiting via this Friday Link Up.
Annie
Thank you Annie - that all makes alot of sense and sounds courteous as well. You are so right about the comments when you're starting out, it's such a warm fuzzy feeling! It's always nice to know that the blogger responds to comments as well because it feels good to know that they read the comments also.
DeleteExcellent question! and i have stalked everyone else who commented :) yep follow what they say :) thats all i do.
ReplyDeleteI just treat all the cybers as i do my friends. some one says something funny i like, someone says something i answer, someone likes me i like them back (if i know where to find them!)
good luck :)
Looks like you already have all the advice you need. I am sure you are doing a great job. It is fantastic to have you here blogging. I am always happy to ask any question, anytime :)
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