The Ten Commandments of Blogging Etiquette

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Whether you’ve been blogging for five years or five minutes, you’ve probably come across at least a few examples of poor etiquette from other bloggers. From the mildly annoying faux pas to the “Oh no s/he didn’t!” shockers, there are plenty of ways to damage your online reputation, sometimes without even realizing it.

I’ve definitely committed my share of stupid mistakes, especially when I started my very first website. I didn’t set out to be rude; I just didn’t know how things worked. I remember thinking, Why didn’t anyone TELL me I was doing something wrong? And I’ve learned that it’s usually because old timers assume that certain things are common knowledge - it’s amazing how quickly you learn once you’ve been around for awhile.

In the interest of saving you the embarrassment I felt back then, I’ve created a list of ten online sins to avoid.

The Ten Commandments of Blogging Etiquette

1. Thou shalt not plagiarize.

See a really cool idea/concept/tip on another blog or website? It’s fine to write about your own take on it, but just be sure to link back to the original article or post. If people ever think you’re stealing content from someone else, you can kiss your reputation (and your traffic) goodbye.

2. Thou shalt not start flame wars.

If you don’t agree with a blogger’s stance on a particular issue, there are plenty of ways to express your opinion without going crazy. If you can’t comment without SHOUTING IN ALL CAPS, using profanity, or calling the writer names, maybe you should surf elsewhere.

3. Thou shalt not comment just to get backlinks.

We all know that commenting on other blogs is a great way to get traffic. However, it’s generally pretty obvious when someone is running all over the internet spamming every blog along the way. Don’t just say, “Great post!” and move on. Take some time to express real thoughts that contribute to the discussion.

4. Thou shalt disclose.

Even if you already have disclosures in place on your blog (and you’d better!), you should still identify things like guest posts or compensated reviews clearly on the individual posts. It’s so uncool to read through a post, only to find out at the end that it wasn’t even written by the blogger. It’s okay to make money; just let your readers know.

5. Thou shalt not be a social media spammer.

Lots of people use different third-party apps and websites to post to social media automatically. While that’s not a bad thing, I’ll tell you what is - when your third-party app sends out about 10 tweets at once, or when you set up a service that reposts the same thing on 3 or 4 different Facebook pages. Social media should be social!

6. Thou shalt promote thy peers.

Of course we all want to become successful as bloggers (whatever your definition of success may be). None of us get there alone, though. Share your friends’ posts, or recognize and congratulate them if they accomplish something awesome. You will never regret helping others achieve or celebrate, and your own blog will grow as a result. If you only focus on yourself, no one will go out of his/her way to promote your stuff.

7. Thou shalt not be boring.

Some topics just aren’t very exciting. Still, there may be times when you need to write about something a little more educational/dry for various reasons. That doesn’t mean you can’t still write in your own style! People should always see your personality in your writing - if they don’t, they might decide to read elsewhere.

8. Thou shalt not have an ugly blog.

Of course I’m overly nitpicky when it comes to how a blog looks, but it’s also a matter of function. If you have red text on a darker red background with flashing images all over the place, it’s really difficult for other people to visit, comment, or even read your posts. Keep things simple, readable, and inviting.

9. Thou shalt talk smack only in private.

I have actually seen bloggers write entire posts dedicated to insulting and berating other bloggers. In case you weren’t aware, this is a bad idea. If you’re frustrated (and trust me, we all get that way sometimes), talk to someone you trust who will keep things confidential. There’s no need to express petty, temporary anger on a public platform where you could hurt someone’s feelings and/or burn bridges.

10. Thou shalt not ask complete strangers to publish thy guest posts.

Maybe this should have been #1. Guest posting is a great way to grow your audience, especially if you post on a “big blog” with tons of traffic. But that doesn’t mean you should randomly email people and beg them to post your stuff. Develop relationships with others (even the big bloggers - they’re busy but they’re still real people!) and look for opportunities to help them out instead of focusing on what they can do for you.

There you have it - ten ways to keep from making an ass of yourself on the internet. This list is clearly not exhaustive, but hopefully it gives you an idea of what NOT to do! Any other blogging no-nos you can think of?