Blog Etiquette

Hello bloggy friends!  Today I want to touch on the subject of blogging etiquette...for both bloggers and readers of blogs.  I don't know it all (not even close) so I'd love for you to chime in with your own personal thoughts on blogging etiquette.  I'm sure you will have great things to share!  So here we go:

Thoughts for bloggers:

• Always link back...always!  No doubt you have likely experienced what it feels like to find content that you shared posted on another blog with no crediting link.  Of course it is also wise to note that there is a possibility that that other blogger simultaneously discovered the same content (this has personally happened to me and was really upsetting when out of the blue someone came after me with accusations of content theft - I was able to show them that I hadn't stolen the post content, but it was still rattling).  The main point here is not to police the blog world, but rather to do your part to give credit where it is due.  It seems that some bloggers think that it looks bad if they don't find all the content for their site on their own so they intentionally leave crediting links out of their posts.  Maybe some readers are put off when a blogger finds content elsewhere...but I personally have a higher respect for bloggers who make a habit of crediting their sources, regardless of where they found it.  Community and sharing is what blogging is all about (in my opinion)...and link sharing is a positive and vital way to grow your network of blog relationships. 
• It is usually in bad form to recycle full posts/images from another blog.  Since blogs rely upon incoming links for growth you are only hurting the other blogger by copy/pasting complete posts (your readers will have no reason to visit the original blog - even if you do provide a link), not to mention you will be profiting from their hard work (they had to find the content, write about it and assemble the post images).  Instead, give your readers a teaser image or two and let them know why you like the post...then direct them over for the full post content with a link to the source blog.  Additionally, freebies, downloads, PDF files, etc. should remain on the original blog that created them.  It is great to spread the news about a freebie you love, but it isn't nice to take the download and offer it from your own site.  Doing so eliminates any need for your readers to visit the original source blog...not good.
• Copyright.  This is a huge (scary) topic and one that I will be sure to address more thoroughly in the future.  But the main thing I have to note on this topic right now is to be sure to honor the artist/designer/blogger's posted wishes regarding their work.  If they ask for you to obtain written consent before posting...then that's what you have to do.  If they say they don't want their work blogged, then it is best to just walk away.  There are millions of those out there who are happy to have their work shared with the world...so go to it.
• Be proactive, not reactive.  From time to time you may come across someone in blogland (on your or another blog/social networking sites/or by email who has only hurtful or mean-spirited things to say.  Some blogs thrive on this sort of environment, but if you are not a blogger who enjoys this sort of atmosphere then it is wise to sort out exactly how you will respond to these kinds of individuals.  I have personally adopted the "kill them with kindness" philosophy and find that it is best to say nothing at all when possible, or address such individuals with a calm and understanding tone.  I think it takes a strong person to just walk away and not try to get the last word in...but I believe that it really is worth the effort.  If all else fails, ask a trusted friend in the blogging community for their advice and hang in there.  If you refuse to give them kindling for their fire, eventually they will have to burn out.

Thoughts for blog readers/businesses:

• Remember that bloggers are only human.  There are so many facets that make up a blogger's world (and everyone is different) so it is easy for some things to fall through the cracks.  Believe me...any kind comments, sweet emails, etc that you might want to share with a blogger can mean the world (they do to me at least).
• Newsletter no-no.  If you own or work for a business...never sign a blogger up for your newsletter without their permission.  This is something that happens to me all the time and I make it a general rule to unsubscribe immediately.  This practice leaves such a bad taste in my mouth that it makes it hard to want to feature the company's products after this has happened.

The best rule for blogging etiquette really has more to do with the Golden Rule than anything else.  "Treat others as you would like ot be treated."  As long as I remind myself of this then it seems like everything moves along exactly as it should.  I hope my little tips will be of help to you in your blogging journey.  Feel free to ask any questions you'd like in the comment section below...I'm happy to answer them.  xo Ez

Comments

[Kari (Ucreate)]

I agree with you 100% and love everything about this post!! I'm so glad you mentioned the newsletter issue where bloggers just sign you up without permission...huge pet peeve!
I'll be linking and sending my readers your way!

[Allison]

This was a really helpful post, thanks so much for sharing your wisdom with us less-experienced bloggers ;-) I'm relatively new to the blogesphere and am working on a blog for my internship and this really helped!

[Olivia]

Thanks for this post! I am in the process of exploring blog etiquette, and I find this very useful.

I do have a question regarding linking. Do you need permission before even referring to someone else's blog post? Or is simply adding the link to the original blog sufficient (I'm not talking about copying the material, just referencing it). My thought is no, and that providing the link back is enough, but would love to hear from you.

Thank you!

[Ez]

Hi Olivia! Great question! Unless someone has specifically noted that you must first ask permission before linking to/writing about them, then I believe you should be in the clear as long as you give a proper link with credit on your blog. Hope this helps. xo Ez

[DreamState]

I am a new blogger wondering about recipes! I'm inspired to get people on a healthy organic diet as I am. I follow alot of food blogs. Is it okay to post the recipe and photos from the original blog, credit,and write about the blogger..? I understand that is for the most part the entire post by the blogger. It seems a little far, but I do want the reader to know all of the ingredients, and I do want them to see photos of how yummy the dish is. Should I stick with just 1 single photo, and link to the original blog for ingredients, and process of cooking? Help : )
Thank you for all of the advice,
Kristina

[Ez]

Hi Kristina. This is a great question! I personally feel that the right approach when it comes to posting content created by another blogger/designer, is to share only 1-2 of their images and then link to their post for the full content, including the recipe itself. The only time I'd say this would be different, would be if you've modified the recipe and want to share the changes with your readers. In this case I still recommend linking to the original recipe that you started with. And of course, always credit any photos with an active link back to the original source. Best of luck and congrats on your new blog! xo Ez

[Patty]

So glad I read to end of these comments! The last question was exactly what I was needing to have answered. I will not be blogging about recipes but a similar idea where I will be sharing other's creations and photos. Definitely planning to link but was going to put the entire "recipe" on my blog.
Maybe just the photo with comments and the link would be better. Thank you for this!
Patty

[Jenny]

hi Ez! I am very new to the blogging world, and don't have any intention of my blog ever being read by an audience of more than one or two, but even so, I am SO appreciative of these tips. You have such a lovely way of spooning out advice that makes it easy to hear and digest. Thank you.