Fabulous Friday: Blog Etiquette

I consider myself to still be a newbie, but some basic principles were pretty apparent early on, especially as I visited more blogs and comments and all I ever got was {crickets chirping} – that means silence, as in there is no response, it is so quiet all you can hear is the crickets chirping. So I quit visiting…why should I participate when it seems no one cares? To me that is what blogging is {partly} about. OK, then I started again, I visited a few big bloggers and I actually received responses…different kinds…some would send an email back, some would comment on my post, some would do both. I was thrilled.

I still have blog nerves when I visits “big” blogs…but I have learned that some of the big bloggers who are super busy and have tons of people commenting have better blogiquette than blogs with fewer followers…a correlation there perhaps?

This all leads me to my oh-so-scientific formula of…
MY Blogiquette Do’s:

As my blog has grown it has become harder and harder to keep up…I still try…I think it is important…I feel that it is the interaction on blogs that make them unique and interesting and without that…well, some are still interesting, but then I am missing the point. So, I may not be commenting back the next day, but I will get there. I cannot say that I have NOT missed a blogger here or there along they way but it was not on purpose…I just messed up – it happens…ask my kids.

1. The number one way I used to respond to comments is by visiting the blog and commenting back. It has, however, become easier – as my comment numbers have grown – to shoot an email back first and then follow up with a visit. With a quick email response, at least you know someone is out there listening. HOWEVER if your blog is not linked to your profile and you do not leave the URL in the comment, I cannot…I have had a handful of these instances recently and I feel bad…and the emails are also “No-Reply @ Blogger,” so there is no way to contact anyone. If you need to know how to link your email, go to your dashboard, click on edit profile, go down to the box that says “Show my email address.” Don’t want to plug up you regular inbox?…Get a free email {it is easy} and add it further down on that same page where it says “Email Address.”

2. If you ask me a question, I will answer it in an email or at your blog {if you are a no-reply @ email person}.

3. I try to leave a decent comment. I won’t lie…I have visited some blogs and I am at a loss, but I think of something beyond “great post.” Unless of course, your comment to me was “Nice post.” You may just get that back. Warning I use “love” and “fabulous” a lot but only if I mean it!

4. Personally, I think it is rude to not respond at all to someone who visits and takes the time to comment. This happens to me a lot and it is my pet peeve. So, I strive to respond to comments.

5. Before I “give up” on a blog – if I really like that blog – I will  comment 1-2 {sometimes more depending on the blog} just in case…I know  I miss a comment here and there but when you miss 2,3, and 4  times…that is just ignoring.

Linky’s and Blog Hops

1. If I join a Blog Hop/Blog Party {via a linky} I will always follow the person whose blog I am joining the party at {it only seems fair}. I will leave a comment as well {I have slipped up there a time or two when it has been late at night}.

2. If I join in someone’s giveaway, I will follow too…most require this, but even if they don’t, it only seems fair.

3. I have never hosted a linky, so I will remain silent about the host/hostess job until I do. NOTE: I now host a weekly linky, Tickled Pink on Fridays, and I do visit and comment on each blog that links up. However I am considering only commenting on those blogs who link and comment…it is a time consuming process…but I will still visit the blogs.

Um yeah, I would have to win the lottery to be able to sit on my behind and read every blog I follow. I do not even know the number and really do not want to. So here is how I read…
1. If you comment on my blog…you are first on the list of who I visit.
2. When I finish visiting the commenters on my blog then I hit my folder of must read blogs – ones with great writing, great ideas and inspiration {they do not all get comments…lots of crickets chirping}*.
3. Then I hit the reader.

Credit Where Credit is Due
1. Katie of Katie’s'>http://katiesnestingspot.blogspot.com/”>Katie’s Nesting Spot brought up a very good point that I did not originally touch on here – so I am adding it…In her own words…”If your craft or idea is inspired by someone else you should say  so, and leave their name, not “here” and link.  I also think if you  take someone’s photos for a feature you should always drop them a line,  telling them so.”

Building trust and a community, to me, are essential components of blogging. It is only fair to link and credit the source of the inspiration or photo.I am pretty sure I have done this continually…giving someone else the credit they deserve is no skin off my back and helps us all. And I know I need to start watermarking my photos!