Monday, November 23, 2009

Dave's Guide To Proper Netiquette: The Blogger Version


So, I have followed up on the request of my fellow bloggers, elle and rucamosgirl. Their suggestions from a previously related post about the ALL CAPS syndrome made me do some more research and thinking about proper netiquette. Even more, I wanted it to be geared more towards us bloggers. After all, we wouldn't want to be that blogger who always sticks out like a sore thumb because of poor netiquette. Who would want to stick out as much as ex-CNN's Lou Dobbs probably would at an Immigration United Support meeting?

Hence, I've noticed and suggested some pointers that may help someone you know to become a better blogger. Also, hopefully we can end this ill together.

1. Writing relevant comments. The blog author and other dedicated readers/commenters can clearly tell if you've read the article or not. If you don't like the article, then it's fine. There may be other ones or even other blogs that you may like. Blogging is only half the task, the other part involves actually reading other people's blogs and commenting on them. After all, we all like a bit of support, praise and ego-pumping. Not only will you gain fellow support by doing this regularly and gain more blogger friends (as opposed to one-time hit commenters), but you will also be practicing proper netiquette.

2. Not using all caps ALL the time. Use when appropriate. For reference, see here.

3. Excessive blog-pimping is a no-no. Allowed on your own status or comments of friends who know or tolerate you. Writing it everywhere and joining every group to put your URL even though your blog is about cats and the group may be called "Bloggers Who Hate Cats and Cats Blogs" may be extremely annoying. Tied to #1. Believe, you and I and that person all want to get more readers who we can interact with, inspire, get comments from and entertain from article to article. But you don't want potential readers/followers/supporters/commenters to get turned off by seeing your link posted everywhere they click!

4. Check in on old friends (bloggers you first read and commented on or vice versa). The great thing about these blog networks are the connections you make. You don't want to be like Whitney Houston and be all cool with us like it's 1989 and then disappear some time after till a comeback in 2009. Try the Google reader too if you have it, it helps to keep you updated on blog updates. This makes it easier to go back and read and leave your words on an article.

5. TyPIng LiKe thIs iS UnACceptABle.  Not only is this pointless and makes you look like a retard, it's highly annoying. It's even more annoying than people posting their blog URLs everywhere. As a matter of fact, it's more annoying than typing in all caps. At least then, I can assume it's either stuck or you're angry (though it's still very irritating). Yet, typing like this is evident you're doing this on purpose. Hence, don't be surprised when you get less followers, readers, fans, friends, followers or the like. You're trying really hard to get attention just as hard as Ms. New York was trying to get into 'serious' acting after her stunt stint on Flava Flav's disastrous show. And boy was she trying. Thank God she and her awful spin-off show came to their senses.

6. Post URLs responsibly. This should be logical to most but the better (less annoying, greater display of proper netiquette) way to promote your blog is to join blog forums, category blog groups or other blogging networks that are created for that very purpose. The worse way is to post it every blimey place you can think about. For additional clarity, refer back to #3. If one does not heed to this, then in the words of the famous Mr.T, "I pity the fool!"

I have a dream...
That one day, all bloggers will be united in the quest for less annoying practices..
And we'll all better bloggers...

Until then, someone please tell _______ (fill in blank) if they are in fault of anything on this list.

Merci! Aargh!
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6 spoke already...add your 2¢:

michelle said...

love it! i was just having a discussion with my roommate about annoying comments and people who pimp their blog posts everywhere

the.kisser said...

LOL, omg that was great. i loved #5, once again i admit that i have done that via facebook status, never on my blog though...whew! and i agree with #1 immensely. i love leaving comments, but who wants to read bs under their post.

great points.
kisses.

Chris said...

These are all great points, Dave. May I add another thought Netiquette tip for our fellow bloggers? Thanks.

Every thought that pops into your head does not necessarily warrant a blog post. To quote Steve Martin in the classic "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles", here's an idea: Have a point. Everything is not an anecdote. You need to discriminate.

"Today I visited my in-laws" is not a blog post. It's a tweet. Or a text-message.

There, that's my two cents.

Anonymous said...

You included everything I would have wanted included! Great post! I may have to refer to it if I ever get the chance to go on my rant.
"Not only is this pointless and makes you look like a retard" This actually made me laugh out loud quite obnoxiously.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the shout out! Great to know someones paying attention.

As a new blogger (still getting the hang of things)I appreciate the tips. Thanks =)

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