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I wasn't going to do this post, but it was requested after my Twitter Etiquette post last week. I don't claim to be the blogging expert. But I will share with you some do's and don'ts that I've picked up on the way.
DO:
- Provide content that is of VALUE to the reader. Meaning don't go on about your day yesterday, and how much you prefer peanut M&Ms to plain. At least not EVERY time. You don't have to have super writing advice or anything, but you do have to make it worth my while to read it. A unique point of view (forgive the pun on my title) or some interesting facts. Maybe a comparison I can relate to.
- Reciprocate by commenting on the blogs of those who take the time to do the same for you. I try to do this right away if I'm at all able. And I LOVE visiting your blogs.
- Make it easy to find and pass the blog info on. See how I'm using these little bullet doohickies? That makes it easier on your eyes. I also make sure the print is LARGE. So if you want to skim, even though I want you to read it all, you CAN. The title is another way to make it easy to find. You can tell what I'm talking about here. Sometimes I make them funny (or so I think). I also link between Twitter and my website to make it easy to find my blog. I even provide you with a nifty little button so you can SHARE the post or FOLLOW me. Isn't that nice?
- Find what works for you and stick to it. Find your niche. It took me a while to figure out what I wanted to do exactly with this blog, but now that I have, I'm having a blast!
- Comment if you read a post. You took the time to read it. Why wouldn't you say hello and let the blogger know what you thought? If they follow my etiquette rules, they'll do the same for you!
DON'T:
- Write novel-length diatribes. I may love you, but when my eyes start crossing and my vision gets blurry from looking at your blogpost it's a problem. The simple truth is I'd end up skimming if I read it at all.
- Leave a generic comment that really says "I didn't bother to actually read this" or worse yet "You should check out MY blog!" Unless you have a post on the same subject or something. If you're just advertising, you're far better off being friendly. You catch more flies with honey you know!!
- Rant. I know I keep beating you over the head with this, but really, please, DO NOT air your tantrums in public. If you write it online, whether in a comment or a post, it is going to be read. And the more angry/inappropriate/hotheaded it is, the more it will spread. It's kind of like when there's an accident and people slow down to take a look. It's morbid curiosity. But you can ruin your reputation in a heartbeat.
- Blog just because you think you're supposed to. This takes commitment folks. If you don't enjoy it, not only will it probably show, but you'll end up giving in at some point because it takes a lot of work. Do it if you like it. Luckily it's writing and most of us naturally gravitate to that.
- Post your work online in hopes of critique. I see this a lot. A. If you post it, it's considered published, and if it's long enough that could cause issues if you actually want to publish it. B. It might not be the kind of thing you want to advertise. Maybe it's *gasp* not as good as you originally thought and an agent/editor stops by and isn't impressed. Or maybe you put it up a year ago, and an agent with your full says, "hmm, I wonder why it's taken so long to find an agent, maybe I should rethink this". Is this likely to happen? No. But YOU NEVER KNOW.
Hopefully this was helpful. Did I miss anything?
I think you covered the basics. I end up focusing on what readers seem to like the most, which is writing. I just try and be myself in the posts so they're not dry. And I try to have fun with them too b/c I don't like taking anything too seriously! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat point - and something we should all keep in mind. I'm sharing :)
ReplyDeleteYou definitely hit the key points, Lisa. I comment on every blog that has left a comment on mine. Okay, almost every blog. Some days I get between 40-50 comments, so I can't possibly read 40-50 long winded posts about nothing. Then I'd get zero work finished. Fortunately most blogs I visit are interesting, and others have gained me as a loyal follower (commenter). :D
ReplyDeleteExcellent, excellent post. Blogging well is hard work and a commitment, but often reaps lovely results in terms of connections with and what you learn from others. Thanks for mentioning the decent-sized font thing--it KILLS me when I go to a blog and the font is miniscule.
ReplyDeleteFinding your niche is key to longevity (not being a blog-that-disappears). I really try to visit everyone who comments, but often I can't and I hope that people understand. I think you have to do just as much as you want/can in the blogosphere and not feel guilty about not doing more. #avoidsburnout
ReplyDeleteI just started a once-a-week blog for my local online newspaper, and their guidelines suggest 500-800 word blog posts. I'm like, whaaat? That's really too long, I think. Occasional longer posts are great, but every time? As you say, people will start to skim. Or not come back. #readeverywordofthispost :)
Thanks for sharing!
Great post! That last point is so, so true. I sat in on an agent panel at the last conference I went to, and that topic came up. Every agent admitted to Googling a writer they were thinking of signing, and all said that finding huge chunks of a writer's work online is a bad thing.
ReplyDeleteI'd also add to that: Don't splash your querying progress all over the internet either, for the same reason. No agent who's thinking about signing you is going to want to discover your full has been rejected 78 times already.
Another great etiquette post, Lisa! Some people need to keep being reminded not to air their grievances in public. I have to say I have really enjoyed becoming a part of this writer-blogger community. I love meeting new people and learning new things on the blogs of others. And it is so much fun to get comments on my blog. Bloggers have me laughing throughout the day, and who couldn't use more laughter?
ReplyDelete-Vicki
I think that the "don't blog just because you think you should" and your first point are related. I can't stand posts that are all just a daily litany of 'what I did today' or 'how many words I wrote yesterday'. These sorts of journals aren't interesting to anyone else besides yourself. (In my opinion). But, if I keep going, I'll start to rant, so I'd better cut this comment short :)
ReplyDeleteI'd like to add that bloggers please, for the love of all that is holy, get rid of the word verification! I don't get spammers, do you? Those boxes slow down the whole process. My favorite tip of yours is about keeping posts short. We're all busy, and short posts keep blogging snappy and fun.
ReplyDeleteI like short posts too. Regarding sharing personal information, I think it's good to do that occasionally so that readers can get to know the blogger. But that can easily get excessive, I agree, especially when not paired with more substantive content.
ReplyDeleteHOORAY!! My comment box is back. *wipes forehead* Seriously I was having trouble and I really wanted to respond to all of you! :D I did forget to tell you (thank you Julie) to turn OFF your word verification. I've gotten maybe two spams. EVER. And I just remove them. Clicky clicky. That's it. And if you do get bombarded? Just put it back on. It's not permanent.
ReplyDeleteAlso, if you are lucky enough to get 50 comments between checking your email (Stina) then by all means, you do not have to respond to each.
REMEMBER: These are just suggestions and you should do what works for you!!
Great post!!
ReplyDeletegreat post. I don't write about writing in every post but I try to make each post at least interesting or helpful. I keep track of the word count too and once it gets in the 600's I try to wrap it up because wordiness is my weakness. Well my main weakness :)
ReplyDeleteI wish I'd had this list when I first started! I didn't do any major DON'TS except I still sneek in a very long post once in a while. It's a bad habit.
ReplyDeleteBut yikes, that comic scared me! Because I do sometimes feel like telling my husband, um, just go check out the blog, I'm busy writing now... That's the trickiest part of all this blogging/writing thing, if you ask me, keeping it all balanced!
Lisa, GREAT POST.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for writing this. I'm in the process of putting my blog together and you've given me a lot of sage advice (as always) to consider. The Don't comments are particularly useful!
To Meredith: It was nice to see someone comment on sharing work online. I was recently told by another aspiring writer that if I don't post huge chunks of work online I'll never get published. I'm not sure what her reasoning was but it's good to see that it could actually be detrimental.
To Julie: YES, YES, YES! I hate word verification bots. I recently wrote responses to several blog posts and messed up the word verification (it was early and sometimes they are just plain hard to read). So the bot wiped my comments. Did I bother to retype them? NOPE.
Thanks :)
I am preparing to begin a blog--don't want to jump into one then realize I'd rather call it something else, or somehow mess it up in the first few entries. So the timing of this entry is perfect for me! Thanks. (PS are the parenthetical smilies a requirement of posting a comment?) ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I've definitely been guilty of "lurker syndrome". I love to read blog posts, but I usually forget to comment. *slaps hand* That will be my goal for the new year...comment more. :D Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAwww you guys! You're awesome.
ReplyDeleteKristen - One thing I wish I'd done name wise is use my name as the blog URL. So lisagailgreen.blogspot.com instead of paranormalpointofview, but I do link a lot so hopefully it isn't too bad. And NO THEY ARE NOT A REQUIREMENT But I just can't help myself :D :D :D :D
Jemma - Glad it was helpful! DO NOT POST HUGE CHUNKS OF YOUR WORK ONLINE. No that is not the "only way" you will be published. Ayayayaya
Tina - I LOVE it when you comment!
Margo - I <33 you and your blog
EVERYONE ELSE - Thank you for commenting and sharing! I love hearing what works for different people and what's a challenge.
Your point about what you write on the web coming back to bite you is so true. I once wrote an online article explaining what fanfiction is. I've since taken that article down, but last I checked it was still coming up as a result in Google searches of my name. :(
ReplyDeleteExcellent guidelines! Especially the part about shorter posts. As writers, we love writing but need to FOCUS our blog posts.
ReplyDeleteGood points! The ranting thing is so true. There was this hilarious one a couple months ago that went viral - she's probably blacklisted now from the publishing business.
ReplyDeleteAgreed on so many of your examples. I want to also agree with Julie with no word verification. I turned off mine and it saves people time! I don't get too much spam and most of that goes straight to my junk mail folder anyway and doesn't post to the comments.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the cartoon giggle. Great advice. Especially the gem of remembering once you've pushed SEND you've chiseled your thoughts in stone. Blog from your chi.
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa,
ReplyDeleteI'm here on referral from Laura Pauling and Margo Berendsen. This is such a helpful post, especially since last night I published my very first post, and it was asking for help about blogging etiquette so I don't step on anyone's web toes!
I have to say that I'm enjoying all the comments and advice I've received. I'll try to turn off the Word Verification ASAP. It is annoying, for sure.
Meredith's comments confirming your advice not to post big chunks of work are very much appreciated so I can pass that on to my critique buddies.
Thanks again for the advice. GREAT TIMING!
Really good points, Lisa, and that cartoon is fantastic. Thanks for the laugh-we need those on Mondays! That was an interesting point about how posting your work online can be considered publishing it. I know people who want to do that with chapters. Seemed dicey to me, now I know it is!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad this post has been helpful to many of you! It sounds like for the most part your gut feelings have been right on. I'm so glad you've taken the time to comment and let me know! :D
ReplyDeleteGreat summary! :-)
ReplyDeleteGreat post :)
ReplyDeleteAnd that's not a generic comment, I promise. I just... agree with what you've said.
OMG Sara that cracked me up!!! <33
ReplyDeleteYou've covered all the bases and here I was just about to RANT! Dang it anyway. I'd worked on this RANT for days and I thought what better place to set out all that bitter vetch than on my blog. Guess not.
ReplyDeleteOh well, I'll have to do something like write nice or interesting or informative.
BTW Great post. I should have read that a few years ago.
Awesome post!! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteOops, that was a generic comment, right?
Hm.
I'll do better...
I LOVE reading your blog, too!
And I LOVE that you use a big font! <3
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ReplyDeleteGood guidelines. Sort of like "sticking to the code", unless you don't feel like it. Those who choose not to follow most of your guidelines will fade into the back alleys of the web. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteLee - Aww, I highly doubt you could ever RANT
ReplyDeleteMonica - LOL I <33 you too!
Dean - He he, I'm sure there are "rule" breakers out there who do just fine. But these tips have worked well for me so far. Thanks for joining in!!
oh but I do love a good rant. LOL
ReplyDeleteEbony - Oh you and your rants! Honestly. LOL
ReplyDeleteI started out blogging just because I thought I was supposed to. It then turned out I loved (a) lots of the bloggers I was coming across and (b) really enjoyed this particular form of expression. Something that started as another to-do has turned out to be a lot of--dare I say it?--fun! Granted, my blog doesn't look anything like I'd envisioned, but that's how it ends up being with everything I write. ;)
ReplyDeleteReally good points and I loved the cartoon! I hadn't thought about the agents stopping by and seeing that the project has been sitting around for awhile. You're right: not a good look!
ReplyDeleteWhat great tips! The one I struggle with most is definitely trying to avoid novel-length diatribes. I'm just not that concise a blogger!:P
ReplyDeleteI would add to your list that having confidence is importance. I love blogging and interacting with other bloggers but the same insecurities that plague me in "real" life do so on the internet, too! I have to work really hard to feel like I have something to say, whether on my own blog or someone else's. And I know my content gets a lot better when I can convince myself that what I'm posting about is worthwhile. :)
Oh great advice, Lisa! I just wish all the bloggers out there would read it. And that cartoon is a riot!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you wrote about this! It may not be easy advice to hear for some but it's really important. You hit on just about everything. I would add only one point, don't say anything you don't want absolutely everyone (agents, editors, authors, spouses, parents, friends) to read. I've cringed at some blogs I've come across where people rant about things that might take a chunk out of their hiney later. Excellent post, as always my dear!
ReplyDeleteDeb - It's a fun place to experiment too.
ReplyDeleteCarrie - Yeah, it's tricky. I love some of the great contests and workshops out there - heck I even help run one of them - but if it's posted on your blog permanently... I'd really think about it first.
Meagan - that's a fabulous tip to add! I think we all feel that too. I know I'm like, "Who am I to give this kind of advice?" But I figure I've learned some pretty neat stuff on my path, maybe I can help by passing it along.
PK - He he he I liked it too!
Heather - I'm pretty gentle (I hope) but yeah, it's important. :D And yeah, having worlds collide is tough. Best to avoid anything iffy.
Ha, I guess we were on the same wavelength this week! Great do's and don'ts! (although sometimes I have trouble keeping posts short!)
ReplyDeleteAngela @ The Bookshelf Muse
Eek, I think I'm in violation of the long post, LOL! Probably good practice to work on paring it down. And dividing it with bullet points and titles.
ReplyDeleteI find myself struggling with content. On one hand, I want my blog to be useful and helpful to my readers. On the other, as a beginner, I don't feel qualified to give advice. What else is there to talk about? LOL. I will figure it all out as I fumble along, I guess. Thanks for all of the great tips!
Angela - LOL Different tips though! I love your blog.
ReplyDeleteErin - That's a tough spot to be in. I like to pass on things that I've found useful. Just be you! your voice will come through.
Great post, Lisa! Your tips are right on the button. I enjoy blogging, but I find that my output ebbs and flows with my day job work load. Maybe not the best situation, but that's the way it is. I agree with Julie on the word verification. Nobody needs extra hoops to jump through!
ReplyDeleteRuth - It's tough to juggle job and writing and kids. It's something I think many of us struggle with in some combination or another. Just don't beat yourself up if you have to take some time for other things.
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyable post! I'm finding that the longer I blog for, the more my own voice is creeping through - I'm much more confident and less self conscious and I'm having a lot more fun with it too.
ReplyDeleteOn an unrelated note, your tweet led me to the blog which led me to the Greek Myth anthology. You have a new reader! Can't wait to download it it looks great. Once a classics geek always a classics geek.
LOL. Okay, that Joy of Tech comic was hilarious! :)
ReplyDeleteYou've got a good list. Especially "Don't write a novel length" post. I personally try to keep my post down below 400 words. I find that when I roll up on a blog post and it's really long, I always say I'll come back to read it but never do.
Charity - Wow! I'm so glad you found me, and I hope you enjoy the anthology.
ReplyDeleteKaren - It's such an easy trap for us writers to fall into! But yeah, I think that is an important point.
Loved the comic - LOL - now she's blogging someone else. Thanks for reminding us of the guide lines and for keeping it short. Lengthy blogs put a speed bump in my blog cruising. Great post! :D
ReplyDeleteThat last point about posting work is a sticky one isn't it? I've met a lot of my followers through "blogfests," and I do like to get a feel for others' work and their sensibilites. But I might take a look at some of my oldest "writing sample" postings now that you mention some downsides, which make sense.
ReplyDeleteBrenda - you like life in the fast lane. LOL
ReplyDeleteLaurel - It is a sticky point. I like those blogfests too, and this is admittedly one reason I hardly ever (ok maybe never) participate. I will go comment on others, but I don't usually post my own. You can certainly get a feel for my voice through certain posts I put up though.
Very good tips. A recent study found that the most effective online reading takes place between 200-400 words and usually broken up into sections with an image to break the monotony. Even a dedicated reader can have issues reading more than a 1,000 words online. Nice to find your blog!
ReplyDeletePW - I'm glad you found me too! Interesting study, especially since it confirms what I said. :P He he he.
ReplyDeleteGood advice. Thanks for sharing your experience.
ReplyDelete.......dhole
Great advice! I agree about the lengthy and hard to read thing. The bullets are fabulous! :)
ReplyDeleteI lot of times I don't comment on posts I read because 1) I feel like I'm supposed to not only read the post but also all the other comments before I comment, and there's 52 comments before this one. (I didn't read the other comments this time BTW.) 2) I feel like if there's already a lot of comments that I'm just bothering the author with writing another comment. Who has time to read (and reply to) that many comments on each post?
ReplyDeleteLighting - I DO!!! :D Seriously I love getting comments, and I don't expect you to read all the other ones, though some people do that. It's all a matter of personal preference. But as the writer, it lets me know that people are reading, what they think of what I said, and whether it was useful.
ReplyDeleteI promise to take more time in reading all of your posts because I really enjoy your writing and can certainly learn a thing or two! I especially like this post though, if only to assure me that I (believe) I am doing good with my own blogs. Thank you for your insight!
ReplyDeleteDeja Vu! Hi Lisa. I just celebrated my one year blogoversary and published my first post, along with some of the helpful tips and links I received from my call for help as far as blog etiquette. I finally found time to read your post again, and it's definitely worth a second read (especially after a year!). I need to read your post about Twitter now! Take care.
ReplyDeleteWhat an enjoyable read! People should read this, before they start blogging, so they know what behaviour is inappropiate! The number one don't for me: bloggers who obviously haven't read the blogpost but promote theirselves. Like you said: being friendly helps so much more!
ReplyDelete