In general, I try to steer clear of pet peeve posts. They tend to get rant-y, and I just don’t love starting off a blog post with a negative spin. But, in the last few weeks I’ve been thinking about some of the common mistakes that bloggers make. You see, for a community where pretty much anything goes, we have a lot of rules. And when you’re new to the game, sometimes it can be hard to navigate these waters. So let’s look at this post as less of a rant, and more of an educational discussion.
This became really long, so I decided to break it up into more than one post. Check back next week for the second installment!
The Copycat
The quickest way to becoming a pariah in blog world is by copying another blogger’s content and claiming it as your own. Because it’s so easy to make stuff up and post it on the internet, blogs have to be built on a foundation of trust with their readers in order to have any credibility. It’s pretty easy to irreparably damage that credibility. The internet makes it really easy to find out if someone is using text or images that they don’t have the rights to, and the blogging community looks at these transgressions as the lowest of the low things that a blogger can do. Steer clear.
More likely than blatant copying though is when a blogger is a little too inspired by another blogger’s content. This is admittedly tough because there’s a lot of gray area- how much do you have to change something to make it your own? When in doubt, share the link to your inspiration with your readers! By giving a shout-out to the other blogger, you’re giving them the recognition they deserve, and giving your readers something additional to check out if they want more content like what you’re posting. Just know that sometimes linking isn’t enough, and it’s possible that a blogger that you’re imitating will ask you to remove the content. Play it safe by running your idea by the other blogger first in an email.
See also: improperly sourcing your images, or even worse, not attempting to source them at all.
The Conditional Follower
Everybody has gotten those “if you follow me, I’ll follow you!” comments. This is alienating because blogging isn’t about having a higher follower count- it’s about connecting with others and having people genuinely respond to what you post. If two people follow each other just so that they can mutually benefit from higher numbers… that kind of defeats the purpose. The only thing worse than this is just leaving comments asking people to follow you, with no recognition of the blogger or blog that you are commenting on. Just don’t do it. (Thanks to Megan for this idea!)
The Inconsiderate Requester
If you’re asking another blogger to do you a favor, first you need to ask yourself if what you’re asking qualifies as a favor or if you’re asking them to give you something they normally charge money for for free. If it’s the latter, you need to really examine if it’s worth sending that email, because there are very few instances where that is a good idea.
If it is really just a favor, you need to send them a personal email. Otherwise, it feels like you’re clogging that person’s precious inbox space with something spammy. Make sure the email is sent to them individually and that their name is correct in the greeting. Demonstrate that you read their blog in your email. It wouldn’t hurt to check out this post on asking for a favor.
See also: signing another blogger up for your email newsletter without their permission.
The Buyer of Followers
Let’s be real- it’s hard not to like a well thought out, genuine giveaway. When a blogger gives away something that they really love in appreciation to their readers, I can get behind that.
But when giveaways start to take up a high percentage of posts and happen on a very regular basis, it starts to feel like the blogger appreciates the potential followers that might find them via the giveaway more than they appreciate their existing followers. It’s starts to feel less generous and more like you’re trying to buy friends. Just participate sparingly, and try to make sure that the focus is more on appreciation, and less on the number of followers that you’re getting out of the equation- otherwise it feels like a publicity stunt.
The Absent Advertiser
A lot of people are charging for ads these days, which is cool with me- blogging takes a lot of time, and I fully support those who are able to make money from their endeavors. However, when you start charging for ads, you give up the right to pull a certain blogging card. I’m referring to the “I only blog for me” card, and therefore the ability to post only when you’re feeling inspired.
When you sell an ad to someone, you are agreeing to post in a similar pattern to when the person purchases the ad. If you post everyday for six months, and then drop off the face of the earth a week after someone purchases the ad, you are essentially not giving them what they paid for. Most of the time this isn’t discussed when ads are purchased, so this is really an ethical issue over a legal one- just be respectful of the people who want to support you, and make sure that they are getting what they thought they were purchasing when they decided to give you their money.
Now, I have to ask: what are the rules that you try to follow as a blogger? Have you written a post about it? If so, I’d like to invite you to share the link in the comments!
Thanks to everyone who shared their thoughts about this topic on my Facebook page! Go check it out, it was a pretty interesting discussion!
Ooo, good post, Kate! I hate the conditional follower. I also dislike the whole GFC “follow” required giveaway. I see many bloggers using that as their first and/or only way of entry. I think it’s kind of silly, because GFC is now only relevant for Blogger, and I would suspect it will die soon now that they’ve killed off Reader.
I would also say avoid being the person who enters “enter the giveaway on my blog!” in your “drive-by” commenter. Similar to the conditional, they’re only interested in gaining traffic to their blog. I tend to delete them, because I know it’s just a quest for links to their blog. I never click through those on others blogs! I’m more interested in clicking through to people who had insightful comments that might just be interesting people, in general!
YES. when a blogger comments on one of my posts and links to her blog, I’ll often check it out – especially if she left an insightful or involved comment rather than a “hey, great post!” because it takes to two tango. But I NEVER click if the link is essentially an advertisement on my blog for her blog, which is what those “enter the giveaway on my blog!” commenters are doing.
Agreed. I actually added a statement to my comment form that says your name will be linked with your URL, and that leaving your URL in the comment itself may cause the comment to be automatically marked as spam (and if not, I’m probably going to delete it myself unless you say something thoughtful). I think it scared off the self-promoters, because I don’t usually have to deal with those anymore.
I’ve always liked how you have that there, Lisa! A lot of comments get lost because people automatically stick their blog link under their comment.
That’s genius, Lisa!
I definitely agree that GFC is on it’s way out, and I think that it’s going to bring about a lot of changes for certain blogging communities- hopefully for the better.
Okay lame-o question, does GFC stand for google friends connect? I just took the widget of “followers” off recently because I (meaning me) wanted to let go of thinking I needed to collect followers. When you see that some people have thousands and thousands it suddenly seems daunting to reach even 50! xo
Yep! GFC equals Google Friend Connect :) I think that’s a good way to go, and I think that it’s going to get retired sooner than later anyway now that it’s only on Blogger blogs and Reader is getting discontinued!
yes it does! I took the widget off too (a few weeks before they announced that Google Reader was folding, incidentally) but did want to keep on the “join with GFC” button so that people could follow that way if they wanted to. like you, I just didn’t want to see the followers or for my readers to see them! too much pressure :/
Yes. To all of these. I can’t wait for part 2!
Absolutely love the way you defined this! It def felt educational not at all like a rant. Your spin on “conditional followers” is perfect-o! Great points on sponsorship. As I started my sponsorship options I seriously first considered my commitment to personal blogging time and to the number of bloggers I could handle. It’s important these two match and are a capability! Giveaways, oh boy. That’s a toughie! I really appreciate your statements on that too. It’s something I feel I need to better examine. Again this is great! Looking forward to your part 2!
Thanks Kristine! I’m glad it came off the way I was hoping it would :) Sometimes it’s hard to know before you hit publish!
I so love that you make these posts for what to do/not to do as a blogger. I am always learning something new from you!
Thanks Amber, I’m so glad they’re helpful!
The copier is the worst. I’ve had it happen to me multiple times, and I even got so frustrated I wrote a post about it. Bloggers still e-mail me today saying that the post helped them out and they always ask for advice. Great idea for a post! I also try to delete people who leaves comments saying “follow me ” or “enter my giveaway”, but Disqus doesn’t have a good HTML-disabling program (you have to approve comments and that’s super annoying!)
I would love to read that post, Rachel! Would you mind leaving the link? :)
YES! 100% agree. Giveaways have been a huge pet peeve of mine, especially, as Lauren said, the ones that require following via GFC. It excludes those of us not on Blogger, and not to mention, really falls into the gray area on legality. The way I understand it, you should only require commenting as a means of entering names and contact info for random drawing, any following should only be optional extra entries. I’m also really disappointed to see so many giant cash giveaways popping up where you have to follow 30 blogs to enter.
I think what it all boils down to is, if you’re doing something solely to gain followers, you’re doing it wrong.
I totally agree- and those 30 blog giveaways definitely rub me the wrong way. And I love how you summed it up in that last sentence!
“If you’re doing something solely to gain followers, you’re doing it wrong.”
^AMEN
Oh Kate! This is all so great. I really like all the things you say. It floors me that people steal content! Really? But maybe thats me. And I also like what you have to say about giveaways. For me, I am newer to blogging & I soooooo want that affirmation that people read my content and like what I am saying that I, at one point, pondered a giveaway but I quickly realized the giveaway would be more about “collecting” followers and likes on my FB page than actually getting the affirmation that people ENJOY what they read. I DO spend a fair amount on time on my posts but I also enjoy the process and outlet of it all. I want people to be reading because it gives them meaning, not because they are lured in by some sort of “golden carrot”.
Also, I have done some posts on blogging! I wrote it mostly for me, as I was getting discouraged, feeling that what I was producing wasn’t quality enough to be liked. Here is the latest one, as it has links to the other blog posts, & is really a summary of the other three. (the first three were pictures I took with what I wrote on for inspiration, & links to others who had written on blogging :0)). If anyone wants to take a gander here it is:
http://pomegranateandseeds.blogspot.com/2013/03/spring-organizing-editing-creating.html
thanks so much for the awesome insight! I will be hopping over to your FB page to see what was discussed there! Happy MidWeek! xo
I’m with ya- it’s crazy but it’s true, some people really do just copy and paste! Thanks for leaving those links Rebecca, I’m excited to check them out!
nicely put Kate. Blogging isn’t all that different from junior high – you can’t buy friends, no one likes a copycat and it sucks when people use you. If it doesn’t feel right in real life then you can guarantee it shouldn’t happen online.
This is so perfectly stated!
Totally agree with Lauren above about GFC. Not relevant for us and it hurts our “numbers”. Great post Kate, all SO pertinent in the blog world.
Yes. You hit the nail on the head over and over and over again!
I don’t blog consistently or have very many followers so almost all of the comments I do get are from the conditional follower. I’m just not interested, thanks any way!
And the copy cat drives me crazy (I read a lot of blogs and I notice it a lot) and the buyer of followers is a quick way for me to stop coming around, I am not interested in a giveaway a day, especially if it’s for stupid stuff!
Well done, Kate! This is such a great post, and I so agree with all of this – can’t wait to read part 2!!!
Thanks for this very thoughtful article, Kate! My blog is now getting enough traffic that I’m actually being approached for giveaways, and I really hadn’t considered the points you made under the “buyer of following” category. I would hate to alienate my existing readership, so I’m very glad to have read this.
One that I would add is the blogger who doesn’t respond to comments! I see this all the time, including large successful blogs too. I just can’t fathom why a blogger would bother to write a post, and then not engage with readers in the comments. I think once you’ve started the conversation, you’re also responsible to keep it going. I’m much more likely to be a loyal follower of a blogger who actually reads my comments and appreciates my opinion!
Awesome! I agree with you about the comments, but I do think that it’s impossible to respond to all comments. I personally try my best to make sure that I’m not ignoring any one blog reader, and that I respond to everyone’s comments occasionally, but I’m sure some slip through the cracks. In all honestly, it takes me forever to respond thoughtfully to comments. While I want all my readers to feel valued, I know that I don’t expect replies on a lot of the comments that I leave, so I hope that others are okay when I don’t respond to some of their comments. But I agree, interaction is key!
Oh, just to clarify, I was definitely NOT talking about you. I think a response for every 5 or so comments is sufficient, maybe I would feel differently if I had tons of comments on my blog. I’m always impressed by people like Joy Cho and Grace Bonney who seem to actually read all of their comments, and take a very active roll in engaging with their readers.
Oh I know- I guess when people talk about responding to comments I always feel like I have to qualify it because I always feel guilty about not responding to more comments! I love that ratio you suggested- I totally agree!
What a great list. I couldn’t agree more :)
Fabulous post! I think this should be read by many, whether new or old in the blogging world! Couldn’t agree more with every tip!
Yes to all of these, but especially the photo one. If I go to a blog and they don’t even try to source their photos I’m out. Haha.
Great tips Kate! Offering advertising has been something I’ve struggled with for a long time. Look forward to part two!
As a newer blogger, still trying to find my way, this post was perfect! One issue I always have is along the lines of copying. There are only so many entirely unique ideas out there, so when I see a post that looks rather similar to something I have done, I have to ask myself if they were “inspired” by my post or if they just had a similar idea. On the flip side, when I do a new DIY or something thinking it is the best thing since sliced bread, and then I see that something else similar has already been done, I feel like I can’t publish my post because someone might think I was too “inspired” by their idea. Even if I didn’t see their post until after mine was completely finished. It is such a fine (and sometimes frustrating) line…
I’ve totally been there, Kaley! Personally, if you legitimately have never come across a site before and find something similar (but not exactly the same) that you’re planning on publishing, I say go for it anyways. The reality is that blog world is HUGE. And while intentionally copying is never okay, none of us live in a vacuum and there are bound to be repeat ideas. I think that as long as you are putting your own personal spin on something, it’s okay if something out there is similar. Otherwise you’ll spend you’re life as a blogger doing research to make sure that all your ideas are 100% original, and no one expects that.
Yes to all of these! The conditional follower is the worst in my book. Also the people who expect that you will follow them back without even introducing themselves first.
This is the best post of this kind I have seen! These are all so spot on. The one that gets me the most is the conditional follower one. I haven’t had it happen to me, but I’m afraid if it did that it would be extremely hard to respond nicely. These are definitely great tips!
Great post and I like the part about the buying of followers, I think it’s easy (especially as a new blogger) to get caught up in this. But, on the flip side, as a new blogger, how DO you get followers? I think as bloggers , while we mostly write for ourselves, it is nice to have a bit of validation or at least knowing that your posts are being read. :) I often feel its about participating in communities that have similar ideals, but sometimes finding that niche is difficult. Anyway, great post Kate, and I would love any advice you might include in the future on building your readership!
Good point, Kelly! I think if you shift your focus from followers to relationships, that’s where the money is in blogging (not literally, but kinda!) A follower is so much less valuable than someone you have a genuine relationship with online. Blog friends will share your content, encourage you, let you bounce ideas off of them- if you focus on being yourself and touching people enough that they are interested in you and want to come back to your site, regardless of how they follow you, the numbers will come.
Kate, ah! This is such a good point! I love how you bring it back to the positive and such a good way of thinking of it! Can not wait for part 2!
I agree with all of these! Thanks for including me :)
I can’t agree more about the giveaways! I hate when I see more than a couple giveaways a month. They are so gimmicky. I never enter them anyway so they just take away from otherwise great content. Even if I were so inclined to enter giveaways the rules on some are crazy! Follow me and the sponsor, like on Facebook, look through their site and post your favorite product on Instagram, Tweet it three times, blah, blah, blah. Who has time to do all that for a slim chance of winning a (usually) average/fairly inexpensive product? I just recently started a style blog and if my blog was ever ‘big enough’ to warrant giveaways I would do a maximum of one a month with super simple rules.
These are all great! I considered offering ad space on my blog multiple times but always come back to “no”. This posts makes me realize why, too much pressure to be consistent (and for good reason). I also totally agree with your insight on buying followers. I’ve stopped doing giveaways because they have greatly become all about getting followers. I care more about friends who leave genuine comments than followers who will never return.
Yes. Yes. Yes to all of these.
You def. do not want to become any of these bloggers.
Love it!! I’m a new blogger, so these are really helpful!!
I bought two ads from two different blogs and both did what you mentioned…that month they hardly posted anything! I couldn’t believe it. Needless to say I did not have the best experience buying ads and I haven’t done it since.
It’s a HUGE huge turn off when I can tell a blog is doing it for money/business. When the content is soo genric/client based. If I can’t tell the blogger is blogging out of passion and love for beautiful things/producing quality inspiration, then I leave that blog right away….especially when they are blogging for money…they should be better.
Found this via Pinterest…and love it!
The Conditional Follower is one of my biggest pet peeves. If someone visits my site (or fan page) and I find I cannot relate to their posts (ie they’re a mom, I’m not) in some way (some kid related posts I do try to leave a friendly comment if I can) I simply cannot return a follow. It comes across as spammy and desperate for attention when they do that. If you have posts I enjoy and I like your style, I’ll follow. If not, I won’t. It’s that simple.
The Conditional Followers. YES! I am always getting comments from people that say “Great post, new follower, I’d love it if you come follow me back!”. Ugh. First thing, chances are they didn’t even read the post or anything on my blog at all. Secondly, they will probably never visit my blog again. That isn’t the kind of follower I want at all!!
I found this link on Pinterest. Really great stuff and I think I read it in the nick of time. I have not yet started my blog but was thinking up all the giveaways and goodies i could conjure up to get a following. I realise from this post and all the comments that I don’t really want a following of people that are only interested in freebees any way. Much better to concentrate on what I love and the process of creating great content of stuff I like to read than have an ’empty following of people who probably wouldn’t read my stuff anyway. Thanks Kate and eveyone that commented. Very insightful!
Emily
I love your whole attitude and outlook on the blogging world. I couldn’t agree more!!
This is a very educational and enlightening post. I just started my blog (less than a month ago) and I’m so glad I found these tips now instead of months down the road!!
I just started my blog and I find these blogging tips to be very useful! I have to completely agree with you on the conditional follower, aside from it being really annoying, it just defeats the purpose of having a blog. Since I am new to the blogosphere, I was just wondering what are some proper ways of promoting my blog?
Definitely! I would check out more of the posts in this category, and also the ones in the social media category, particularly the ones on Twitter and Pinterest. Good luck!
Thank you so much!
I actually been a victim of the copycat blogger. This person copied and pasted every entry for nine months.
I love this post great tips.
I’m so glad to find this post! I blogged for years with hardle any followers, so I am really good at blogging just for me. ;) But I just launched a new blog, one I hope might actually have discussion and followers, so I am looking for all the advice I can get!
Fabulous list! I really like the mention of “follow me/follow you” annoyances. Twitter has this problem, as does Facebook. Honestly, I do not want people “following” me if they are doing nothing but skew my numbers. I’m a bit of a stat junky, and I’d rather have quality over quantity.
I love this list. I have to say the one that resonated the most with me is the Inconsiderate Requester! Every now and then, I’ll get a new blogger ask me something I feel not so inclined to give away for free. I’ve had people want me to help them brainstorm blog names, help them figure out affiliate programs, or mentor them… mind you, so they can build a similar blog in a similar niche.
You know that saying “the worst thing that can happen is they say no?” No, that’s not the worst thing that can happen. The worst thing that can happen is you put someone in the unfortunate and awkward position of having to tell you no.
Please people, think twice.
Just as good as the second part of the series I jzst read before.
What bothers me a bit about giveaways (but clearly not as much as giveaways replacing content) is that they are only for US residents, but that’s a legal aspect that’s hard to avoid.
Thanks – as a brand new blogger this list in invaluable. I am still trying to figure out blogging etiquette, and I am definitely correcting my mistakes. I guess the problem is that no give you a handbook after your first post and shows you the ropes. You have to stumble upon this great information.
Amen!!! The conditional follower drives me absolutely insane. And the copycat. There is a blogger I know who copy and pasted a craft tutorial of mine word for word into her blog. She took her own pictures, but even copied how they were taken. I found out about it because we were friends on Facebook and she posted the link to her blog! I was pretty upset, to say the least. After I found out about it and “followed” her, she fessed up and apologized…but I just can’t look/think of her in the same way anymore. She still blogs and comments on my blog…but I have a hard time being genuinely supportive of her. Thanks for this! It is a good reminder of what I don’t need to be doing :).
I blog just for fun, and have never been very consistent in how often I post. Sometimes 3x/week, sometimes 3x a month. I know this is not a great way to keep followers, and any blogging conference speaker would tell me that consistency is key to keeping followers. But I always cringe at those blogs who post content every day but just because they feel like they have to. Likely it’s because of advertisers, but I’m always behind on my blog reading, so any time someone I follow hasn’t been posting a ton lately, it actually helps me catch up! And I’d rather get good content less often than so-so content constantly.
Off to read part 2 now!
Great blog with some great advice. Thank you
I have stopped reading blogs when they become one big commercial for corporate sponsorship. The content leaves personal and becomes paid advertising. I know this is how some families make ends meet, but it loses the personality I loved and followed. That being said, I do feel a sense of jealousy that their readership is something I will never achieve. Like most of America, the mom’n’pop joints lose out to the big money makers. But I will stick with what I know and that means no sponsors and my own content ;-)
Hello Kate,
Just stumbled across your blog tonight and I am so glad I did! These tips are critical tips for new bloggers such as myself. The blogging world can be a bit confusing and intimidating for newbies so I really appreciate your insight. Thank you so much.
Moe
My goal eventually is to make money with my blog through ads, but I realized that that means they’re basically paying you to continue doing what you’re doing consistently. This is an interesting post. Thanks!
hi. Thank you for this. As a teen I had ‘blog’…but now with my health issues and having to quit university, I want to enter the world of blogging as it truly is. I loved this and can’t wait to read part two. Silly me, the student is still here, I write everything down in a notebook as if I’m in lecture. But you and other bloggers who kindly offer these tips will forever have my gratitude.
Thank you!
Hey Kate,
I loved this post it gives me an insight of how its expected to behave on blogs and social media in general. Its hard to know when you’ve crossed the line when it comes to being to inspired, I would really appreciate it if you could give some more insight on this.
Ps. Its my first time here and I really loved the post, exited to explore your page.
ThaliaStefania
Thank you! Oh man, I feel like books could be written about this topic! I wish there was an easy answer, but I think it just comes down to trying to be as original as possible. It’s a pretty gray area, but if you can tell that something you’ve put online is “inspired” by another blogger, chances are others can too. Hope that helps!
Thank you!
ALL of these are completely legit things that I see all the time cruising through random blogs all the time! And as a newer blogger myself, it’s definitely something to keep in the back of my mind, as well! I may end up printing this out and hanging it by my blog station as a continuous reminder!
I’m just getting started out blogging and found this old post on Pinterest. As a pro web designer, I have run into #3 many times! People try to ask for free or cheap sites so I can “practice” or “because we’re friends”. Someone even went so far as to ask what free site builder I would recommend! If it’s a quick question I’m always happy to answer but it’s important to not insult someone’s skills by saying they have no value ( which is what you’re doing when asking for free work.)
I haven’t been very consistent and you’re right – how can I get anyone to advertise if I’m unreliable!
I’m late to the game here and scouring for information and this is NEW and so relevant! I want to get out there but not in the wrong way and this is a great help…thanks. Now off to part two! Stay tuned for site, still a work in progress!