June 23, 2011

Blogging etiquettes

I’ve been blogging since 2008. Well, technically. I seriously started only this year.

There are a few things I’ve learnt in these few months that I would like to share here, hoping that it will be of some use to someone. These are not rules, just etiquettes, according to me.

1) Keep your template simple. It’s easier for others to read. Cramming the main page with too many things isn’t very nice. If you have a lot of things to display, then make separate links. (I may also be saying this because I have seen a lot of awards adorning the main page of some blogs, and I’m just plain jealous that I haven’t got any yet. *sniff* I’m fine.)

2) As much as possible, try to keep your template colour light. A black colour template sure looks classy, but it’s a pain to read, and by the time you’ve reached the end of it, you feel like you’ve just finished watching Saawariya. And you do remember how painful that was, don’t you?

3) No matter how much of a great writer you are, and how popular your blog is, try as much as possible to reply to comments. Because there are readers, like me for example, who will obsessively keep checking whether their comment has been published or not and whether the writer has replied. A little bit of humility goes a long way.

4) Never call anyone’s writing bad, unless you are any authority on it. Everyone has a different style, and not everyone walks around with a Wren and Martin all the time. Writers are a sensitive lot. I strongly believe in the saying “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” Constructive criticism is good, but make sure you don’t cross the line to just plain mean.

5) If you’re writing a post that was inspired from another one, don’t hesitate to admit it. Giving someone their due credit will not harm you in any way. Give a link to it on your post, and if possible, let that blogger know that they’ve been an inspiration, in however small possible way. It feels nice.

6) I know I myself don’t follow this much, but still, has to be said. Avoid long-winding posts. There are many attention-deficit readers around, like me for example. I tend to look at the length of the post first and then proceed to read it, mainly because I don’t like reading too much of content off my monitor. Brevity is the soul of wit, said Shakespeare. Brevity is the soul of blogging, says Divya. Ahem.

7) A catchy blog name is very important. I myself tend to read random blogs that I find on others’ blog rolls with catchy names. Didn’t some wisecrack say, that first impression is the best impression? My blog name is way too long, and I wish I could change it. But I’ve used it for so long that I don’t feel like changing it anymore.

8) Whatever you do, do NOT write blog posts in SMS language. I won’t elaborate much on this because I’ve said too much already, and as it is, people are starting to watch what they say to me. (I think they picture me in Hitler’s uniform with a grammar book in hand instead of a ..umm..what did Hitler carry? A gun?)

9) Read a lot of blogs. Share them on your blog.Spread the joy. You can get some really good ideas for your own blog by reading others'.

10) I don't have a number 10. I just didn't want to leave it at 9.

Hmm.. What else? That’s all I can think of for now. If you guys have any suggestions, drop it in the comment box. Happy blogging!! :)

25 comments:

  1. Lovely hehe.Also,if someone follows your blog and you're coming in from a blog hop I hate it when people say "Hi I'm so from from so.I'm followingyou.Follow me" grr
    Fishes in sidebar?
    talking dogs?I've done that.They look good on your myspsace page.Ablog has a different aura :)
    Your indivine post about salman khan brought me here.At first I thought here is something that could be ridunkulous :P but hell!I love your writing :)

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  2. Too good! Honest , Brief, and to-the-point !. Every 'cent' worth! :)

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  3. @Sweta: Hey, thanks for dropping in! :)
    And yes, I do border on ridunkulous at times. If you read the posts 'Killer Serial' and 'Wishlist of a screw-loose Part I',you'll know just how much. :/ I figure, as long people are only reading and not listening,they won't have the option of telling me to shut up. ;)

    @Dewdrop: Thank you! :)

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  4. Haha cool. I never knew there were such etiquettes! Just kept blogging randomly! :) Lol, real nice and thanks to your seventh point, I'm back to my usual blog title. And oh yes, the template thing, I've been planning to change it since long. I know it's pain to read with the black background! This is real nice! :)

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  5. @DawnZhang: Thanks! :) And like I said, these are etiquttes, not rules. It's not like you have to follow them. Different people have different views, I guess.

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  6. This post is super cool!!! :D :D It's also very helpful for beginners like me :D I spent like...half of my life trying to find myself a catchy blog title!! :D :D Writing long posts is like a natural instinct for me too!! Because whatever I want to say, I put into words and after I'm done, when I view my post, I'm like "Whew!! Now that's a long one!! :-/" :D :D Keep posting such good stuff!! :) :)

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  7. well i used to write in 'SMS lingo' but my blogger frens said not to so i agree wid that point of urs.about grammer,sometimes ithe mistake jus creeps in.not entirely blogger's fault

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  8. i hope i comply with each and every step you mentioned :P

    Hope is a strong word you knw :D

    Nice post!

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  9. @Anvita: Thanks! And seriously, once I start rambling, it's hard to stop, right? At the end of it all, when I look at the post, it's like I've written a novel. But if I see someone else's blog with such long posts, I'll be like zzzzzzzz. Hypocrisy, thy queen's name is Divya. :/

    @maniac.hunter: Nope, grammar is not the blogger's fault. That's why I didn't mention it here. :) That's what I was referring to when I said that not everyone can walk around with a Wren and Martin all the time. Grammar is something that can be honed over time, with practise, by reading and writing a lot. But the sms lingo is unpardonable, no two ways about that. :/

    @Red Handed: Ya ya, hope is a strong word. Explain that to the Blog Police. :p

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  10. Divyaa...Damn you! I was gonna come up with a similar post!
    :-D

    But then... I don't follow a whole lot of blogs. Mine was gonna be more related to your first point - presentation/readbility. Maybe I will go ahead and write one. ;-)

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  11. Hey Spaceman, an out-of-the-world post here..the Blogging Bible.. real thoughtful and helpful stuff (not to forget 'most useful';)) ..

    keep up the good work, Spiff:)

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  12. Good list of blogging etiquettes, I say.
    I especially can't stand the SMS language in blogs! And the 'dark background-light foreground' funda either. Sensible post! :)

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  13. @Vijitha: I would love to read that post! Please do write one. :)

    @R-A-J: Thank you! :)

    @Vinitha: Thank you. :)

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  14. Each point was a gem! And the Sawaria bit deserves special mention!! Great writing there - as always!!

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  15. "I’ve been blogging since 2008. Well, technically. I seriously started only this year." - there are more awesome people like me :D YAaY!


    Crowding widgets- guilty. I can't choose which ones to take off:| Help me out?:P

    Attention-deficit readers, Hitler's.. umm.. (what DID he carry?o_O)- LoL (I know you don't like 'Lol' and 'rofl', but that sums up my reaction, so can I use it? Pretty pleej?)

    :)Keep it coming..

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  16. @Priyanka: Thank you. :)
    Like I said, I'm just jealous about others' awards, that's why I'm griping about crowding the main page. Don't mind it. :P

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  17. Love this post. So straight and useful! :)

    I am reading your blog now and I noticed you are at Hyderabad. I am from there. :)

    Keep writing. Will try to keep reading. :)

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  18. @Srinidhi: Thank you for dropping by! :)

    Yup, I've been in Hyderabad for four years now- since 2007. What can I say, the Biryani just doesn't let me even think about moving. :p Not to mention the Hyderabadi language. ;)

    Where in Hyderabad are you?

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  19. Was in Hyderabad. Work has brought me to a new city. (read ahmedabad). What have I learnt? Hyderabad has ruined me for any other city. hehe! Give the city my love. :)

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  20. Haha! :D Sure will! I didn't like the place much initially, but now it's grown on me. I really can't imagine leaving. :)

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  21. "Because I'm shameless and like to flaunt." Like that :)
    Back to the post, no doubt black backgrounds are a turn-off. Myself guilty of the same.

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  22. @Kirklops: Black turn-offs are a MAJOR turn-off, seriously! :/

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  23. That was some very good advice indeed! And even though my template is black, bah! I can't seem to want to change it :/ I try to keep a the color of the font a little dull so that it isn't a pain in the ass for the readers. BUT I CAN'T LET GO OF BLACK! WAAA :(

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  24. Very useful, straight and nice. I was thinking am the sole soul who believes in white backgrounds, until I met her - you blog :)

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